Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

Objectives:

• To introduce the words of philanthropy (caring and sharing) to participants, ages 7 – 11 years
• To have the action of philanthropy (caring and sharing) follow the language

Activity Theme:

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

~Aesop's Fables.

The facilitator explains that the participants will learn caring and sharing language and the actions that the words demonstrate. After talking about the words, participants will select a word from the “caring and sharing” shoebox and illustrate the action taken. The pictures will become a part of a “caring and sharing” scrapbook to be shared with friends, family, and the younger youth in the organization and/or school. The activity reinforces the definition of philanthropy: “Caring and sharing, by taking action for the common good.”

Activity:

• The facilitator asks the participants to get comfortable on the floor and think about the words, “caring and sharing.” The facilitator asks them to close their eyes and imagine these words: What would a person be doing if they were “caring” for something or someone? What does it mean to “share” with a person or a community? The participants are to call out what they visualized when they had their eyes closed and the facilitator writes the words on the flipchart. Responses might be:Caring for a pet; caring for a sick relative; a feeling you get when you look at something or someone you really like; Sharing a special toy or book with a grandparent, or a younger brother or sister.
• The participants are asked to open their eyes and look at the flipchart where the definitions are posted:
  - Caring: to be concerned or interested
  - Sharing: to allow something that belongs to you to be given to or used by another person
• When all have had an opportunity to share their thoughts, the facilitator hands each an index card and assigns a word(s) or phrases from the flipchart for them to put on the cards.
  After cards are written, the facilitator asks the participants to fold them and put them in the “caring and sharing” shoebox. Shake the box and pass it around and have each person take one piece of paper or index card. Have the participants find a quiet space to spread out their drawing paper and crayons. Have them look at the word(s) or phrase they picked and begin to draw a picture which illustrates the words.
  The facilitator explains that the participants are putting action to the caring and sharing words/ ideas. Music might be playing while participants work on their pictures. When pictures are completed, facilitator asks group to return to the large group for some reflection time. One by one, each partici¬pant stands up and explains the action to words they drew in their picture. The facilitator asks them to place the picture in a scrapbook.
  

Processing Questions:

1. What new idea did you get about caring and sharing today?
2. Why is it important for people in a community to care about and share with one another?
3. What are ways that you could get friends and family involved in taking philanthropic action?
   

Variation:

The scrapbook can be taken home and shared with the family or the group might ask for time at a board meeting of the organization and share the book with them. If the organization has a daycare center, the scrapbook could be read and shared with the children.

The facilitator asks the participants to look in any books or magazines they have at home to see if they can find “caring and sharing” pictures or activities. Ask permission to cut them out and make your own “caring and sharing” scrapbook or bring them to the next session and add to the scrapbook.

Option:

The facilitator might have the participants cut out the words or phrases from the flipchart. These could be folded and placed in the shoebox. Participants make their selection by drawing one out.

Play Caring and Sharing Charades:
The facilitator has the group either cut or write on cards the phrases from the flipchart. Partici¬pants are put in small groups and each group draws a card. That group is to act out what is on the card for the others to guess which caring and sharing activity they are doing. Young people will like the more active version of the activity.