Chains of History Change the Future

Funded Apr 13, 2016

The impact this project has had on our students has been astounding. Some students have been moved to create dozens of posters against bullying at home and hang them in all of the K-5 halls at school. Other students have began standing up for others at recess when they see a student being mistreated. When we watch ChannelOne News, they recognize the ways teenagers and adults are advocating for others in the world today; they are moved and inspired by it. Our principal said that our 4th graders have been grappling with some very big ideas on changing the world and that they've already began to make changes in our school.

Our students were fortunate enough to meet and speak with Kenton Lee, who created "The Shoe that Grows" to help protect children in Africa (and now around the world) from soil based diseases. They also discovered how children in certain countries wish only for clean water and how some students would risk their lives against the Taliban just to go to school to receive an education. They experienced the struggles people willingly go through to have the opportunities they may sometimes take for granted.

As part of our unit, students were essentially transformed into a true Jewish Holocaust victim by wearing a nametag with a picture and information in class every day while reading Elly. They had to write their identification numbers on their forearms and be ushered into different directions each day, sometimes to a work camp (where they had to put on costumes and clean the cafeteria under strict conditions), other times to a crowded "gas chamber" where they felt the panic and fear that may have been experienced by the victim on their nametags.

Throughout our novels, students dove into discussions on slavery and caste systems, which lead to deep discussion on modern day discrimination and how discrimination can come in many forms. They taught each other about what they learned and brainstormed ways to promote equality through creating commercials, making morning announcements, and paying it forward to others less fortunate than them. A few of our students even took it upon themselves to collect donations in the community for charities.

The greatest blessing of this unit though, was seeing the eyes of 34 students light up, each one at a time, when they realized that they possess the power with in themselves to make the world a better place--to change the world. They realized they didn't necessarily need money or influence, but that knowledge is power and that perseverance is the key to success. They learned that just because something is, doesn't mean it has to be; that they can stand up and speak out to help others.

From the deepest parts of my heart, I cannot thank you enough for helping bring this project to life. The ways you've touched the hearts of these students has been so moving that it brings tears to my eyes. It makes me proud to be a part of the education field, as well as proud to live in a country where others see the value in diversity and equality and are willing to help educators instill those same values into our students.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Rudan