Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Duration:
One Fifty-Five Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- describe the characteristics of someone who helps the community.
Service Experience:
The students may research local philanthropists and make a scrapbook to be donated to the school library, a local civic organization, or a local library. They could also invite these local philanthropists to a celebration luncheon to honor their contributions.
Materials:
- The reading: "A History of the Orphan Trains" by Connie Di Pasquale from the Web site: http://www.kancoll.org/articles/orphans/or_hist.htm.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Write the word "philanthropist" on the board. Ask students to define the term.
- Assign students the job of "K-12 Philanthropy Profiler." Explain that it will be their job to determine whether or not Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Orphan Train, was a philanthropist. Remember that a philanthropist gives his/her time, treasure or talent to benefit the common good. Ask what are four things students must know about Brace to determine whether or not he fits the profile of a philanthropist. Tell students to write these four criteria on paper. Discuss responses.
- Tell students, "Now that you have completed your list, here is more data you will need to profile Brace." Hand out the reading, "A History of the Orphan Trains." Allow 10-15 minutes to read the article silently.
- After reading the article, match students with a partner to fill out their profile sheets on Brace. They should determine whether or not Brace fits the criteria to be a philanthropist. When students have finished, let them report their findings to the class. Identify and explain how core democratic values relate to philanthropic activities.
- During the last ten minutes of the hour, have students finish a paragraph that begins, "I would (would not) profile Charles Loring Brace as a philanthropist because…" The paragraph should include: (1) part of the definition of philanthropy and (2) supporting details which describe the characteristics of someone who helps the community.
Assessment:
- Oral discussion
- The writing assignment that describes the characteristics of someone who helps the community using Charles Loring Brace as an example
School/Home Connection:
- Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Students could discuss local philanthropists with parents and bring back a list of local philanthropists.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
Students may research local philanthropists and their accomplishments. They may then plan a luncheon to honor these people and showcase their accomplishments in the area of giving.
Bibliographical References:
- "A History of the Orphan Trains" by Connie Di Pasquale from the Kansas Collection Web site at: http://www.kancoll.org/articles/orphans/or_hist.htm
- The article: "Charles Loring Brace- A Man With A Mission" from the 1998 issue of Cobblestone Magazine
Lesson Developed By:
Judy KrakSt. Charles Community Schools
Anna M. Thurston Middle School
St. Charles, MI 48655
Pat Grimley
St. Charles Community Schools
Anna M. Thurston Middle School
St. Charles, MI 48655
Handouts:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Philanthropy and Children Who Are Homeless Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Traveling on the Orphan Train
- 2.
- Was the Orphan Train Philanthropic?
- 3.
- Time Traveling
- 4.
- Philanthropy Profiler
- 5.
- If I Had A Million Dollars
- 6.
- Helping the Needy—What Now?
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