Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
generationOn
Purpose:
Learners will find examples in literature of the simple act of doing something for the common good. They will research examples of philanthropists in colonial America.
Duration:
Two Forty-Five Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- identify an act of philanthropy in literature.
- identify and illustrate four examples of philanthropy in colonial America.
Materials:
- Copy of Miss Rumphius
- Transparency of Colonial Philanthropists (see Attachment One) with the reference material deleted for learner use
- Overhead projector
- What Did You Do?
(see Attachment Two) - Encyclopedias and/or Internet access
- Posterboards and colored pencils, markers, pencils, and blank paper
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Ask learners to close their eyes and visualize someone who tries to make the world a more beautiful place. Ask volunteers to share their examples.
Day One:
- Read Miss Rumphius. (A young girl grows up by the sea with her grandfather and promises to do three things before retiring with a home of her own. One of the things is to do something to make the world beautiful.) After reading, ask: "How did she make the world more beautiful?" "Why do you think that it is good to make life better for others?"
- Explain that before the Revolutionary War, there were individuals who saw a need in their communities and decided to do something about those needs. Sometimes organizations were formed as a result of events that prompted their formation. Some organizations were started by individuals while others were developed through the joint efforts of several people in the community. In either case, all were working for the betterment of their communities, that is, for the common good. Review the meaning of the term.
- Project the transparency Colonial Philanthropists (Attachment One). (NOTE: The printed answers, which are a Teacher Reference, should be deleted before printing the page on an acetate sheet.) Explain that learners will research the persons on the list who lived during colonial times and uncover what they did to make life in the community better. Learners should feel free to add to the list as long as additional examples fit the time period before 1763.
- On the board write:
- (person + philanthropic wish = act to improve the common good)
- Miss Rumphius + make the world more beautiful = planted lupines
- the philanthropist + wants to help the community = establish an organization or foundation or contribute to the common good
This is the formula learners should remember to uncover information about individuals who practiced doing good for the benefit of all.- Distribute What Did You Do? (Attachment Two). As learners discover more about the individuals or groups, have them fill in the chart. Allow group work of two or three learners for the remainder of the period.
Day Two:
- Review the previous day's explorations by asking learners to share some of the things they were able to find. Allow five to ten minutes for this exchange while taking notes on chart paper to be used as a reference for the rest of the lesson.
- Explain that learners will use the collected information to create a poster celebrating what they learned. Distribute paper and supplies. Tell the learners to first plan how they want the finished product to look. Explain that there should be a picture, the name of the person or organization and the benefit for society. Once learners have completed their mock up, they should come to you to select a posterboard for the final product.
Assessment:
The poster will serve as the assessment.
Poster Rubric
4 points
Includes a picture that conveys the meaning of the organization or person, the name of the organization or person, and the benefits for society. Spelling is correct and the poster is neat and attractive.
3 points
Includes picture and three vital elements but has misspellings or is not neat.
2 points
Includes picture and two of the vital elements.
1 point
Includes picture and one of the vital elements
0 point
There is no attempt to include any elements of the task.
Bibliographical References:
- Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. New York: Penguin Pulham Books for Young Readers, 1985. ISBN 0140505393.
- http://www.americasstory.com click on "Jump Back in Time," then "Colonial America (1492-1763)."
Lesson Developed By:
Ramona PurdyDetroit Public Schools
Van Zile Elementary School
Detroit, MI 48234
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Colonial Philanthropists
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin helped establish the first subscription library in the American Colonies. The members of this library contributed money to buy books, and then used them free of charge. Fire losses in Philadelphia were alarmingly high, and Franklin organized a fire department. He reformed the city police when he saw that criminals were getting away without punishment. City streets were unpaved, dirty, and dark, so he started a program to pave, clean, and light them. Philadelphia shamefully neglected the sick and insane during Franklin's time. He raised money to help build a city hospital, the Pennsylvania Hospital, for these unfortunates. Scholars in the American Colonies had no professional organization, so Franklin helped establish the American Philosophical Society, with headquarters in Philadelphia. The city had no school for higher education, so Franklin helped found the academy that grew into the University of Pennsylvania.
Squanto
Squanto helped the Pilgrims by showing them how to plant and pop corn and fertilize the soil, directing them where to catch fish, and taught them how to trap beaver.
John Harvard
On September 14, 1638, John Harvard, a 31-year-old clergyman from Charlestown, Massachusetts died, leaving his library and half his estate to a local, newly established college. The young minister’s gift provided the college with some needed stability. In his honor, it was called Harvard College.
Sacagawea
Accompanied by her infant son, Sacagawea accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition west. Her memory of Shoshone trails proved valuable, as well as her knowledge of useful foods and medicines along the way. Her presence as an Indian woman with a baby helped to convince Indians that this party of whites was friendly. And her translation skills, however indirect, from Shoshone to English, were also invaluable.
Quakers
Quakers have been known throughout their history for their humanitarian activities. They reject war and stress peace education. They have been pioneers in removing barriers to racial equality and have been among the leaders in prison reform and in the humane treatment of mental patients.
Benjamin Lay
Lay was a Quaker abolitionist who wrote All Slave-keepers that Keep the Innocent in Bondage (Philadelphia, 1737). He was one of the earliest public advocates for the emancipation of enslaved Africans.
Handout 2Print Handout 2
What Did You Do?
Name __________________________
Directions: Complete the chart as you discover the actions that helped others in the community in colonial America. Some of the individuals may have done more than one thing. Pick the one which interests you. The first one has been done for you.
|
Name of Group or Individual |
What did you do? |
How did it help others? |
Organization or foundation? |
|
Sacagawea |
Translated and shared knowledge of food and medicine for the Lewis and Clark Expedition |
It helped members of the expedition survive. |
None |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
Unit Contents:
Overview:Common Good in Colonial America Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Growing Up
- 2.
- Name Game (The)
- 3.
- Learning from the Past: A New Approach
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
