It seems there has been a steady flow of disasters affecting people all around the world. The most recent include the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the tornadoes in the southern United States. I teach 7th graders who often start class asking if I have heard about the latest headlines or I begin by asking the same. (This included birds falling from the sky in Arkansas in January.) I always give class time for students to share what they have heard or seen and ask questions.
I feel it is important for students to be given the opportunity to have discussions about science because it is rarely the topic for conversation with their friends or at home. Often, students make their own connections to scientific concepts or draw conclusions based on what has been shared. I bring in articles from the newspaper and magazines to start some of our conversations. Other times, I go to the web to get the latest updates or for clarification. We not only discuss the science part of the topic, but include how it impacts their lives or those of people they know.
I have never asked my students what they thought they might do to help those in need because so many of my students are in need of some kind of assistance. Usually, there is a small group of students in the school that starts some kind of drive and advertises over our morning announcements. One of the most successful fundraising efforts was a penny war between grade levels after the earthquake in Haiti. I always donate through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) because they are among the first to arrive. I would worry about promoting any kind of help that is connected to a church because of that line separating church and state. In the future, I will try to solicit more ideas from my students about what they think would be a way to help those in need. It is very possible that we could be the next community in need of others' help.
UMCOR information found at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/
The Washington Post. 2011. Dead birds fall from the sky. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/05/AR2011010502625.html
I love that you start class with the latest news headline. I teach 3rd grade; I think this would be a great way to get them more involved with the world around them. My school also does a penny war, but ours is "pennies for patients". So many of the students get excited because they feel they are making a difference with the pennies that they find.
ReplyDeleteSW
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand how it is difficult to suggest particular charities, and I wanted to suggest a website that might be of help:
http://www.dosomething.org/
When the tsunami struck Japan, my son's school folded paper cranes, which were then turned in and converted to a monetary donation. I really liked this idea because it didn't separate the children based on their ability to contribute financially. Amy