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

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New Philanthropy--A Hands-On Way of Giving (The)

Unit of 5 lessons

9th-12th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	PHIL:	Altruism; Empathy; Humanitarian; Pro-Social Behavior; Selflessness; Time/Talent/Treasure; Tolerance; Volunteer
	SOC:	Common Good; Good Character; Historical Biographies; Personal Virtue; Research
Lesson 2 :	ELA:	Media Genres; Presentations; Technology; Vocabulary
	PHIL:	Altruism; Empathy; Humanitarian; Pro-Social Behavior; Selflessness; Tolerance
	SOC:	Common Good; Good Character; Historical Biographies; Inquiry; Personal Virtue; Research
Lesson 3 :	PHIL:	Donate; Foundations; Nonprofit Organizations; Philanthropist
	SOC:	Good Character; Personal Virtue; Simulation
Lesson 4 :	PHIL:	Foundations; Perpetuity
	SOC:	Common Good; Inquiry; Research
Lesson 5 :	ELA:	Reflection; Technology
	PHIL:	Foundations; Nonprofit Organizations
	SOC:	Community; Inquiry; Social Action

Unit Overview:

This unit helps the learners and classroom teacher learn about philanthropy throughout the course of history, focusing on 1815 until the present time period. The learner will be able to learn about the famous philanthropists of this time period, what qualities they possessed, why they chose to become philanthropists, what they gave, who they gave it to, how they held people accountable, and how philanthropy has changed during the years. In particular, they will learn about various foundations and other non-profit agencies, gifts that have been given to the common good, and be able to research these foundations and other non-profit agencies to see how much of their dollar is actually going to the purpose for which it is intended. This unit will culminate in a writing project where the learner will analyze a major social issue as a "commons problem," research the foundation or other non-profit agency that is helping to solve this problem, and determine if this is a foundation or other non-profit in which they would want to become involved. As an extension, the learners could volunteer time and/or donations to the foundation or other non-profit agency of their choice. The learner can also job shadow in the foundation or non-profit that they have researched.

Unit Purpose:

This unit will introduce the learners to the concept of philanthropy and its history from 1815 until the present, along with hands-on experience dealing with foundations and other non-profit organizations. They will also learn how to research a problem dealing with the "common good," and see how they can help with that problem through philanthropic efforts. The learners will assess the organization to see if it is run effectively and determine if they would like to get involved with it. They will present the information that they have researched concerning problems that affect the common good in a community forum involving community leaders, as well as the public. As an extension, they will volunteer time and/or money to the foundation or other non-profit organization of their choice. They will also job shadow in the foundation or non-profit they have researched.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

define philanthropic terms.
cite examples of famous philanthropists, past and present.
identify major foundations and other non-profit organizations and cite examples of major gifts that have been given for the common good.
analyze a major social issue affecting the common good, research a foundation or non-profit organization dealing with the problem, and present the information in written form.
report orally on research of a "commons problem" in a community forum.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

The experiential component of this unit will be a community forum in which information is shared by students with public officials such as the mayor, city council members, police chief, school superintendent, etc., as well as parents and other citizens. Students will express their concerns about the "common good," as well as be involved in a question-answer and/or comment session. As an alternative, representatives from the class can present information that has been gathered by the learners to the student council. The information could then be discussed at their meeting in a forum-type session.

Unit Assessment:

Journal writing
Quiz on philanthropic terms
Two-page written paper on the "commons problem" of the students' choice
Participation in a community forum and presentation of research on a "commons" problem
Unit Quiz

School/Home Connection:

Information for parents on the unit:

Learners in the United States History class will be studying the concept of philanthropy and its history from 1815 until the present. They will also have a hands-on experience dealing with foundations and other non-profit organizations. They will learn how to research a problem dealing with the common good, and assess the possibility of helping with that problem through philanthropic efforts.

Parents can work with learners by studying philanthropic vocabulary that we are using in this unit and encouraging research efforts. As an experiential component, learners will also be participating in a community forum in which they will present the information that they have researched on a "commons problem." We would love to have you come to the community forum. The time and place will be sent to you. In the future we may be participating in a job shadowing or volunteer experience in the non-profit organization or foundation of the learner's choice, if it is a local agency. Assessment of the unit will be through a quiz, a two-page paper on a problem, in-class journals, and the community forum.

Notes for Teaching:

Encourage the learners to participate in the extension piece, if possible. The more "hands-on" experience students have, the more they are encouraged to remain an active part of the organization in which they have become involved. Work on communicating to the parents and involving them in the community forum. The more involvement there is with the whole community, the more successful a program seems to become. It will also help increase students' self-esteem, as well as increase their knowledge level.