Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Duration:
Two to Three Fifty-Minute Class Periods (depending upon any lesson extensions used)
Objectives:
The learner will:
- critically read data from tables, charts or graphs.
- determine, for a data set, measures of central tendency, variability, and correlation.
- use the data and their characteristics to draw and support conclusions.
- make predictions based on data, including interpolations and extrapolations.
- employ mathematical models to make inferences and predictions to answer questions and solve problems.
- discuss the Marshall Plan -a governmental program designed to provide for the common good post- WWII
- describe contemporary American programs designed to provide for the common good of all other nations, ie. South Africa, Iraq, Palestine, Bosnia, post tsunami Indonesia, Hurricane Katrina, etc..
Materials:
- Marshall Plan information and video available at http://www.marshallfoundation.org/TheMarshallPlan.htm
- Marshall Plan: Country Data- Attachment One
- Reflection Question- Attachment Two
- Alternative Marshall Plan: Country Data- Attachment Three
- Access to computer lab with Excel spreadsheet software, or a graphing calculator for each student OR a hand held calculator if using the Alternative Marshall Plan: Country Data- Attachment Three.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Briefly review the state of European countries at the end of WWII and some of the philanthropic activities that took place during this time that attempted to address some of the difficulties and tragedies. Check the learners prior knowledge as it pertains to America's efforts to provide for the common good post-WWII in general and the Marshall Plan in particular and then show the 12 minute movie produced by US AID on the Marshall Plan.
(Teacher Note: If the specifics of the math included in this lesson are beyond the scope and nature of this class, analyze historical data regarding the Marshall Plan utilizing the Alternative Marshall Plan: Country Data- Attachment Three. Have the learners complete this worksheet individually or in small groups. Following the discussion of their work, distribute and assign the Reflection Question - Attachment Two)
- Distribute to the learners the handout which provides tabular data for 14 countries which were provided grants and loans through the Economic Recovery Program (ERP), or more commonly known as "The Marshall Plan". The country name, population in 1950 (given in thousands), and economic assistance provided between April 3, 1948 and June 30, 1952 (given in millions of dollars) is presented in this table.
- Direct the learners to use a graphing calculator or Excel spreadsheet to construct a scatter plot relating population (the independent variable) and amount of aid (the dependent variable). Population data should be placed on the horizontal or x-axis, and amount of aid on the vertical or y-axis.
- Have the learners analyze the resulting scatter plot and determine which type of a model would best fit the data. (Learners should determine that a linear model would be most appropriate.)
- Instruct the learners to use the regression analysis features of their calculator or of Excel to determine a linear equation which would best fit the data. Remind them, and monitor their calculations, to be sure that the population data is being used as the independent variable and is graphed on the horizontal axis. (The resulting regression line should have the equation y = .0436x + 132.9356 .)
- Now have them graph their regression line on their scatter plot.
- Instruct the learners to make observations regarding data clusters and the goodness of the data's fit to the regression line. (The learners should observe that the data is clustered in 2 groups, one for the 10 countries with populations less than or equal to 10M - the Netherlands should be included in this group - and another for the 4 countries with populations above 40M.)
- Have them calculate the value of the correlation coefficient (if they haven't already) and compare that value to their observation regarding goodness of fit. (The calculated value of the correlation coefficient, or "r", should be 0.859. Both the regression line on the scatter plot and the value of "r" indicate a relatively strong correlation between population and aid.)
- Instruct the learners to focus now on the 2nd data cluster, noting that there are two points above the regression line and two points below. They should determine which countries these points represent and think about why these points appear where they do. (France and the United Kingdom are above the regression line, and Germany and Italy are below.)
- Have them calculate two different regression lines and associated correlation coefficients, One for the 1st data cluster and another for the 2nd. They should then compare the strength of the relationship for the clusters individually. (For the 1st data set, the regression line equation should be y = .0715x - 37.137 and r = 0.6434. For the 2nd data set, the regression line equation should be y = -.0454x + 4346.5556 and r = -0.198.)
- Ask the learners to reflect on why these results are so different from their first regression analysis.
Data Analysis - Part II:
- Instruct the learners to calculate the average aid for each country (in $M per 1,000 residents) and have them construct either a dot plot or stem-and-leaf plot for the averages.
