Individual student activities may be done as suggested in the lesson.

Anticipatory Set:

Introduce the word philanthropy by writing it on the board. Ask students if they have ever heard of the word? Ask students if they have any ideas as to what it means? Ask students if they have heard of giving? Explain that philanthropy means giving of your time, talents or treasure.

• Ask the students:
  • What does it mean to give your time? What is your time?
  • What does it mean to give your talent? What is your talent? Can you play a musical instrument, sing, dance, paint, recite poetry? Are you kind or patient?
  • What does it mean to give your treasures? What are your treasures? Your treasures are your money or belongings.
    
    
• Lead students in a discussion about what they have to offer and to whom they could offer it. For example, it would not be appropriate for a child to say "I could give $100 to the Animal Shelter," but it would be very appropriate for them to say, "I could volunteer my time at the Animal Shelter. I could walk dogs, clean cages or just play with lonely animals." Explain that people give some of what they have (time, talent or treasure) because they have strong feelings for the cause they selected.
  
  
• Tell the students that each of them must now think of something philanthropic that they could personally do in their class, school, family, or neighborhood. Explain that we will go around the room and each person will say "I'm going to be a philanthropist because I'm going to …" The next person will say "I'm going to be a philanthropist because I'm going to …" (what the previous person named and add their own). The teacher can record these ideas on a chart that is not visible to the students (such as on the back of an easel) as the students share. The game requires memory and once the students have come up with an idea, they own it. Each student in turn names the previous two students' philanthropic acts and adds his/her own. This continues around the classroom as each person adds another act to the list and must recite the ideas of their classmates. When the memory game is over, the chart should be shown so that the students can read and review all the philanthropic ideas. (During the game students should be given the option to "pass" if they are not ready to share.)
  
  
• Make a class book. Ask the students to write "I'm going to be a philanthropist because I'm going to …" (whatever idea they gave during the game or one from the chart). The student will be asked to distinguish between time, talent, and treasure by also writing, "I'm giving my…" (time, talent, or treasure). The students should illustrate their writings. The teacher can bind the pages into a book for the whole class to enjoy, and upon which they can reflect.

Remind students that they have selected a "possible" type of philanthropy for themselves. Just naming an act of philanthropy is not philanthropy. It must be carried out. Suggest that students go ahead and volunteer their time, talent or treasure in the manner they mentioned.