Simulation is a teaching technique that, done properly, can reproduce actual events and processes. It is the “next best thing” when an educator does not have the means or resources for the real thing. Simulation allows students to realistically experience and subsequently react to issues of concern, although they are able to act without fear of consequences if they make wrong choices.

Read the following simulation used in Learning to Give’s 3-5 lesson entitled Bucket Brigade, part of the Philanthropy in History unit:

Place an empty bucket twenty-five feet from the “well.” This is the “fire.” A full pail of water (well) is at the other end.
Prepare a command card for each student in the class. Examples of commands are:

• Call out, “Fire, fire.” (one person)
• Say, “I’m too busy.” (4 or 5 people)
• Call out, “Hurry, get a bucket and help me.” (one person)
• Answer, “I’ll help.” (4 or 5 people)
• Just stand and watch. (Give half of your students this command.)

Each student should receive a card. Tell the students that they are to only do what their card tells them to do. Tell students that the fire will burn the structure down in three minutes. In order to fill the need of putting out the fire, they must fill the “fire pail” before the three minutes are up. The object of this game is to have only a few students actually take water to the bucket! The rest of the students have other things to do that are “more important” than to volunteer to put out the fire. After three minutes, discuss the problems that arise when only a few people pitch in to help the common good.

Now explain to the students that they are going to use the skills of cooperation, collaboration and problem solving to volunteer their time and talent to help put out the fire. Divide students into two groups with the same set-up as before, having a well on one end and a fire on the other for both groups. Tell students that the fire will burn the structure down in three minutes. In order to fill the need of putting out the fire, they must fill the “fire pail” before the three minutes are up. Allow students to solve the dilemma at hand. The ultimate goal would be for students to use the bucket brigade technique and pass the full cups down a line to be emptied into the other bucket. This activity will reinforce some cooperative behavior among the students, and the idea that it takes more than a thought to be a volunteer. It takes action.

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The skills needed in this simulation that support philanthropy include:

• Problem solving
• Cooperation and collaboration
• Civic engagement and volunteerism

From extra- and co-curricular activities, pre-existing educational programs the arts, and the dozens of teaching techniques used in classrooms daily, philanthropy instruction is a natural product of education.

The next gives the learner an overview of the Learning to Give specifics and framework. By learning how to most effectively use LTG’s Web site, the learner will explore the lessons and resources available to teachers, youth workers, parents and religious instructors at no cost.

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