October 7, 2010

By: Celia R. from Bronx, NY
Comments: 28

Posted By: Celia Reddick
On: 9/19/2007 9:15:04 PM

I recently embarked on the first day of "advisory", and was blown away by my students' desire to affect change in this mentoring scenario. I asked students what they wanted to get out of advisory - some requested information about STDs, pregnancy, abuse, college, etc., topics which I expected and appreciated. I was amazed, however, by how many suggested community service and civic action. I look forward to working with them next week to brainstorm ideas and get started on their excitement! Has anyone else had similar experiences lately?

Posted By: Michelle Dalton
On: 10/5/2007 1:12:43 PM

I head a service club at the middle school level and held an informational meeting (as I do every year) and was really pleased at the number of kids who came back from last year to join again this year. When I asked them what they liked best about the club they all named projects we worked on that were truly difficult projects...only one said they liked getting into our dances for free! I agree that kids rock...my students don't have a lot but they are soooo giving! I have found a lot of resources on service projects since my post about service projects earlier in the week. There are literally books on the subject. Dig in! You won't regret it! Michelle

Posted By: Natashia James
On: 10/8/2007 10:54:17 AM

I have not any experiences with this area, however, it sounds great! I would get started ASAP while they are wanting to be involved. Good Luck with your student turn out! Keep us posted on what project you do and how it turned out.

Posted By: Cynthia Eaton
On: 4/15/2008 7:08:57 PM

I inititiated a few simple steps to begin recycling at Sacajawea Middle School and a core group of eco warriors have taken over: they are working very hard on an Earth Day Project!! I used Paul Polak's design principal for the Other 90% as the the starting point for the inmitiative--going back 40 years and puting oput two aluminum garbage cans with signs, print outs from 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth--and a few or Chris Archer's dramatic photos. I have students going through school garbage cans to fish out plastic bottles and aluminum!! The care deeply--and they REALLY ROCK!

Posted By: Christian Paulino
On: 4/21/2008 2:17:10 PM

That sounds awesome! I would love to talk to my history and living environment co-workers to see if we can work out something so the kids can connect to this.

Posted By: kathleen aacosta
On: 4/21/2008 7:05:20 PM

I am not able to do a recycling project with my studets, but I am sending your idea to my son's middle school. He thinks itwould be fun to do. He wants them to make the flyers to handout at the schools festival in May.

Posted By: Elizabeth Fletcher
On: 4/30/2008 4:39:39 PM

Instead of flyers, how about a few students with t-shirts or signs who move about the festival giving out information. Seems a little more environmentally friendly.

Posted By: Brittain Villaflor
On: 5/3/2008 12:52:47 PM

I've definitely seen the impact the studying of recycling can have on kids. I teach 1st/2nd grade and I also have a daughter in Kindergarten at my school. Her class did an expedition (we're an ELOB school) on recycling and she really took it to heart. They did surveys with kids of all grades at the school concerning the types of items thrown away, visited our local (Washington, DC) trash dump and re-implemented the recycling program at our school. Seeing 5 and 6 year olds taking ownership over their use, reuse and recycling of materials is amazing to see. I can attest that this study has made that way of thinking part of the way they will grow up.

Posted By: Mercedes Kuehner
On: 11/27/2009 1:16:28 PM

You know when I read this conversation, I was attracted to the title. But it occurs to me that when I set up outside programs to come in to our school, I have never asked the students what they would like to know about. That is probably why other programs have failed. I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but thanks for the reality check.

Posted By: Jeffrey Sadoff
On: 11/30/2009 3:51:53 PM

Our middle school has a service club that supports the teachers within the school and outside organizations to which we donate time and money. I find that the students really do see the difference they make in people's lives. They are also developing responsiblity and habits of success. Merit Club is a place for students to shine. JSadoff