Decatur sixth-graders get lesson in helping others
DECATUR — “Why should we as people support a nonprofit organization that benefits children?,” is the opening question in an essay written by Jacey Smith, a sixth-grader at Decatur Middle School. Her answer, “Children are the future of our society, so we need to help them.”
Jacey was referring to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. The organization, founded in 1912, helps children throughout the state with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
Jacey was one of 31 sixthgraders involved in a project organized by Jessica Hartman and Lavonn Foreman to teach their students the meaning of helping others.
While on a trip to San Diego, Calif., Hartman visited a school that used this project in its active curriculum. She liked the concept and, with the help of Foreman, implemented a similar program at Decatur Middle School.
The students were tasked with choosing a nonprofit organization that helped not only children but also adults, either locally, statewide or nationally. The project was split into two parts. The first part required students to research and write a two-part essay, one informative, the other descriptive. Hartman oversaw this part. The second part of the project required students to design a lantern that best depicts using geometry. Foreman oversaw this part.
The results surprised both teachers. The level of understanding the sixth-graders displayed in grasping the concepts behind these organizations far exceeded that of most adults. The sixth-graders concluded that all people, whether adults or children, need to get involved in at least one of these organizations. Whether it be financial donations, items such as food and water or volunteering time, people can help give others in need a fighting chance at a happy and healthy life.
For Caden Owens, the choice of the Arkansas Hands and Voices was personal. He is hearing-impaired and this organization was able to assist Caden’s family in obtaining the devices (normally around $5,000 apiece) he needed. In fact, Caden’s project was adopted by Arkansas Hands and Voices as an aid to spread the word about the work it does. His essay explained the group’s goals, history and its growth.
“Arkansas Hands and Voices is the name of the organization whose sole purpose is to help kids with hearing disabilities. The history of Arkansas Hands and Voices is very interesting for many reasons. In the 1990s, it started in Colorado with deaf and hearing-impaired adults. In the beginning, it offered Colorado memberships for anyone who wanted to join individually, including those from other states. Today the membership continues to grow individually and collectively with new chapters emerging, not only in the U.S., but in other countries across the world,” Caden wrote.
Aly Cordova’s project involved one of the best-known national organizations in this country, St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. In her essay, Aly talked about the founding of the hospital by famed actor Danny Thomas in 1962 and his commitment to saving children’s lives no matter what their economic background.
“There are many ways to donate to St. Jude’s Hospital. People can donate (to St. Jude) from home, school, online, gift cards and by donating toys and books. This will help kids with their happiness, with their hope,” Aly wrote.