Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Duration:
One class period
Objectives:
Students will identify philanthropic examples in everyday life.
Materials:
- Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney (see Bibliographic References).
- Definition of Philanthropy.
- Philanthropy Cards.
- Role Playing Rubric (see Assessment).
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set
Tell students that they will be listening to a story about a woman who wishes to give something good back to the world around her. Ask them if they have ever done anything good for someone or has anyone ever done anything nice for them. Ask them to listen for the good deed that she gave to her community.
- Read Miss Rumphius out loud to the class.
- Discuss the term philanthropy and the definition with the students.
(Greek roots PHILLIEN "to love" ANTHROPOS "mankind" or private action for the common good or the giving of one's time, talent, or treasure for the sake of another or for the common good). - Ask students how philanthropy relates to the story Miss Rumphius. (Miss Rumphius gave beauty back to the community around her. She made things more beautiful. Her actions were for the good of the community; she was able to give her time and talents).
- Ask students to verbalize examples of philanthropy.
- Pass out cards with examples of philanthropic deeds on each card (see Attachment One, Philanthropy Role Plays). Give students time to role-play each situation.
- Have students give their own examples of philanthropy and role-play these, as well.
- Ask students to try and accomplish one philanthropic deed on this day. Anything that they want to do for anyone else. Encourage continued use of philanthropy.
(This section is encouraged and not assessed.)
Assessment:
- Teacher observations of students' responses
- Student role playing (see rubric below and Attachment One, Philanthropy Role Plays).
Role-Playing Rubric:
Name: Date:
Student acts out a situation that displays a philanthropic scene.
Yes No
Comments:
Extension:
Have a Mass that centers on philanthropy and God calling on us to serve (see Attachment Two, Eucharistic Celebration for School).
Bibliographical References:
- Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. New York: Puffin Books, 1985.
- Gather: Comprehension. Chicago: GIA Publications, Inc., 1994.
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Kelly Serwick VanSkiverCatholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
St. Alphonsus Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Philanthropy Role Plays
- Jerry and his mother spend every Thanksgiving at a local Soup Kitchen helping serve meals to the homeless.
- Mr. Robert’s class goes outside once a week to pick up trash around a local neighborhood.
- Bobby gives half of his allowance every week to an organization to support homeless people.
- José made a first aid kit for his family because he realized that they did not have one.
- Sheila baby-sits for her little cousin once a week so that her Aunt can finish college.
- Katrina and Troy visit an area nursing home once a month to visit the elderly and give them seasonal cards and decorations.
- St. Anne Elementary School had a winter clothing drive to provide jackets, gloves, scarves, etc. to the homeless. My family helped to deliver the gifts.
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Eucharistic Celebration for School
Date: Grade: Teacher:
Theme: Philanthropy
Servers:
Introduction: Yes X No: Read by:
Song of Gathering: We are called
Lord Have Mercy
Gloria
Liturgy of the Word
1st Reading: Acts 11:27-30 Read by:
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5ab, 5cd-6
2nd Reading: None Read by:
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-40
Gospel of the day? Yes: No X
Homily Hints: Please pay special attention to our role of serving each other. What we do for others, we do for Jesus._How does our helping each other increase the common good? What are ways to serve each other?
Petitions read by:
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of the Gifts: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Gift Bearers:
Holy (sung)
Memorial Acclamation (sung)
Amen (sung)
Lord's Prayer: Sing X Recite _____
Lamb of God (sung)
Communion Song: Gather Us In
Eucharistic Ministers:
Communion Meditation: We Are Many Parts
Recessional: This Little Light of Mine
Introduction:
Good morning (pause). The theme for today's liturgy is philanthropy . Philanthropy is when an individual or a group of people does something to improve the good of the public. As you participate in Mass today, we invite you to think of ways that you can help others. Please stand and join in singing number 718 in your misslettes, “We are Called.”
First Reading:
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Some prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch, one of them was Agabus. With the help of the Spirit, he told that there would be a terrible famine everywhere in the world.
And it happened when Claudius was Emperor. The followers in Antioch decided to send whatever help they could to the followers in Judea. So they had Barnabas and Saul take their gifts to the church leaders in Jerusalem.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel:
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 25:31-40.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne.
“The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.
“He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. The King will say to those on his right, ‘My Father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.'”
“Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, ‘When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?'”
“The King will answer, ‘Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.'”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Petitions:
The response is Lord Hear our Prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
For all those people who have worked very hard to improve
the good in our world, we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.For all those children who are in the hospital,
that they find comfort and healing, we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.For our world leaders, that they have the strength
and wisdom to make choices that will greatly improve
the welfare of all, we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.For all those people who are homeless and hungry, that they find shelter and nourishment, we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.For an end to all wars, that we find the spirit of peace,
we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayers .For all those who volunteer in our schools, that they realize
how much we appreciate their time and talents, we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.For all those who have done acts of kindness and are listed
in our school journal, we pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.For all those listed in our Memorial Mass book under today's date.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord hear our prayer.
Unit Contents:
Overview:Learning About Philanthropy-Diocesan Standard Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Love of Mankind
- 2.
- Call to Care (A)
- 3.
- Time, Talent, and Treasure
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Comments
Loved the book, especially the pictures. We did plan the Thanksgiving liturgy. I contacted our local food pantry to find out their needs. Each grade was asked to bring in a certain food item. The class took all of the school's food, as well as, the Thanksgiving food from the church. Students loaded, unloaded, and weighed in the food. Total food collected 1072 pounds.
Children work together for a common goal. Children realize that there are people in our own area that are hungy or only eat one daily meal at a soup kitchen or shelter.
Students enjoyed the story, which led to good discussion. The skits they did were a lot of fun.
The students enjoyed the story of Miss Rumphius and it got them off to a good start in thinking of ways in which they can help in their community. Good discussion.
Prior to the story, my students had trouble understanding the idea of philanthropy as a "world" definition. After the story, their understanding grew, allowing them to get more out of the rest of the unit.