An American Celebration with another classroom.

Anticipatory Set:
Using the overhead "Fruits We Bear" (Attachment One), ask students to brainstorm ideas of how this illustration represents the concepts and beliefs of the three cultures. Ask them if they feel that any of the concepts have been left off. If so, add them to the overhead.

• Put the following table on the chalkboard or overhead and allow the learners to fill in the appropriate categories. Discuss the similarities and the differences.

  Philanthropy of Various Cultural Traditions

  Native American	European American	African American

• Tell the students that they are going to create an analogy of today's beliefs related to philanthropy. Be sure to explain that each illustration must be something concrete. An example you may use may be a melting pot that is being heated over a fire. From the pot are wavy lines representing the wonderful aroma that fills the air as the contents are being heated. Each wavy line would represent another positive concept generated from our ancestors.
  
  
• Have students think about their own families and traditions. Ask them to think about what they have learned and describe traditions of giving in their own cultures. If any of the cultures are the same as the ones studied, ask students to decide if their family traditions reflect those studied or if they have changed.
  
  
• Put students into groups of four. Give each group a piece of drawing paper or typing paper. Instruct them to design their own banner depicting the philanthropic beliefs that we still value today. This small sketch and idea will be used as a rough copy. Note: Each group must get approval from the teacher by explaining their design before moving on to the next step.
  
  
• Distribute a set of markers and a large sheet of banner paper to each group. Have each group create and color their banner using their rough copy as a reference. Optional: if one or two groups finish early, consider having them create a program to be given to each student at the celebration. This should include the music and foods and their origins and possibly an invitation to be delivered to the visiting classroom.
  
  
• Invite another class in for an American celebration. Students will begin their celebration by having a commentator introduce the purpose of the celebration. Each group will then take a turn sharing (and explaining) their banners. At the completion of the presentation the commentator will explain the menu and the music and the origin of each. The celebration will conclude with the sharing of the music and foods of each culture.

 Have students look for philanthropic endeavors of other cultures.