Two 10th graders read Dr. Seuss to the children of Little Tots Red Wagon preschool.
How did the project originate?
Our class of 10th-grade students chose tree planting as their annual group community service project, but the plan was swept away with Hurricane Sandy. The most overwhelming feeling during the hurricane, as we watched the damage unfold, was powerlessness. It became immediately obvious what we needed to do in place of our park project.
After school resumed, when a group of parent delegates presented an opportunity to gather together those who might be interested in doing hurricane relief with their students, I responded right away. I was very pleased to hear of the Department of Education pairing program, and while my 6th and 7th grade students began to contribute to the book drive, I approached my Advisees and asked if they might like to share some of their interests and knowledge with the preschool displaced by Hurricane Sandy with whom we were paired: Little Tots Red Wagon. Our many thanks go to Vivienne Kurzweil for coordinating the visit.
How did you prepare the class?
We met with our groups separately to discuss initial ideas. I asked the students to think of something they enjoy or a special skill they had, and they brainstormed age-appropriate activities.
The students worked in teams to plan an activity station, working backward from a learning objective. We knew that the Little Tots community was under the pressure of displacement, and kept this in mind. I asked the students to consider the feeling of displacement, and to contemplate what they might appreciate from a guest teacher. We figured if our students had fun, their smaller counterparts would, as well.
What did you do with the toddlers? What were the activities there?
The students played basketball, soccer, learned French songs, drew pictures, and listened to stories from the book drive. One of the skills of a good teacher is a willingness to be flexible and to adapt quickly to changes in environment and group response.
The environment was quite different from our expectations, and so the students thought quickly on their feet. With the help of Theresa, the enthusiastic director of LIttle Tots, own students settled in and felt at ease. As the young students came to each activity by age group, our students quickly saw the developmental differences and readiness levels of three, four, and almost five year-olds.
What did the students take away from this experience? And the children?
Our students reported that they came away with renewed patience, awareness of developmental differences, and the clear understanding that it takes an adjustment period for a group of students– especially the smaller children.
Many of them reported that they had a great time, and sensed how their own enthusiasm was catching for their small students. After one morning in the classroom they were tired! Their small counterparts learned to shoot hoops and soccer balls, sing French songs, and had some quiet drawing and story time. I think Edouard put it best when we asked what the students thought the children took away: “a positive memory of us.”
As I was doing some research last week I came across a quote from the poet and Nobel laureat Rabindranath Tagore, which I shared with the students: “I slept and dreamed life was joy. I awoke and saw it was service. I acted and beheld: service was joy.” I hope the students remember that we are aligned with a positive intention, flexible and listening, the outcome is positive indeed.
About the Author :
Jamie Laurens joined the Lycée in 2007. A native of the Rockies, Jamie began working on student wellness as a college student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in Avignon, France, where she chose education as a vocation. She began at Idyllwild Arts Academy and Westridge School before moving to New York and the Lycée. She has taught in the English program in middle and high school, co-developed the Advisory and Social Entrepreneurship programs, and researched the links between attention, learning, and well-being. Jamie enjoys reading poetry and being in the outdoors.