Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Philanthropy Suggested Novel List

The following novels have characters that in some way show a giving and caring attitude. Included is a brief description for some of the novels. The word in parenthesis gives an idea of the social issue that is found in the story. The novels that involve an elderly person are good for students to read independently while serving at the nursing home.

1. Albom, Mitch - Tuesdays with Morrie
   Subject: elderly and dying
   This is a true story of Professor Morrie Schwartz who is dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease and his former student Mitch Albom who regularly visits him every Tuesday. Mitch calls his visits his last class, and his novel is the term paper. The subject of the book is: the Meaning of Life. Mitch gives of his time and money to fly out and visit his mentor and Morrie shares his wisdom and life lessons.
   
   
2. Byars, Betsy - The Pinballs
   Subject: foster children
   Three lonely foster children, who have been knocked about like pinballs, collide in a caring foster home and learn to care for each other.
   
   
3. Byars, Betsy - After the Goat Man
   Subject: elderly
   A sensitive and overweight boy overcomes his problems when he becomes involved in a search for a friend’s grandfather, named the Goat Man.
   
   
4. Higa, Tomilo - The Girl with the White Flag
   Subject: orphan and elderly
   
   
5. Homan, Felice - Slake's Limbo
   Subject: homelessness
   Slake is a thirteen year old boy who lives in a subway for one hundred and twenty-one days. He benefits both physically and emotionally from a number of strangers who demonstrate philanthropy. His experiences impact him and he leaves the subway with hope.
   
   
6. Jones, Ron - The Acorn People
   Subject: handicapped
   
   
7. Magorian, Michelle - Good Night Mr. Tom
   Subject: elderly
   
   
8. Paterson, Katherine - Jip, His Story
   Subject: orphan, mental illness
   The setting of this historical fiction novel is a poorhouse farm in rural Vermont during the 1850s. True philanthropy is not found at the charity orphanage/asylum but within Jip. He cares deeply for the paupers and strays at the poorhouse as well as the plants and animals. Jip experiences the sacrifices that come with thinking of others first and yourself last.
   
   
9. Thomasma, Kenneth - Amee-nah
   Subject: handicapped
   Amee-nah is a fictional story based on the life of a boy and a doctor who actually lived. He is a Zuni boy with a clubfoot that keeps him from running and herding sheep with his friends. According to the story, when a doctor from Grand Rapids, MI, who was also born with a clubfoot, hears about Amee-nah, he writes a letter in which he says “Many people made it possible for me to have my foot surgery. Many people made it possible for me to become a doctor. Now I want to make it possible for this young man to have his operation and be able to walk and run like all of his friends. There will be no charge for my services.” Philanthropy is passed on to others.
   
   
10. Voigt, Cynthia - Homecoming
    Subject: orphans
    “This first novel is about an abandoned ‘family,’ four children ages 6 to 13 . . . With $11 and change, little adult help and a great deal of adult hindrance, the four make their way from Rhode Island to Connecticut on the strength of courage, resourcefulness, good camping instincts and the sheer will to stay together and find a home . . . This is a glowing book . . . An enthralling journey to a gratifying end.”  - New York Times Book Review.

Handout 2Print Handout 2

Essay Requirements

Directions: This assignment involves reading a novel and writing a response to it from a Christian perspective. The essay is a type of persuasive writing which includes an opinion supported by facts and details.

You will be given two weeks to read the book and then ten days to write a rough draft, proofread, revise and publish an essay. Some of this work will be done in class and some as homework. Please follow the suggested format. This paper must be a minimum of 2 to 2 1/2 pages long. This means it will be approximately 500 - 650 words in length.

Title: The title of the paper must be something other than the title of the book. It must communicate the message of the paper. The message is what you want others to learn from the essay.

Paragraph One:

• It must include a brief summary of the book.
• Include the title of the book and the author.
• Stick to the essential information-setting, name of main character(s), main problem(s) in the story, and how the problem(s) is solved.
• End with a topic sentence or thesis that states the message of the paper and hooks the reader. This sentence should be an opinion about philanthropy. It should connect with the title and with your third and/or fourth paragraph(s).
• It must be about one-half to two-thirds the length of the first page.

Paragraph Two:

• Begin this paragraph with a transitional sentence that connects with the last paragraph.
• Include in this paragraph answers to the following questions:
  • Who in this story showed a philanthropic (loving and caring) attitude?
  • What did he or she do?
  • Could the character in the story get along without help? Why or why not?
  • How was the character(s) changed by doing or accepting an act of philanthropy? The book should have several examples. You should include three or more in this paragraph.
• It must be about one-half to two-thirds the length of a page.

Paragraph Three:

• Include in this paragraph an answer to the following question:
  “According to the Bible, why should a Christian help the character in your story?”
• Use the list of scripture passages to help support the answer.
• Choose at least four passages to include in the paper.
• Quote the verse or part of it. Include the Bible book, chapter, and verse.
• Explain how the passages support the message of the paper.
• It must be one-half to two-thirds of a page or more.

