Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Unit Purpose:
Students define honesty as fairness and straightforward conduct. They look for examples in a story and expand on the definition. They brainstorm examples of honesty and communicate its value and benefits to the community, family, friends, and self. Students use journaling or role-play to reflect on the benefits to the community of truthfulness and straightforward actions. They analyze traits and actions of someone who has built a "good reputation."
Focus Questions:
What role does honesty play in relationships and life success? How can developing honesty equip people as world citizens who contribute to the common good?
Unit Duration:
Five 20-minute lessons
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- define honesty before and after discussion and story.
- read the story "Ostrich Egg Wife."
- identify examples of honesty/dishonesty in the story.
- define honesty from the dictionary and give examples and synonyms.
- reflect on the value of honesty.
- reflect on the value of honesty to the community.
- work in small groups to write about the value of honesty to self, family, friends, and the community.
- discuss the meaning of a humorous quote about honesty.
- define civic virtue.
- state why people depend on honesty in government and politics.
- define good reputation and analyze how it is earned.
- discuss Mohandas Gandhi and his example of honesty and integrity.
- reflect on personal honesty and what it means to be a person of honor.
Service Experience:
This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills. For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to The League.
School/Home Connection:
In lesson one have the students start a discussion by asking their families, "Why is it important to you that people are honest?"
Notes for Teaching:
It is recommended that learners keep a journal to record their learning and reflections about the character traits studied.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed By:
Barbara Dillbeck
Director
Learning to Give
Betsy Flikkema
Associate Director
Learning to Give
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
