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

generationOn

Find Lesson Plans Browse Resources
To Repair the World: Methods and Me (Private-Religious)
Lesson 3:
printEmail this Lesson
Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
6th-8th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: Compare/Contrast; Reflection; Summarizing/Paraphrasing; Viewpoint
PHIL: Ethics; Family; Fundraising; Heroes; Judaism; Religious Perspectives; Service Plan; Service Project; Sharing; Time/Talent/Treasure
SOC: Common Good; Parochial; Traditions; Values

Purpose:

In this lesson the learners will be introduced to some of the individuals/Heroes whose acts of tikun olam provide important models. Having developed a better understanding of tikun olam based upon Sefer Yetzirah and other classical and modern sources on the topic of how the work of tikun olam is to be performed, Lesson Three adds to the scaffolding necessary for learners to create their own mitzvah project/”service plan” for world repair. 

Duration:

One - Forty-five Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • understand and explain the concept "hero".
  • describe the work of selected mitzvah individuals/"heroes".
  • describe and explain how ordinary people and ordinary objects can do the work of world repair.
  • will select, learn about, and develop a mitzvah project/"service plan" to support the work of one of the individuals/"heroes" in the unit or create their own project based on the model.
  • (Optional) will implement their mitzvah project/"service plan" of world repair and reflect on its effectiveness.

Materials:

  • Items associated with the stereotypical concept of heroism (i.e., sword, shield, superhero paraphernalia, etc.)
  • Items that are reflective of the work of the heroic individuals profiled in this unit (a bagel, hair-cutting scissors/clip of hair, pair of shoes, teddy bear, duffel bag, etc.)
  • Attachment One: Partners in Creation 
  • Attachment Two: I Can be a Partner In Creation: The Plan
  • (Optional Service implimentation) Attachment Three: I Can Be a Partner in Creation: The Reflection 
  • Computers with internet access or print-outs of materials from the listed Internet sites (See Attachment One or Bibliography)
Handout 1
Partners in Creation
Handout 2
I Can Be a Partner: The Plan
Handout 3
I Can Be a Partner In Creation: The Reflection (Optional)

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Display the items associated with heroism in two areas of the classroom: one group the stereotypical "superhero" items, the other group, the items associated with some (or all) of the individuals whose work you have chosen to profile. Have the learners infer from the items in the first grouping what they might say about individuals who use those items. Have them compare and contrast the items in the second group with those in the first. Once this is completed tell the learners that the items in the second group are symbols of items used to perform mitzvot – commandments – which accomplish heroic work in our world. Holding each of these items up in turn, ask the learners to interpret their use in performing such deeds. ( i.e. How can a bagel (or a scissors, etc.) be used to perform mitzvot?

 

  • Distribute a copy of Attachment One: Partners in Creation  to each learner.

  • Provide computers with Internet access or print outs of the materials from the list in Attachment One: Partners in Creation or Bibliography.

  • Ask learners to determine which of the profiled individual's/hero’s work most appeals to them.
    Teacher Note: Be sure that each individual/hero is selected by at least one learner.

  • Have learners answer the questions and complete the chart entitled MITZVAH HERO and ME on Attachment One: Partners in Creation

  • Allow time for each learner to briefly share his/her chosen mitzvah hero and encourage the learners to make comparisons as they listen to each sharing. Conclude these brief presentations by asking the question: What have you learned from listening to these presentations about mitzvah heroes and your own ability to do mitzvah-work?
    Teacher Note: Assist the learners toward the realization ordinary people and ordinary objects can provide a “service” by doing the work of world repair.

  • Distribute Attachment Two: I Can be a Partner in Creation: The Plan  and instruct the learners that they will now engage themselves in the development of a mitzvah project/"service plan" to assist one of the individuals/ heroes and/or the projects they represent.

  • (Optional) Have the learners implement their tikun olam project/"service plan" to assist one of the individuals/ heroes and/or the projects they represent and designate a completion date for this activity.

