Third-graders learn to be Santas
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:36 p.m., December 18, 2007
Updated 01:36 p.m., December 18, 2007
Staff members and third-grade students at Timmerman Elementary School decided to make Christmas a little brighter for needy youngsters in the Emporia area.
In the process, $536 was raised and donated to the Social Service Club and at least four children will receive gifts they’d requested on tags from an Angel Tree at Wal-Mart.
“All four third grades at Timmerman made snowman ornaments that they took home and sold to their families, and then with the money, each class adopted a child,” said third-grade teacher Martha Shook. “We used the money and bought the gifts from their wish list and then wrapped them and turned them in.”
After discussing purchase options with the students, teachers did the shopping and the children did the wrapping.
“All four classes just did a wonderful job,” Shook said. “They were happy doing it, and we were very proud of them.”
The children had broken into groups that made parts to be assembled into snowmen, and in the process teachers tied the project in to reading and economics lessons.
Third-grade teacher Stephanie Bosiljevac, formerly a sixth-grade teacher, had done a similar project with her sixth-grade classes, Shook said, “and we thought, ‘Hey, these kids can do it.’”
The result was as fulfilling as the teachers had hoped.
“They enjoyed doing it and knowing they were helping someone,” Shook said. “In fact, they brought it up today at our class meeting. We talk about things that happen that are good, and one of my students said buying the gifts.”
Teachers whose classes participated, in addition to Shook and Bosiljevac, are Jan Traylor and Katrina Heit.
Staff members at Timmerman made cash donations in return for the privilege of wearing jeans in December. Principal Kim Kirk gave staff the incentive.
“Normally we don’t wear jeans to work,” said Jan Carson. “So Mr. Kirk allowed us, in the month of December, to pay $2 a day to wear jeans to school.”
The option was so popular that when the project was finished, staff turned in $536 to the Social Service Club to buy coats and other necessities.
create (anonymous) says...
"...and in the process teachers tied the project in to reading and economics lessons."
Excellent! This is what good teaching is all about. Look at the Standards, the Benchmarks, the number of Indicators you covered. I'm impressed.
For years, I have been defending the No Child Left Behind Act, and this news story is one good reason why. By aligning lessons to State Standards and Benchmarks and Indicators, a good teacher can make use of any of his/her lessons, even ones they have used for years and years. In some cases only a few adjustments are necessary. Like Stephanie Bosiljevac learned, it's possible -- "Hey these kids can do it." Of course they can.
December 18, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
steakbuffet (anonymous) says...
Great job kids!
December 18, 2007 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
It is wonderful that these kids worked so hard and came together to help other children. THIS is what I love to read about. Wonderful job kids, you should all feel very proud of yourselves, I know I am proud of you!!
December 19, 2007 at 3:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
my2cents (anonymous) says...
Steph,
Sean had a great time participating in this! Thank you for the wonderful lesson.
-Sean's mom
December 19, 2007 at 5:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )