CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Philanthropy – The Secret Santa Club

Philanthropy is helping others by giving time, money, or resources. It can include direct giving or organizing events to help provide support for causes.

Philanthropy
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Caring
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Curiosity and Passion
  • Effective Problem Solving

Definitions

Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.
Caring
  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Good Citizenship
  • Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.
Relationship Skills

Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.

Social Awareness

Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Critical and Creative Thinking

Acquire, remember, understand, and apply knowledge.

Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them.

Effective Problem Solving

Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
Share This Activity
The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Students will identify opportunities to demonstrate philanthropy in their community and create a plan of action.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • When have you helped another person or group? Maybe you volunteered your time, donated items, or participated in a charity event.
    • Why did you choose that cause?
  • What does philanthropy mean?
    • Philanthropy is charitable acts that help others.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • In the video, we saw the students draw inspiration from a Secret Santa donating money to people in their community. What can we take away from watching the students in this video?
  • Is age a requirement to engage in philanthropy? Why or why not?
  • What does the video teach us about how communities support one another?
  • The Secret Santa project was conducted during the winter holidays. How can we engage in philanthropy and acts of service all year?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Paper
  • Chart paper for each group
  • Chart markers for each group
  • Five small stickers for each student
activity

Activity: Philanthropy Project

  • Assign students to small groups to brainstorm possible philanthropy projects for the class.
  • Instruct the students to write down as many ideas as they can.
    • Remind them that brainstorming should consist of sharing and writing down all ideas. Encourage them not to analyze whether an idea will work during the brainstorming session. Remind them that there are no bad or impossible ideas in brainstorming.
  • Ask the small groups to refine their list to the best two ideas.
    • The class will need to complete the project, so you may need to modify their projects to meet any restrictions or limitations.
  • Have each group write their two ideas on their chart paper. Hang up the chart paper so the entire class can review each group’s ideas.
  • Once all of the ideas are posted, students will vote for the projects they would like to complete as a class. They will vote with their five stickers by applying a sticker next to the ideas they like best.
  • Tally the votes. The idea with the most votes will be the philanthropy project.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • What will it take to complete the philanthropy project the class chose?
    • What are the roles and responsibilities of the philanthropy project?
    • Are there people or organizations that can help you complete your project or grow your impact?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What cause or issue in your community is important to you? Why?
  • How can you start to make a difference for that cause?

6-12

  • What are the issues or concerns in your community that are negatively impacting people? Is there one that you are passionate about? What makes you passionate about that issue?
  • How can you start to make an impact in your community through your contribution of time, money, or resources?
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents, or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about philanthropy.

  • Who do we know that demonstrates philanthropy? What can we learn from them?
  • Are there opportunities for us to develop family traditions that include helping those in need?
    • The holidays are a great time to participate in philanthropic acts like food drives for local food banks, volunteering at an assisted living home, creating cards for service members, or spreading joy with random acts of kindness.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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