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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter

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Lifelong Leadership:
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter

Lesson 10:

From Unit Concepts of Leadership

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

9th-12th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Reflection; Research; Technology
PHIL:	Leadership; Nonprofit Organizations; Personal Wealth
SOC:	Carter, Jimmy; Carter, Rosalynn; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Good Character; Habitat for Humanity; Historical Biographies; Inquiry; LEAGUE Optional Lesson: King Day; LEAGUE Optional Lesson: One Day; Personal Virtue; Research; Values

Focus Question(s):

What are the social conditions under which an individual realizes his or her full potential as a leader who is willing to take private action for public good?

Purpose:

To enable students to recognize various roles that an individual leader can take throughout his life.

Duration:

One 50 Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

be able to cite and identify various examples of the philanthropic work that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have done throughout their whole lives.
be able to compare and contrast their own philosophy about giving and serving with that of the Carter family.

Service Experience:

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

Students will make review the list of their own volunteer and philanthropic efforts over the past year and make projections about how they may make contributions to society throughout their lives.

Materials:

Jimmy Carter Museum and Library: http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/
Learning to Give Briefing Paper: http://www.learningtogive.org/papers/people/jimmycarter.html

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

As President, Jimmy Carter had only four years to make an impact. Let us review his accomplishments as President as highlighted in your book. Does anyone know what he has done since he has left office? Let's take about 20 minutes to find out as much as we can about his life.

Students are divided into groups and asked to research via the Internet the following areas of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's lives:
Their growing-up years and service in the military
The non-political years of their lives together
The years of service as governor of Georgia
The years of service as President
The Carter Center
The work for Habitat with Humanity
The peace initiatives in free elections in Panama and the Middle East.
This work is only meant to provide information — no more than 25 minutes should be devoted to the research. See Web site below.
After each group has presented the various facts related to their subject, the class as a whole should make a list of the various leadership positions and roles that the Carters have taken.
Review how Habitat for Humanity works, calling on individuals and organizations to work together to provide quality housing in the community. Explain that when a variety of different groups and individuals come together in the community for the common good, this is an example of community capital. It is "banked good will" that helps build trust between various groups within the community. Ask students to give other examples of how community capital is built within the community and/or school. How does this build trust within the community and help to eliminate the problem of factions working for their own benefit rather than the common good. Can this example work in other places?
As homework, each student should list three ways he or she would contribute to society after high school.
Immediately start on Lesson Eleven: Incorporating Leadership Into My Own Life the next day.