Charity Begins at School
Pairs of students will design, plan, and create an imaginary fundraiser for a charitable organization.
Grade Level: 9 - 12th
Length of Time: 3-4 Class Periods
Common Core Alignment
CCSS.Math.Content.HSF.LE.A.2 - Construct linear and exponential functions, including arithmetic and geometric sequences, given a graph, a description of a relationship, or two input-output pairs (include reading these from a table).
Objectives & Outcomes
The students will be able to analyze the needs of a charitable organization, and then design and plan an imaginary and creative event/program to raise funds for the organization.
Access to the Internet or other resources to research charitable organizations, display boards, Power Point program or other needs for students’ classroom presentations
Prepare ahead of time: Example of recent fundraisers held by charities to raise money for various needs.
Opening to Lesson
- As students walk into the classroom, the teacher will hold out a container asking students for small donations for a charity. (Tell each student to remember what they give. This is in order to return the money later.)
- Ask students how they feel about charitable giving and if any of them have ever been involved in a fundraiser, even by volunteering or giving.
- Allow responses and discuss the different events.
Body of Lesson
- Display some of the events the students mention
- Ask students which of the events would probably raise the least or most amount of funds
- Ask students which one sounds like the most or least fun
- Ask students: What would you change about each event?
- Allow for responses. Tell students they will be creating a fundraising event.
- Distribute the prepared rubric for the assignment
- Assign students in pairs.
- Go over the rubric checklist and answer any questions students may have about it
- Tell students the fundraiser can last no longer than 3 days, but must last at least one day.
- The students will then use the Internet or other resources to choose a real charitable organization to discover their needs.
- The students must decide on a fundraising goal and time frame
- Encourage students to be creative with their ideas
- Next, the students will spend time designing and planning a fundraiser to reach the goal.
- The students must create equations for number of participants expected, donated money, etc., and how the goal will be accomplished
- The expenses must also be considered, volunteers needed, etc.
- Communication of the fundraiser to possible participants
- Finally, the students will be required to present all information, ideas, and other data to the class during a presentation
- For homework, have students write a short essay about the experience, what they learned and why it is important to plan ahead for events such as fundraisers.
Allow students to share some of their homework responses. Ask students what some of the obstacles might be in having fundraisers.
Assessment & Evaluation
Rubrics to determine the students included the details needed in planning the event, presentation, etc.
Modification & Differentiation
Students do the research individually or in larger groups. Use local charitable organizations. Allow the class to pick the best fundraiser and follow through with it as a school event. Have students write letters to the charitable organization outlining the idea. Increase or decrease the time limit of the event.
Learn more about Math teachers.
Related Lesson Plans
Pairs of students will do an environmental impact study for local development near the school or another area.
Students will research a historical event, “change history” by asking a “What if…” question. The students will rewrite new information based on their research using the same era and people involved to realistically alter the outcome of the event(s).
Students will cooperatively research music from the past 5 or 10 decades and compare and contrast the lyrics with historical events/culture of the decade, answering the question: How does/did history affect music and lyrics?
Students will research several historic events in history concentrating on the years they occurred and attempt to create pneumonic devices to help match the correct year to the event.
Ready to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Education? Make it Your Time!
Teacher.org’s lesson plans encourage conceptual understanding and lifelong learning skills in students as well as empower and motivate teachers.
Are you currently teaching but have the desire to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education? Follow your passion for teaching but at the same time give yourself the tools to further your career and learning. Whether it’s higher salaries, advanced career opportunities, or leadership positions, earning your Master’s Degree in Education is one worth pursuing. Make it your time!