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

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Community Connections

Unit of 3 lessons

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	ELA:	Constructing Meaning; Group Discussions; Listening; Reflection; Vocabulary
	PHIL:	Caring/Sharing; Common Good; Community; Family; Giving; Philanthropic Act; Philanthropic Organization; Philanthropic Traditions; Philanthropist; Survey; Time/Talent/Treasure; Values; Volunteer
	SOC:	Civil Society; Communities; For-Profit; Nonprofit
Lesson 2 :	ELA:	Survey
	PHIL:	Community; Need; Needs Assessment
	SOC:	For-Profit; Government; Maps; Nonprofit
Lesson 3 :	ELA:	Graphic Organizer; Letter Writing; Reflection; Writing Mechanics; Writing Process
	PHIL:	Community; Needs Assessment; Service Learning; Time/Talent/Treasure
	SOC:	Economics; For-Profit; Nonprofit

Unit Overview:

Unit Purpose:

To introduce learners to philanthropy and to have them apply this knowledge to assist them in the identification of some of the various organizations in their community and the services they provide. Utilizing observation and surveys they will become more familiar with the nonprofit organizations in their community and provide volunteer service to one of these organizations intended to address a community need. Learners will use their knowledge of philanthropy and combine it with community information to learn about their community and its needs. Utilizing this knowledge, the learners will participate in a service project directly related to their findings.

Focus Question:

What would happen to your community if no one was willing to give time/talent/treasure?

Unit Duration:

Six 50-60 minute class periods. This time frame includes a three hour field trip.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

define "community" and give examples.
define "philanthropy" and recognize examples as the giving of time, talent or treasure.
explain the importance in a democratic republic of responsible participation by citizens in voluntary civil associations or non-governmental organizations that comprise civil society.
list and describe philanthropic vocabulary.
analyze how community groups and families provide philanthropy.

differentiate between nonprofit, for profit, and governmental organizations.
map areas of need and non-profit organizations in the community.
describe how community services are provided by nonprofit organizations
use a Venn Diagram to categorize organizations into the three economic sectors.
compose letters to nonprofit organizations.
select a service learning project in a nonprofit organization.
volunteer and provide a service to the selected nonprofit organization.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

The learners will analyze pictures/video taken during their field trip, discuss, and identify community needs. Letters, offering service to local nonprofit organizations, will be composed in an effort to address those areas identified areas of need. Responding local organizations will form a pool from which the learners will discuss and elect which service learning project/local nonprofit organization they will offer their services. Arrangements will then be made for the learners to provide their services to that identified nonprofit organization.

Unit Assessment:

Learner involvement in class discussions.
Completion and sharing of Philanthropy at Home (Attachment Three).
Attentiveness to the objectives of the field trip and reflection.
The completion and accuracy of the community maps.
Letter writing utilizing the Letter Writing Rubric (Attachment Two).
Learner involvement in the service learning project as well as the reflection discussion following the service learning activity.

School/Home Connection:

The learners will be given a handout -Philanthropy at Home (Attachment Three) -that encourages families to talk about philanthropic acts that have taken place/are taking place in the home, neighborhood, and/or community. The learners are required to make a list of these philanthropic acts and their impacts. Parents are asked to sign the Philanthropy at Home sheet and the learners required to return it to school.