This friday, Laura Stockman will be visiting with us. Laura has just spent a year doing small things to make a difference, and she blogs about this on her site Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference.
In the coming weeks, you will have the chance to learn more about how to make a difference yourselves. We’ll be thinking about those who mean the most to us, our community, and our school. Each of you will then decide how you would like to give back in a way that is unique and meaningful to you and you will actually start doing this!
Laura will be here to help us get started with this exciting research project. She has a lot to share about the service work she’s done, her experiences as a blogger, and what she is learning about things like internet safety. We’ll be blogging about what we learn through our work this quarter and about our experiences as we begin to take action in response to what we learn.
Let’s start brainstorming now, though!
Please read Laura’s About page on her blog. Then, come back here and comment on the following questions:
Why did Laura decide to spend a year doing small things to make a difference?
What sorts of challenges have you or the people that you care about faced in the past?
What small things can you do to give back to others in ways that will help?
Please leave a comment below, sharing your response. Please leave your FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL only on this response.
November 12, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I am starting to help today
sorry about your Grandfather Laura
November 12, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I will be helping hospice for thanks giving I wil be baking pies with my teen leaders group. Then for christmas we will put up christmas trees for them to help them feel at home.
November 12, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Heres my answers to your questions.
Her grandfathers death inspired her.
Someone special to me suffered from abuse.
I could do research on domestic violence and drug addiction then present it to my class so they know how to stay safe in a similiar situation.
November 12, 2008 at 5:17 pm
1. She wanted to make a difference in her life.
2. I once struggled with having the flu. I was sick for 3 days and missed school, but I didn’t try to do things that were very active, so that I didn’t get sicker.
3. I know how many people don’t have warm blankets for the winter, so I could make tied fleece blankets and donate them.
- Casey
November 12, 2008 at 5:17 pm
This is a good project.
Corneilius:]
November 12, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Im going to Give Back!.
1) Laura Was Very sad that her grandpa dies to remember him she decided to live life the way he did, So she Started makeing Diffrences.
2) This one time i watched a video on how anilmals are mad and when i was little i started dontating to WWF and id like to continue,
3) i want to Make a fund rasier and donate to WWF again.
November 12, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I’m going to give back too.
Laura wants to make a difference beacause of her grandfather he always made a differnce.When he died Laura wanted follow his lead.and she is accompishing the things he wanted to accomplish.And she is.
2.My friends mom died of cancer .
3.I would like to learn more about how to raise money or do service work to help those who are trying to cure ovarian cancer!
November 12, 2008 at 6:07 pm
My answers to these questions are as follows:
1: Laura decided to do small things that help for a year b/c of her grandfather’s death and that she or anyone else could make a difference in everyone’s life.
2: My grandfather has also battled with cancer and it to was fatal.
3: Small thingsI could do would be cleaning our house or clearing and/or setting the dinner table before and after we eat.
November 12, 2008 at 6:38 pm
1. I think Laura decided to spend a year giving shelter kids P.J’s.
2. I faced the deaths of two very inportant relivtives that were very close to me.
3. I could go to the homeless kids and adukts and give them food and water so they arent hungry or thirsty anymore.
November 12, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I THINK I WILL HELP PEOPLE ON NEED
1 SHE WAS ENSPIRED BY HER GRANDPA DEATH DO STUFF
November 12, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I THINK I WILL HELP PEOPLE ON NEED
1 SHE WAS ENSPIRED BY HER GRANDPA DEATH DO STUFF
2MY GRANDPA DIED OF CANCER
3 TO HELP PEOPLE I WOULD RAISE MONRY FOR PEOPLE IN NEDD ALSO I WOULD DONATE STUFF THAT I DO NOT USE
November 12, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I am so impressed with the responses so far. Those of you that are taking the time to contribute here are giving a holiday gift that is worth more than you know. To quote my new favorite movie, Kung Fu Panda, “Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it is called ‘The Present.’” What you are doing with your “present” is extraordinary, and I’m so honored to be able to see your great ideas! Keep up the good work! -Mike Fisher
November 12, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Laura, i think that you help many people in needs and i think you did a great job,
1. I think Laura was inspired by her grandfather, and the things he had told her when she was a kid, i think that he has helped her in a way by telling her those things.
2. When i was younger, my dad usto work shifts 11 o’clock at night to 7:30 in the morning and of coarse he had to sleep during the day and his schedule was Monday-Sunday so he was busy. And my mom usto work 8:00-5:30 Monday-Friday so after school i would go to my grandpas house and my grandpa was always there for me and my little brother and our activities because my father couldn’t come . Then one day we found out that my grandpa had Pancreatic Cancer our family was very sad and scared. Then after 46 days since he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer he had passed away my family was very sad. And then my dad switched jobs shifts so that way he can be there. So i can relate to what Laura feels, Because my grandpa was a big part of my life.
3. To help other people in need i will contuinue donating money to the Pancreatic Cancer Donation. And I’m also trying to make Christmas cookies and take them to a nursing home or something and i would also like to make fleece blankets and bring them to a homeless shelter, and for this Thanksgiving my whole family are going to do Meals on Wheels.
