(Names from this article have been removed.)

On March 8th, K B, the executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Essex County visited MH Middle School. CASA is a court-authorized, non-profit organization that works with specially trained volunteers who advocate in the courts for foster care children who have been neglected, abused, and/or abandoned.

She spoke to 7th grade students about her organization, foster care in New Jersey, and the needs of children in foster care.

As part of the seventh grade curriculum, the students in Mrs. M K's Language Arts classes read the novel, They Cage the Animals At Night. This autobiographical novel, set in 1949, outlines Jennings Michael Burch's struggle to survive a life of loss while placed in an array of orphanages and foster homes. Throughout his journey, he finds comfort from a stuffed animal, which he manages to keep with him throughout his experiences.

Before beginning the novel, the students researched the foster care system for the state of New Jersey and in the United States. They became familiar with the goals of the foster care system, the steps in fostering a child, statistics, and the differences within the system from 1949 versus today. In Social Studies class, Ms. C L conducted a personal discussion with the students regarding fostering a child. She has had the opportunity to experience this first hand and had many insights.

Students began reading the novel and once they were near completing it, they began a community service project. Touched by how the main character found comfort in a stuffed animal, they created stuffed bears to donate to CASA. Mrs. K arranged for parent volunteers to join the class and assist in each step of this process, as well as the class support teachers, Ms. A and Ms. E. Families of the students donated all materials for the project.

Students were given instruction on the step-by-step process in how to create a stuffed bear. They received a pattern to trace, stuffing, and materials to sew the bear. Some of parents also worked at home to stuff and sew the bears. Inside each bear is a velvet heart for an extra special token of our love.

Students then wrote letters of encouragement to the children who were going to receive these bears. One student wrote, “I hope this bear helps you through your toughest times. My class and I made these bears from the bottom of

our hearts.This can be a best friend to you if you get lonely.” Another student wrote, “ We put our hearts into these bears and out to you.”

Near the conclusion of the unit students worked with their technology teacher, Mrs. Samantha Morra to communicate all that they had learned in an online multimedia poster. These digital posters include: text, photos, graphics, sounds, drawings, video and voice. The students used, Glogster EDU, which encourages students to express and communicate independent and creative thoughts. The students demonstrated graphic design concepts and skills, as well as the imaginative use of multi-media and relevant Internet resources.

Ms. B left MH Middle School on March 8th with bags full of bears and notes for children in foster care. These bears will be given to children as they are placed with a family.

This unit of study not only brings a great deal of knowledge to the students, it also warmed the hearts of all who participated. The students offered a foster care child the same comfort the main character experiences within this amazing novel. The ultimate objective is to not only educate students, but to help them cultivate empathy. Empathy not only improves emotional health, but also our hope for the future, vision of a better world and our capacity to act in addressing the challenges facing us today.

Example Glogster Projects