Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Children define philanthropy and brainstorm different ways people share time, talent, and treasure for the sake of others. They may select a service project that fits their interests and talents and carry out a plan of action.
Duration:
One 45-Minute Session, plus time to plan and carry out a service project
Objectives:
The learner will:
- define philanthropy as giving time, talent, or treasure for the common good.
- choose action to share resources (time, talent, and treasure) with others in need.
- identify the choice he or she gives up when choosing to donate.
Service Experience:
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Tell children that you are going to teach them a new word and you want to see if they can pronounce it correctly. Tell them it is related to the word donate. Philanthropy is “giving time, talent, or treasure and taking action for the common good.” Write that definition on a new piece of chart paper or the display area. Practice pronouncing the word with the class.
- Discuss why people, like Sam in Sam and the Lucky Money, choose to share their time, talent, and treasure with others. Students may recognize that someone may have more than they need and want to help others, or someone gave to them and they want to give back. Ask them to think of adults they know that volunteer their time or share information to help others. This discussion may include an uncle who takes a neighbor to a doctor appointment, a sister who helps at the women’s resource center, or a friend who helps at the after-school program. Refer to local resources that are funded by philanthropy (museums, parks, soup kitchen).
- Talk about the children’s treasures (not just money), time, and talents that they can donate to help others. Brainstorm a list of time, talent, and treasures they have.
- Have the children investigate and brainstorm things they can do to help people who do not have enough food, clothing, or shelter. This may include having a sock drive, volunteering at a food pantry, inviting children to a party at a park with games and snacks. They may ask a local charity what their needs are.
- Encourage children to select the best way to donate their time, talent, or treasure to help the homeless in the community.
- Guide them to plan their action, carry out the plan, and reflect on the process.
Youth Voice:
When youth offer their opinions and suggestions to the service projects, they are using their voice - an instrumental part of service-learning. Encourage children to think beyond food, shelter, and clothing to some of the other things that might be needed or wanted. For example, a person in need may appreciate gently used books, stuffed animals, or a friend to play games with. Engage their empathy for the personal experience of friends, neighbors, and community members (or children in other countries) who are living in poverty.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
Visit a local museum or park that got its start or continued maintenance or funding from donations or from a single philanthropist. While children enjoy the resource, encourage them to think about why people choose to give their treasure to donate it, time to maintain it, or talent to teach others. Children may write letters of thanks to any identified donors or volunteers.
Encourage students to find ways to help one another in the school or classroom, giving their time or talent for their classmates.
Reflection: (click to view)
Handouts:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Investing In Others (K-2) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- What Would You Do With Twenty Dollars?
- 2.
- Define Wants and Needs
- 3.
- What Do I Have to Give?
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
