Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

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Special Olympics Service Project (A)
Lesson 5:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
9th-12th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: To Kill a Mockingbird; Group Discussions; Journaling; Reflection; Response to Text/Others; Teamwork
PHIL: Sensitivity; Service Project
SOC: 10 genOn; Diversity; Special Olympics; Volunteerism

Purpose:

This lesson will give students hands-on practice applying the concepts of philanthropy and sensitivity.

Duration:

Varies with Project

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • demonstrate the concepts of philanthropy, tolerance and sensitivity while peer mentoring a student with a disability.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.
Learn more about the stages of service-learning.

The students will work one-on-one with a student having a mental impairment one hour per week for nine weeks (one marking period). The students will then attend a Special Olympics event where they will chaperone their student during the activity, providing support and guidance to the athlete.

Materials:

  • Overhead projector
  • Overhead transparency of Special Olympics Oath (Attachment One)
  • Music from the Rocky Soundtrack
  • CD/Cassette Player
  • Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
  • Experience Paper Scoring Guide (Attachment Two)
Handout 1
Special Olympics Oath
Handout 2
Experience Paper Scoring Guide

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

As students enter the classroom, have the theme from the motion picture "Rocky" playing. When students take their seats, uncover the Special Olympics Oath (Attachment One):
"Let me win!
But if I cannot win,
Let me be brave in the attempt."
Ask for student reactions to the quote. Reveal to the students that this is the oath taken by Special Olympians prior to participating in a Special Olympics Event.

  • Lead a class discussion on sports. What are the students' favorite sports? What does it take to be a good athlete? List some characteristics or qualities on the board. · Relate this discussion back to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Discuss the questions:
    • What was Jem's favorite sport?
    • Was he successful?
    • What are some barriers that individuals could face to keep them from participating?
  • Discuss the Special Olympics Oath from the Anticipatory Set. How do the Special Olympians deal with success and defeat? Read the excerpt "The Day I Finally Cried" by Meg Hill from the book Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul. Have the class brainstorm ways they could help Special Olympians overcome some of the barriers they face in the world of athletics. List these on the board and discuss.
  • Introduce the experiential component (peer mentoring) from this lesson to the class. Describe the culminating activity (Special Olympics event). Explain how the class, acting as a volunteer group, can act for the common good with this activity.
  • Describe the procedures and the importance of sensitivity to the people with whom students are working. Generate a list of ground rules when working as a peer mentor and a Special Olympics chaperone and get necessary parental permission as required by your district.

Assessment:

  • Ongoing teacher observation from the English teacher and the Special Education teacher.
  • Ask students to keep a peer mentoring reflection logbook. After each meeting with their peer, the students should write anecdotal notes in their logbooks. As a unit assessment, the students should then write an experience paper giving their thoughts and feelings about the project and unit. Use Experience Paper Scoring Guide (Attachment Two) for the unit assessment.

Bibliographical References:

  • Canfield, Jack and Mark Victor Hansen. Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul. Deerfield Beach, Florida: Heath Communications Inc., 1999. ISBN # 1-55874-698-6
  • Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner Books, 1960. ISBN: 0-446-31078-6

Lesson Developed By:

Paula Hoffman
Grand Ledge School District
Grand Ledge High School
Grand Ledge, MI 48837

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Special Olympics Oath

Let me win!

But if I cannot win,

Let me be brave in the attempt.

Handout 2Print Handout 2

Experience Paper Scoring Guide

Standard
Possible Points
Total Earned
1. Contains five paragraphs
50
  
2. Has correct paragraph structure
10
  
3. Has a title
5
  
4. Shows the student understands the importance of sensitivity and philanthropy in society as shown through literature
25
  
5. Shows evidence of reflection on a valuable experience, either positive or negative
20
  
6. Shows evidence of effort
10
  
Logbook is turned in and complete.
50
  
 
Total Possible: 160
 Total Earned:


Philanthropy Framework:

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