Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Getting to Know the Community
Unit of 5 lessons
Unit Overview:
This unit has students exploring the make-up of their community in regard to the four sectors of the economy (government, market, non-profit, and households). They will be doing a field study to explore what the community already has and also completing a needs inventory to uncover the needs of the community. They will then have the opportunity to take part in a simulation where they become members of a planning commission to design a sound community using zoning laws. Finally they will organize a community celebration in which members of the commercial community and local citizens are invited to celebrate together.
Unit Purpose:
To help students know the structures and purposes of the businesses of their community as well as help them to identify the needs of their community.
Unit Objectives:
The Learners will:
- list the businesses necessary for a community.
- categorize local businesses by their roles as for-profit, non-profit, and governmental.
- explain the importance of each sector to every day life.
- map the community in regard to its land use.
- identify job opportunities in the community by sector.
- identify the needs of the community that are being met and those that are not.
- design a sound community blueprint addressing the needs of the community.
- explain the opportunity costs involved in land use.
Service Experience:
Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.
Students will be organizing and hosting a community celebration.
Unit Assessment:
Students' recording sheets and letters, a community blueprint, a thematic community map, a model of a sound community, a well-planned community celebration
School/Home Connection:
- Using family activities to determine the businesses of the community
- Including the family in the community celebration
Notes for Teaching:
The parent response form from Lesson Two: Exploring the Community will need to be copied and distributed at least one week prior to the activity.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed By:
Cheryl Larkin
Pontiac School District
Madison Middle School
1275 N. Perry St.
Pontiac, MI 48340
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Comments
This lesson was used to introduce the importance of voting and having your voice be heard. At Miller Street we help a voter registration drive for our parents at back to school night. We also send home registration forms for all parents of middle school children who could not attend back to school night. The students learned about the importance of voting and the process of voting. We also held a mock election in our schools. Students were given the opportunity to vote on line and all results were given.