Can Teenagers Change the World?!?

We are now in the fourth marking period and we all know that this time of year goes by so quickly.  We just started exploring the question, "Can teenagers change the world?"  After reflecting on this question most of my students believe that YES teenagers can make a difference in our world.  I'm so happy to hear this because I agree. 

During this unit the kids will be fund raising and planning for a day with Tilly's kids.  Tilly's kids is an organization that works with Pass it Along (www.passitalong.org).  A wonderful woman named Tilly brings kids up to Sussex county from Newark so that they can spend a day with our teens and they can participate in sports, games, and other fun activities.  I set up a Wikispace page and my students are going to organize a day with Tilly's kids.  The beginning of June we will get to have our day! Very exciting!

I am also challenging the kids to a "10 things challenge."  This challenge involves the kids cleaning out their rooms and trying to see if they can donate any unwanted items to the Lupus foundation.  The Lupus foundation will pick up the items and then sell them and use the proceeds to fund research for a cure for Lupus.  This is a simple way to give back and make a difference in our world.

My hope throughout this unit is that the kids realize that there are many small ways that they can help and make a difference.  I truly believe that if teenagers begin volunteering at a young age that they will continue their volunteering as adults.  If you want to get involved locally just visit www.passitalong.org and you can see many volunteer opportunities right in our own county!