The 6th graders in our middle school just completed a unit called, "Be the Change." They chose to help Darfur refugees in Sudan by raising money to purchase solar cookers. When the NJ Coalition for Darfur found out we were doing this, they were very interested because we were the first middle school to help. They wanted us to create curriculum and a presentation to show to other middle schools. The curriculum is not complete yet, but here is a slide show:
The students were amazing; whether it was figuring out the marketing plan for the bracelets, making posters and flyers, giving up their lunch to sell bracelets, dancing for bracelets, counting money, we never heard one complaint. They always wanted to do more. We have sold almost 1000 bracelets and made enough money to buy about 80 solar cookers.
Mr. Barkley Calkins, Director of the Nonprofit Sector Resource Institute, a funded arm of Seton Hall University’s Center for Public Service, is coming to speak to our 6th graders about public service and the situation in Darfur.
We cannot wait until warm weather, we are going to build an attempt to use solar cookers in the parking lot!
1 comment:
The issues you are addressing here are ones that our high school seniors will be looking at next year in a brand new course aimed at how tragedies like Darfur happen. You are truly dealing with real-world issues, and making a huge difference in the lives of people who desperately need it.
We are so proud of all of you here at the Board Office. Under the direction of your teachers, but truly powered by your hard work and energy, you have become the change.
What will you take away from doing this work? How did it change you?
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