The "Other" results

     The project not only changed the way we do research, it changed the kids. Students organized an Anti-Bullying Club at school, donated their Christmas gifts to abused children, began volunteering with their parents, organized food drives for both animals and people, and spent time dreaming about how they would reach out to those in need in the future. 

     Here is an example from Isabella’s Journal Entry (12/15/11):

     In my family, we have many traditions. Traditions like going to Bancroft on Christmas, or getting a certain type of present.  But this year, in my family, I have “adopted” two kids’ Christmas lists. They are both victims of child abuse and belong to the Child Advocacy Center.  We are going to make their wishes come true. One of my kids’ name is Zachary he is 5 years old and at the center for an anonymous reason.  to be honest, I don’t know what to do. My other child is Shaylynn. She is 3. My friend, Reagen, is going to buy Shaylynn’s gift.  She wants Doodle balls, babies and dress up clothes.  Just what any 3 year old girl would want, right?  My mom has a daycare and babysits three year olds, so this really hits home for me.  Who would do something to an innocent little girl?  We may never know.  When I first read it, I cried.  She just wanted a baby doll and I was asking for Uggs, electronics and expensive things. Just a baby doll, that’s all she wanted. At that moment, I realized how much I’d taken things for granted.  So I asked for a present for Shaylynn, instead of me, from my aunt.  I hope that someday, when I have kids, that they will know that they are loved, and that some kids in this world aren’t.  I want my kids to give back too.

    We often have kids reflect on how the project changed their perspective on their world.  Here are some anonymous responses:

• "It showed me that I am SUPER lucky to have a GREAT mom who loves and cares for me and my brother. It also taught me to be grateful for what I have,to always help others and to ALWAYS BE KIND!"

• "...this project really made me think how there are other people in the world other than myself."

• "we have to look at the bigger picture and that just because we are ok doesn't mean there are not people that are hurting."

• "[I] learned the smallest project or thing can result to the biggest difference. Now i want to go out and make a bigger difference on the world."

• "we realize other peoples feelings and thoughts and what they are going through and makes you want to help even more people and things around the world"

• "I learned that you can make a difference in the world. I also learned that if you get your information and cause out there that people will listen and contribute. I liked how we actually made a difference in the world and how I probably changed someone's life. I also liked how we did the fair to tell other people about this topic. I also learned that you can teach great writing lessons through research." 

• "I learned that sometimes you need to step up and be leader." 

• "I liked how this was like a real life situation where you had to work with other people. I learned that if you get to work early your board ended one of the better boards. I liked how most of the work was done on the computer or some type of technology. I learned that if you put everything off until the end it was really hard to finish. I liked how you didn't have to do everything all by yourself."

• "You have to compromise because everyone doesn't want to put the same things on the board as you do so it is challenging that way. I learned that you have to work together or it won't work out at the Make A Difference Fair. Also, you have to make everyone happy in the group so everyone feels good about what is on the board."

• "That if even if they aren't your best friends you can still work with them to make a difference. And that working with a group works way more than one person. "Plus it only takes one to start a wildfire.""