The Global Service Project

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -- Margarette Mead

There are many educators out there who have been fortunate enough to be a part of the Global Read-Aloud, organized every year by Pernille Ripp.  Teachers have the ability to read a book to their class and then connect with other classes from around the world to share different perspectives.  If you haven't been a part of it yet, the good news is there is still time to get involved by visiting her site and learning more.   If you have participated you know the incredible potential this initiative has.  Last year our entire school, Byram Intermediate, read the book Refugee, by Alan Gratz and it helped us kick off a school-wide reading initiative that was extremely successful.  Virtually every student enjoyed the book, and it led to such great conversations about books, that it helped to renew so many of our students' love of reading.  Some classes were able to connect with teachers from other states and even other countries as they shared their perspectives about the book, Refugee.   It was an amazing experience and we can't wait to read this year's book The Bridge Home, by Padma Venkatraman.  

This year our students will be challenged to undertake a service-learning project after reading The Bridge Home.  Our students will choose one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations to focus on.  The students could choose to do something within the walls of their own classroom or school that relates to the UN goal.  Some of our students will want to make a larger impact, they will want to connect with others and see their efforts take effect across their community, their state, or even their country.

I would like to help to try and connect teachers and students who want to engage in a service-learning project centering around the #GRA, and achieve three tremendous goals.

First, we can inspire a love of reading! By reading and enjoying a good book together it leads to students reading more books independently.  By engaging with students from different backgrounds it allows our students to develop a sense of empathy and perspective they otherwise wouldn't have.

Second, it allows students to give back to the world something positive, to make things better for someone other than just themselves.  Sometimes our students feel as though their audience and their work is only for school, but their ideas are powerful enough to help so many others.

Finally, this project has the potential to show our students how social media can be used as an accelerant for something good.  Most of our students are on social media, but rarely has someone modeled for them how to use it.  By engaging in this project you would be helping to provide a positive example on how to use this powerful tool.

If you are interested please complete the form below and I will try and match up educators with similar interests.  I am excited for our students to see how their ideas can impact the world.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -- Margarette Mead