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"I" On Philanthropy
Students read children's literature and listen to song lyrics to identify acts of philanthropy. They discuss how one's identity can be shaped by helping others. They also focus on the non-profit sector.
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The History of Christmas Trees, Part One
Learners read an article about Winter Solstice celebrations. They consider the symbolism of evergreens in winter and how different cultures have used evergreens in winter celebrations throughout history.
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Forests
Fourth graders examine the impact forests have on our lives. They listen to the book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, and brainstorm about how forests are important to us. In small groups they create a poster illustrating how the...
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Talking Trees: Earth Day
Students complete a tree poster activity to learn about Earth Day, stewardship, and the environment. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students read The Story of the Tree and discuss stewardship with trees. Students act out tree...
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Native American Philanthropists
Students demonstrate how Native Americans were philanthropic. In this philanthropy lesson, students read Squanto's Journey and brainstorm ways that the Native Americans were helpful towards the Pilgrims. Students reflect on the long-term...
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Stewardship and the Rainforest
Young scholars explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson plan, students explore literature in order to understand the flora and fauna of the rain forest. Young scholars investigate how stewardship is necessary...
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Spreading Kindness All Around
Students donate items to organization to demonstrate kindness. In this kindness lesson plan, students read many books and discuss how the characters in each one demonstrate kindness, and then they themselves donate to charities.
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Giving an Outdoor Plan
Students utilize their acting skills to put on an impromptu play based on a book. In this performance art lesson plan, students read Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina and discuss how the story could be told through human action....
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Reading to Learn: How Do We Sum That Up?
Students explore the topic of summarizing. They read the book, Dolphins at Daybreak, to practice summarizing. They determine what information is important and choose sentences to summarize the passages they read. They write a summary...
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Christmas Makes Me Think
Third graders discover that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing. In this Christmas spirit activity, 3rd graders read a book about a child who is excited about Christmas trees and presents, but comes to realize that Christmas...
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It's the Real Thing
Pupils listen to a read-aloud of Shel Silverstein's, The Giving Tree, identifying which parts of the story and which are make believe.
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Fantasies and Myths
Fourth graders listen to the book, THE GIVING TREE and discuss what genre category they believe the story fits into and why. They read of of the myths on the website on the computers and then come back together as a group and discuss...
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Fantasies and Myths
Fourth graders examine different types of literature, specifically myths and fantasy. They listen to "The Giving Tree", identify in which genre of literature it belongs, and view several myths on a website. At end of lesson, 4th...
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Find the Meaning of Christmas with Charlie Brown
The spirit of the holidays can shine through with an exploration of A Charlie Brown Christmas and activities that focus on giving.
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Where'd You Get Those Genes?
Really a unit, this resource exposes middle schoolers to genetics at their level. They read interviews and biographies, trace a family tree, play games that simulate inheritance concepts, and more! Teacher's procedures, student...
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First Day of School: I'll Get to Know You
Students participate in a letter matching game that pairs students so that they can introduce a new friend. They listen to the Shel Silverstein book, The Giving Tree and write a letter to the class telling them what they will give to the...
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Giving
Students analyze the true meaning of giving in this three part instructional activity. First, the students make a fanciful wish for a loved one. Second, they students make hand-made presents such as stepping-stones for the school...
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This Land is Your Land: Volunteering in the Community
Students discover what a Relief Office does. For this volunteer lesson, students investigate what a Relief Office does, and who helps run it. Students discuss ways he/she could become a volunteer.
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Presents
In this short-answer worksheet, students answer 14 questions about giving and receiving presents with a partner.
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Friends
First graders use the software Inspiration to create a web describing characteristics of a good friend. With the use of a digital camera and PowerPoint, 1st graders create "Friends Found" posters after reading the book, "Don't Need...
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Tree of Giving
Students work together as a team to solve the hypothetical common problem of litter. They give examples of organizations that focus on trying to help others in significant ways (volunteers). Each group maps out their strategy, a tree...
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Giving an Outdoor Play
Students reenact a popular book while using their outdoor playground as the stage. In this dramatic interpretation lesson, students follow oral narration to act out events in a story. They use monkey bars as the setting for the story,...
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Seasons
First graders investigate the four seasons of the year. In this seasons lesson plan, 1st graders identify the correct order of seasons, discover different climates, and examine how to dress appropriately for each season.
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Earth Day and "The Lorax" Lesson Plans
Earth Day can be a way for students to explore their relationship to the world around them and read great literature like "The Lorax."