Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
The learners will be introduced to philanthropy and be able to generate examples of various ways the community is impacted, either by individuals, families or community organizations.
Duration:
One 50 Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- define "community" and give examples.
- define "philanthropy" and recognize examples as the giving of time, talent or treasure.
- explain the importance in a democratic republic of responsible participation by citizens in voluntary civil associations or non-governmental organizations that comprise civil society.
- list and describe philanthropic vocabulary.
- analyze how community groups and families provide philanthropy.
Service Experience:
None for this lesson.
Materials:
- Learner Survey on Philanthropy (Attachment One)
- Master Vocabulary Sheet (Attachment Two)
- Philanthropy at Home (Attachment Three)
Teacher Preparation:
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Tell the class that today, a very special guest will be speaking to them, but before he/she does, it is important that they understand a few things. Start by asking them if they have ever heard of the term "philanthropy." Tell them they are going to participate in a game to find out the correct definition of philanthropy. "We are going to play charades today." The teacher (or a learner) will act out the parts of the definition and the rest of the class will need to guess the word associated with the three words: time, talent, and treasure.
- Put the term "community" on the board and ask learners to define the term and give multiple examples of what it includes. Try to elicit a broad definition of the term which includes more than the name of the local area. (See Master Vocabulary Sheet (Attachment Two) for all definitions) .
- Before the guest speaker arrives, have the leaners complete Student Survey on Philanthropy (Attachment One) to assess prior knowledge on philanthropy. Hold their responses for the next lesson.
- Instruct the learners to create a list of unfamiliar vocabulary terms related to philanthropy as they listen to the guest speaker.
- Welcome and introduce the guest speaker who will tell the learners what he or she does, what is the purpose of their organization's work, and how this organization's work affects the local community.
- After the speaker has finished, have the learners talk about how their perception of philanthropy has changed. Have them identify disparities between American ideals and realities and analyze how the organization represented by the guest speaker, works to solve those disparities. Continue to discuss the importance, in a democratic republic, of responsible participation by citizens in voluntary civil associations or non-governmental organizations that comprise a civil society.
- Using the lists of vocabulary words developed by the learners, define those words. (NOTE: As a reference, a master vocabulary list is included as Master Vocabulary Sheet -Attachment Two)
- After the vocabulary words are clarified, discuss what new information was introduced by the speaker and have the learners start to think about philanthropy within their own homes and how it impacts their families.
- At the end of the discussion, tell the learners that they will be asked to discuss the idea of philanthropy with their parents and make a list of philanthropic acts that took place/are taking place in their homes, neighborhoods, and/or community and the impact that they have had/are continuing to have. in Distribute learner copies of Philanthropy at Home (Attachment Three).
Assessment:
- Learner involvement in class discussions.
- Completion and sharing of Philanthropy at Home (Attachment Three)
School/Home Connection:
The learners will be given a handout -Philanthropy at Home (Attachment Three) -that encourages families to talk about philanthropic acts that have taken place/are taking place in the home, neighborhood, and/or community. The learners are required to make a list of these philanthropic acts and their impacts. Parents are asked to sign the Philanthropy at Home sheet and the learners required to return it to school.
Extension:
Bibliographical References:
For additional vocabulary and related Units and Lesson see also www.learningtogive.org
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Shawn BollingerCarson City - Crystal Area Schools
Carson City Middle School
Carson City, MI 48811
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Learner Survey on Philanthropy
Learner Survey
Name________________________________
1. Have you ever heard of the word philanthropy before today? If you have, where did you hear it?
2. What do you do to promote or provide philanthropy in your community?
3. Philanthropy is the giving of time, talent, and treasure. What do these three categories mean to you?
4. Give some examples of philanthropy that you seen or have heard about in your community.
5. If you could pick an activity to do for philanthropy, what would you do?
6. What additional information would you like to learn about the philanthropy?
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Master Vocabulary List
Master Vocabulary List
1. Community -(n, pl. –ies) A group of people living in the same area and under the same government; a class or group having common interests and likes
2. Neighborhood- (n) A section or small region that possess a specific quality
3. Family-(n, pl. –ies) Parents and their children; a group of people connected by blood or marriage and sharing common ancestry; the members of a household; a group or class of like things – family (adj.)
4. Giving-(v) To make a present of; to bestow; to accord or yield to another; to put into the possession of another; to convey to another; to donate or contribute; to apply; to devote; to yield as to pressure; to collapse; to furnish or provide; to deliver in exchange; to pay – giver (n)
5. Nonprofit Organization-( n) A term describing the Internal Revenue Service’s designation of an organization whose income is not used for the benefit or private gain of stockholders, directors, or any other persons with an interest in the company; separate tax treatment exists based on whether it is charitable or not.
6. For Profit Organization -( n) A term describing the Internal Revenue Service’s designation of an organization whose income is used for the benefit or private gain of stockholders, directors, or any other persons with an interest in the company.
7. Government-(n) The authoritative administration of public policy and affairs of a nation, state or city; the system or policy by which a political unit is governed; any governed territory, district or area.
8. Time-(n) A continuous period measured by clocks, watches and calendars; the period or moment in which something happens or takes place – time (adj.) of or pertaining to time.
9. Talent-(n) The aptitude, disposition, or characteristic ability of a person – talented (adj.), talentless (adj.)
10. Treasure-(n) Hidden riches; something regarded as valuable – treasure (v) to save and accumulate for future use; to value.
11. Volunteer-(n) One who offers himself for a service of his own free will – volunteer (adj.), volunteer (v), volunteering (adj.), volunteerism.
12. Value(s)- (n) The quality or worth of something that makes it valuable; material worth; a principal regarded as worthwhile or desirable; morals– Value (v) to estimate the value or worth of; to regard very highly; to rate according to importance, worth, or usefulness, valueless (adj.)
13. Philanthropic Act- (n) 1. The giving of one’s time, talent or treasure for the sake of another- or for the common good – Robert Payton, 2. Voluntary action for the public good -Robert Payton, 3. Voluntary giving, voluntary service, and voluntary association, primarily for the benefit of others – Robert Payton, 4. Giving and serving –Richard J. Bentley and Luana G. Nissan, 5. Active effort to promote human welfare, 6. A tradition, a spirit, and a sector of society – Maurice G. Gurin and Jon Van Til
14. Philanthropic Organization - (n) An organization that exists primarily to provide voluntary service in an effort to promote human welfare through the giving of time, talent, and/ or treasure, and taking action for the common good.
15. Philanthropic Traditions-(n) The doctrines, knowledge, practices, and customs passed down from one generation that serve to promote the common good through the giving of time, talent, and/or treasure.
16. Philanthropist-(n) An individual known for his or her exceptional generosities in support of charitable causes
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Philanthropy at Home
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In my class, we have been learning about philanthropy, which is the giving of time, talent, and/or treasure for the common good. As a class we are starting to compile a list of philanthropic acts that have taken place in and around our homes, neighborhoods, and community; acts which served to help others in a time of need. I would like you to share with me some instances, that you know of, when somebody did something really nice for someone else. A time when someone(s) gave of their time, their talents, and /or their treasures (money or things considered of value) to help someone else. This will help me to better understand what philanthropy is and how it relates to our family, neighborhood, and community.
Directions: As a family talk about philanthropy at home, in the neighborhood, and in the community and write down some of these acts of philanthropy, listing them below:
Philanthropic Act How Was the Individual/Situation Helped?
Parent Signature___________________________________
Unit Contents:
Overview:Community Connections Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- A Plethora of Philanthropy
- 2.
- The Great Adventure
- 3.
- The Little Letter that Could
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