Students Stand Up, Sing, and Dance for Change

Contributed by second-grade teachers Heather Humphrey, Jackie Blake, and Katherine Snape

What are Changemakers?
Through our three-month Changemaker unit, second graders studied historical and current changemakers from both their local and global communities. They observed character traits of changemakers, looking for similarities, and learning how these individuals overcame challenges and adversity. By reading biographical and narrative nonfiction picture books and fiction stories, students practiced identifying character traits such as brave, imaginative, creative, peaceful, honest, humble, resilient, and selfless, just to name a few. They learned to support their ideas with specific evidence in their writing. Students then made personal connections to character traits, identifying a specific trait they wanted to grow within themselves. They created unique skits in small groups to demonstrate their chosen trait as well as inspire others. The cumulative performance showcased the students voicing their ideas about what a changemaker is, performing their group skits, and singing a beautiful song about heroes.

The final component of this unit included the students developing agency by putting their character traits into action. Students brainstormed issues they saw at OES or in the Portland community and how they could take action as changemakers. All three classes decided to focus on the OES community with topics including reducing waste, creating washable trash bags, promoting recycling, starting “Lights Out Lower School” every day from 1-2 p.m. to reduce electricity use, extending the Kindness Challenge, and designing and making a station that collects recyclables and inspires students to be upstanders.

Why is this unit special to you?
It is incredibly rewarding to listen to 8- and 9-year olds talk about themselves and others with words like caring, kind, courageous, and unstoppable. It is the kind of character building that will undoubtedly affect their lives in the most positive way. It is a beautiful process to watch unfold. The students enjoyed learning about different changemakers but the changemaker performance truly stole the show by pushing children to collaborate, problem solve, negotiate, practice and memorize lines, and finally perform on a stage. And now to see the children putting their hands to work for something they are passionate about is truly inspiring.

Why is it important for second graders to learn about changemakers?  
This process encompasses such an array of subjects/skills such as reading, writing, art, music, drama, collaboration, imagination, reflection, and public speaking. It goes far beyond learning about changemakers. The students are learning about what a changemaker is at their core, and most importantly, how they can be a changemaker every day just by being kind and caring about others. To be able to demonstrate this learning in such an age-appropriate way is a perfect way for second graders to share their knowledge and their hearts. What is more important than teaching our future generation that they have the power inside them to truly make a difference in our world?

How does a project like this align with OES core values and essential competencies?
In addition to all of the above, the students are learning how they can use their power for good!

Quotes from our students:
“A changemaker is someone who bravely decides to solve a problem.”
 
“A changemaker is someone who is courageous when things get hard.”
 
“A changemaker is someone who stands up for what they believe in.”
 
“A changemaker is someone who holds onto light when it’s dark.”