  • (Optional) Have the learners complete and hand in their mitzvah project/"service plan" reflection Attachment Three:
    I Can be a Partner in Creation: The Reflection.

Assessment:

The assessment for this lesson will be the cumulative understanding of tikun olam that each learner has acquired as reflected in classroom discussions  and their personally designed tikun olam project/"service plan".
(Optional) This assessment will also include the timely implementation and completion of their personally designed tikun olam project/"service plan" and reflection. 

Learning Link(s): (click to view)

School/Home Connection:

Should implementation of the designed mitzvah project/"service plan" be assigned, parent participation should be encouraged to assist the learner in completing this project. In addition, parents could be invited to a presentation of all projects and a celebration of their successful completion.

Cross-Curriculum Extensions:

  • Visit the Shalom Street Children’s Museum at the
    Jewish Community of Greater Detroit:
    6600 W Maple Rd # 301
    West Bloomfield, MI 48322-3003
    Phone (248)661-1000
    (Teacher Note: You will find each of the windows will inspire your learners to envision service projects. The windows on energy, conservation, family life, history as well as examples of on-going service projects will generate thought and conversation.)

  • Should implementation of the designed mitzvah project/"service plan" be assigned, consideration could be given to having an I Can be a Partner in Creation celebration inviting the parents to hear about the various tikun olam projects/“service plans and celebrate the work of their children in repairing the world

Lesson Developed By:

Sharon Halper
Areyvut
http://www.areyvut.org
Bergenfield, NJ 07621

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Partners in Creation

Partners in Creation work for the common good. They do the work, the mitzvah work of tikun olam, with sneakers, leftovers, suitcases, stuffed animals and anything else they look at that causes them to ask “Which of the world’s problems can I help solve with this _______?” They look at the world with mitzvah glasses and you can too!

To learn about some of these people and how they do tikun olam, check out some (or all) of these web-sites:

 

For more mitzvah inspiration check the links at www.ZIV.org

Before you begin your own mitzvah journey, complete the following based on the mitzvah worker whose work interests you the most:

 

The world’s problem that I would like to help solve is:

 


 

The person/project working on this problem is:

 

MY MITZVAH - HERO and ME

  The mitzvah hero: 

         

ME!        

Time (opportunity):
What particular chance does the mitzvah hero have to do mitzvah?
What particular chance do I have?

    
Talent (skills):
What special skills does the person have?
What special skills do I have that I can use to do mitzvahs?		    
Treasure  (items, possessions
What particular things does the person have?
What things do I have or what do people that I know have?		    

 

 


Handout 2Print Handout 2

I Can Be a Partner: The Plan

Goals for my personal mitzvah project:

 I will:
• ___ do fundraising by
• ___ contact informational media to
• ___ create a letter writing project to
• ___ create/make presentations for
• ___ create a service project and plan for
• ___ share
• ___ collect
• ___ learn to
• ___ other:
• ___ other:


I will need to contact:


Materials I will need:


Other support I will need:       Who might be able to help?
  


Steps to reach my goals:

1st step: What do I have to do right now?

 

  Next: How do I get the project moving?

 

  Concluding phase: What do I have to do to make it happen?

Handout 3Print Handout 3

I Can Be a Partner In Creation: The Reflection (Optional)

(Optional) “Service Plan” Implementation:

  • I began my mitzvah project/”service plan “plan on ________ .(Date)

  • I concluded my mitzvah project/”service plan “on __________.(Date)

  • Reflection: Respond to the following prompts:
    • How do you feel that your mitzvah project/”service plan” made a difference?



    • How do you feel that your mitzvah project/”service plan” could be improved?



    • If you were to consider conducting another mitzvah project/”service plan” in the future, what need might that “”service” plan address?



    • If you were to consider conducting another mitzvah project/”service plan” in the future, what need might that “”service” plan address?




Philanthropy Framework:

Submit a Comment

All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.