What+is+a+learning+community?

**FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL:[[image:school64_small.gif align="right"]]**
This idea could be used as an immersion activity to developing your class learning expectations. Modelled first, children could create their own symbols for their classroom community and what it means to them..... [|From Building our Classroom Community] By - Lorrie Soria Primary Subject - Social Studies

"On the first day of school, I want my students to know that they are part of a classroom community. On their desks when they arrive, they find a plastic zipper bag containing several items and an index card with the significance of each of the items. The items usually include:
 * //a box of multi-cultural crayons, because it doesn't matter what we look like, we are part of a set;//
 * //an eraser, because it is okay to make mistakes in our classroom;//
 * //a gold star, because everyone in our classroom is a star;//
 * //a small kaleidoscope, because there are many different ways to see a problem and find a solution;//
 * //a piece of wrapped candy, to remind us to keep our words sweet when we speak to and about our classmates;//
 * //a glue stick, because as a class we need to stick together and stick up for one another//

Though many of my students ask if they can take the bags home, I encourage them to keep them in their desks until the end of school. This way, they are reminded of the values and principles we share every time they look into their desks. I am always pleasantly surprised, and quite pleased, in June when most of the kids pull out their bags to take home.

If you want to spark discussion, you could hold onto the index cards, and ask the students to share what they think the significance of each item is. Their ideas might spark some more ideas for you!"

PHILANTHROPY:
Adapted ffrom Lesson Developed and Piloted by: Lynn Chamberlain, Central Elementary School, Munising Public Schools, Munising, MI 49862

[[image:Jumping_Girl.jpg align="right"]]

 * ====Duration: A mini inquiry - mainly with 1x 45 minute period====
 * Kindergarten-2nd GradeSubjects:
 * Language Arts and Social Studies
 * **ELA:** || Brainstorming; Constructing Meaning; Expository Writing ||
 * **PHIL:** || Caring; Caring/Sharing; Common Good; Community; Cooperate; Giving; Helping; LEAGUE Event Lesson: Intro to Philanthropy; Philanthropic Act; School Climate; Time/Talent/Treasure; Trust ||
 * **SOC:** || Common Good; Communities; Family; School Community ||

**Purpose:**
The students recognize that their classroom is a community because the students are brought together for a common purpose. The students are encouraged to be philanthropic within their classroom, school and family. They analyze how philanthropy and trust affect the common good of the community

**Objectives:**
//The learner will://
 * recognize that the classroom is a community of people with a common purpose.
 * demonstrate sharing time, talent or treasure in the classroom community.
 * give examples of when he/she can do something philanthropic without permission.
 * state why trust is important in a community.
 * define **//philanthropy//** as //sharing of time, talent or treasure for the common good.//

**Materials:**

 * Index cards
 * Pencils

**Instructional Procedure(s):**
__Anticipatory Set:__ Ask for a volunteer. Give the student an index card with a philanthropic deed printed or illustrated on it (Ideas: Offer to sharpen a pencil for someone. Share something with another student. Offer to initiate a group game. Offer to clean up a mess in the room.) Have the student do the act for someone in the room. Repeat with two more students and cards. Ask the participating students how it felt to be the giver and receiver. Discuss how each act is good for the community/common good.


 * Write the word **//community//** on the whiteboard. Brainstorm - Let the students define it in their own words. Come up with a definition - e.g. That a community is a group of people that live in the same area and come together for a common purpose or for the common good.
 * What Is Our Purpose? Why do we come to school?
 * Discuss in what ways the classroom fits that definition and can be considered a community. Ask the students what attributes, behaviors and actions make the classroom a great community. Make a list of positive things they can do in the school and classroom without permission.
 * Review the definition of philanthropy as giving of your time, talent or treasure for the common good. Point out that many of the deeds they listed on the board are acts of philanthropy. Help the students to classify their list into three categories—//sharing time// (playing at breaktrimes), //sharing talent// (helping with work), and //sharing treasure// (sharing your specialness).
 * Discuss what it means to trust each other. What does trust feel like? Discuss how or why trust matters within the classroom community. Without trust, how will people feel about accepting acts of philanthropy?
 * Give the students the index cards and have each student write or draw one philanthropic act he or she can perform in the classroom or school. They should think about and be ready to explain how that act provides for the common good for the school/classroom community.
 * Encourage the students to carry out the philanthropic act sometime in the next few days. After a few days, discuss how students feel about their classroom/school community. Ask if (and how) this activity has improved the common good of the community. Encourage the students to continue to share their time, talent and treasure with others to build up positive feelings and trust in the community (social/community capital). Does this activity help improve the classroom’s purpose (improve their ability to learn)? Discuss what it means that “citizens” have responsibility for the common good. Why are these acts their **//responsibility//** and not just something extra?

**Assessment:**
After a few days, have a debriefing discussion. Discuss how students feel about their classroom/school community as a giver and receiver. Ask if (and how) this activity has improved the common good of the community. Encourage the students to continue to share their time, talent and treasure with others to build up positive feelings and trust in the community. Does this activity help improve the classroom’s purpose (improve their ability to learn)? Evaluate students’ understanding of philanthropy, community and common good.