Before beginning the Middle School chapter of their lives, 5th graders at ISB embark on their final social studies unit of the year: Impact. With the enduring understanding that “individuals make decisions and act in ways that impact others and the world,” these students seek to take action and make a positive impact.
Students work in small groups of those with like-interests and choose a topic within their grasp, something they feel strongly about. The aim is to encourage students to take meaningful action that can be done within the home, school, housing compound, or larger scale – something beyond simply making a donation to a cause or visiting a needy location just one time.
After working on their action plans – which could include fundraisers or awareness campaigns, among other strategies — students will present their completed Impact Projects to the school on Thursday, May 31.
Examples of Impact Project topics this year:
*Animal Shelters: Students raise money via bake sales and donations to buy food for animals, clean up their cages, groom the animals and make them more presentable for adoption.
*Anti-Bullying: Students raise awareness about the types and frequency of bullying, and explain how others can spot it and stop it.
*Change for Life Orphanage: Students raise money to help purchase hearing aids for these hearing impaired orphans.
*Ride a Bike: Students encourage exercise and less pollution by promoting bicycle riding to school and other places.
*Recycling: Students give statistics about waste and encourage others with simple ways to recycle and be more cognizant of excessive waste.
*Less Ink: Students explain how much ink and paper is being unnecessarily used, encouraging black and white printing, double sided paper usage, etc.
*Migrant Schools: Students accept donations to provide school supplies to migrant schools and children in need.
Pictured above is a recent fundraiser set out to help Man Man, an orphan living at China Little Flower while undergoing cancer treatment. The goal of the bake sale (as well as other things for sale and a donation jar) is to raise RMB 2,000 to provide Man Man with a month’s worth of medication he needs. Set out by the doors of a busy housing compound on a weekend, the girls’ efforts were well on their way to helping this little boy. Much more, they are able to realize first-hand, as well as share with their peers, how much difference such efforts can make to someone in need.
This and many more examples are teaching our young children how they can make a positive impact on our world – a tremendous life lesson!
