Last year, I sponsored a used Jean drive to improve the climate of my classroom. The clothing drive was a huge success, both in the number of jeans collected and positive atmosphere of my classroom. This photo was taken last year. The original photo actually contained two students and more jeans. I edited the image to remove the students and added the text to start spreading the word out this years drive. My students used this image and some jeans to create a informative display for parent teacher conferences. Check out this link to DoSomething.org to get more info. I have already collected Jeans from families that turned over their fall wardrobes and wanted to get rid of their jeans now. Last year we collected 701 pairs. This year my goal is 3000 pairs!!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWow...fantastic story! When you give kids an opportunity to reach out and help others they seem to respond positively.
Our high school sponsors a 2-week food drive right before Thanksgiving for our local food pantry. We sent over two bus loads of food. The students really feel proud that they contributed to such a worthy cause, especially when it helps local people in need.
Our collection is school-wide and sounds like your collecting is done through only your classes, headed up by only you. After seeing your success, did any other teachers or your school community offer to expand it school-wide?
Good luck on your goal of 3000 pairs of jeans! Please make sure that you update us.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing our success I actually had another teacher join me the last week of the drive last year. Our competitive nature help light a fire the last couple of days of the drive. This year it is my plan to involve the entire school. My last year students, now eighth graders, have already come to my room to ask if we were going to do the drive. These students have started a buzz that has grabbed the attention of the 7th graders. Any middle school teacher would agree that getting the 8th graders on board is half of the battle sometimes.