Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Unit Overview:
Unit Purpose:
Unit Objectives:
The learners will:
- define the word community.
- identify the different communities of which he/she is a part.
- define the Core Democratic Value of “Common Good.”
- discuss the difficulties involved in coming to a new school.
- generate a list of ways to help fifth graders transition to sixth grade.
- define philanthropy.
- interview his or her family members.
- identify the five parts of a friendly letter.
- write letters to the current fifth graders.
- perform peer review and self-assessment according to a rubric.
- determine important and special aspects of the school.
- acquire skills in video taping.
- interview teachers and students.
- cooperate with other students in small groups.
- create a video about the school.
- edit video footage.
- write a script to go along with the video.
- present the video to a group of younger students.
- calculate the amount of money he/she saved the school by volunteering.
- calculate how much money volunteers save organizations.
- prepare a skit to promote volunteerism.
- present the skit to the class.
- reflect on his/her individual impact on the school community.
Service Experience:
In Lesson Two: Dear Fifth Grader, students write personal letters to the fifth graders welcoming them to the middle school and sharing their own hints and experiences. In Lesson Three: Roll the Tape! students produce a video presentation of their school and present it to a group of fifth-grade students entering their school. In Lesson Four: Reflecting on the Power of Volunteerism , student groups perform a skit promoting the idea of volunteering.
Unit Assessment:
In all lessons, observe student participation in activities, group work and class discussions. In Lesson Two: Dear Fifth Grader, assess student letters (see Attachment One: Letter Writing Rubric). In Lesson Three: Roll the Tape! use the rubrics (see Attachments One through Four) to assess student performance in creating the script and film clips for the video.
School/Home Connection:
- “Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
Students from (Teacher’s Name)’s class are learning the meaning of being positive members of a community. We have recognized that there is a need to make the fifth graders who are coming to our school in the fall feel welcome. We feel we have the resources to make their experience positive. We are learning about our role in the school community and the importance of volunteers in any community. Our first job will be writing personal letters to each fifth grader. We will be interviewing family members soon to gain sensitivity about the needs of new students. Secondly, we will create a movie about our school to be shown to the fifth graders. Students will have fun video-taping and editing while learning valuable career and multi-media skills. Students will also learn that volunteering has an economic impact. They will make an effort to influence others with what they learn about the importance of giving and sharing time and talents.
- Interactive Parent / Student Homework
In Lesson One: My Part in the School Community, students interview their families about the needs of new students. They will ask the following questions (See Lesson One, Attachment Two: Family Interview Sheet):
- What were you thinking when I was going into sixth grade?
- Do you remember how I was feeling?
- What is the biggest change for the parents and the students going into sixth grade?
- Was this change as hard for you as it was for me?
- What do you wish I had known before entering sixth grade?
- What were you thinking when I was going into sixth grade?
Notes for Teaching:
In order to familiarize oneself with a digital editing program, it is recommended that the tutorial on the program be used. Tutorials are comprehensive and they are a good place to start if this is the first time doing digital editing.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed and Piloted By:
Sarah Watkin
Zeeland Public Schools
Cityside Middle School
320 E Main
Zeeland, MI 49464
Unit Contents:
Overview:Welcome to Our School—A Transition from Elementary to Middle School Summary
Lessons:
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