Honoring Our Elders

Our “Kids Being the Change” social action group plans and completes different projects with different themes every year. The group is composed of the whole grade 7, 8 class and this year, they have decided to take on the topic of Elders. They want to look at the challenges they face and the mis – conceptions we have of them and that they may have of us. This project will include: volunteering with the local seniors clubs/organizations, volunteering at the local personal care home, interviewing the residents and learning about their lives, working with the seniors in the community and developing long lasting relationships with them. The students also plan to research and study ageism and all that it means to the seniors of our society. Students also will look at how Elders are honored in other cultures, with a special look at the Aboriginal culture. Students hope to talk with the First Nations Elders in our community and learn more about them. Our finale to the project will be to host a Senior Prom to honor all of those we met along the way. We will hold it in our local rec center and have a live band, food and of course dancing for all. Students will also learn to dance for the event. The older students will partner with the younger students in our school to watch videos, read literature and books and to teach them their findings about Elders. They will also invite the seniors into the school for grandparent’s day or as volunteers.

Update (February 9, 2011)

Students have been busy planning and taking part in a a variety of activities with their Honoring Our Elders Project. Some of our students recently went to Erickson to work with clients of the Seniors for Seniors Group. They had recently purchased a Wii and Wii Fit, and were looking for some guidance as to how to use their new technology.
They had a wonderful time as did the clients. When asked afterwards what was the best part of it, students claimed that they were happy to see that some of the elders of our community were willing to learn about something new. They also were happy to develop some connections with those elders.
We have also been busy planning our Seniors Prom. We have a band and facitlity booked. Students have been put into groups to plan the menu, decorations, music list and take care of advertising. The date is set for Saturday, May 14th.
Our grade 4,5,6 class will be attending the personal care home in Erickson next week to make introductions with the residents there. They will be doing some intro activities with them, and continue their visits throughout the year and hopefully beyond.
We are also planning a purple explosion day in honor of our elders. Students will promote honoring our elders by wearing purple and asking our community to do the same. We will be planning an afternoon of activities for our school as well as to invite seniors and other community members to take part.
More to come in the future!

Update (March 22, 2011)

We have been busy planning further activities for our "Honoring our Elders" project. Our K-1 class has been busy discussing grand parents. They have been reading and writing stories about thier grand parents. Recently, students brought in photos of themselves with their grandparents and as a class they made a collage to honor their relationships with their grandparents. It was a fun project.
The grade 2,3 class have been inviting elders in thier lives or in the community to come into their classroom and be interviewed. They are to share special talents as well. Once the interview and visit are over, black and white hand photos are taken of the children and thier special guests. It is a beautiful project and the students are really enjoying the visits, in which tea and cookies are served.
Our grade 7,8 class have been busy planning three main events. A Tech Night, in which the students will be teaching those interested about internet, facebook, texting, voice mail, email and anything else they are intersted in.
They have also been busy planning the Honoring our Elders dance. They have completed a planned menu, decoration plan and have the band booked. We have students working on public relations for the dance as well.
Our third main event is the Purple Explosion Day in June. They have five different centers planned including a Jeapordy game they created, First Nations teachings, Cooking and Baking, Art center and Game center. This will take place in June in honor of Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
We look forward to sharing more details with you soon.......

Update (June 6, 2011)

On May, 15th, the Kids Being the Change group (grade 7,8) hosted the community at a lovely "Seniors Prom". Over 140 people from the community and surrounding area attended the dance and danced the night away to live music provided by "The Reflections", a 7 piece band.
The music was from the era of the 40's and 50's. Food was all created by the students - fancy finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers, pickles, deviled eggs and various desserts. Punch, coffee and tea was also provided. Students also decorated the hall beautifully. It looked amazing.
Students greeted the community members at the door, took their jackets and provided lunch for them throughout the night. They too were dressed very formally and looked incredible.
Most importantly, as the night went on the students asked the seniors to dance and before we knew it, everyone was up and dancing for the night.
It was an amazing evening, that often brought tears of pride and joy to the teachers eyes.
These students took their responsibility very seriously and did such an amazing job.
We are very proud of them!
Because of its great success - this very well may be an annual event!
The relationships that have been built are forever lasting for sure!