Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Duration:
One to Two Forty-Five Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- give examples of philanthropy.
- list and describe words from a story that evoke "feelings."
- describe feelings related to a past philanthropic experience.
- practice reflection.
Materials:
- Philanthropy Affirmation (Attachment One)
- Personal Memory (Attachment Two) or a personal remembrance
- The End (Attachment Three) or a related poem
- Overhead projector
- Tell Me A Story Mama by Angela Johnson (see Bibliographic References)
- Sheet paper, drawing paper, reflection journals, lined "stick-on" notes
- Pencils, crayons, markers
- Student Reflection Sheet (Attachment Four)
- Sample Parent Letter (Attachment Five)
Instructional Procedure(s):
- Anticipatory Set:
Recite the Philanthropy Affirmation (Attachment One) to the class. Invite the class to learn it and recite it along with you. Teach the affirmation to the class by choral repetition and/or having the students read it. As the students become more and more familiar with the words, claps or hand motions can be added.
- Discuss the meaning of the words in the Philanthropy Affirmation, especially "time," "talent" and "treasure." Tell the students that giving time, talent and treasure to help someone else or for the common good is called "philanthropy." Define "common good." Tell the students that helping others can involve lots of feelings and that they will be exploring how to think about their feelings in the next few lessons.
- Share a personal memory like the sample in Personal Memory (Attachment Two) and the poem The End (Attachment Three) or a similar poem with the class. Relate to the class the connection between the poem's content and your personal experience. (Use an overhead of the story or props.) The teacher should discuss both the experience and his or her past and present feelings about the experience.
- Present the purpose of the lesson, which is to set the tone of respect and kindness toward classmates' experiences. Draw a word web on the chalkboard or sheet paper by asking learners for words or phases related to "feelings." Try to illicit more varied responses than just "mad, sad, happy" by asking prompting questions beginning with: "How would you feel if…?" Discuss learner responses with the whole class. Discuss the importance of showing respect for the feelings of others.
- Introduce the story Tell Me A Story Mama by Angela Johnson. Request the learners to listen for "feeling words" in the text of story. Read the book, stopping to write learner responses on the word web.
- Ask learners to take thirty seconds of "think time" to remember a past experience when they did something nice for someone or someone did something nice for them (an act of kindness). Ask how they felt at the time and what their feelings are now about it. Allow learners to write in their reflection journals or draw a picture on drawing paper regarding this past experience.
- Place illustrations on a Reflection Bulletin Board. Place the word web "Feeling Words" on a "Reflection Word Wall."
- Distribute and explain Student Reflection Sheet (Attachment Four). Have students complete the sheet as an assessment. (Kindergarteners and first graders may need to use pictures instead of words or dictate their answer to complete this activity.)
Assessment:
- Student Reflection Sheet (Attachment Four)
- Teacher observation of the learners for active participation in the lesson and understanding of the words: time, talent, treasure, common good, and philanthropy as used in the student journals and/or picture explanations
School/Home Connection:
Send Sample Parent Letter (Attachment Five) to parent(s) or guardian(s).
Extension:
- Learners could illustrate their past experiences and feelings on an overhead transparency and discuss it with the entire class.
- Use the school library, the Internet, or take a field trip to the local library to locate and read additional books on feelings.
- Write group and/or individual poems on feelings.
Bibliographical References:
- Johnson, Angela. Tell Me A Story Mama. New York: Orchard Books, 1989. ISBN: 0531070328
- Martin Jr., Bill. Bill Martin Jr.'s Treasure Chest. DLM Teaching Resources, 1986.
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Fatima PlaterDetroit Public Schools
Hampton Elementary School
Detroit, MI 48221
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Philanthropy Affirmation
I'm going to use
My time and talents
To discover service treasures
In every way.
Chorus: Do you hear what I say?
I'm going to use
My time and talents
To discover service treasures
In all the right ways.
Chorus: Do you hear what I say?
I'm going to use
My time and talents
To discover service treasures
Today and every day.
Chorus: Do you hear what I say? (Repeat three times.)
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Personal Memory
When I was a child, I traveled everywhere with my grandmother and grandfather. We drove all over the country in his green Chevrolet. It was called the Green Hornet, because he always bought a new green car.
We went on a trip to Kansas City, Missouri, to visit my Uncle Frank, who was graduating from basic training. It was very hot and we did not have air conditioning in the Green Hornet. On the way to Kansas City, I began to take off my clothing and jumped from the front seat of the car to the back seat of the car. I also wanted to stop and use the restroom.
Finally, when I was down to an undershirt and panties, my grandfather turned to me in the back seat of the car and said, "If you don't sit down and be quiet, the next time you take a trip with us, you'll be driving!"
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Handout 3Print Handout 3
The End
When I was One, I had just begun.
When I was Two, I was nearly new.
When I was Three, I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now
For ever and ever.by A.A. Milne
Handout 4Print Handout 4
Student Reflection Sheet
Student's Name _______________________ Date ______________ Rm.____
| I don't understand... |
| I want to... |
| Today I learned... |
| I feel... |
Handout 5Print Handout 5
Sample Parent Letter
School
Address
Phone number
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),
Our class is beginning a unit on "Reflection" as a theme for our Language Arts, Philanthropy and Academic Service-Learning Unit.
Reflection is an important part of the Academic Service-Learning experience. Your child will learn to reflect on feelings and stories, current issues, and what they and others can do to make a difference.
I would like to invite you to become an active participant in this unit. I hope you will consider serving as a volunteer when service projects are identified by our class and as a resource person when we use the school/home connection in lessons.
On ________________________, your child will bring home a group of questions to interview you or a member of your family regarding a childhood experience or event that demonstrates a kindness given or received. Your child will be asking the person interviewed to share this experience and his or her feelings then and now. The story and your child's story will be put in an illustrated reflection storybook.
I'd like to thank you for your continued support of our school's programs. This project is just another example of what can be achieved when parents and teachers work together, giving of their time and talents.
Focused on children,
Teacher
Room
Unit Contents:
Overview:Remember...Reflection Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Tell Me A Story—Feelings
- 2.
- Tell Me A Story—Consequences
- 3.
- Interview For Reflection
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