Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to show and celebrate the completion of the video documentary. Sharing the documentary is an act of philanthropy as it teaches and inspires others about philanthropy in the community. Students also reflect and write about the service-learning experience.
Duration:
Two or three 50-minute lessons, plus an evening event for the community
Objectives:
The learner will:
- view and discuss student documentaries.
- determine places to show and donate the documentaries to benefit the community and promote philanthropy.
- share documentaries with family and community members.
- reflect on the experience through writing and images.
Service Experience:
The documentaries are acts of philanthropy because they honor civic virtue and teach others about philanthropy and the community. And students donate copies of the documentaries to the school library, public library, community foundation, and/or other places of the students' choosing (including online venues).
Materials:
- Completed student documentaries
- A room and equipment to view the documentaries
- Donated snacks for the viewing party
- 2' x 3' foam core or colored paper
- Personal mission statements from Lesson Two: A Motivated Cast
Teacher Preparation:
Teacher will need to make arrangements for a venue to show the student documentaries to families and community members. Host the party in a room large enough to show the documentaries to a large audience. Or use two rooms: In one room the documentaries loop on a published schedule, and in the other room provide snacks and beverages.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
On the due date for the documentaries, set up the room like a movie theater and provide popcorn.
- Show the students' documentaries about the community. Celebrate each project. After each documentary, discuss the theme, philanthropists, and artistic qualities. This may take a couple class periods.
- Brainstorm other venues or opportunities for showing the student-made documentaries to a wider audience. Discuss places to share and donate their documentaries where they will be able to make a lasting contribution to the community (a library, community foundation, schools, etc.).
- Plan a release party for the documentaries. Ask the students to design invitations for the release party. Each student is responsible for bringing the names and addresses of those who contributed to their individual projects. In class, students address envelopes and mail out invitations. Invitations will also be sent to members of the town council, school administrators, and parents.
- Host the party in a room large enough to show the documentaries to a large audience. Or use two rooms: In one room the documentaries loop on a published schedule, and in the other room provide snacks and beverages. Guests may move between the rooms, but make sure they are quiet and respectful in the viewing room.
- Ask students to volunteer to help by bringing food. Ask volunteers to help set up before the party and clean up afterwards. At the party, celebrate the excitement of producing something that will be valued for years to come! At the celebration, ask students and guests to describe the value of this contribution to the common good of the community. Encourage guests to make suggestions for other places to share/donate the documentaries.
- Donate copies of the documentaries to the school library, public library, community foundation, and/or other places of the students' choosing (including online venues). Contact the local newspaper to ask them to post it on their online newspaper.
- Choose from the reflection activities in the Post-Service Reflection below.
Assessment:
The documentary text must meet grade level expectations for writing and format. The documentary must include a definition of philanthropy and examples of philanthropy in their community. Student documentary should include the requirements outlined in Lesson Three: Life Inspires Art Inspires Life.
School/Home Connection:
Families and community members are invited to the evening showing of the documentaries.
Reflection: (click to view)
Bibliographical References:
The Gift of All: a Community of Givers, produced by The S.O.U.L. of Philanthropy along with The Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Calvin College. Copyright © Grand Rapids Public Library, City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, 2009. Streaming video available at http://learningtogive.org/videos/gift_of_all.asp
Learning to Give. "SOUL of Philanthropy" project. Includes links to video, related quotations, and briefing papers (biographies) http://learningtogive.org/teachers/SOUL/
Lesson Developed By:
Betsy FlikkemaAssociate Director
Learning to Give
Barbara Dillbeck
Director
Learning to Give
Handouts:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Lights! Camera! Take Action! Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- A Good Story
- 2.
- A Motivated Cast
- 3.
- Life Inspires Art Inspires Life
- 4.
- A Grand Showing
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
