Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Charting the Course
Lesson 1:
From Unit Launching Your Ship with Citizenship
Purpose:
Students will list and describe the characteristics of a good citizen relative to democracy.
Duration:
Two Forty-Five Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learners will:
- describe and give examples of character traits of good citizens.
- explain that philanthropy is part of good citizenship and exemplify philanthropy through random acts of kindness.
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 participate in random acts of kindness for a week without seeking recognition or thanks.
Materials:
- Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen (Attachment One), transparency
- Song/Skit Reporting Form (Attachment Two), student copies
- Skit/Song Rubric (Attachment Three), student copies
- Large chart paper
- Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul
- Markers, tape
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Read “The Teenagers Bill of Rights” in the book Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. Ask students if they can think of any other rights they may have as teenage citizens. List their answers on the board.
- Tell students that today we are going to discuss character traits of citizenship in a democracy. Put Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen (Attachment One) on the overhead projector. Reveal the first character trait (living life to its fullest) and ask students to give examples of what that means to them and record their responses on large paper. Continue the same procedure with the remaining nine characteristics.
- Read “Life Just Isn’t” from Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.
- With Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen (Attachment One) on the overhead projector, ask students to name the character traits from the list that were contained in “Life Just Isn’t.”
- Divide students into groups of two or three (depending on class size). Assign each group one of the “Top Ten” character traits. Distribute Song/Skit Reporting Form (Attachment Two) and Skit/Song Rubric (Attachment Three). Go over both forms. Explain that each group will be responsible for a song or skit that will demonstrate their assigned trait. Groups should plan their task and complete the form.
- Students should perform their song or skit for class members.
- Put the term philanthropy on the board or overhead. Solicit definitions and examples. Explain that philanthropy includes giving and sharing, volunteering, private individual action intended for the common good. Ask for examples of how volunteers can act for the common good. Refer back to the Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen. Ask the learners which of the top ten traits apply to philanthropic acts.
- Ask the learners if they have heard of the idea of a random act of kindness. This is a kindness done to someone without recognition and without thanks. Examples can range from an anonymous note wishing someone a good day, a bright flower placed on someone’s desk, letting someone with one or two items move ahead of you in line at the check-out stand, etc. Ask for other examples people can easily do. Initiate the idea of the learners doing a random act of kindness within the next week. Follow up a week later with a discussion of what kinds of things were done, how they made the persons involved feel and whether it was a worthwhile thing to do. Could these random acts of kindness be considered a form of philanthropy? Do they exemplify any of the character traits of an awesome citizen?
Assessment:
Students are assessed using the Skit/Song Rubric (Attachment Three).
Bibliographical References:
- Canfield, Jack, Mark Hansen and K. Kirberger. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc., 1997. ISBN 1-55874-468
- Conari Press (Ed.). Random Acts of Kindness. Berkeley: Conari Press, 1993.
Lesson Developed By:
Jan PurtellNorthville Public Schools
Board of Education
Northville, MI 48167
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Top Ten Character Traits of an Awesome Citizen
- Living life to its fullest!
- Thinking, believing and acting as you want (as long as it doesn’t take away someone else’s rights to do the same).
- Showing the ultimate respect to others and their property (as long as it doesn’t take away someone else’s rights).
- Being totally generous and helping others.
- Believing in “What’s fair for you is fair for me.”
- Treating others equally, 24/7!
- Believing that many different kinds of people (cultures, ethnic groups, races, lifestyles and religious beliefs) are important to society.
- Being honest, telling the truth and cherishing being told the truth by others.
- Doing something to make a difference in your community.
- Showing your patriotism and celebrating the red, white and blue!
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Song and Skit Reporting Form
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________
Our character trait is:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
We will demonstrate our characteristic by using a song or skit. (Underline one.)
Describe what role each person in the group will have:
Describe what each person will say and do. (Attach your script, adding additional sheets as necessary.)
List all props you need for your skit or song (costumes, equipment, etc.).
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Skit/Song Rubric
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Unit Contents:
Overview:Launching Your Ship with Citizenship Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Charting the Course
- 2.
- Knowing the Ropes
- 3.
- Not the Only Fish in the Sea
- 4.
- Hoisting the Flag
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Comments
simple,adaptable,interesting for learners