Learning to Give

generationOn

Protect Your Melon
Unit of 3 lessons
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Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Math, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
Lesson 1 : ELA: Compare/Contrast; Constructing Meaning; Graphic Organizer; Group Discussions; Inferences/Generalizations; Inquiry; Journaling; Listening; Media Genres; Observation; Reading; Reflection; Research; Response to Text/Others; Viewing; Vocabulary
 MAT: Graphs/Charts/Tables
 PHIL: Common Good; Courage; Fundraising; Honesty; Need
 SOC: Adaptation; Cause/Effect; Choices/Consequences; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Common Good; Inquiry; Laws; Rules
Lesson 2 : ELA: Benny Goes into Business; Brainstorming; Letter Writing; Listening; Reflection
 MAT: Counting; Graphs/Charts/Tables; Money
 PHIL: 10 genOn; Fundraising; Service Project; Time/Talent/Treasure; Volunteer
 SOC: Budget; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Common Good; Community; Inquiry; Research; Survey
Lesson 3 : ELA: Analyze/Interpret; Group Discussions; Letter Writing; Writing Process
 MAT: Graphs/Charts/Tables; Shapes
 PHIL: Reflection; Service Project
 SOC: Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Inquiry; Research; Survey

Unit Overview:

This unit is ideally suited to the block-scheduled integrated classroom. Through the four themes of philanthropy, all critical content areas are addressed through effective alignment to core curricular standards and benchmarks. Learners have voice in planning experiential lessons using one thing they love most — bicycles.

Unit Purpose:

The community of learners, parents, guardians and extended family become partners in voluntary action for the common good. As learners develop the four themes of philanthropy, culminating in two effective service activities, they will meet identified benchmarks and standards in all content areas. Learners will learn about the need for bicycle safety through understanding, relating and demonstrating the five basic rules of bicycle safety to others in the community. Learners will become aware of the basic vocabulary associated with philanthropy as they prepare for their service activity. Learners will demonstrate using their time, talent and treasure to provide for the common good through fund-raising activities and construction of a bicycle safety course.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

  • successfully use in conversation key philanthropy vocabulary.
  • identify five elements of bicycle safety.
  • demonstrate how they will be giving of their time, talent or treasure for the common good.
  • compose a friendly letter.
  • compose a business letter.
  • develop the aspects of time, talent and treasure that will be needed to successfully complete the task.
  • relate the importance of volunteerism and service to the community as civic responsibility.
  • collect data and develop bar graphs.
  • correctly identify geometric shapes relating to traffic signage.
  • plan and participate in elements of service learning emphasizing reflection and evaluation.

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.

Two opportunities are provided in this unit for effective service learning, demonstrating the essential elements of service learning, and aligned with themes of philanthropy and content standards and benchmarks.

Lesson Two: Funds for Fun and Safety employs a bakeless bake sale to raise funds for bicycle helmets.

Lesson Three: Use Your Melon uses the construction of a bicycle safety course to inform other learners, parents, guardians and community members of the need for safety instruction and the use of helmets.

Unit Assessment:

The assessment should provide the teacher with feedback concerning how well the learner understands the stated lesson objectives. It may include such items as evaluations of student work and/or performance, traditional tests, teacher observation, scoring guides and rubrics. Learner contributions to discussions and cooperation in peer groups should also be evaluated. One part of the assessment includes student self-evaluation through reflection as described in the three-part reflection process described in Lesson Two: Funds for Fun and Safety. A rubric is provided in Lesson Two: Funds for Fun and Safety for the friendly letter. This rubric may easily be adapted for the business letter.

School/Home Connection:

  • "Copy-and-Paste" Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
    See Lesson One: Bike Safety, Attachment One: Parent Letter, for this purpose.

  • Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
    Lesson One: Bike Safety: Send the letter home to provide parents with the rules the children are learning. (Attachment One: Parent Letter)

  • Lesson Three: Use Your Melon: Parents will receive a letter asking them to allow their child to receive a bicycle helmet. The letter will also ask parents to volunteer for the safety course.

State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:

See individual lessons for benchmark detail.

Lessons Developed By:

Judith Steel
Monroe Public Schools
Riverside Elementary School
77 Roessler N
Monroe, MI 48162

Katie Briggs
Mona Shores Public Schools
Lincoln Park Elementary
2951 Leon Street
Muskegon, MI 49441

Lita Charland
Reeths-Puffer Schools
Twin Lake Elementary School
3175 Fifth Street
Twin Lake, MI 49457

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