I Feel Angry or Sad When… (3-5)

3, 4, 5

To engage students in cooperative learning activities to identify proper procedures for common school activities that promote the common good.

PrintThree Forty-Minute Class Periods.

The learner will:

  • brainstorm school experiences where students have the choice to act respectfully.
  • incorporate vocabulary applicable to philanthropy themes in conversation.
  • distinguish selfish and selfless actions relating to school procedures and rules.
  • engage in a learner-produced dramatic exhibition contrasting selfish and selfless behaviors.
  • demonstrate through his/her drama the relationship between behaviors and how the behaviors relate to the common good.
  • identify in scenarios how the rule of law promotes the common good.
  • identify instances through drama when a student does not need the teacher’s permission to act for the common good.
  • Scenario cards
  • Attachment One: Scenario Cards and Attachment Two: Family Letter
  • Writing and drawing utensils
  • Paper
Home Connection 

Attachment Two: Family Letter Complete with family member.


  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Teacher will enter room displaying inappropriate classroom procedures. Two students should work with teacher so the teacher can do the following activities: cut in line, interrupt, push, tattle, etc. Have class members identify the negative behaviors and consequences, and the positive alternatives and consequences. Develop a definition of common good and relate that to school and classroom climate.

    Day One:

  2. Students and teacher will meet in a circle. Each student will respond to the following statement: “I feel angry or sad when…” The students will then divide a paper into two parts. They will choose one of the ideas discussed at circle time and illustrate, using words or pictures, the behavior practiced correctly and incorrectly.

  3. Incorporate philanthropy terminology into conversation for later use in scenarios.

  4. Altruism

    (n) Selfless concern for the welfare of others – altruist (n), altruistic (adj.), altruistically (adv.)

    Common good

    (n) Involves individual citizens having the commitment and motivation to promote the welfare of the community (even if they must sacrifice their own time, personal preferences or money) to work together with other members for the greater benefit of all.


    (v) To work together toward a common cause – cooperation (n), cooperator (n)


    (n) Identification with and understanding the feelings of another person – empathetic (adj.), empathic (adj.)

    Ennobled self


    Ethical decision-making


  5. Assign School/Home Connection.

  6. Day Two:

  7. Break the students into five groups. Have each group draw a scenario card. See Attachment One: Scenario Cards . The group will then brainstorm ways to act out the scenario in two ways; one in which the rules are followed appropriately, one in which proper rules are ignored. The students will act in both selfish and selfless ways. They must involve each student and be ready to perform their dramatic representation on the following day.


The teacher will determine from student illustrations if the students understand the concepts of selfish and selfless behaviors. The teacher will observe the performances and look for evidence of students demonstrating both selfish and selfless behaviors. The students will orally identify the desirable behavior for proper procedures at school. Evaluate the group work using the following rubric: 4 points: Group worked cooperatively, each member assuming an area of responsibility, cards assigned demonstrated accurately, philanthropy vocabulary terms associated with lesson performed with competency. All social studies and art content standards demonstrated with 90% or greater accuracy. Each member demonstrated listening skills during other presentations. Each member participated in discussions. 3 points: Group worked cooperatively, with each member participating 80% of social studies, and art objectives met. Philanthropy concepts demonstrated in presentation. Members participated in discussing other group presentation. 2 points: Not all group members participated in creating their assigned scenarios. Group did not present selfish and selfless behaviors. Less than 60 % of content standards and benchmarks in art and social studies were met. Participation in group discussion of others was limited. 1 point: While an attempt was made, scenarios were not completed and only one behavior was demonstrated. Content standards were not met. Group members did not participate in discussions of other presentations. 0 points: No attempt was made by the group members and no scenarios were produced.

Cross Curriculum 

See Lesson Six: Is There a Stone in My Soup?

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
    2. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
    3. Standard PCS 05. Philanthropy and Government
      2. Benchmark E.8 Describe classroom behaviors that help the students learn.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy