Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
generationOn
Purpose:
In this lesson, students choose two causes or issues from a list of twelve causes or issues that they feel most concerned about. With those in mind, they explore how perseverance and doing their personal best are the most effective ways to address needs rather than looking at the short term or doing nothing.
Duration:
One 20-minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- select two causes by drawing dots on signs posted around the room.
- discuss the impact of a few people on big causes and needs.
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 generationon.org.
Materials:
- twelve sheets of paper (recycled is fine)
- one marker for each student
Teacher Preparation:
Before students arrive, prepare small signs to place around the room. On twelve pieces of paper (use the backs of paper from the recycle bin) write the following causes or issues that people may feel passionate about (one issue in large print on each paper):
Hunger, Animal Welfare, Safe Places for Kids, Homelessness, Drug or Alcohol Abuse, Endangered Animals, Natural Disasters, Diseases or Health Concerns, Discrimination or Civil Rights, Education, Global Warming, Slavery
Write the following directions on the board: "Read the twelve different causes or issues concerning our community or world posted around the room. Choose the two issues that you feel most concerned about. Color a dot beside two issues you think you could contribute your time, talent, or treasure to help address."
Instructional Procedure(s):
Note: Before students arrive, hang up the prepared signs around the room and set out colored markers. Write directions on the board. See Teacher Preparation above.
Anticipatory Set:
As students enter the room, have them choose a colored marker and read the directions written on the board. Give them five minutes to walk by the twelve signs posted around the room and mark two signs each.
- Signal students to return to their seats and have them look around at the issues chosen as indicated by the dots on the signs. To spark discussion, ask the students what they observe.
- Ask, "Why didn't everybody choose the same issues?" Lead the students to a discussion of personal interests as motivation for doing personal best in addressing a need for the common good.
- Ask "What can we few people do about such big issues?" Lead them to recognize that they can focus on a small area and persevere to make a difference in long-term goals (like water drops forming the Grand Canyon). If the students get into a discussion of barriers, ask them how the group could persevere to overcome obstacles and address one or more of these issues.
- Have the group choose two to four issues to focus on based on the issues with the most dots on the signs. Discuss how a small group could address the issues locally using their time, talent, and resources and their personal best efforts. Discuss what doing personal best in these efforts would look like.
Lesson Developed By:
Betsy FlikkemaAssociate Director
Learning to Give
Barbara Dillbeck
Director
Learning to Give
Handouts:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Character Education: Perseverance (Grade 7) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- My Personal Best
- 2.
- A Long Walk
- 3.
- Persistent Drop of Water
- 4.
- Small Actions with Big Purpose
- 5.
- Reflection on the Long Term
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
