The learner will:

• Analyze and discuss an essay that explores American attitudes toward children.
• Define, use and explain the historical significance of seven terms related to philanthropy.
• Describe why philanthropy is important in maintaining a democracy by answering three essential questions.

• Introduce the essay "Somebody's Baby" from High Tide in Tucson: Essays from Now or Never. In the essay, author Barbara Kingsolver discusses the importance of community in raising children. Read the essay together.
• Divide the class into small groups and give each group one of the following questions to answer:
  • What does Kingsolver complain is the problem with America's attitudes toward children? Do you agree with her? Explain.
  • What does Kingsolver suggest it takes to raise children?
  • What does Kingsolver say is the most remarkable feature of human culture?
  • Based on this essay, what could you infer that Kingsolver feels about community and its importance?
  • Kingsolver's essay is about the relationship between community and children. Are there any other groups of people that could be included?
• Once groups have completed their tasks, conduct a class discussion of the questions.
• Introduce the essential questions:
  • Should students be responsible to their communities for caring and giving?
  • What role does philanthropy play in maintaining our democratic society?
  • Can one person make a difference in making the world a better place?
  Students will write these questions in their journals, and begin to think about them, but will not answer them in writing.
• Students will define the following terms in their journals: philanthropy, democracy, altruism, volunteer, first, second, third, and fourth sectors. As each term is discussed, the teacher should lead a short discussion of the history of each term, drawing on students' previous knowledge. See Philanthropy Vocabulary (Attachment One).
• If students have Internet access, assign reading of the articles on the "Third Sector"(see Bibliographic References). Highlight and discuss important information.
• Students are now ready to write brief responses to the essential questions (see above) based on their current knowledge.

• Kingsolver, Barbara. "Somebody’s Baby," High Tide in Tucson: Essays From Now or Never. Harper-Collins, 1996.
• If God Gives You Lemons, prod. and dir. Gregory Siers, 11 min. followed by 12 min. interview, K-12 Education in Philanthropy Project, 1998, videocassette.
• The Third Sector: What Is It? Why Does It Matter? What Makes the Third Sector Sustainable? Available at: http://www.salzburgseminar.org/documents/3rd_sector/English.pdf