Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Introduction to Philanthropic Beliefs of Native Americans
Lesson 2:
From Unit Philanthropy and You
Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to examine the tradition of giving and sharing in early Native American communities and to help children understand and recognize philanthropy in other cultures.
Duration:
Two to Three Forty-Five Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The Learner will:
- define the term philanthropy
- list at least three traditions of Native American giving and sharing.
- identify at least three philanthropic values of Native Americans.
Materials:
- Social Studies text or reference materials related to Native American giving and sharing
- Native American Graphic Organizer (see Attachment One) and Answer Key (see Attachment Two).
- Native Americans, Traditions of Giving and Sharing sheet (see Attachment Three).
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
- Before studying Native Americans, pose the question, "How were Native Americans helpful and giving?" Brainstorm ideas.
- Review the concept of philanthropy, sharing one's talents or treasure with a community to meet its needs.
- Begin study of Native Americans with social studies text or other instructional materials. In this study be sure to cover the Woodlands, Northwest, and Southwest Indians.
- As each of the three groups of Native Americans is discussed, include in the class discussion time for completing the appropriate sections in the Native American Graphic Organizer (see Attachment One) as study continues. This should be accomplished by first allowing students to fill in their chart individually and then sharing their ideas with others in the class. Record these ideas on the board to produce a class list for each category.
- Read orally the Native American, Giving and Sharing sheet (see Attachment Three).
- With the class, discuss the philanthropic aspects of Native American life. Some sample questions to facilitate discussion could include:
- "Imagine living in a Native American community. What would be some of the community needs?"
- "What action would a Native American community take to fulfill the need?
- How is the tradition of giving and serving preserved for future generations?"
- Compare the Native American's view of philanthropy to modern society's view.
Assessment:
- Teacher observation of student participation.
- Ask students to write examples of giving and sharing for one (or more) of the Native American groups discussed in the graphic organizer. Evaluate based on completeness and accuracy relative to the list produced in the class discussions.
- Ask students to write a response to one of the questions used in the discussion of the Native American, Giving and Sharing sheet (see Attachment Three).
- Direct students to make a Three-Frame Picture.
The first frame should depict a Native American community need.
The second frame should show who is fulfilling the need.
The third frame indicates the affects of the action on the community.
Instruct students to illustrate a community need, a person fulfilling that need, and how that action affects the future. - 3 points: Comic strip depicts a philanthropic Native American scene. The picture shows a community need, includes the person who fulfills the need, and indicates how the action affects the future.
- 2 points: Comic strip has two of the three requirements.
- 1 point:Comic strip has one of the three requirements.
Bibliographical References:
- "Native American Culture of Giving" Learning to Give Briefing Paper http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper255.html
- Wikipedia "Gift Economy" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift_economy
- Wikipedia "Potlatch" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch
Lesson Developed By:
Christel HomrichForest Hills Public Schools
Thornapple Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Native American Graphic Organizer
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| Woodlands | |
| Northwest | |
| Southwest | |
| Others | |
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Answer Key - Native American Graphic Organizer Examples
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| Woodland Iroquois |
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| Northwest Tlingit |
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| Southwest Pueblo, Hopi Navajo, Apache |
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| Others | |
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Native American Giving and Sharing
The Native American tradition of giving and sharing was a communal practice and expectation. Historically, the Native Americans demonstrated good character by helping European settlers survive the harsh winters with gifts of food, extracting medicines from plants, and teaching them planting techniques. Assisting European settlers was an act of kindness. The Native American life set a high priority on the idea of sharing and doing things for the good of the community. Material goods were not considered a status of wealth, but as an opportunity to give back to the community. Sharing was a way of life.
The Tlingit Indians of Alaska shared their possessions at potlatches. When an important clan member died, his possessions were given away to guests who helped arrange services during the clan member’s time of passing. This tradition is still practiced at Tlingit potlatches. This tradition of giving is seen as an investment for the future. In time the possession will be returned to the community for another to use. The goal of the Tlingits was not to compare or gather possessions, but to receive and distribute them to others.
Native Americans looked beyond the present day and were aware of the community’s future needs. Careful planning of funds and the education of their children helped their traditions to continue. The Native American traditions of giving were maintained by investing and reinvesting in funds in order to benefit future generations. Also ensuring the future traditions for gift giving and sharing were the ideas of caring for the children within the community. It was a shared responsibility in the Native American community to raise the children. As part of their education, the values of giving and sharing were transmitted to each child in the Native American community. Many Native American groups believed raising the children, planting crops, and irrigating plantings was everybody’s work. In the Cherokee culture, the community would assemble for help projects. The actions of the Native Americans preserved the philanthropic ideas of their forebears and projected their traditions of giving to the future.
Unit Contents:
Overview:Philanthropy and You Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Introduction to Philanthropy—Recognizing Good Citizenship and Philanthropy in Our Community
- 2.
- Introduction to Philanthropic Beliefs of Native Americans
- 3.
- Recognizing Philanthropy in a Legend and in Modern Society-Examples of Sharing as Told Through a Native American Legend
- 4.
- Human Rights Throughout History—Philanthropy and History of Human Rights Activists
- 5.
- Squanto Helps New Arrivals—Squanto and His Philanthropic Contributions
- 6.
- Ben Franklin, The Good Citizen—Benjamin Franklin's Contributions to Philadelphia
- 7.
- I Do My Part
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Comments
Once again, this format of studying philanthropy through lives of Native Americans interested students. The assessment was great for students.
Using Native Americans as examples of philanthropic people ties well into our curriculum. This is not an "add on lesson," rather it was easily woven in to what was already being taught with some modification.
(A positive aspect of using this lesson was) learning how Native Americans were natural philanthropists.
"This was an excellent lesson. Good activity, easy to use."