Sharing and Caring Across Generations

Unit of 4 Lessons
Grade Levels: 
K
1
2
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Issue Area: 
Diverse people
Focus Question 

 What can we learn from diverse people today and in history about private action for the common good? 

 

Photo Credit:  Grandma reading to Anika #1 by Ratha Grimes is licensed under CC by 2.0

Unit Overview 

In this lesson, the children listen to stories told by seniors in their community and develop a relationship of sharing time and talent. This set of lessons focus on memories, especially memories related to generosity.

Service Experience 
The children establish a friendship over several visits and through writing with an senior member of the community. They continue to write letters to maintain the established friendship.
Lessons in This Unit 
Unit: 
Sharing and Caring Across Generations
Lesson 1 of 4
Grades: 
K
1
2

In this lesson, a picture books raises awareness of the importance of memories to the people of all ages that make up a community. The children learn the definition of philanthropy and identify an act of philanthropy in the literature book Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.

Unit: 
Sharing and Caring Across Generations
Lesson 2 of 4
Grades: 
K
1
2

The children tell stories about their family memories and the special “memory items” brought from home. (See Lesson One: Traveling Back in Time.) They meet their senior friend in person or through writing and share and compare memories. 

Unit: 
Sharing and Caring Across Generations
Lesson 4 of 4
Grades: 
K
1
2

Through multiple visits to a retirement home, letter writing, or by inviting seniors to an event, children learn effective communication, sensitivity to people of different generations, and shared experiences while learning about the common good and stewardship.