Pay It Forward

Before you watch the film, answer:

1. Is it possible for individuals to change the world? In your answer, give a

few examples of citizens who did/do/didn’t/don’t change the world. Keep in mind, the ‘world’
here can mean community, rather than the entire Earth.

2. Do you like what the world is? Explain your answer. Eg. What do you like?
What would you want to change? What would you like to see change?

3. Has anyone ever done an unexpected kindness for you that

made a real difference in your life?
After you watch the film, & answer:

1. In the movie, Trevor feels that the “pay it forward” things have to be “big.” Do you
agree or disagree? Why? Explain your answer and provide examples where
possible.

2. What human desire does Trevor’s project connect with in each person who hears
about it throughout the story, regardless of their place in society? Do you think all
human beings share this desire? Why or why not?

3. How was Trevor’s motivation for the project different from the other students who
participated? What do you think contributed to his unique motivation?

4. Trevor has given the homeless man, Jerry, a leg up by doing very little things.
BUT what do those “little things” mean to Jerry?

5. Is the “pay it forward” idea worthwhile even if it isn’t perfect? What makes it worth
doing?

6. “What is this, an attack of total altruism?” A) Find the definition of ‘altruism.’ B)

Explain why this is a good quality of a good citizen.
 Thinking about citizenship:

1. How can common actions contribute to the common good?

2. Think back to our big question of this lesson: What kind of a citizen do we
need to support a democratic society? Though Trevor had nothing much to
do with government, contacting MPs and other local representatives, his character
teaches us an important lesson about living in a democratic society. What’s the lesson
to be learned here? What kind of a citizen do we need to support a democratic society?

Experiment with Trevor’s

project. Pick three people
and pay it forward and
invite them to do the
same.