Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Duration:
A Block of Time for the Field Study and One Follow-Up Forty-Five Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- identify for-profit and non-profit businesses and government buildings within the community.
- describe the benefits of having both common and private property in a community.
- map land use in the community.
Materials:
- Parent Letter (Attachment One) These should be copied and distributed, along with school permission slips, at least one week in advance of the field study.
- Contract for Field Study (Attachment Two)
- Cameras for field study (If you have access to disc cameras, it will be cheaper for students to download pictures to the computer. Most public libraries loan Polaroid cameras.) If cameras are not available, students may take a clipboard and sketch paper to create illustrations of local businesses.
- Community map
- Large sheets of butcher paper
- Yard sticks and rulers for straight lines
- Black markers and sets of four colored markers for each group
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Distribute a sheet of 8½ x 11 blank paper to each student. Ask students to create a mental map of their community. (Tell students this is to be just a quick activity to see how many places in the community they can identify.) Give students about five minutes to complete the task and then ask the class to share their ideas in a whole group. Allow about five minutes for reporting out. (Do not have each student present his or her map individually due to time.)
- Distribute and go over Contract for Field Study (Attachment Two). Instruct students that their task is to collect as much data as possible about their community. Tell them they will be asked to develop a map of the community upon return to the classroom. They will be asked to draw the layout of the community including all structures and landforms. Ask them to also watch for the general upkeep of the community. This may include the condition of the roads and structures, as well as cleanliness. Divide students into groups of three to five. You may have to organize the groups according to the number of chaperones you are able to get. Take students into the community and have them complete the tasks from the direction sheet. Collect all materials upon return to the classroom to be used in following activities. If standard film was used, get it developed before next class session.
- Have students review their findings of the community. Distribute a large sheet of butcher-block paper to each team. Instruct them to create a labeled black outline map of the community. Buildings should be represented with an empty square or rectangle that can be colored in later. (The map should be presented from a birds-eye view, as if students were looking at the community from an airplane.) Be sure they are using only pencils or black felt markers. Maps should include general map features such as orientation (compass rose), title, and key. (It might be helpful to have a purchased map of the community hanging in the room for student reference.)
- Instruct students to create a thematic map of the community by color-coding the four different sectors. Choose the colors for each sector as a class so that students can identify information at a glance. Example: government may be blue, market may be green, etc.
- Explain the concept of common property versus private property. Have students identify areas of each in the community. (Common properties would be places such as parks, schools, or other places where the public has access. Private properties would be those that were individually owned and may not allow the general public to access without the owners' permission.) Ask students why communities have both private and common property. What are the benefits and disadvantages of each? Help students identify how the community benefits from private ownership, i.e., taxes, jobs, revenue spent within the community.
- Have each team share their community, discuss similarities and differences, and give reasons for the differences.
Assessment:
The outline map and thematic map may be used as assessments.
Bibliographical References:
Learning To Give Web site: http://learningtogive.org
Lesson Developed By:
Cheryl LarkinPontiac School District
Madison Middle School
Pontiac, MI 48340
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Family Letter
Dear Family:
Next week students will be going into the community to do a study on the economic make-up of our community. Their task will be to photograph the businesses of the community in order to create a community map.
The field study will take place on ___________________________. The students will be traveling by _________________________________________. We will be leaving the building at _____ and returning at approximately _______.
We are in need of several volunteers to accompany the class for the field study. We would like each volunteer to be responsible for a team of students, although the class will be traveling together. This should be a fun and rewarding day for all involved.
Please fill out the bottom and return by: ________
________ I will be able to assist the class for the field study.
________ I am unable to assist the class for the field study.
Parent or Care-giver Signature: ________________________________________
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Contract for Field Study
I, ________________________________, agree to be a positive contributing member of my team during the community field study. In doing so, I agree to display appropriate behavior throughout the experience. I agree to do my part in gathering information regarding the general make-up of the community, as well as look for additional clues regarding the care of my community. (Examples may include graffiti and litter.) I agree to stay with my group at all times and to conduct myself as a role-model for my peers. I also agree to take direction from and assist (if needed) the volunteer chaperone.
____________________________________________________ Student Signature
_________________________________________________________ Teacher Signature
_______________________________ Date
Unit Contents:
Overview:Getting to Know the Community Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Four Sectors (The)
- 2.
- Exploring Our Community
- 3.
- Exploring Community Needs
- 4.
- Planning Commission (The)
- 5.
- Celebrating the Community
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
Comments
Well organized lesson. Good questions.