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Good to Grow

Grades: 
3, 4, 5
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Science
Keywords & Concepts: 
Act of Kindness
Plants
Sharing
Time/Talent/Treasure
Community Capital
Social Capital

Children get inspiration from a story about kindness and community, and they identify acts of service and kindness (philanthropy) they can do for people they care about.

Duration 
PrintOne 45-Minute Session
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • identify benefits of philanthropic acts to giver and receiver.
  • make a plan to take generous action with time, talent, or treasure for someone they care about.
Materials 
  • read-aloud copy of Chicken Sunday by by Patricia Polacco
Bibliography 

Polacco, Patricia. Chicken Sunday. Putnam Juvenile, 1998 ISBN-13: 978-0698116153

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Read aloud the book Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco. Before reading, ask the children if anyone has ever had a negative idea about someone that they later found out was not right. Tell them to listen for how the children in the story change Mr. Kodinski's opinion about them. 

  2. After reading, talk about why Mr. Kodinski thought the children did something they didn't do. How did the children feel and why? What good came out of their plan to repair the relationship? In what ways did they act as philanthropists in the story? 

    Define the idea of community or social capital as building a good relationship with someone through responsible and kind behaviors over time. Even when negative things happen, if you have built up capital, they still trust you. Talk about things that build community and social capital in your own community. 

  3. This may spark a discussion of things they can do for someone they care about, such as a neighbor, grandparent, or local shopkeeper. They may write and mail a kind note or create art and brighten someone's day. They may grow a flower or plant and give it to someone. Here are some more ideas to get thinking started. 

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.1 Define philanthropy as the giving and sharing of time, talent, or treasure intended for the common good.
    2. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.6 Explain why acting philanthropically is good for the community, state, nation, or world.
  2. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.1 Describe one reason why a person might give or volunteer.
  3. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 01. Needs Assessment
      1. Benchmark E.1 Identify a need in the school, local community, state, nation, or world.
    2. Standard VS 03. Providing Service
      1. Benchmark E.1 Provide a needed service.
    3. Standard VS 05. Integrating the Service Experience into Learning
      1. Benchmark E.3 Identify outcomes from the service.