Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Introduces the term philanthropy (private action for the common good) and helps students recognize the relationship between community need and private action.
Goal:
Students will learn the meaning of philanthropy and ways in which it occurs in the home, at school, and in the community.
Duration:
2-3 class periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- define philanthropy (private action for the common good) orally and give an example of philanthropy occurring in one or more stories read in class.
- list one or more philanthropic activities occurring in their own home, in their classroom, and in their school.
- look at the relationship between "community need" and private action.
- identify, from the class discussion, a need in the community, brainstorm ways the need could be met, and then predict what might occur as a result of the action taken to fulfill the need.
Materials:
- Any social studies text defining "Community"
- Fiction stories whose main character demonstrates philanthropy (private action for the common good). See Bibliographical References.
- Helping Out is Cool by Ellen Feinman Moss, Tumbleweed Press, 1997.
- Graphic Organizer (see Attachment One)
- Question Worksheet (see Attachment Two)
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Write the term "Philanthropy" on the board. As an introduction students will read one or more of the stories listed, or a basal or literature based story whose main character takes private action for the public good. Students will discuss the meaning of philanthropy, private action for the common good.
- Read aloud the book Helping Out is Cool.
- Guide a class discussion about philanthropy at home, in the classroom, and at school.
- Students will list on a Graphic Organizer (see Attachment One) "philanthropic" activities that occur in their homes, in their classroom, and in their school.
- Students will brainstorm needs in their own community and discuss ways those needs could be met through private action.
- Each student will choose one need in his own community, list opportunities to fulfill the need, then predict what might result if they took action (see Attachment Two).
Philanthropy
In the Home
- Recycling products such as paper, glass, plastic
- Cutting down on use of water (water pressure in showers, energy saving appliances, not allowing the water to run unnecessarily)
- Taking used clothing to collection site
- Planting trees
- Volunteering at a retirement home
- Giving money to support underprivileged
In the Classroom / In the School
- Recycling paper
- Used book collections
- Food baskets during the holidays
- Sending holiday cards to shut-ins
Assessment:
- Teacher observation of student participation.
- Completion of the student's graphic organizer and question sheet.
Notes for Teaching:
Lesson one is an introduction to help students become aware of philanthropy and have them reflect on philanthropy as it occurs in their own world. Facilitate class discussion and brainstorming activity.
Bibliographical References:
- Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. Viking Press Paperback, 1985. ISBN: 0140505393. Lied, Kate. Potato: A Tale from the Great Depression. National Geographic Society, 1997.
- Moss, Ellen Feinman. Helping Out is Cool. Tumbleweed Press, 1997.
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Lynn SeeberForest Hills Public School
Orchard View Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Graphic Organizer-My Community, My World
Philanthropy at my home:
Philanthropy in my classroom:
Philanthropy in my school:
Handout 2Print Handout 2
My Community-My World
Identify a need:
What opportunities do you have to fill the need?
What is your plan of action?
What might be the result of your action?
Unit Contents:
Overview:Real Heroes Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- My Community—My World
- 2.
- Traditions of Tribal Sharing
- 3.
- First Conservationists (The)
- 4.
- Heroes and Celebrities
- 5.
- Early Settlers of a Community
- 6.
- Hiawatha, the Great Peacemaker
- 7.
- Everyone Can Be a Real Hero
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
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) how philanthropy was identified at home, classroom, school, and community. The story Miss Ruphius was great. Helping Out Is Cool was a good way to get discussion going. I like the simple lesson one, attachment 2 worksheet used to identify a need.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) Students can get a feel for how they can contribute to their own community. It also provides them with the idea that they matter and when they help others it feels good.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) opening students eyes to the possible needs in their community; developing an empathetic "ear" and "eye"; familiarize students with vocabularyBR>
This lesson helped the students understand the term philanthropy and how it relates to their home, community, and school. Helping Out Is Cool was an excellent book. Several students read the book during DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time after I read it aloud.