- The learners should now compute a five number summary to determine any outliers and analyze the countries which are either outliers or whose averages significantly differ from the other countries. Why are these averages either so much smaller or so much bigger than those of the other countries?
- Discuss with the learners their impressions of the appropriateness of the Marshall Plan, i.e. if it was an appropriate use of government funds.
- Ask them to share their reflections regarding the mean aid amounts per country. Was it appropriate for how these means differed by country?
- Ask the learners to share their reflections regarding their analysis of the 2nd data cluster (where France and the UK were above the regression line and Germany and Italy were below). Were the relative positions of these countries appropriate?
- Following the discussion, distribute and assign the Reflection Question- Attachment Two
Assessment:
The assessment process for this lesson is an on-going, interactive process in which the instructor monitors and checks the results of the learners' analysis and computations as the lesson progresses. The correct calculated values are provided in the previous "Instructional Procedures" section in parentheses and italics. Learner responses to the open-ended questions may vary, but their responses should not differ from or contradict the data analysis itself. While it is not appropriate to evaluate the stance taken by the learners in response to the Reflection Question, the depth of thought and their compliance with the stated requirements for the paper can be assessed.
School/Home Connection:
- Have the learners ask their caregivers what they remember about the Marshall Plan.
- Encourage them to review their data analysis with caregivers.
- If the learners have any friends /relatives /acquaintances in the countries identified in the chart- Attachment One, encourage them to correspond with these friends/relatives/acquaintances to understand the impact this assistance had on their country.
- If family members have traveled to Germany, ask "What does it look like? Could you tell that some cities were completely destroyed?"
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
- Relate the Marshall Plan to current US involvement and assistance in Iraq and Afghanistan. Direct the learners to research the current populations of Iraq and Afghanistan and the amount of non-military governmental aid provided to these countries over the last 5 years. Use the regression equation from the lesson to predict the amount of aid based on the current populations and compare their prediction to the actual amount that they've found from their research. Ask the learners to brainstorm similarities and differences between the situation in Western European countries after World War II and the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan today. Based on these similarities and differences, lead a discussion regarding the effectiveness of U.S. assistance to Iraq and Afghanistan might be in restoring their societies and economies.
- Research economic growth data of countries which received Marshall Plan aid and compare the amounts of Marshall Plan aid provided to those countries. Direct the learners to research the economic growth rates of the countries given in the table from 1948 to 1955. Instruct the learners to create a table comparing average growth rates to Marshall Plan aid amounts. Direct the learners to perform a regression analysis similar to what was done in the lesson comparing aid amounts to growth rates and ask them to draw conclusions based on this data analysis. Did Marshall Plan aid contribute to economic growth? Can we make this conclusion or do we need more information? If more information is needed, what would help support such a conclusion?
- Additional activities, video clips, and discussion topics specific to the Marshall Plan can also be found at http://www.usaid.gov/multimedia/video/marshall/index.html
Bibliographical References:
- Economic Recovery Program (Marshall Plan) data from the Statistics and Reports division of the Agency for International Development. http://www.usaid.gov/multimedia/video/marshall/index.html
- Handout Adaptation: Rebuilding The Peace-The United States post-World War II; Lesson One: Governmental Philanthropy- The Marshall Plan www.learningtogive.org
- Additional activities, video clips, and discussion topics specific to the Marshall Plan can also be found at http://www.usaid.gov/multimedia/video/marshall/index.html
- Population data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, International Data Base. www.census.gov
Lesson Developed By:
Tim FarmerEast Grand Rapids Public Schools
East Grand Rapids High School
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Marshall Plan: Country Data
|
Country |
|
Total Marshall Plan Assistance |
| Austria | 6,935 | 677.8 |
| Belgium & Luxembourg | 8,935 | 559.3 |
| Denmark | 4,271 | 273.0 |
| France | 41,829 | 2,713.6 |
| Germany, West | 49,986 | 1,390.6 |
| Greece | 7,566 | 706.7 |
| Iceland | 143 | 29.3 |
| Ireland | 2,963 | 147.5 |
| Italy | 47,105 | 1,508.8 |
| Netherlands | 10,114 | 1,083.5 |
| Norway | 3,265 | 255.3 |
| Portugal | 8,443 | 51.2 |
| Sweden | 7,014 | 107.3 |
| United Kingdom | 50,127 | 3,189.8 |
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Reflection Question
Read this background information and answer the questions following each section. You may use your textbooks, Internet or other media sources and references to complete the task. After you answer each question, cite the source where you obtained your information giving the following information: Author or web site, title of article and date of publication or web listing.
