Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Unit Purpose:
Through discussion and a game, children identify the value of education to individuals and the community. Children hear a true story about a woman who performs a brave act for the common good. They identify the benefit the whole community shared and define philanthropy and common good. Children learn facts about learning around the globe. They brainstorm and carry out an act of service that promotes learning locally or globally.
Focus Question: What activities promote learning and the common good of a classroom community?
Unit Duration:
Three 45-Minute Sessions, Plus time to plan and carry out a service project
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- state positive outcomes of school benefitting self and community.
- play “Community I Spy” with the added element of naming things in the program’s community that they value.
- reflect on common resources and behaviors important to the school community.
- define philanthropy and common good.
- identify acts of bravery and perseverance.
- respond to the text of The Librarian of Basra.
- define charity and philanthropy.
- identify needs of learners across the globe.
- identify a charitable organization.
- discuss why people choose to give.
- brainstorm acts of philanthropy to help others learn.
- participate in a “Read-In” to promote learning locally and globally.
Service Experience:
Children hold a Read-In in order to gather books to donate to an organization that distributes books to children in need. Allow the students to help with the planning and specifics of the book drive and donation.
Notes for Teaching:
“ Education is our passport to the future,
for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare
for it today.”
—Malcolm X
Education across the globe, including schooling and other types of learning, is a fascinating topic to explore with students of all ages. Students will react well to this “meta-approach.” Studying education in the context of their own schools and after-school activities will provide excellent opportunity for reflection and understanding. When students are in an educational context, they will be more receptive to and understanding of the issues facing education around the globe. A key aspect of this unit will be to constantly “bring the lesson back” to your students. If students understand the challenges facing international education, and if they realize how lucky they are to be provided with such excellent educations of their own, they will be more motivated to act on behalf of the international community.
Bibliographical References:
- The U.S. Department of State’s List of International Learning Resources offers resources on countries across the globe that can be used when thinking
about education near and far. http://www.state.gov/misc/list/index.htm
- Teachers’ Domain offers videos and lesson plans on education around the world.
- Comparison of schooling in Japan and Kenya:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/vtl07.la.rv.text.lpcomped/ - Gender Equality in Schooling:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/wa08.socst.world.glob.lpspeakout/ - Influence of Qur’an in Muslim education:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/islam08.socst.world.glob.lplearning/ - ePals Global Community: Made up of classrooms from over 200 countries, each classroom has a unique
profile. Find a global collaboration partner today by exploring all profiles: http://www.epals.com/search/
- Teaching Tolerance. www.tolerance.org/parents/printar.jsp?p=0&pi=pa&ar=9;
- PBS.org www.pbs.org/parents/talkingwithkids/news
- Winter, Jeanette. The Librarian of Basra
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
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