Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Traditions of Tribal Sharing
Lesson 2:
From Unit Real Heroes
Purpose:
To introduce students to the tradition of Native American tribal giving and sharing and help students identify talents they possess that could be used to help others.
Duration:
2-3 class periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- review the term "philanthropy" by reciting the definition-"private action for the common good."
- through class discussion, identify the philanthropic actions of a character in a fiction story about Native Americans.
- through class discussion, cite examples of Native American giving and sharing.
- list and illustrate an attribute they possess and would use to make a contribution to a world culture.
Materials:
- Any social studies text that includes information about the traditions of Native Americans
- Native Americans, Traditions of Tribal Sharing (see Attachment One).
- Fiction or non-fiction stories of Native Americans whose character(s) demonstrate private action for the public or common good.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Review the term philanthropy (private action for the common good) by writing the term on the blackboard and having students recite the definition aloud. As you study the history of your community and the Native Americans, pose the question: "How were Native Americans helpful and giving?" Brainstorm ideas.
- Read and discuss one or more fiction or non-fiction stories (see Bibliographic References).
- Introduce vocabulary: attribute: a quality or characteristic belonging to a person or thing
- Read and discuss Native Americans, Traditions of Tribal Sharing information sheet (see Attachment One). Place on overhead for class to read silently as teacher reads aloud.
- Discuss the following questions:
- What gift would you give another?
- What would you contribute to a world culture if you could give your finest attribute?
- Brainstorm attributes and list on chart paper or blackboard. Examples of attributes might include: art, music, athletics, cooking, and craftsmanship, as well as some non-material attributes such as honesty, hard work, hospitality, respect, sense of adventure, loyalty, family loyalty.
- Ask students to choose one attribute they possess and would offer as a gift or contribution to a world culture.
Activity:
Each student illustrates her or his attribute helping others on a piece of drawing paper (6" x 6") for display on a bulletin board display titled. "Our Gifts to the World"
Assessment:
Drawing clearly shows student's attribute used to help others.
Bibliographical References:
- De Paola, Tomie. The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. Paper Star, 1996. ISBN: 0698113608.
- Goble, Paul. The Gift of the Sacred Dog: Story and Illustrations (Reading Rainbow Book). Aladdin Paperbacks Reprint Edition, 1984. ISBN: 0020432801.
- DePaolo, Tomie. The Legend of the Bluebonnet. Paper Star, 1996. ISBN: 0698113594.
Lesson Developed By:
Lynn SeeberForest Hills Public School
Orchard View Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Native Americans, Traditions of Tribal Sharing
North America was known to many Native American tribes as Turtle Island because of its shape. When Europeans first came to this land, the Native American population was thought to be about twenty million people, speaking over 300 different languages. Native Americans believed that learning was a life-long experience, which began before birth, through songs and ceremonies. The Native Americans believed this was the way to teach children so that they would grow up and take their place in the community. Children spent the first months of life in a cradleboard. This carrier, the cradleboard, was taken everywhere and was propped up, enabling the baby to watch everything that was going on all around him or her. Games were used for teaching and learning. There was great respect given to individuals and individual differences. The education of the child was the responsibility of the entire community, not just that of the parents.
Little attention has been given to the Native American tradition of sharing; however, the new settlers from Europe would not have survived their first winters without gifts of corn, squash and beans, as well as an herbal medicine and planting and fertilizing techniques from the American Indians.
This kind of helping and sharing with the new settlers was not just a one-time act of caring. The belief of the early Indian tribe was that sharing was a virtue, a value to be learned and imitated, and selfishness was a fault. In Native American tradition, wealth was produced for its distribution, not its accumulation. “Gift giving is a unifying cultural trait in which both the giver and the receiver are honored and their equal status validated,” (Kidwell). Native Americans honored the freedom of the individual, but valued the good of the community.
The Anashnabek women shared their peoples’ tradition of giving and serving others. If women were able to make more mats, pots, and other items than the family needed, they were given as gifts to others. Sharing was considered to be very honorable and lifted one’s prestige in the community. A representative leader was often considered worthy of the responsibility by his or her ability to share.
Kidwell, Clara Sue. “True Indian Giving,” Foundation News 31, no. 3 (May/June 1990): 28.
Questions:
- What gift would you give another?
- What would you contribute to a world culture if you could give your finest attribute?
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
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Comments
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) it allowed students to see their own qualities as being unique & important.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) the gift of sharing vs. being materialistic - what a concept to expose kids to!!
This lesson was very organized and thorough.
Nice job!
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) students were very interested in Chief Seattle's message. We were able to understand what "seventh generation" was.
(The positive aspects of using this lesson were) the historical value; understanding of others (diversity of ideals) and Native American Culture.