Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Duration:
One to Two Fifty-Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will demonstrate how prejudice, such as ageism, racism, gender bias, or discrimination, can be reduced through philanthropy.
Materials:
- Role Playing Scenarios (Attachment One)
- Overhead/white board/chalk board
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Have the students respond to the question: Do all people have prejudices? Why or why not? Make sure the students are prepared to discuss their thoughts on this question. You should post the question on the board or overhead. Lead a class discussion of prejudice allowing students to review the class definition of prejudice from Lesson Two: What is Sensitivity?
- Guide students to look at their definition of prejudice. (A sample definition could be disliking something based on thoughts, opinions, perceptions or beliefs.) Discuss the fact that all people hold prejudices. This we cannot hide. Thus we need to become open to the ideas, looks, actions, and beliefs of others in order to effectively communicate and work together as a productive society.
- Divide the class into six groups. Assign each group a topic matching those in Role Playing Scenarios (Attachment One). Each of these topics directly relates to a character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Give each group a scenario involving the topic (prejudice) and character assigned. Tell the groups to come up with a role-playing activity in which the members of the group will act out a way that a philanthropic act could help the person involved overcome the prejudices people hold toward him or her.
- Allow the groups to present their role-playing activities to the class.
- Upon completion, the class will write one sentence to each group to give the members constructive feedback on their activity.
- When all groups have completed their sentences, lead a class discussion on sensitivity, tolerance and philanthropy and how they can work together to be our greatest asset in today's world as well as the setting of the novel in the 1930's.
Assessment:
Teacher observation of group work and feedback sentences.
Bibliographical References:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner Books, 1960.
Lesson Developed By:
Paula HoffmanGrand Ledge School District
Grand Ledge High School
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Role Playing Scenarios
Age: Mrs. Dubose
As you know, Mrs. Dubose is an elderly woman who is dying a slow, painful death. Her one, final request is that she die without being addicted to morphine. The children in the neighborhood are afraid of Mrs. Dubose and do not care to associate with her or call upon her for a visit. In the book, Jem is punished by having to read to Mrs. Dubose, which enables her to beat her addiction to morphine. Your group's task is to come up with a different philanthropic act that will minimize the prejudices that others hold of Mrs. Dubose, her age, and her situation.
Lifestyle: Boo Radley
Boo Radley is a recluse who lives an undesirable life. In the beginning of the novel, he is mocked, poked fun at, and humiliated by the children. He regards the children's activity as amusing and does not take offense at their innocence. He is also innocent in his inexperience and lack of exposure to life outside his home. He is regarded as a felonious suspect in everything that happens in Maycomb. The townspeople do not try to understand Boo Radley, rather they find it easier to ridicule and fear him. Your group's task is to come up with a philanthropic act that could help the people of Maycomb understand Boo and his lifestyle.
Gender: Scout
Scout is an opinionated, yet likable young girl. She was raised by her father. Her favorite companions are her older brother, Jem, and the neighbor's nephew, Dill. Quite often in the book, Jem and Dill gang up on Scout and tease her and call her names because she is a girl. Miss Maudie and Calpurnia are wonderful feminine influences on Scout, but she is still upset by the boy's teasing and taunting. Your group's task is to come up with a philanthropic act that could help Scout become more accepted in the eyes of Dill and Jem.
Race: Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is a helpful man. He is eager to help others who are in need, no matter what the occasion or circumstance. Unfortunately, Tom is a black man accused of raping a white woman in the South in the 1930's. His fate is prison. Atticus does everything that he can to try to convince the jury of Tom's obvious innocence, but has no luck. Tom goes to prison and is shot trying to escape. Your group's task is to come up with a philanthropic act that could ease the tension between whites and blacks in Maycomb. This is no small task so think through your strategy and use your book and teacher as resources.
Physical Features: Dill Harris
When the reader first meets Dill, he visualizes a very small, yet pudgy seven-year-old with the mind of a fourteen-year-old. He has funny looking hair, clothes, and is small for his age. Jem and Scout even have trouble taking Dill seriously due to his appearance. Your group's task is to come up with a philanthropic act that could help someone like Dill overcome the prejudices that go with "looking different."
Religion: Miss Maudie Atkinson
Miss Maudie is one of the most likable characters in the novel. She is a religious woman but not a "foot-washing Baptist." Several times in the novel, she references her beliefs about religion. Many religious folks in Maycomb disapprove of the way Miss Maudie practices her religion. Your group's task is to come up with a philanthropic act that will help to ease the tensions of religious prejudice and enable Miss Maudie to practice religion her way, without the worry of judgment from others.
Unit Contents:
Overview:Sensitive Side of Philanthropy (The) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Turning on Your Light
- 2.
- What Is Sensitivity?
- 3.
- Philanthropy, Literature and You
- 4.
- Sensitivity, Tolerance and Philanthropy—The Three Amigos!
- 5.
- Special Olympics Service Project (A)
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
