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Karma Tycoon Video Game Study Guide Unit
Cities and NonProfit Data
Language Arts, Math, Social Studies
9, 10, 11, 12
Title – Karma Tycoon Video Game Study Guide Unit
Pre-Game Lesson Plan 1:
What is a Nonprofit Organization?
|Study Guide by|| Do Something
The JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Primary Subject – Social Studies
Secondary Subjects – Language Arts, Math
Grade Level – 9-12
A STUDY GUIDE
8) Pre-Game Lesson Plan 1:
What is a Nonprofit Organization?
|TABLE OF CONTENTS:
LESSON PLAN 1
|What Is a Nonprofit Organization?|
- To understand the concept of a nonprofit organization
- To learn ways in which nonprofits give back to the community
- Types of Nonprofits Handout
- Types of Nonprofits Worksheet
- Explain to students that they are going to play the Karma Tycoon video game, in which they will run nonprofit organizations in their choice of eleven cities across the country.
Quick Content Lesson: Nonprofit (10-15 min.)
- Write “Nonprofit” on chart paper so students can read it easily. Explain to students that a nonprofit organization is abbreviated as “NPO”, “nonprofit”, or “not-for-profit”.
- Define the words “nonprofit” and “mission statement.” Explain how a non-profit differs from a for-profit institution. Explain tax-exempt status 501(c)3 and how a mission statement communicates a company’s core values and goals.
- Refer students back to the Karma Tycoon video game and explain how non-profits fit into the game. The types of nonprofits include homeless shelters, animal shelters, performing arts centers, senior centers, and youth centers. Pass out copies of the Types of Nonprofits Handout. Ask students to read and discuss with a partner.
- Add the words “Karma” and “Tycoon” to the chart paper and ask the students to help you define the name “Karma Tycoon.”
Checking Prior Knowledge (15-20 min.)
- Create and post a chart titled “Types of Nonprofits” with three columns. Label the first column, “Nonprofit Example” label the second, “Service,” and the third, “Target Population.”
- Explain to students that there are several types of nonprofits including arts and culture organizations, environmental organizations, foundations, hospitals, schools, colleges, relief organizations, religious organizations, and youth organizations. Beginning with the first column, create a list of all the nonprofits students can think of.
- In the second column, next to each organization, create a list of the different services provided by each nonprofit mentioned.
- In the third column, identify the target population that the nonprofit helps. Try to connect each item across the columns. For example, the Northeast Animal Shelter is an animal shelter that provides the service of housing homeless, lost, or abandoned animals; their target population is dogs and cats.
Class Discussion: Nonprofits in Your Life (10-15 min.)
- Pass out copies of the Types of Nonprofits Worksheet.
- Challenge students to think of obscure organizations or organizations that people might not think are nonprofits. Ask students to explore the importance of nonprofits to communities.
- Observe and document student participation during the lesson. The Types of Nonprofits Worksheet may be used to evaluate student involvement within a group setting.
- Ask students to compare the mission statement of two different of nonprofits. What are the similarities and differences in the way they present themselves? Would you donate money or volunteer at these organizations? Why or why not?
- Ask students to research and make a list of socially responsible and socially irresponsible businesses.
- Have each student pick one company from each list then ask them to research each company further. What makes a company socially responsible? What makes a company socially irresponsible? What are the different criteria? What are the criteria that you value most in a company? Are these the same criteria that your classmates value?
Name____________________________________ Date ______________________
Types of NonProfits Worksheet
|Nonprofit Example||Service||Target Population|
Arts and Culture Organization: