Students will be introduced to philanthropy and the non-profit sector in their community. Discussion will center on the idea that personal identity can be shaped by involvement in philanthropy. Children's literature and popular music will be used in this lesson.

The learners will:

• define philanthropy and non-profit sector.
  
  
• speculate about how being involved in philanthropy can shape one’s identity.

Anticipatory Set:
Play Michael Jackson’s “The Man in the Mirror” twice. Let the students listen the first time without saying anything. After the first playing, ask the students to try to find the meaning of the song while they listen a second time. Discuss with the students the meaning of the song.

• Write selfish and selfless on the board in large letters. Have students come to the board and write examples of what they believe is the meaning of each of these words. Explain that being selfless is putting others’ well being above your own. Some examples of being selfless are volunteering and being active in the non-profit sector. Define non-profit sector as “any not-for-profit organizations that are not part of the government or any company that tries to make a profit. These agencies are created for the purpose of helping others.” Solicit examples from the learners. Give students the following definition of philanthropy: giving and sharing, volunteering and private individual action intended for the common good.
  
  
• Read the book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein aloud to the class. Connect this book to the students’ lives, asking for personal examples of how it feels to give to others or ask from others. Ask students if they consider themselves to be givers or takers and ask how each identity role makes the students feel.
  
  
• Assess students’ understanding of the key concepts (philanthropy and non-profit sector) through teacher directed class discussion.

Students may observe their own lives and/or television shows to observe how the characters are either selfish or selfless.