Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump: A Mini-Grant Story
Mr. Hurd is a 4th grade teacher from Indiana who says, "Service learning provides the opportunity for hands-on change in a community ... Kids need to know their time is now. Everything is presented as a projection down the road, but why can't they make an impact now? Learning theory says students comprehend lessons when they are challenging but require guidance. How better to test those limits than to conduct a project with a multitude of facets that shine a light on many skill sets!"
Twenty-three students participated in the $500 Learning to Give mini-grant supported project Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump. After incorporating the lessons Helping Others with a Garden and What's in a Garden?, Hurds' students became more aware of the many factors and categorizations of flowers. They used collaboration to work with the local Parks and Recreation Board, as well as local businesses, to update and beautify the community.
Students planted flowers, repainted the older playground equipment, repainted the pavilion brick and placed new mulch throughout the park, in addition to pulling weeds and removing debris.
"What was just as empowering was having our extra flowers (grown before my students were able to raise $1800 in materials and donations) placed in two other parks by other groups within the school," said Hurd.
Each student found a point of interest through fundraising, materials collection, and research. Students even conducted their own interviews with two local papers, a regional newspaper, and a television station.
One student said, "I saw myself on TV today. A lot of people did, too. My grandma saw me on TV and was really proud of me. I am too." Another said, "I am really tired. That was a lot of work. I am glad we got to do our project. The park looks great!"
The Learning to Give grant set into motion something Mr. Hurd described as unimaginable. His students, through their efforts and diligence, formed a partnership with the Garrett Parks and Recreation Board. Hurds class will continue efforts over the next couple of years and maybe even longer. Further improvements are planned, and this project will focus on new objectives each year as well as the routine maintenance.
"Being able to see the results of their hard work as they come to school each and every day is an empowering message of potential in action," said Hurd. "When students take dreams and apply some elbow grease to execute them, it showcases that dreams hold possibility. The feeling of pride in accomplishing something of such impact invokes a "What's next?" approach to improving the community and becomes contagious."