Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Unit Overview:
Philanthropy in the community is examined through the children's story A Chair For My Mother. The students learn about the neccesity of saving money in order to reach a material goal. The difference between wants and needs is explored. Students participate in a cooperative project to make a difference in the school or local community.
Unit Purpose:
The purpose of this unit is to promote the idea of the common good. The concepts of wants, needs, savings and philanthropy are introduced. Money values are reinforced through hands-on activities.
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- identify the difference between a want and a need.
- define story vocabulary.
- write a reflection paragraph.
- define philanthropy as giving or sharing time, talent, or treasure, or taking action for the common good.
- name examples of saving and spending money in the story.
- construct a bank in which to practice saving over a period of time.
- identify coin values and practice skip counting.
- create a list of family activities to benefit the common good.
- define philanthropy as the sharing of time, talent; or treasure.
- list needs in the school and local area.
- select a class project to make a difference in the community.
- create a plan to meet the chosen need.
- maintain a journal.
- write and present a book showing the class's accomplishments.
Service Experience:
In Lesson Two, students collect money in a jar to donate to an issue of their choice. In Lesson Three, students identify a school or local need and develop a plan of how to address that need.
Unit Assessment:
Assessment is done by teacher observation of student participation. Student use reflective writing to further their understanding. In Lesson Three the students write and illustrate a book about the project and how the class demonstratred philanthropy.
School/Home Connection:
- "Copy-and-Paste" Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
Children's Literature often teaches us important universal themes such as the importance of coming together as a community in times of need. Our class is exploring the concept of philanthropy (giving or sharing time, talent, or treasure, or public action for the common good) through the children's story A Chair For My Mother. The students follow a family as they recover from a fire that destroys their home and everything in it. We learn about the difference between needs and wants and common good as the family gets help from the community to set up their new apartment. We watch as they work to save money in order to reach a material goal. The beautiful story of The Three Questions inspires students to recognize that everyone can make a difference to be a good person and make the world a better place. Through research, exploration of interests and abilities the students participate in a cooperative project to make a difference in their own school or local community.
- Interactive Parent/Student Homework:
Send home a copy of Lesson One, Attachment Four: School-Home Connection. Families complete the chart together and discuss ways they have worked for the common good. Students share their families' ideas with the class the following day.
In Lesson Two, students make a bank from a recyclable container and practice saving money over a one month period.
In Lesson Three, students ask their families for help with project ideas for making a difference in the school or community.
After the project is complete, set up an Open House to allow students to exhibit their books and explain the philanthropy involved in this project. It's time to show off their community contributions as good citizens. Invite the media.
Notes for Teaching:
The analogy of the fire in A Chair For My Mother, may raise some sentiment in your classroom if your students have or know someone who has suffered in a fire. Be prepared to be sensitive to this issue.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed and Piloted By:
Jennifer Gehreke
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Mulick Park Elementary
1761 Rosewood SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Kandi Harpe-Carroll
Ravenna Public Schools
Beechnau Elementary
12322 Ravenna Rd.
Ravenna, MI 49451
Tammi Kantola
Ravenna Public Schools
Beechnau Elementary
12322 Ravenna Rd.
Ravenna, MI 49451
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