Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Unit Overview:
Woody Guthrie sang songs of the spirit of the American land and its people. He had strong beliefs about how to make the world a better and fairer place for all. He wrote in a songbook, “When there shall be no want among you, because you’ll own everything in common…Common means all of us.” See Bibliographical References. The Woody Guthrie song This Land is Your Land is used to communicate the concepts of philanthropy, private property and “commons.” These concepts will be defined and described. The illustrations in This Land Is Your Land will enable the learner to distinguish “commons” areas. “Commons” areas in the school will also be identified. The need for “commons,” and the responsibility to care for “commons”will become clear.
Unit Purpose:
In this unit Woody’s legacy continues to inspire and educate about the need for “commons” in our communities. The Woody Guthrie song This Land is Your Land is used to communicate the concepts of philanthropy, private property and “commons.” These concepts will be defined and described. The illustrations in This Land Is Your Land will enable the learner to distinguish “commons” areas. “Commons” areas in the school will also be identified. The need for “commons,” and the responsibility to care for “commons”will become clear.
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- explain that when "commons" are involved people need to take personal responsibility to act for the common good.
- differentiate between private property and "commons."
Service Experience:
In Lesson Three: What's Public? What's Private?, students will design posters to share with other students in the school regarding the care of the commons areas in the school. Lesson Five: Let's Celebrate Our Land! contains instructions for putting on a program. The learners will narrate what they have learned during the unit. Parents or other classes could be invited for the celebration.
Unit Assessment:
Assessment will be made on teacher observation of learner participation and completion of activities. Scoring guides will also be used.
School/Home Connection:
See Lesson Three: What's Public? What's Private?
Notes for Teaching:
To be able to do Lesson Five: Let's Celebrate Our Land!, students will have to learn the song. It could be sung any time you have a few minutes (before lunch, recess or going home, or any time you can fit it into your day).
Bibliographical References:
- [1] Woody Guthrie and The American Spirit. http://www.let.uu.nl/ams/xroads/guthrie.htm
- Guthrie, Woody and Kathy Jakobsen. This Land is Your Land. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1998. ISBN: 1-57940-005-1, Cassette. ASIN: B000003H1, CD.
- Guthrie, Woody and Arlo Guthrie. This Land is Your Land. Rounder Kids C8050. Rounder Records Corp., 1997. ISBN: 1-57940-005-1, Cassette. ASIN: B000003H1, CD.
- Guthrie, Woody. This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings. Vol.1. Smithsonian Folkways, 1997. ASIN: B000001DJY, CD.
- Seeger, Pete. Interlude #2: A Link in the Chain. Sony/Columbian, 1996. ASIN: B000002ABB, CD.
- Seeger, Pete. Children's Concert at Townhall. Sony/Columbian, 1990. ASIN: B000002740, CD. ASIN: B00000274P, Cassette.
- Weavers. The Best of the Weavers. Vanguard, 1998. ASIN: B000007MZT, CD. ASIN: B000007MUZ, Cassette.
- There is an animated version of the recording that is being used in this lesson: Guthrie, Woody and Arlo Guthrie. This Land Is Your Land. Rounder Records. Video: This Land Is Your Land, VHS, LIVE Entertainment/Family Home Entertainment. ASIN:6304366140
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed By:
Lynn Chamberlain
Central Elementary School
Munising Public Schools
124 E Chocolay
Munising, MI 49862
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
