For the past three years, these students have collected, used and, broken crayons for The Crayon Initiative, an organization that turns old crayons into new ones for children in hospitals.
The project gives students a hands-on way to learn about science while putting Moral Focus™ virtues into action.
The idea began with a former second grade teacher as a way to connect with the students' science unit on properties of matter. Students learn how a solid crayon can melt into a liquid, then cool and become solid again. They also read "The Day the Crayons Came Home," making crayons a fun theme throughout their lessons.
But the biggest lesson may be about helping others.
Students talk about how donating crayons is a way to show encouragement and compassion to children in the hospital. Those conversations give them an early introduction to Moral Focus™ virtues they will study later in the school year.
Donations ready to be sent to The Crayon Initiative
"I liked that they could make new ones for the hospital and injured people," second grader Brandon said.
Oliver enjoyed seeing just how many crayons the school community could collect.
"I like that it was so fun to collect, and there were just so many!" he said.
Most donations come from Excel's younger students, from Young 5s through second grade. Families and classrooms are encouraged to clean out their crayon boxes and donate crayons that might otherwise be thrown away.
The result is less waste, a great science lesson, and a chance for students to help other children.
And for Excel's second graders, that is something to be proud of!
About Excel Charter Academy
Excel Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Visit Excel Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.