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Philanthropy—Individuals and Their Surroundings

Unit of 4 lessons

3rd-5th Grade

Subjects:

Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	PHIL:	9/11genOn; Caring/Sharing; Commons; Community; Trust
	SOC:	10 genOn; Human Characteristics of Place
Lesson 2 :	PHIL:	Diversity; Factions; Minorities
	SOC:	Freedom; Point of View; Racism; Rights/Responsibilities
Lesson 3 :	PHIL:	Trust
	SOC:	Community Capital
Lesson 4 :	SOC:	Advocacy; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Compare/Contrast; Constitution of the United States; Democracy; Preamble; Rights/Responsibilities; Simulation; Values; Voting

Unit Overview:

This unit is focused on the idea that every person is not only an individual, but also a member of the various groups that make up our society. The unit is structured to first discuss and analyze the concept of groups of people as different types of "communities." The second lesson examines diversity as it creates groups with particular identifying characteristics, or factions. Building trust, or "community capital," between groups is explored as it relates to facilitating solutions when differences arise. The fourth lesson is intended to illustrate that "government" is not an ambiguous group of laws, buildings, or faceless people, but rather that "government" in the United States of America is actually the sum total of all of its people.

Unit Purpose:

The purpose of this unit is to help students understand that each of them is an important and potentially influential member of American society.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

explain that s/he is a member of several "communities" and give examples of some of the communities to which s/he belongs.
identify differing groups as "factions."
give examples of how "community capital" between groups can help solve problems when differences arise.
demonstrate the importance of participating in an election.

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.

Optional experiences of interacting with people from differing communities are suggested in Lesson Three: Whom Do You Trust?

Unit Assessment:

Each individual lesson has its own assessment.

School/Home Connection:

The students will be studying a Social Studies unit called Philanthropy - Individuals and Their Surroundings. Students will learn about the various communities in which they participate, explore ways in which groups may differ, and examine ideas that facilitate problem solving and cooperation between groups. Finally, the students will participate in a voting simulation and discover their importance as members of American society.