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Helping Countries in Turmoil (6-8)

Lesson 4:

From Unit Nonprofits are Necessary (6-8)

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

PHIL:	Advocacy; Nonprofit Organizations
SOC:	Democracy; Global Issues; Inquiry; Maps

Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to have students recognize the idea of an emerging democracy, analyze the struggles of the people, and decide on a way to help the people.

Duration:

Three to Four Forty-Five Minute Class Periods

Objectives:

The learner will:

research an emerging democracy.
identify the struggles of the people in the emerging democracy.
choose a nonprofit charity that is involved in helping the people of the emerging democracy.
create an advertisement.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

Students will promote school donations to a nonprofit charity
(see Attachment Two: Plan of Action Advertisement).

Materials:

Media or publications of current events that focus on struggling emerging democracies.
Outline map of the world for each student (usually available in social studies text books) · Overhead transparency of a world map
Why Some Countries Struggle (Attachment One)
Plan of Action Advertisement (see Attachment Two)
Poster board, markers, and colored paper to make advertisements
Collection boxes for canned goods, blankets, etc., or envelopes to collect money

Handout 1: Why Some Countries Struggle
Handout 2: Plan of Action Advertisement

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Ask students to name any countries that are considered to be "struggling democracies."

Have students form small groups. Write the following questions on an overhead projector or board:
- What would you do if you had no shelter?
- How would you get food?
- What would you do if you needed medical care?
- How would you keep the peace?
  Then ask each group of students to think of what America must have been like before it became a democratic country. Direct student discussion to the struggles people would have with the posted questions. Discuss students' ideas. (Teacher note: Please see http://learningtogive.org/materials/vocabulary.asp if students need a better understanding of democracy or any associated vocabulary.)
Look at a map of the world. Locate countries that are struggling to become democracies. See http://www.ndi.org/wherewework for additional resources. Give students a blank map of the world and label and color countries that are emerging democracies.
As a class, decide on an emerging democracy for further research. Have students work in small groups to research the nation selected and complete Why Some Countries Struggle (see Attachment One). As a class, discuss the information students located.
After information is gathered about the country, choose an organization that is involved in helping that country, for example UNICEF 1-800-FOR-KIDS or United Nations' World Food Program. The charity will give information on how to help by donating money or supplies. Point out that nonprofit organizations help people all around the world, not just people in the community. Let students decide how they wish to help.
Once students have agreed on how to help, let students create an advertisement to collect donations or other resources. Distribute Plan of Action Advertisement (see Attachment Two).

Assessment:

Students will be assessed on the advertisement that is created. They will receive a point for including each of the following:

Name of the emerging democracy or country
Location of the country
Information about how the country is struggling and why it is important to help
Name of the charity
Information about how other students can help

Bibliographical References:

Freedom House http://www.freedomhouse.org/ Freedom House amplifies the voices of those fighting for freedom in repressive societies.

Indiana University. "Emerging Democracies" http://users.ipfw.edu/Toolej/emerging.htm

National Democratic Institute http://www.ndi.org/wherewework

Lesson Developed By:

Christel Homrich
Forest Hills Public Schools
Thornapple Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Why Some Countries Struggle

Directions: Research the following questions. Answer the questions and be prepared to discuss your findings with the class.

What emerging democracy are you investigating?

Where is it located (continent and surrounding geographical features)?

What is the major struggle for the people of this country?

What are some of the factors contributing to the poor conditions? (poor weather conditions, war, unstable government)

Name an organization that you think would be able to help this country. Explain how the organization could help.

Handout 2Print Handout 2

Plan of Action Advertisement

Create an advertisement to promote donations to help those who are less fortunate. The advertisement must have the following five criteria:

The name of the emerging democracy we are going to help.
The location of the country.
Information about the country and why it is struggling.
The name of the charity.
Information about how students can help.

Here are suggestions for creating an advertisement:

Make pamphlets to be distributed in classrooms.
Write an announcement to be read over the PA system.
Design a poster to be hung in the hallway or a classroom.
Compose a rap or a song to be presented over the PA system.
Write an interview with a friend and present the information orally on the PA system or in written form on a poster
Be creative with your ideas. Please see the teacher with other suggestions for the advertisement you might have.

Plan of Action

First make sure you have all the requirements for your advertisement.
Make a rough draft of your layout or script.
Fine-tune your final advertisement with color, clarity and expression.
After teacher approval of your advertisement, ask the appropriate person (custodian, teachers, secretaries, or the principal) for permission to distribute, hang, or present your advertisement.