Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Unit Overview:
Unit Purpose:
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
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define philanthropy as the giving of time, talent or treasure for the common good.
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distinguish between examples of time, talent and treasure in learner’s own experience.
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name at least one philanthropic activity that is currently occurring in home, school or community.
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design a poster to communicate the meaning and impact of philanthropy.
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respond to literature that characterizes a struggling artist.
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recognize why arts in the community are often supported by philanthropy.
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identify the value of art, music and drama to the common good.
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define the concept of “giving back.”
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state why artists who are successful may wish to “give back.”
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define serial reciprocity as passing on acts of kindness.
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make a classroom goal related to serial reciprocity.
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state some reasons why wealthy individuals set up foundations or give away their money for social causes.
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define foundation and research the purpose of a local foundation.
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research the philanthropic activities of one celebrity.
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present a report on a celebrity who acts as a philanthropist.
Service Experience:
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In Lesson One: “Philanthropy - What Is It?” students create posters defining and giving examples of philanthropy in order to raise awareness in the school community of philanthropy and its benefits.
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In Lesson Two: “Artists Giving Back,” students make a classroom goal in which they commit to “passing on” acts of kindness in the classroom, school and at home.
Unit Assessment:
- Student participation in discussions and acts of kindness will be evidence of their comprehension and engagement in the concepts.
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In Lesson One: “Philanthropy — What Is It? the following rubric can be used to evaluate the student posters:
A poster with the highest point value should include the following elements:
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Clear and concise title
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Definition of philanthropy
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Example of philanthropy that is accessible to students
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Illustration
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Neat handwriting
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Communicates benefits of philanthropy to community (through text or picture)
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Use the rubric guidelines in Lesson Three: Celebrity Philanthropists, Attachment One: Rubric for Celebrity Report as a guide for grading student reports.
School/Home Connection:
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“Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
Does your family appreciate visual art, theater, dance or music? Many of our school families participate in local arts’ events either as performers or audience members. In class, we will be looking at examples of the arts in our community and discussing how these programs are funded. Most arts programs are funded, at least in part, by philanthropists who give money or time to support their interests. In turn, many artists choose to “give back” in similar ways. Our students will conduct research about the philanthropic work of some famous celebrities and present reports to the class. -
Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Students bring home the homework assignment to work on with families. See Lesson One: Philanthropy - What Is It? Attachment One: What Is Philanthropy? They communicate with their families what they learned about philanthropy. -
In Lesson Three: Celebrity Philanthropists, students may employ parent/family help in editing and preparing their presentations. Encourage the students to talk with their families about the concept of giving back.
Notes for Teaching:
This unit may be expanded and enriched by involving the students in several examples of the arts in order to increase their understanding of the value of the arts. Take students on field trips to local arts events. Bring in videos of theater events, dance concerts and musical performances. Have a talent show in which students display their own talents with their classmates.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed By:
Jennifer O'Toole
Buchanan Community Schools
Moccasin Elementary School
410 Moccasin Avenue
Buchanan, MI 49107
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
Students got very involved in this lesson, because it allowed them the opportunity to look at famous people that help as well as those from the community. Then they put themselves in the place of a philthropist and got a rewarding feeling for helping someone else.
Students in grades 3 and 4 participated in a school-wide clothing drive. Throughout the process they discussed the importance of giving to those in need and created posters to hang around the school.