Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
The learners will review the Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs of American Democracy, that unite all Americans and promote the common good and correlate character traits and philanthropic actions.
Duration:
Objectives:
The learner will:
- describe how citizenship relates to the Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs.
- give examples of how the principles and beliefs promote the common good.
- graphically interpret each principles and beliefs.
Materials:
- Attachment One: Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs
- Attachment Two: Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen
- Magazines and scissors
- Classroom display area entitled, Fundamental Principles and Beliefs of American Democracy.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Post or read the following quote:
"The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen."
Brandeis, Louis D. Supreme Court Justice (1856-1941)
Ask the class if they agree or disagree with the quote and why?
- Distribute a word list of Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs to each learner (Attachment One). Have the learners read and redefine them in their own words.
- Assign each learner one of the Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs on a blank sheet of paper have them label and draw an illustration of what this value/principle might look like if it were reduced to a representative picture/icon. Have the learner explain and share their pictures with the class. (Note: depending on the size of the class, illustrations for the Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen can also be assigned.) Display this art work on the classroom display designated, Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs.
- Ask the learners to look at the Attachment Two: Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen used in Lesson One and to discuss how these traits are interrelated with, and support the Fundamental Principles and Beliefs in encouraging citizen action for the common good.
Assessment:
The learners will be evaluated on their participation in discussion, the depth of their thought in drawing their representative illustration/icon and explanation, representative of the Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs and/or the Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen to which they were assigned.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
Each learner will then be responsible for finding three pictures in magazines that represent his/her previously assigned Fundamental Democratic Principles and Belief (or Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen). Have the learners attach their three pictures near their picture/icon already on display. Review each picture/icon on display and have each learner briefly talk about how his/her magazine cut-outs relate.
Lesson Developed By:
Dennis VanHaitsmaCurriculum Consultant
Learning to Give
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs
Fundamental Democratic Principles and Beliefs
Core democratic values are the basic beliefs that unite all Americans. These values are found in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and other important documents of our nation.
Fundamental Beliefs
Life: The individual’s right to life should be considered inviolable except in certain highly restricted and extreme circumstances, such as the use of deadly force to protect one’s own or others’ lives.
Liberty: The right to liberty is considered an unalterable aspect of the human condition. Central to this idea of liberty is the understanding that the political or personal obligations of parents or ancestors cannot be legitimately forced on people. The right to liberty includes personal freedom: the private realm in which the individual is free to act, to think and to believe, and which the government cannot legitimately invade; political freedom: the right to participate freely in the political process, choose and remove public officials, to be governed under a rule of law; the right to a free flow of information and ideas, open debate and right of assembly; and economic freedom: the right to acquire, use, transfer and dispose of private property without unreasonable governmental interference; the right to seek employment wherever one pleases; to change employment at will; and to engage in any lawful economic activity.
The Pursuit of Happiness: It is the right of citizens in the American constitutional democracy to attempt to attain - to “pursue”- happiness in their own way, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others.
Common Good: The public or common good requires that individual citizens have the commitment and motivation - that they accept their obligation - to promote the welfare of the community and to work together with other members for the greater benefit of all.
Justice: People should be treated fairly in the distribution of the benefits and burdens of society, the correction of wrongs and injuries, and in the gathering of information and making of decisions.
Diversity: Variety in culture and ethnic background, race, lifestyle, and belief is not only permissible but desirable and beneficial in a pluralist society.
Truth: Citizens can legitimately demand that truth-telling as refraining from lying and full disclosure by government be the rule, since trust in the veracity of government constitutes an essential element of the bond between governors and governed.
Popular Sovereignty: The citizenry is collectively the sovereign of the state and holds ultimate authority over public officials and their policies.
Patriotism: Virtuous citizens display a devotion to their country, including devotion to the fundamental values and principles upon which it depends.
Source: CIVITAS: A Framework for Civic Education, a collaborative project of the Center for Civic Education and the Council for the Advancement of Citizenship, National Council for the Social Studies Bulletin No. 86, 1991.
Constitutional Principles
Rule of Law: Both government and the governed should be subject to the law.
Separation of Powers: Legislative, executive, and judicial powers should be exercised by different institutions in order to maintain the limitations placed upon them.
Representative Government: The republican form of government established under the Constitution is one in which citizens elect others to represent their interests.
Checks and Balances: The powers given to the different branches of government should be balanced, that is roughly equal, so that no branch can completely dominate the others. Branches of government are also given powers to check the power of other branches.
Individual Rights: Fundamental to American constitutional democracy is the belief that individuals have certain basic rights that are not created by government but which government should protect. These are the right to life, liberty, economic freedom, and the “pursuit of happiness.” It is the purpose of government to protect these rights, and it may not place unfair or unreasonable restraints on their exercise. Many of these rights are enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
Freedom of Religion: There shall be full freedom of conscience for people of all faiths or none. Religious liberty is considered to be a natural inalienable right that must always be beyond the power of the state to confer or remove. Religious liberty includes the right to freely practice any religion or no religion without governmental coercion or control.
Federalism: Power is shared between two sets of governmental institutions, those of the states and those of the central or federal authorities, as stipulated by the Constitution.
Civilian Control of the Military: Civilian authority should control the military in order to preserve constitutional government.
Michigan Department of Education - Curriculum Development Unit: Social Studies 612198
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen
Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen
1. Living life to its fullest!
2. Thinking, believing and acting as you want (as long as it doesn’t take away someone else’s rights to do the same).
3. Showing the ultimate respect to others and their property (as long as it doesn’t take away someone else’s rights).
4. Being totally generous and helping others.
5. Believing in “What’s fair for you is fair for me.”
6. Treating others equally, 365/24/7!
7. Believing that many different kinds of people (cultures, ethnic groups, races, lifestyles and religious beliefs) are important to society.
8. Being honest, telling the truth and cherishing being told the truth by others.
9. Doing something to make a difference in your community.
10. Showing your patriotism and celebrating the red, white and blue!
Unit Contents:
Overview:Launching Your Ship with Citizenship: Intro. to Philanthropy Unit (12th) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Charting the Course: Philanthropy Lesson (12th)
- 2.
- Knowing the Ropes: Philanthropy Lesson (12th)
- 3.
- Not the Only Fish in the Sea: Philanthropy Lesson (12th)
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