Title of Project: Helping Hands

Grade Level: K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Number of Students Participating:

Contributed by:

Teacher: Diane Luna

School: John G. Carlisle Elementary

District or County: Covington, Independent

Overview/Description of Project: Interested in the faces of homeless and causes of homelessness, Ms. Lunas’s class decided to research the facts to act and advocate for its prevention.

Goals: To assist students in honing research skills, understanding the causes of homelessness, becoming aware of the terms prejudice and discrimination, and understanding their social responsibility in their community.

Core Content Areas:

AE 2.33: Students demonstrate the skills to evaluate and use the services and resources in their community.

SS-04-1.3.2: Students describe ways people can participate in government and civic affairs (e.g. perform community service, etc.)

SS-05-2.2.1: Students will identify and describe the purpose of major social institutions in the U.S.

PL-E-3.3.1: There are community organizations (e.g. fire department, police department, nonprofit health organizations) that provide health and safety services.

PARC MODEL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

PREPARATION:

• Teacher read Fly Away Home, a book about a homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, to the students.

• Student interviewed their teachers, who portrayed the characters in the story, about being homeless.

• Students researched homelessness and it’s causes.

• Students devised a list of basic needs for homeless people.

• Mike Jackson, from the City Gospel Mission, came to speak with the children about working with the homeless and less fortunate.

ACTION:

• Students organized and ran a clothing campaign to benefit Fairhaven Rescue Mission in Covington.

• Students constructed drop boxes and delivered them to the Title 1 office, Board of Education, Children’s Home (at which they live). Students also constructed a special drop box for their school.

• Students made basic necessities kits in which they wrote notes to all those that will be receiving them.

• Students delivered collected items to Fairhaven Rescue Mission and were given a tour of the mission.

REFLECTION:

• Students discussed Fly Away Home as a group

• Students created a PowerPoint presentation to detail their project and present to faculty members.

• Students wrote thank you notes to the Fairhaven Rescue Mission and other contributors for helping them make their project a success.

CELEBRATION:

• Students were thanked and recognized by Fairhaven Rescue Mission

• Students received certificates from the Superintendent of Covington Independent Schools

• Students were video taped by Channel 9 news reporter during the drop off to Fairhaven