MyImpact Challenge: Charity & Community

Examine how Americans have participated in charitable associations in the past before exploring possible connections between their own project ideas and current charitable organizations. Use this peer review activity to help students reflect on and refine their project plan.

Lesson Four – Charity and Community

Americans have been solving problems through private charity for centuries, and our country has a long and strong history of voluntary associations. French observer Alexis de Tocqueville even wrote about associations as a uniquely American way of pursuing the common good.  

In this lesson, you’ll learn about the history of charity in America, and take part in a charitable brainstorming exercise from Benjamin Franklin himself. Is charitable activity the best approach for your project? 

Objectives:

• Define charity and describe the importance of charitable associations in American society.
• Analyze charts and graphs to describe the character of American charitable giving.
• Determine connections between your project and charitable associations using Benjamin Franklin’s Junto club’s questions.
• Assess your own and peer’s project plan and reflect on chances to improve your current plan.

Student Materials:

• Activity 4: Charity & Community (PDF)
• Activity 4: Charity & Community (Word)

Check out our other lessons at the links below: 

Lesson One – Identifying Your Problem 

Lesson Two – Defining Citizenship

Lesson Three – Government and Community

Lesson Five – Entrepreneurship and Community

Lesson Six – Finalizing Your Project