Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

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Thank You!

Lesson 4:

From Unit Volunteering as Good Work

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Subjects:

Arts, Language Arts, Library / Technology and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ART:	Visual Arts
ELA:	Letter Writing
PHIL:	Common Good; Motivation for Giving; Volunteer
SOC:	School Community; Volunteerism

Purpose:

Students show their appreciation for the efforts of those who are willing to donate their time and talents to make the school a better place.

Duration:

One Forty-Five Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

brainstorm ways to show appreciation for volunteer workers at his/her school.

create a card, picture, poem, letter, note, artwork, etc. to give in appreciation to a volunteer worker.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

None for this lesson.

Materials:

Small thank-you gifts for each student from teacher: pencils, stickers, cards, notes, treats, etc. (Ahead of time think of specific ways that each of the children has made an effort for the common good: helped in the room, improved behavior, worked hard, etc.)
Several examples of notes, cards, pictures, letters, etc. that might be sent to show appreciation to someone.
A variety of art supplies for children to use to make their projects (writing paper, construction paper, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, collage materials, etc.)

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Hand each student a small token of appreciation. As you give your gift to the child, say, “I really appreciate that you _________ (state something specific that the child has done). This makes the classroom a better place because _________. Thank you!”

When everyone has received a “thank you” from the teacher, ask, “How does it feel when you receive a gift of appreciation?” “Does it encourage you?” “How would you feel if you kept helping someone and never got a thank you?”
Allow time to discuss the importance of showing others appreciation when they volunteer their time and talents to help.
Show examples of possible “gifts” of thanks.
Discuss ways that they might show appreciation to volunteers who have helped at school. One idea is to make a collage of materials and images related to the work that the individual has done. Example: for a kitchen helper the collage may include magazine pictures of food, smiling faces and kitchen supplies as well as bits of pasta, a plastic fork and other materials to pull the images together and make the collage attractive.
Assign each student a specific volunteer for whom he will make a thank-you gift. Have students decide what they would like to do as a thank you.
Put out art supplies for students to use.
Students should also write/dictate at least one sentence of thank you that includes why the specific volunteer work is important to the school/classroom.

Assessment:

Through teacher observation, assess whether the student has a desire to produce a token of appreciation for someone who volunteered at school. Do the students recognize the value of the volunteer and the importance of showing appreciation?