Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

The LEAGUE

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Project—Assessing the Need (The)

Lesson 8:

From Unit Role of Philanthropy in an Ever Changing World (The)

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

PHIL:	Community; Needs Assessment; Reflection; Service Plan
SOC:	Analyze/Interpret; Decision Making Model; LEAGUE Optional Lesson: One Day; Voting; Wants/Needs

Purpose:

Students will learn how to participate in a needs assessment for their local community.

Duration:

Two 60-Minute Class Periods

Objectives:

The learner will demonstrate their understanding of philanthropy, Academic Service-Learning, and volunteerism by selecting and assessing a perceived need in the local community.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

Students will examine the local community and determine those areas of need which should be met.

Materials:

Lists of local philanthropic organizations including phone numbers and/or contact persons.
Mailing lists of local residents (parents in the school system, registered voters, etc.).
Local Organizations Needs Assessment Form (Attachment One)
Sample of Community Needs Survey (Attachment Two)

Handout 1: Local Organizations Needs Assessment Form
Handout 2: Sample of Community Needs Survey

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Write "Human Wants" and "Human Needs" on the board and elicit student examples for each. Guide students' discussion to establish the difference between human wants and human needs (wants are unlimited and needs are necessities for survival). Repeat the activity using the terms: "Community Wants" and "Community Needs."

Students, assigned into cooperative groups, will contact local organizations and agencies to conduct a need assessment in the local community.

Students will develop a questionnaire to distribute to residents to further help them determine the needs of the community.

Students will design a checklist of criteria for evaluating the needs identified by the local organizations and the community responses.

Assessment:

Observation of student participation and contact lists.

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Thomas Webb
Fulton Schools
Fulton Middle School
Middleton, MI 48856

Handouts:

Local Organizations Needs Assessment Form

Organization	Identified Need	Action to Be Taken

Sample of Community Needs Survey

Directions: Please consider each issue and rate its importance in the community. Place a number from 1 to 15 on the line next to the issue with #1 representing the most critical and
#15 representing the least critical need to address in the community. You may add to the list, if you wish.

_____ Alcohol/drug use/drunk driving
_____ Community clean-up
_____ Homelessness
_____ Child abuse and or domestic violence
_____ Juvenile crime
_____ Teen pregnancy
_____ Adolescent suicide
_____ Shortage of after school/and or recreation programs
_____ Hunger
_____ Racial, ethnic, and/or gender discrimination
_____ Illiteracy
_____ Care for the elderly
_____ Improper health care/safety
_____ Transportation/road conditions
_____ Meeting the needs of the mentally or physically handicapped (including facilities like ramps, etc. and/or programs)

Academic Standards:

State:

Philanthropy Framework:

Unit Contents:

Overview:Role of Philanthropy in an Ever Changing World (The) Summary

Lessons:

1.: Defining Philanthropy—Who's Phil's Aunt Thropy?
2.: Defining Philanthropy—What? Where? Why?
3.: Where Did it all Start? In the Beginning
4.: Where Did it all Start? Time-lines of History
5.: What Do They Do? A Current Events Action
6.: Investigations in Aid—Identifying the Need
7.: Investigations in Aid—Making the Pitch
8.: Project—Assessing the Need (The)
9.: Project—Making a Plan (The)
10.: Project—Going to the Round Table (The)