We find poetry everywhere: lyrics to songs, commercials, and picture books. Poems express strong emotions and observations of relationships with each other and the world. Sharing their poems to communicate care can be an act of generosity.
The picture book, The Gardener, tells the story of a girl who makes a difference for the community and people around her by sharing her love for plants. The children may share their own personal interests to bring joy to others.
Through a story in which a child inspires her neighborhood to improve a vacant lot, young people recognize that they can have a positive impact on others. They brainstorm a philanthropic project to benefit the school or larger community.
Our communities may have people from many cultures and there may be many different languages spoken. Sparked by a playful video of kids teaching other kids their languages, we explore the languages represented in our communities.
Learners research the examples of President Jimmy Carter's values and leadership over his lifetime. They identify his acts of generosity and commitment to the good of all and reflect on how this inspires others.
Youth analyze personal reasons for taking action and compare them to the researched motivations for giving.
This lesson introduces the definition of a community and explores how communities come together to help or address a need.
Photo credit: Woodward Downtown by Becky McCray is licensed under CC BY 2.0...
Learners define caring through discussion of examples and writing an acrostic.
This lesson may stand on its own as an introduction to the concept of philanthropy or lead into the unit exploring philanthropy of different geographic traditions. Participants listen to a read-aloud picture book that illustrates the value of giving gifts...
The group reviews the list of issues and ways to take action, including those gathered with their families. They narrow the list through consensus. They invite a local Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee member to talk about their work and grant process.