Ripple Affect

"Teens are apathetic."  How many times have you heard this phrase?  How many times have you said this phrase?  I'd be lying if I claimed that I've never said it.  Really though, how often could this phrase be said about any adult given certain situations.  Give any human a task in which he/she is not interested and prepare for a barrel of apathy.

Idea:  Why don't we challenge students with realistic tasks that actually benefit those around them?  What if they could see a direct impact on their work -- more than just a cute lil' "A" with a smiley face sticker?  How would they respond?

I'll tell you how.  Our 9th grade students were given the challenge to make the largest splash possible on the world around them.  The idea that one person can't change the world was challenged.  One person can change the world if he/she starts a ripple that rages into a wave.  The question:  Do you want to stay out of the water, pin drop in the pool, or cannonball like a beast and soak everyone in sight?

Students began by writing "legacy" statements that gave the thesis of how they want to be remembered when they die.  Then, they manned up/womanned up and started their legacies.  Want to be remembered as a giving person?  Prove it.  Want to be a leader?  Step up.  You've got one month and a team of 6-8 peers.  What can you do today to draft your legacy?

Students presented and persuaded each other on issues of need, collaborated to set goals, organized campaigns, wrote persuasive letters, and pushed their commitment for a month straight.  Here are their results:

-- $1,400 and 600+ canned food items donated to Christian Neighbors through a football game food drive;
-- $450 raised for a local family battling cancer and a homeless shelter through can deposit collection;
-- 100 pairs of shoes donated to Souls for Soles, a group providing shoes to needy in Africa;
-- 1400 meals donated to Feeding America through Snickers sales and donation code entry;
-- 20,000 + grains of rice donated through a Freerice.com class competition.

Jessica Carper, Graham Hubbell, Shelby Vanburen, J.D. Nord, Jordan Cox, Noah Rietkerk, John Klein, and Kelsey Phillips (Not Pictured): Raised $1400 and 600+ canned goods in one night.

All of this was done by 50 Freshmen.  Other classes donated hundreds more dollars and supplies to local charities. And some say character can't be quantified. . . 

I can honestly acknowledge that I've never been so impressed with a group of teenagers in my life.  I will never again say, "teens are apathetic."  Give them a worksheet and watch them become bored like any human.  But, give them a real challenge and marvel at their results.  Our students are changing lives. Our students are defining their legacies.