I’m in a Tizzy! How Can I Help? 

• define the term philanthropy.
• define unconditional kindness.
• hypothesize why certain events take place.
• brainstorm how to show kindness to others

• Story Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray
• School/Home Connection – Learner copies of Handout One: My Act of Kindness
• (Optional – Art Connection) Socks, wiggly eyes, felt and glue

• Anticipatory Set: Ask the students to think about family members or the people that live in their neighborhood. Do they know their neighbors? Do they like to do things with their family members or any of their neighbors? Ask for volunteers to share with the class some of the things that they do with these people. Can they think of something kind that they or their family has done for a neighbor or, can they think of something kind that a family member or neighbor has done for them? Ask students to share any experience and talk about how it made them feel. Hold up a copy of the book Miss Tizzy. Ask the students to share what they think the book might be about.
• Do a picture walk-through of the story and ask how Miss Tizzy is the same or different from people they know and with whom they spend time. Discuss the pictures to identify how the characters feel about Miss Tizzy based on what they see in their facial expressions.
• Read the book to the class, having the children interact with the pages and what the characters in the story are doing.
• Ask students what it means when we say "a good deed done for others will come back to you." Have them give examples from Miss Tizzy. Ask students if they think it is hard to be nice to someone. Does it take a little extra effort or time? Would the results of friendship be worth the extra time or effort?
• Write the word philanthropy on the board. Ask for volunteers to share what they think the word means. Tell them that the word philanthropy means "giving of your time, talent or treasure for others." Discuss why philanthropy is a desirable thing, using examples from the story and real life. Explain that doing acts of kindness is one way of being a "philanthropist."
• Ask students to reflect on whether there is someone in their lives (in their class, school, family, neighborhood) who needs a little extra help or a kind word. Ask each student to make a plan for something they could do for someone else. Explain that they will be taking home a note to their families, asking them to help in doing an act of kindness. (Handout One: My Act of Kindness). They should write or draw their plan, carry it out, evaluate how the plan worked and how it felt. (It may be as simple as a phone call to a lonely relative or bringing a treat to an elderly neighbor.)

Assess whether students can name the days of the week. Evaluate student understanding of the benefits of philanthropy through their participation in the discussion and the results of their plan.