After WWII ended, the war-torn nations of Europe faced famine (starvation) and economic crisis. The United States proposed to rebuild the continent in the interest of political stability and a healthy world economy. The foreign ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union met in Moscow in March and April 1947. They tried to draw up a German peace treaty. The ministers did not cooperate in designing ways to cease the Allies occupation of Germany or unifying Germany. On June 5, 1947, Secretary of State, George C. Marshall first called for American assistance in restoring the economic infrastructure of Europe because he realized that the U.S.S.R. would not cooperate. In fact, The Marshall Plan channeled over $13 billion to finance the economic recovery of Europe. This plan restored the confidence of the European people in the economic future of their own countries. The Allies, not including Russia, known as U.S.S.R., unified the German former war zones they controlled. That part was called West Germany with the Soviet controlled part called East Germany. In September of 1949, Western Germany was eligible for Marshall Plan funding.
At the time the United States saw the plan as being generous to Europe. The Soviet Union viewed it as interference and refused to allow Poland or Czechoslovakia from taking part. Some historians believe that The Marshall Plan was not philanthropic but:
- Saved the U.S. Economy from backsliding into a depression.
- Allowed the U.S. to remake the European economy in the image of the U.S. economy.
- Created a public organization for private companies.
Other historians believe what the U.S. did for the Europeans was true philanthropy because:
- The U.S. rebuilt European cities.
- The U.S. rebuilt European factories.
- The U.S. provided jobs and income to the European people through the construction of cities and factories.
- The U.S. provided Europeans with goods and services.
- The U.S. provided the Europeans with factories to make goods that they could sell.
- It created a sense of stability and security for the European people.
Write a one page reflection on whether or not you feel that the actions the U.S. took in rebuilding Europe following WWII were philanthropic and site at least two reasons for your conclusion. This paper may be legibly handwritten (or typed) and use Standard English mechanics.
------------------
Adapted from the Unit entitled Rebuilding the Peace-The United States post World War II. Lesson One: "Governmental Philanthropy- The Marshall Plan," written by Lindy Jury www.learningtogive.org
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Alternative Marshall Plan: Country Data
|
Country |
|
Total Marshall Plan Assistance |
| Austria | 6,935 | 677.8 |
| Belgium & Luxembourg | 8,935 | 559.3 |
| Denmark | 4,271 | 273.0 |
| France | 41,829 | 2,713.6 |
| Germany, West | 49,986 | 1,390.6 |
| Greece | 7,566 | 706.7 |
| Iceland | 143 | 29.3 |
| Ireland | 2,963 | 147.5 |
| Italy | 47,105 | 1,508.8 |
| Netherlands | 10,114 | 1,083.5 |
| Norway | 3,265 | 255.3 |
| Portugal | 8,443 | 51.2 |
| Sweden | 7,014 | 107.3 |
| United Kingdom | 50,127 | 3,189.8 |
Of the fourteen countries listed above, which country boasted the largest population?
Of the fourteen countries listed above, which country received the most Total Marshall Plan assistance?
Of the fourteen countries listed above, which country received the most Total Marshall Plan assistance per individual?
Approximately how many total people in these fourteen countries were impacted by Marshall Plan assistance? Circle One:
2,248,000,000 people 248,000,000 people 24,800,000 people 2,480,000 people
Approximately how much money was given to these fourteen countries through the Marshall Plan? Circle One:
$1,270,000 $12,700,000 $127,000,000 $1,270,000,000 $12,700,000,000
EXTRA CREDIT!!
Approximately how much would it cost each living American, ---man, woman, and child--- based on the most recent census of 296.4 million people, to equally fund the Marshall Plan today? Circle One:
$ 4300a person $430a person $43a person $4.30a person $.43a person
Respond to this question "What impressed you the most as you became familiar with these facts and figures?
Unit Contents:
Overview:Out of the Ashes of WWII Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Consequences of WWII
- 2.
- On the Road to Recovery: Rubble Women in Post WWII Germany
- 3.
- The Marshall Plan: Data Analysis
- 4.
- A Local Marshall Plan: Bringing 'Renewal' to Our Community
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