Schools for Girls

3, 4, 5

Students listen and respond to the text of Nasreen’s Secret School by Jeanette Winter, a picture book about a school in Afghanistan. This book will set the stage for a discussion around the importance of education and what people can do to promote schooling for all around the world.

Lesson Rating 
PrintOne 45-Minute Session

The learner will:

  • identify Afghanistan on a world map.
  • recognize obstacles faced by some children trying to get an education.
  • state the value of education to individuals and the community and world.
  • describe the work of a nonprofit organization to help people meet their needs.
  • Nasreen’s Secret School by Jeanette Winter
  • Internet access for facilitator (optional)
  • privilege: an advantage that some have and others do not
  • philanthropy: giving time, talent, or treasure or taking action for the common good


  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Locate Afghanistan on a map and name some of the countries and topography surrounding it.

  2. Tell students that you are going to read a book that takes place in Afghanistan. Give a summary of some of the history of Afghanistan (found on the inside cover of the book). Consider talking about recent events in the region. Some good online sources are:


  4. Read aloud Nasreen’s Secret School by Jeanette Winter.

    • Talk about what life is like for girls in Afghanistan.
    • Discuss how schools help students like Nasreen and why it is good for everyone in the country for all children to be educated.
    • Discuss what people can do to help girls and boys who do not have access to school.
  5. Tell students that there are nonprofit organizations that raise money to build schools and provide resources (books, buildings, wells, and bathrooms) to make it easier for families to send their children to school. Identify some organizations (Heifer International, Girl Up, UNICEF). Ask them how they think these organizations get money to do this (fundraising, donations, grants). Ask them to brainstorm how young people might be able to raise money for educating children around the world.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 07. Skills of Civic Engagement
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy