This past week has been the first back-to-school-week for staff where I teach. Today I met with the director for Student Service Learning at my school to finalize details for the Hearts for Haiti Student Service Learning Project. I initially thought it could be an after-school experience for the children. However, one of the stipulations of student service learning is that it take place during the school day. We ironed out all the details and agreed that this would be best suited to take place during my 6th grade classes each quarter. I was really happy about this for many reasons:
1. I get to repeat the experience for a new group of kids every nine weeks when the class lists change.
2. Having it during the school day ensures that the children receive credit for student service learning hours.
3. The 6th grade social studies classes study the history of many different regions of Africa. Haiti was the very first independent black nation when slaves revolted from their French masters in about 1804.
4. The age for children who get accepted into Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel must be between 6 to 11 years of age. My 6th graders are about 11 years old and just starting in a new school. They can relate to the age of the children in Jacmel who may just be starting their new school.
5. Since I teach every 6th grader in the school over the course of a year, about 240 children will have participated in Hearts for Haiti by June!!!!
Studies do show that if children of the middle school age are exposed to opportunities to volunteer and give selflessly to others, they are statistically far more likely to become philanthropic adults! Giving never really stops. The ripples of good it creates can continue on and on, from one person to the next.
Here's to making great waves!!
(photo: blue heart in hand c) nancyleemitchell 2009)
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