Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Through the use of a trade book, students will see that a garden is a place where an individual can go for inner peace and solitude. They will see that a garden is to be shared.
Duration:
One 30 Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- explain that a garden has additional value other than as a place where flowers and vegetables grow.
- describe the importance that a garden has to the environment and lives of individuals who use it.
- describe philanthropic activity as something that is done for the common good.
Service Experience:
None for this lesson.
Materials:
-
The Book: The Gardener by Sarah Stewart (see Bibliographic References).
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Ask students to discuss their experiences with gardens and gardening. Have students tell what gardens have meant to them and to others.
- Read The Gardener, written by Sarah Stewart, to the class.
- Define philanthropy as the giving and sharing of time, talent, or treasure intended for the common good.
- Discuss the book from the philanthropic view by asking, "How does Lydia give of her time, talent and treasure?" and "How was Lydia philanthropic?" Ask "Were any other characters in the story philanthropic?"
- Ask, "How could the class participate in a similar act?"
Assessment:
- Have students write a paragraph in their journals answering this question:
How did Lydia exhibit philanthropic characteristics? How did she give her time, talent and treasure? - The teacher may observe class discussion as a form of assessment.
School/Home Connection:
None for this lesson.
Extension:
This book is written in the form of letters to Lydia's relatives. This could be an introduction to the writing of friendly letters.
Bibliographical References:
Stewart, Sarah. The Gardener. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1977. ISBN: 0374425183
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Christine MakinenKaleva Norman Dickson Schools
Wellston Elementary School
Wellston, MI 49689
Handouts:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Building a Mini-Park and Bird Sanctuary Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Sharing the Joy of a Garden
- 2.
- Helping Others with a Garden
- 3.
- Location, Location, Location
- 4.
- What's in a Garden?
- 5.
- And Now, What to Plant?
- 6.
- Soil Testing and Measurement
- 7.
- Preparing and Planting the Garden
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
Children see the connection between sharing of self with others to impact positive human interaction/relationships.
It (the lesson) shows how a child can be a philanthropist and that a child has valuable time, talent, and treasure.
Some of the students have never been exposed to philanthropy or gardening and by using this lesson students understand that gardens can be made anywhere.
(The positive aspect of this lesson is) Students learned about philanthropy. Students were exposed to garden for the first time. Our school looks great.
This lesson is great for students who might not otherwise get to experience philanthropy and the chance to give back to the community.
Students understand that they too can show philanthropy by giving of their time, talent or treasures.
I started by reading Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, in which the main character is given the task to make the world a better place. My class latched onto that and thought of a garden (I had sort of "planted" the idea in passing). This book, along with City Green, went along with that nicely.