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Philanthropic Movements in the United States to 1900

Unit of 5 lessons

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Arts, Language Arts, Library / Technology and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	ELA:	Cultural/Historical Contexts; Journaling; Non-Fiction Literature; Summarizing/Paraphrasing; Vocabulary
	PHIL:	11 genOn; Common Good; Community; Thanksgiving
	SOC:	Pastor John Robinson’s Farewell Letter to the Pilgrims; 10 genOn; Colonization/Settlement (1585-1763); Common Good; Mayflower Compact; Primary/Secondary Sources
Lesson 2 :	ELA:	Analyze/Interpret; Biography; Character Development; Historical Fiction
	PHIL:	Heroes; Philanthropic Act; Values
	SOC:	10 genOn; Declaration of Independence; Historical Biographies; Patriotism; Revolution/Nationhood (1754-1820); War
Lesson 3 :	ART:	Visual Arts: Interdisciplinary
	ELA:	Expository Text; Response to Text/Others
	PHIL:	Common Good; Philanthropic Act
	SOC:	10 genOn; Bill of Rights
Lesson 4 :	ELA:	Uncle Tom's Cabin; Author's Style/Purpose; Historical Fiction; Presentations; Research; Speaking
	PHIL:	Human Rights; Minorities; Philanthropic Act; Time/Talent/Treasure
	SOC:	10 genOn; Abolition; Amendments to Constitution; Civil War/Reconstruction (1850-1877); Geography; Slavery
Lesson 5 :	ELA:	Journaling; Personal Response; Reflection
	PHIL:	Community; Personal Wealth; Philanthropic Act
	SOC:	10 genOn; Historical Biographies; Industrialization (1800-1900)

Unit Overview:

Throughout its history, the United States has experienced many challenges. There have been many events and individuals that have contributed being a democratic nation. This unit provides a lesson heralding important events up to 1900 that have made us a free and caring nation. Overlooked in history is the understanding that many historical actions were also philanthropic and contributed to the common good of the community.

Unit Purpose:

This unit will identify how people and events have allowed us to remain a democratic nation through the development of community and concern for the common good.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

use primary source documents to explain how democracy was established in the United States.
define and use vocabulary related to the establishment of a democratic government.
describe the importance of community and the common good to Native Americans and Pilgrims.
name core democratic values identified in the Declaration of Independence.
explain how the patriotic actions of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were philanthropic.
identify how the Bill of Rights protects American citizens and allows them to work on behalf of the common good.
analyze the impact of literature in promoting the cause of abolitionism.
describe how the geographic concept of “location” affected runaways and the Underground Railroad.
explain acts of philanthropy during the Civil War period.
list protections granted by the Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution.
describe how communities were improved through philanthropy in the late nineteenth century.

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.

The service project will have the students gather used books and conduct a book drive within the school. The books gathered will be donated to a homeless shelter.

Unit Assessment:

Journal entries, group work, study guides, homework illustrations/essays, group discussions and research reporting will be used to assess learning.

School/Home Connection:

“Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
From the compact of the Pilgrims to the heroic actions of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, there are many events that together made this country a haven for those fleeing their homelands. The unit, Philanthropic Movements in U.S. History to 1900, will illustrate how history and government in the United States combined to allow philanthropy to thrive and encourage actions on behalf of communities and the common good.
Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Learners will illustrate and explain to a family member the right they value most. The family member will select another basic right that is important and list it on the back of the homework drawing ( Lesson Three: The Bill of Rights ).

Notes for Teaching:

This unit consists of different lessons that can be used during the course of the school year. Each lesson will illustrate how philanthropy has had an important role in the course of United States History.