Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Unit Overview:
This unit teaches students the responsibility of every individual to actively strive to make the world a better place, a concept known in Judaism as tikkun olam. Students examine ways in which people use their talents and skills to help other and practice tikkun olam, both in and outside the classroom. First, they choose a plan for the class to help others beyond the classroom. They then focus on two aspects of tikkun olam that are pertinent in the classroom: Being nice to one another and using speech in a positive way.
Unit Purpose:
Students become actively engaged in the process of improving the world through acts of kindness. They learn to recognize those who are helping others as role models and emulate their actions by being helpful and kind to their classmates, families, and community members.
Throughout the unit, they continuously ask themselves:
What actions are helpful and kind and thereby make this world a better place?
How can I fulfill my responsibility to partake in these activities?
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- identify ways in which different skills can be used to help others
- demonstrate an understanding of the concept of tikkun olam
- participate in class project that helps others
- learn a song that teaches the meaning of the verse "V’ahavta Lereacha Kamocha – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" (Leviticus 19:18)
- identify ways that one can help a friend, both in and out of the classroom
- listen to a parable about positive and negative speech
- identify ways in which speech can be used for good
Service Experience:
In Lesson One, students plan and participate in a class project to help community members. In Lesson Two, students will be encouraged to participate in acts of kindness in and out of the classroom that demonstrate their appreciation of family members and friends. In Lesson Three, students will use speech in a positive way by complimenting their classmates.
Unit Assessment:
Students will be assessed based on their responses and participation during discussions and how closely their work reflects class discussion.
School/Home Connection:
"Copy-and-Paste" Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
This unit teaches students the responsibility of every individual to actively strive to make the world a better place, a concept known in Judaism as tikkun olam. Students examine ways in which people use their talents and skills to help other and practice tikkun olam, both in and outside the classroom. First, they choose a plan for the class to help others beyond the classroom. They then focus on two aspects of tikkun olam that are pertinent in the classroom: Being nice to one another and using speech in a positive way.
- Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
School/Home Connections are outlined in Lessons One, Two, and Three.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed By:
Shira Hammerman
Areyvut
http://www.areyvut.org
147 South Washington Avenue
Bergenfield, NJ 07621
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
