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

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Answering the Question of Serving Community Needs
Lesson 5:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
9th-12th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: Letter Writing; Persuasive Techniques; Reflection
PHIL: Nonprofit Organizations; United Way
SOC: 10 genOn; Career Opportunities; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Civic Responsibility/Virtue

Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the philanthropic career opportunities available in their local or state United Way organization and its member agencies.

Duration:

One to Two Fifty-Minute Class Periods

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • take notes and ask questions as they visit student displays on the United Way or member agency.
  • be able to present information to the class about why their particular agency is critical to the community in terms of helping others and improving our society.
  • write a letter to the editor on a public policy issue.
  • write a letter of application stating why the student wants the position of Agency Director and how he or she would improve the agency.

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 participating in the Academic Service Learning component should have a separate display designed to encourage others to participate in service. Invite other students to visit the displays.

Materials:

Student generated.

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Ask students "Why would a person consider a career in the non-profit sector? Would you?"

     
  • Guide a brief discussion.

  • Students should break into their groups and prepare for group presentations.

  • Each group should have a separate display area for their "newspaper" on poster-board and a space to display the group's pamphlets. Direct the groups to select a spokesperson to answer questions for their respective station. On a designated signal, each group will move from station to station spending about five minutes at each one. Spokespersons should either make the round before or after group activity.

  • Explain that students now have two tasks that will also serve as a final unit evaluation. First, they are to write a letter to the editor of another group's "newspaper" about a public policy issue. Secondly, students will write a letter of application to one the agencies studied in the project. Their letter should be based on the Agency Director Job Qualifications entries and explain why they want the position and how they would improve the agency.

Assessment:

  • Use both letters detailed in the fourth bullet above.
  • Use group project displays.
  • At the conclusion of the entire unit, students will write an essay on the following questions: "As involved citizens, which United Way agency would they volunteer for in the community and why? Which agency do you believe has the greatest need for volunteers, and why?"

Lesson Developed By:

Libby Brown
Jackson Public Schools
Jackson High School
Jackson, MI 49201

Handouts:

Philanthropy Framework:

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