Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Duration:
One to Two Forty-Five Minute Class Periods (If the experiential component is included, this lesson may take two-four weeks)
Objectives:
The learner will:
Service Experience:
Carrying out the fundraising ideas selected by the class.
Materials:
- Goal Setting (Attachment One)
- Five Ways to Fundraise - Which Do You Think Is Best? (Attachment Two)
- Paper
- Writing utensils
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Tell students to draw a picture of an item they really want and include the estimated price of this item. Have students list five ways they could earn money to buy this item. Allow students to share some of the items they want and ways to raise money. Relate this to raising funds for a service project. A family in the community really needs some assistance and as a class we need to decide how to raise money to help them.
- The goal of our service project is helping a family in the community whose house and possessions have been lost in a fire. Have students either research the needs of the family or generate a list of items the family will need. To generate a list of items, brainstorm items the family will need (Basic Family Needs), as well as wanted items, and estimate a price or value for each item. This will help the class set a fund-raising goal. See Goal Setting (Attachment One).
- Once a fund-raising goal is established, the students will select one of five ways to raise the funds. Allow students to work in small groups. Each group will select one way to fund raise and try to persuade the class that it is the best way to raise the funds. See Five Ways to Fundraise - Which Do You Think Is Best? (Attachment Two). After each group has explained why they have chosen a particular way to raise the funds, have the students vote for one of the fund-raising ideas. The fund-raising idea with the most votes will determine the way in which the class raises money.
Assessment:
Teacher observation of students participating in goal setting for fundraising and in small group discussion of choosing a way of fundraising.
Extension:
After the vote is taken, graph the number of votes each fund raising idea received.
Bibliographical References:
Lewis, Barbara A. The Kid's Guide to Social Action: How to Solve the Social Problems You Choose—and Turn Creative Thinking into Positive Action. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing, 1991.
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Christel HomrichForest Hills Public Schools
Thornapple Elementary School
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Goal Setting
Imagine you lost most of your worldly possessions in a house fire. What types of items would you and your family need? How much would they cost?
Our class is stepping in to help a family in need. We will determine what types of items they need, the cost of the items, and set a realistic fund-raising goal to collect money.
Fill in the chart as we brainstorm ideas. After the class has listed many ideas, we will select three Basic Family Needs to purchase. The estimated costs of these three needs will be our fund-raising goal.
BASIC FAMILY NEEDS ESTIMATED COST What is our Fund-raising goal for Basic Family Needs? Goal Setting
Brainstorm a list of items each family member may want. These items are things like toys, games, sports equipment, crafts, etc. After the class has listed ideas, we will select one item for each family member to purchase. The estimated costs of these three needs will be our fund-raising goal for Wanted Items.
WANTED ITEMS ESTIMATED COST What is our Fund-raising goal for Wanted Items? How much money do we need to raise to purchase the items for the family? This will be the goal for a fund-raising campaign.
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Five Ways to Fundraise—Which Do You Think Is Best?
As a group, discuss each of the five ways to fundraise. For each method talk about the positives, negatives, ease of doing, and money-making possibilities. Then as a group decide on one fundraising idea. One person from your group will try to persuade the rest of the class to raise funds using the idea your group has selected.
Idea #1: Hold a White Elephant Sale
A white elephant sale is like a big garage sale. Each student could bring items from home to sell. The sale could be held on a Saturday. Advertise for donation items and to announce when the sale will be held.Pros:
Cons:
Ease of doing:
Money-making possibilities:
Idea #2: Sell Commercially Prepared Food
Sell prepared foods like cookie dough, candy bars, popcorn, etc. Think of ways this has worked in the past. What would you sell? Will any other groups be selling items at the same time? When would you sell the goods?Pros:
Cons:
Ease of doing:
Money-making possibilities:
Idea #3: Sell Services
Sample services that have raised money in the past include car washes, school carnivals, a talent show, auctions, dances, etc.Pros:
Cons:
Ease of doing:
Money-making possibilities:
Idea #4: Ask for Donations
People in your school and community may give you money.Pros:
Cons:
Ease of doing:
Money-making possibilities:
Idea #5: Ask for In-Kind Donations
You would have to ask businesses to donate items or services that may help you get items you need without having to purchase them. Then decide how you would sell these items.Pros:
Cons:
Ease of doing:
Money making possibilities:
BEST IDEA:
WHY?
IDENTIFY THE SOURCES OF THE FUNDS:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Raising Resources Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- We Need More than Money
- 2.
- Plan of Action
- 3.
- How Much Will This Cost?
- 4.
- FUNdraising Goal
- 5.
- Nonprofits Compete
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
Comments
Doing this lesson, the students have to decide what is important for living and what is extra. (needs and wants)
Kids see what a family needs verses wants.
I really liked the higher thinking required by the students to come up with a fundraising activity that would enable us to meet our goal of getting the family's wanted items. My students brainstormed, debated, calculated, researched, and much more during this lesson.