Paragraph Four:

• Include in this paragraph the answer to the following question:
  "How can you apply what you have written in paragraph three to your life?”
  Hints:
• Have you experienced a time when you were in need and others helped you?
• How have you helped others?
• How does being a Christian affect your attitude toward helping others?
• What Christ-like actions can you do every day?
• Give this paragraph careful thought and show effort. Be honest about yourself.
• It must be one-half page or more.

Paragraph Five:

This is the conclusion. It should be three or more sentences in length.

Leave the reader with a message.

Connect what you write with your title and thesis statement.

Handout 3Print Handout 3

Bible Passages

The following passages may be used in the third paragraph of the essay to support your ideas. You may also use any other passages in the Bible that you are familiar with and that support your main point.

• Luke 10: 25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
  
  
• I Corinthians 13 - Chapter on Love
• Matthew 25:35-40
  “For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when thirsty, you gave drink; when I was a stranger, you took me into your home; when naked, you clothed me; when I was ill, you came to my help; when in prison, you visited me.”
  
  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
  
  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ”
  
  
• Deuteronomy 15:7-8
  “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.”
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver…”
  
  
• I Thessalonians 5:11
  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as if fact you are doing.”
  
  
• James 1:27
  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
  
  
• Acts 20:35
  “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
  
  
• Matthew 20:25-28
  “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’"
  
  
• Colossians 3:12
  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
  
  
• Hebrews 13:16
  “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 8:9
  “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
  
  
• I Timothy 6:17-19
  “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
  
  
• I Corinthians 15:56-58
  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
  
  
• Ephesians 4:32 - 5:2
  “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Handout 4Print Handout 4

Writing Conference

Directions for writer:
Use the following form to gather valuable input from other writers on how to improve your essay. You should have comments from two students and a parent.

Directions for evaluator:
Begin by carefully reading the piece. Then complete each of the following statements. Be sure that you clearly explain your comments so the author knows what you mean by them. Sign your name next to your comments.

1. I like __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
2. I wonder _________________________________________________________
   
   
   
3. I suggest __________________________________________________________

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1. I like __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
2. I wonder __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
3. I suggest __________________________________________________________

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1. I like __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
2. I wonder __________________________________________________________
   
   
   
3. I suggest __________________________________________________________

Handout 5Print Handout 5

Philanthropy at Work

Directions: Complete the chart’s first Book Title/Author column based upon the novel you read and the essay you wrote. Complete the remainder of the chart while you listen to your classmate’s essays.

	1. Book Title: Author:	2. Book Title: Author:	3. Book Title: Author:	4. Book Title: Author:	5. Book Title: Author:
What is/are the main problem(s) in the story?
Give one example of philanthropy in the story.
How was the character changed by doing or receiving an act of philanthropy?
What is your classmate's opinion about philanthropy?
Do you agree with this opinion? Why or why not?

Handout 6Print Handout 6

Philanthropy at Work Rubric

Criteria	Quality +5	Quality +3	Quality +1
Essay Format	The essay is typed double-spaced, the minimum length, and has five paragraphs.	The paper meets all but one of the listed requirements.	The paper meets all but two of the listed requirements.
Content	The writer has included the suggested content for all five paragraphs.	The writer has included the suggested content for three-four of the paragraphs.	The writer has included the suggested content for one-two of the paragraphs.
Word Choice	The words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting and natural way. The language is not overdone and the reader knows just what the writer means.	The language is functional, but it lacks detail. The reader longs for more.	The writer struggles with a limited vocabulary. The writing is unclear, repeats itself and uses jargon as a crutch. The reader wonders what the writer is trying to say.
Mechanics (grammar, capitalization, punctuation, usage, spelling, paragraphing)	The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing mechanics. Errors are so few or minor that the reader can easily overlook them.	The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Errors are sometimes distracting and impair readability.	Repeated errors distract the reader and makes the text difficult to read.
Writing Process	The writer completed a rough draft, made revisions, and published the essay on time.	The writer met all but one of the listed requirements.	The writer met all but two of the listed requirements.
Philanthropy	The writer has included an opinion about philanthropy in the first paragraph.
	The writer has included three examples of philanthropy in paragraph two.	The writer has included two examples of philanthropy in paragraph two.	The writer has included oneexample of philanthropy in paragraph one.
	The writer supported philanthropy with four passages from the Bible.	The writer supported philanthropy with three passages from the Bible.	The writer supported philanthropy with two passages from the Bible.
	The writer explained the four passages as they relate to philanthropy.	The writer explained three passages as they relate to philanthropy.	The writer explained two passages as they relate to philanthropy.
	The writer explains how philanthropy is or can be a part of his/her life.

Academic Standards:

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Philanthropy Framework: