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

generationOn

Home / Teachers / Power to Make a Difference (The)

Power to Make a Difference (The)

Unit of 3 lessons

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	PHIL:	Altruism; Ennobled Self; Foundations; Nonprofit Sector; Time/Talent/Treasure
	SOC:	10 genOn; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Common Good; Core Democratic Values; Ethics; Good Character; Personal Virtue; Values
Lesson 2 :	ELA:	Interview; Questioning; Writing Process
	PHIL:	Nonprofit Organizations
	SOC:	10 genOn; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Common Good; Core Democratic Values
Lesson 3 :	ELA:	Persuasive Techniques; Presentations; Teamwork
	PHIL:	Nonprofit Organizations; Service Plan; Volunteer
	SOC:	10 genOn; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Common Good; Compare/Contrast; Nonprofit; Research; Shared Values; Volunteerism

Unit Overview:

In this unit students will learn the vocabulary of philanthropy, discover a brief history of philanthropy in the US, and participate in a service project. Two service opportunities are provided in this unit, with the focus being student participation in “Make A Difference Day.”

Unit Purpose:

This unit guides learners to gain awareness of the rich history of philanthropy in the United States, develop a working knowledge of the vocabulary associated with philanthropy, and demonstrate active citizen participation through service related to core democratic values.

Unit Objectives:

The learners will:

list three historical figures and briefly describe their philanthropic gifts.
access an internet site, read and analyze the data provided.
select information from a chart and enter it on a graph.
describe the action of an individual, in the community, acting philanthropically in accordance with a core democratic value.
make the connections that philanthropy transcends cultures.
demonstrate knowledge of a minimum of four core democratic values.
identify key community people involved in philanthropy in accordance with a core democratic value.
describe and evaluate the philanthropy they have researched.
demonstrate effective interview skills through interviewing an individual engaged in philanthropy.
study, research and identify a philanthropic organization.
write a report, including a description of the organization, and list ways it helps others.
present findings to classmates.
evaluate all findings and select a project for “Make a Difference Day.”
participate in an activity on “Make a Difference Day.”

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.

Lesson Two: People Who Make a Difference: Students will select an individual and conduct an interview about their involvement in philanthropy which supports a core democratic value.
Lesson Three: Make a Difference in Life: Students will participate in “Make a Difference Day.”

Unit Assessment:

Students will be evaluated on their paragraph writing, essays, teacher observation, class participation and persuasive speeches

School/Home Connection:

“Copy-and-Past” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
After studying about how Americans reinforce core democratic values through individual and group philanthropy, our class will be participating in a service project on “Make A Difference Day.”
Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Lesson Three: Make a Difference in Life: Develop a list in answer to the question: What community philanthropic organizations would our family support with our time, talent and/or treasure and why?

Notes for Teaching:

It would be very helpful to obtain at least five copies of the local Yellow Pages to locate addresses and phone numbers of local service agencies and philanthropies. The “Make a Difference Day” information, with the historical background, can be downloaded and reprinted for student usage. It is found at the www.usaweekend.com site. Your students can also register their projects with the national effort. You will also need a parent/guardian permission form completed for participation in “Make a Difference Day ” activities.