Start a revolution--it begins with you!
The premise of the novel Pay It Forward is one that any person can implement in his or her own life, at any time. It begins with doing a favor for another person-- without any expectation of being paid back. Indeed one would request that the recipient of that favor do the same for someone else: ideally for three other people. The unconditional favors can be large or small. As Trevor observes: it doesn't have to be a big thing. It can just seem that way, depending on whom you do it for.

Pay It Forward in the classroom:
Trevor's concept of "paying it forward" comes from an extra credit assignment given to him in school. His teacher asks the students to "Think of an idea for world change, and put it into action." Work with a teacher at your local school to develop a PAY IT FORWARD assignment. The Pay It Forward Foundation can provide supportive education materials and seed money to those who qualify, through the Pay It Forward Foundation Mini Grant Program.

As children create their own ideas for how to pay it forward within their school or community, teachers can incorporate relevant social issues and current affairs into their discussions. A Pay It Forward project can be applied to all aspects of academic structure.

Educator Resources

Not in the classroom?
We suggest you check out our Pay It Forward Movement sites for more ideas of how you can Pay It Forward in your home community.

Pay It Forward Movement

The information and suggestions on this web site are to provide examples, motivation and inspiration for those interested in initiating Pay It Forward activities. Any activity should be carried out using common sense in regards to safety, the age of the student and the context of the community. Projects should be carried out within the professional judgment of the teacher/group leader, rules of the institution and laws of the legal jurisdiction. The Pay It Forward Foundation has no responsibility for the specific projects or activities resulting from implementation of projects at the local level.