Third Graders "Make a Difference"

Third graders have been involved in an ongoing project called “Make A Difference,” which started in music class early in the school year. As music teacher Jodie Ricci guided students through songs about caring, community, empathy, and making a difference, classroom teachers encouraged students to think about those topics in their everyday world. Students then embarked on meaningful, passionate, and real work to make a difference in their community.

The first project was providing the Newton D. Barker School with materials and lessons plans for a shared art project. A food drive was their next endeavor and they collected 800 pounds of food to present to the Cleveland Foodbank. On January 23, they traveled to the Foodbank to deliver the food and to volunteer sorting and packing pears that would go to a food pantry.

On January 30, the students served, dined, and shared their music with the residents of Abington Arms, an apartment complex for senior citizens and citizens with mobility issues. It was an evening of laughter, love, and song - a powerful testament to the strength of community and Hawken’s commitment to experiential and real world learning. Here are a few student reflections from the evening:

• I have never been anywhere like Abington Arms before. At first I was really nervous but I sat down and Mrs. Smith was really excited to have us. 
• I felt proud of myself because I was actually scared. I was afraid to say my name and talk to a way older person but it turned out she was very nice! 
• The lady I talked to was really nice and when I asked her what she liked to do when she was a kid like me she said she played hopscotch and card games. 
• When we were singing I saw somebody crying and I felt like we made a difference. It felt good. 
• It was great to have time to talk and share thoughts and memories. I think the songs we sang really made a difference in their hearts.