Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Overview:
Purpose:
Duration:
Nine thirty-minute class periods to read the book aloud to students, one one-hour class period to allow kids to develop presentations, and two additional class periods to allow kids to present (will vary depending on length of presentations).
Objectives:
The learner will:
- define vocabulary and terms used during the Great Depression.
- identify and share at least one example of the philanthropy from the novel, A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck.
Service Experience:
The students will design and perform for their classmates a creative presentation that demonstrates or describes a philanthropic act. As an extension, the performance may be presented to other classes or parents.
Materials:
- A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck (see Bibliographical References)
- Chart paper, markers
- Paper and pencils for students to take notes
- Photo of Children Overhead (Attachment One)
- Examples of Philanthropy from A Year Down Yonder (Attachment Two)
- Parent Letter (Attachment Three)
- Philanthropy in Action-Homework Assignment (Attachment Four)
- Additional materials students may need to create their presentations
- Overhead projector
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Make an overhead of the Photo of Children Overhead (See Attachment One), which is a photograph taken of some children during the Great Depression. Discuss the photograph. Ask students: "What do you see here? How are these people the same as you? How are they different? What do their clothes tell you about them? What other clues do you see?" Explain that this is a photograph taken of some children during a difficult time in American history called The Great Depression. Explain that many people were out of work and had difficulty supporting their families. Explain to students that through a wonderful book, they will be exploring how people can be philanthropic, even during very difficult times.
- On a sheet of chart paper, write the following vocabulary and definitions and discuss the terms with the class. Leave the chart paper up in the room so the students can refer to it as needed.
- Philanthropy: The giving of one's time, talent or treasure, and taking private citizen action for the sake of another or for the common good.
- C.C.C.: Civilian Conservation Corps, also known as Roosevelt's Tree Army. President Franklin Roosevelt introduced a broad reforestation project, which provided jobs for as many as three million young men who were unemployed during The Great Depression. During the years 1933-1942, these men planted and cared for trees and parks. The program was extremely popular. It is an example of government philanthropy.
- WPA: Works Progress Administration. The WPA was established in 1935 to create public jobs for the unemployed. Jobs included creating indexes and oral histories, building streets, highways, bridges, public buildings, schools, and airfields. The program created eight million jobs at a cost of $11 billion. It is an example of government philanthropy.
- The Great Depression: 1929-1941. A period in American history when many people were unemployed and could not find jobs. Many people struggled to feed their families and support themselves.
- Philanthropy: The giving of one's time, talent or treasure, and taking private citizen action for the sake of another or for the common good.
- Begin reading the novel. Ask the students to listen for examples of philanthropy in the book. Have students take notes as they listen. After each chapter, discuss characteristics of the time and place. Discuss the examples of philanthropy and write them on chart paper. Be sure to title each chart paper with the name of the chapter. See Examples of Philanthropy from A Year Down Yonder (Attachment Two) for a list of examples of philanthropy by chapter as well as some discussion questions. Discuss what costs and benefits come to the persons who perform the kind acts. The person performing an act of philanthropy is giving up an opportunity for him or herself.
- After completing the novel, divide the children into groups of three-four. Explain that each group will be making a presentation describing or demonstrating an act of philanthropy from the novel. Refer to the chart papers from each chapter to assign an act of philanthropy to each group. (Here is a method for giving the students some choice: Have each group pick three of the philanthropic actions that they would like to use. Try to give each group one of their choices. If you have three of their choices to choose from, everyone should get something with which they feel comfortable.)
- The groups may make their presentation in any number of approved forms:
- perform a "rap" or song
- perform a skit or pantomime
- make a collage
- make a mural
- presentation software
- any other method approved by you
- perform a "rap" or song
- Allow a one-hour class period for students to prepare their presentations.
- Schedule presentations for the class to perform for each other.
