Title of Project: Glasses for Classes

Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8

Number of Students Participating:

Contributed by:

Teacher:

School: Bracken County Middle School

District or County: Bracken County School District

Overview/Description of Project: Fifth grade students collected eyeglasses from the community and, through the help of the Lion’s Club, provided them to needy individuals

Goals:

To provide eyeglasses for people in the community

To provide a meaningful project for the students

Core Content Areas:

Communication and Math Skills: 1.11 Students wrote letters indicating the need for used eyeglasses and requesting community support for the project.

Math: 2.10 Using eye charts, students calculated the distance where they could see most clearly.

Science: 2.3, 2.4 Students learned about microscopes, lenses, and eyepieces and how they aid peoples’ vision. They built refracting telescopes using cardboard tubing. They learned good health practices in the care of they eyes. 

Art and Humanities: 2.22 Students made decorative boxes which were used to collect the eyeglasses. They also made posters to promote the project within the school.

Practical Living: 2.31, 2.33 Good health practices, as they related to care of the eyes, were discussed. Students learned about he services provided to the community through the Lion’s Club.

Vocational Studies: 2.36 Students learned about the careers of optician, ophthalmologist, and optometrist.

Self-Sufficiency: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.7 As this project unfolded, students learned to be adaptable and flexible to make their project most productive; they used creativity in determining how to publicize their project. They learned about maintaining healthy eyes throughout their lifetime.

Responsible Group Membership: 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Students learned to work cooperatively to have a successful collection project. They learned to be more caring toward people who have problems with their eyesight.

Thinking and Problem-Solving: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 This project provided an excellent way for students to use critical, creative and conceptual thinking skills. It also allowed them to make decisions and solve problems relevant to the project.

Integration of Knowledge: 6.2, 6.3 Students used their existing knowledge to plan the project and developed new knowledge as the project progressed.

PARC MODEL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

PREPARATION:

1)      The students decided they wanted to do something worthwhile for the community. They called on the local Lion’s Club to help them choose an appropriate project. A representative came to the school to tell the students about the need for used eyeglasses, which could be recycled and given to people who cannot afford new glasses. The representative explained how the fifth grade classes could get involved in this project.

2)      In language arts, all students wrote letters to the community asking for support of the project. Eight letters were chosen for publication in the local newspaper during the month of October.

3)      In science, students learned about devices that helped the eye see better such as microscopes, lenses, and eyepieces. They also built a refracting telescope from cardboard tubes.

4)      In math, students learned how to use eye charts. Each student calculated the distance between the chart and their eye to determine their eyesight. They compared their eyesight to others in their class.

5)      Students learned a great deal about the proper care of the eyes and how to ensure throughout their lifetime. They also discussed careers that help people maintain healthy eyesight.

ACTION:

1)      The letters the students submitted to the paper were published to help elicit community support for the project.

2)      Students designed collection containers and placed them throughout the school. They also designed posters which were distributed through the school to encourage involvement.

3)      The students collected eyeglasses for one month.

REFLECTION:      Teachers facilitated discussions on how the students felt about this project.

CELEBRATION:    1) An awards ceremony was held to recognize the students and homeroom, which collected the most eyeglasses.

2) The Lion’s Club sent a formal thank you letter to the students.