Making Masks
During the pandemic, the 6th grade Gold Team Teachers from Castle North Middle School in Indiana collaborated to help their students complete several service-learning projects. The team set up clear steps and Zoom lessons to virtually guide students through the service-learning process. All of the students were motivated to make a difference. Each student identified a need related to the stay-at-home order, conducted research, planned a project, took action in their community, and created a reflective report. In total, Castle North Middle School students completed 118 service-learning projects between March and May 25, 2020! This is one of them.
Karson decided to make face masks because he learned there weren’t enough to go around. He reached out to the pastor of his church to find out who needed them most in his community. The pastor shared his project with the congregation and Karson made masks for those in need.
He was also encouraged to consider making more masks so that they woud be available when the church reopens and holds in-person group worship services in the future.
Pastor Jim added encouraging words to thank Karson in his return email: “I’m very proud of you for thinking of this project. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a story about the importance of caring for others. He basically tells us that when we are for another person we are caring for Him too.”
Consider using the Service-Learning Toolkit to Grow Kindness for a list of service project ideas and resources that are designed to spark ideas for actions related to kindness and good deeds.
***Here are directions to a Simple Safe Service project from home: Make homemade masks from materials you have at home and donate to friends, community members, and local nonprofits.