Assessment:
Observe the students' participation and depth of understanding in the following tasks:
- Taking appropriate notes during the reading
- Understanding of the meaning of philanthropy
- Ability to work with others to produce a presentation
- Creativity in presentation
- Presentation demonstrates the philanthropic act
School/Home Connection:
Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Send home the Parent Letter (Attachment Three) to introduce this lesson. Attach a copy of Philanthropy in Action-Homework Assignment (Attachment Four). Students will need to look for examples of philanthropy at home. They may use examples from TV or from the people they know or hear about. They will keep track of acts of philanthropy they observe for one week. They should discuss their homework with their parents, and parents will sign the homework before the students return it to you.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
Bibliographical References:
- Peck, Richard. A Year Down Yonder. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2000. ISBN: 0803725183
- Roosevelt's Tree Army http://www.geocities.com/ccchistory/treearmy.html
- Photos of the Great Depression <http://history1900s.about.com/library/photos/
blyindexdepression.htm>
Lesson Developed By:
Jennifer Dick MontgomerySouthfield Public Schools
MacArthur Elementary
Southfield, MI 48034
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Photo of Children Overhead
Credit: From American Memory from the Library of Congress: Historical Collections for the National Digital Library
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Examples of Philanthropy from A Year Down Yonder
Prologue:
- Joey joins the C.C.C.
- How is the C.C.C. a form of government philanthropy? Why would Joey want to join? Why did Mary Alice think she would like to join?
Rich Chicago Girl
- Grandma Dowdel accepts Mary Alice into her home.
- Grandma Dowdel gives the Burdick girl buttermilk and cornmeal.
- Give an example of families supporting, giving, and sharing. Why did Grandma Dowdel share with the Burdick girl before she tricked her? Did Grandma solve a problem in a fair way?
Vittles and Vengeance
- Grandma and Mary Alice make and bring the pies to the Halloween party.
- What do you think of Grandma’s values? How does she justify what she did? What does Mary Alice think of how she got the pecans and pumpkins?
A Minute in the Morning
- The Turkey Shoot raises money for the American Legion.
- The wives give the burgoo money to Mrs. Abernathy.
- Describe how the community worked together. What is a benefit of group cooperation? What happened to Mrs. Abernathy’s son?
Away in a Manger
- Grandma Dowdel buys Mary Alice some shoes and gives her a halo for the Christmas Program.
- Grandma Dowdel brings Joey “home” for Christmas.
- Grandma Dowdel buys tickets for Joey and Mary Alice to go to Chicago for Christmas.
- Give an example of families supporting each other. How does Grandma Dowdel feel about Mary Alice and Joey? How does Grandma make her money? What will happen to the baby they found in the manger?
Hearts and Flour
- Why did Grandma decide to bake the tarts for the tea?
A Dangerous Man
- Royce helps Mary Alice with her Math work.
- Arnold Green is hired by the W.P.A. to paint a mural.
- How is the W.P.A. a form of philanthropy? Why did Grandma invite Miss Butler to dinner?
Gone With the Wind
- Mary Alice runs home to make sure Grandma is okay as the tornado approaches.
- Grandma and Mary Alice save Old Man Nyquist after the tornado.
- Grandma and Mary Alice check on Mrs. Wilcox after the tornado.
- How do members of a family and community support each other? What difficult decision does Grandma make for Mary Alice? Why did Grandma send Mary Alice home?
Ever After
- Give an example of members of a family supporting each other.
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Parent Letter
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Over the next few weeks we will be studying The Great Depression. Specifically, we will be reading an award-winning novel set during this difficult era (A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck).
The students will be identifying acts of philanthropy within the novel in class. Philanthropy, as defined for the students, is "The giving of one’s time, talent or treasure, and taking action for the sake of another or for the common good."
To extend the lesson, the students have a week-long homework assignment to observe acts of philanthropy in their own environments. I would like you to assist your child in identifying acts of philanthropy at home. Attached is a worksheet. Each time your child identifies philanthropy in action, he or she should complete a section of the worksheet. This may include any small or great philanthropic acts by a family member or friend, at church, at the store, on TV, or elsewhere.
After your child records observations for a week, please go over the worksheet with your child, discussing the specific observations. Please sign the worksheet before your child returns it to school.
Thank you for your help in making this a meaningful assignment.
Sincerely,
Assignment Due Date __________________
Handout 4Print Handout 4
Philanthropy in Action-Homework Assignment
Student Name _________________________________________
| Date | Act of Philanthropy | Where Observed |
|---|---|---|
Parent Signature: ________________________________________________
Comments:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Roosevelt's Tree Army Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Year Down Yonder—Giving During the Depression (A)
- 2.
- No Food, No Money, No Job—What to Do?
- 3.
- Off to Camp We Go!
- 4.
- Planting Trees
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
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was studying) the Depression. Is a good topic for our students. The CCC, WPA are important for our grade level expectations.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) Exposing students to history and philanthropy and sharing aspects with families and staff.