-LaurenFoosho :]
November 13, 2008 at 1:26 am
Because her grandfather died
my sister was diagnosed with diabetes
to help people in need donate clothing to homless shelters
November 13, 2008 at 11:24 am
I am so impressed by what you are doing Yr 7. My Yr 7 students in Australia are also doing good deeds in their community to make a difference . I am available on what will be your tomorrow afternoon (I think!!) and would be happy to Skype in and let Skype details on Mrs. Van Etten’s page on the ning site if she wanted to add me as a contact and have me Skype in.
Jenny Luca.
November 13, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I cant wait to go help hospice. that place is so giving. I wish that more peolpe would help but with websites like these I do tink they will help.
November 13, 2008 at 8:43 pm
1. Laura decided to do small things to make a difference because she lost her grandfather and he had always taught her to do the right thing and give to people.
2. One challenge that I faced was losing my dog last summer. I grew up with him, and he died of throat cancer. I’m very thankful that my family helped me through it….
3. Small things I could do to give back are giving hats and gloves to a church for a warming tree…I did that for a couple of years and I felt really good about it……
-Danielle
November 13, 2008 at 10:18 pm
i think more people should try to make a difference every day……….whether its something small, or something big, every little bit counts
November 14, 2008 at 8:10 pm
All of you middle schoolers are making me miss my classroom! I am so impressed by what you are doing here and I am so thankful to Laura and her grandfather for inspiring you all to make a difference. You are the future and this world needs more caring people like yourselves to take action and not just let opportunities like this pass them by. The ideas you have commented about here are awesome. I am especially liking Corneilius’ idea because there are a lot of people out there who need help in situations like this and I think that researching ways to help others in similar situations cope and heal is fantastic. You are all very impressive young ladies and gentlemen and my heart is warmed just by reading; imagine how those you help will feel and how good it will feel for you to know that you are making a difference too. Keep up the GREAT and inspiring work! I’m looking forward to reading your updates and progress.
November 16, 2008 at 4:06 am
1. Laura was inspired to create her blog and make a difference when her grandfather died.
2.One challenge I have gone through was my dads house burrning down. This was hard for my dad because my grandfather helped him make that house who is not alive anymore. My parents are divorced so me and my brother only lost half of our belongings, but is was horrbile to know my dad lost everything he owned. Everyone was there at two in the morning to support my dad, brother, and I. The house was caused by arson. We just found out it was one of my dads old workers. My dad was friends with this man, and it is hard to know he is the one who did that to our family.
3.One way I can make a difference is donating to a small charity, or giving money to a local church.
November 17, 2008 at 3:35 am
It is so amazing that all of you teenagers will be doing so much to make a difference! I’m behind you and applaud your efforts! Your actions will continue to inspire people all over the world, long after this school year has ended.
Should you need some ideas that can be done by virtually anyone – please look at the calendar section of my website – http://www.spreadingjoycorp.com
There are many easy and free ways of giving. Any one, any age can do many of the things on there.
I look forward to following you on this wonderful adventure!
November 19, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I will now help out people in out side work like my grandma I will also help out clean up the yards of people I will also listen and respect elder people =)
November 19, 2008 at 2:36 pm
My thoughts have changes because now that Laura has done her presentation for us, she made me think different. I will help others, respect elders, parents, and teachers more. :]
November 19, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Laura decided to make a difference when her grandfather died in 05. She started to make donations to charites that went to homeless people and other charites.She dosent spend much time doing this stuff but she makes a really big difference to the people around her.
November 20, 2008 at 3:04 pm
depew middle school is starting a clothes drive for the salvation army. we would like people to donate clothes that you dont wear and bring them to depew middle if you want to help. thank you
November 21, 2008 at 1:30 am
1-Laura was trying to do smaill things to make a difference for a year because she had to get people going and trying to help her on her website and she finally made it up to big differences
2-Challenges like autism are very hard on people. Espically diseases like diabetes because it can never go away. I know about 5 people who have diabetes and its very hard for them to watch what they are eating and how low or high their sugar is.
3-I can donate old clothes and food to homeless shelters and shelters where teens, aduts, and even kids go that need help with their lives. I could also donate to the ASPCA which i have always dreamed of in my life but i can never get anyone to help me.
November 21, 2008 at 1:46 am
Also Amy R, Danielle D, Kelia M, Angela F, Cassandra C, Dominique D, Kayla S, and Katrina M are helping to make a difference by organizing a clothes dive between the date Dec. 10th and Dec. 22nd. We don’t only accecpt clothes like shirts and pants, but we also accecpt hats, gloves, shoes, and ect. We are benefiting the Compass House. You will be able to donate in the lunch room and in room 210. If you can remind students that not only 7th graders can do this but EVERYONE can.
Thank You
November 23, 2008 at 11:16 pm
we’re happy to be helping the compass house…..we’re really glad that this is taking place so fast……it makes things go quicker….dominique and i also have some posters made……were going to hang one up in each wing.