Students trying to change the world
Grade 5 class at West Royalty Elementary School speaks about passion projects
Some Grade 5 students at West Royalty Elementary School are trying to change the world as part of a class project.
The class held a United Nations summit on April 25 where each student got up in front of family and teachers to speak on different issues – from accessibility, animal shelters and global warming to homeless shelters and sports centres.
Each student also carried a flag of the world they had painted for the occasion to reflect the UN event.
“We were (doing) a persuasive writing in school, and we did this piece on what we were really passionate about, and the teacher decided to turn it into a UN summit,” Olive Roberts, one of the Grade 5 students, told Saltwire in an interview. “We were a bunch of kids … trying to change the world. I’m speaking about more sport centres for kids’ health, so they can have more mental and physical exercise.”
Bo Mcgeoghegan, another Grade 5 student, spoke about the need for technological improvements for insulin.
“I have diabetes so … if my sugar goes really high, I could die and if it goes too low I could get really tired,” Mcgeoghegan said.
Samantha Ralph, their teacher, said she thought of doing a summit because of the diversity in her class and it would be an interesting way to hear about the ideas.
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She and Meagan Gallant, a teacher's assistant (pre-service teacher from UPEI), brainstormed the project's platform to reflect community and global citizenship and to show how one speech could be the catalyst to create change.
Both were excited that the students really got into their presentations. Some dressed up for the occasion, and each student emphasized certain words in the presentation for effect.
Ralph and Gallant wanted the students to not only speak about subjects they were passionate about, but consider global issues from a P.E.I. and world perspective.
“They are 10 years old, but it’s really interesting when they are given opportunities to be able to change people’s minds and inspire others,” Ralph said.
“They’ve all risen up to that challenge and it’s been amazing to watch.”
EAGER STUDENTS
Ralph, who works on how using simple language can drive a point home, said the students were eager to soak up what she had to say.
“Grade 5 is such a wonderful age, the kids are so impressionable yet so excited to think and still have that youth to them. They are also starting to think about the power that they have and ability to (make) change in their communities.”
Gallant, who has her bachelor of education degree, is working in a school for the first time. She enjoyed her involvement with the UN summit, noting this type of project is "outside of the box" to what a typical lesson would be.
“There is no right or wrong. They are learning in different ways, and some students love to be up front and presenting and sharing their passion for their topic (while) some prefer to stay back and watch. Given the opportunity, they definitely took it and ran with it.”
Ralph added the students chose their passion projects.
“I think the students found that you ask one question and it led to five other questions,” Ralph said.
“They were all so excited.”