This special is one of fifteen Service Learning Standards Based Models 
For more Service Learning activities Connecting Classrooms~Communities~Careers
visit bostonteachnet.org or contact  Barbara Locurto  IMPACT II @ School-to-Career, 
Boston Public Schools

Human Needs

Courage Connection
2 Kids 4 Kids

Arts, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Connecting
Classrooms middle & high school students
Communities Communities hospitalized children, hospital
Careers education, health care, social services 
 

How can the Internet help adolescents learn from each other and spread messages of courage and hope?  
Children can help children cope with extended hospital stays and endure prolonged illness when they give helpful hints and exchange stories of personal courage. In this model, students research human body systems on the Internet and discuss the consequences of disease and/or traumatic injuries. A partnership with a local hospital lets them interview speakers on how research and science help sick children. Visits to the hospital reveal the many careers, offices, laboratories, technologies and equipment encountered in a busy health care center. Describing their own encounters with sickness and courage, students post their stories on a Courage Web page that they design and maintain with help from high school mentors. They also publish a kid friendly brochure telling pediatric patients what to expect about hospitals. Facing facts and telling truths, these students prepare for altruistic lives as they send words of courage 2 kids 4 kids.
Resources Kids With Courage, Barbara Lewis; Young People and Chronic Illness, Kelly Huegel
Technology search Internet, exchange e-mail, create & maintain Web page, design & publish brochure
Web Sites  A Guided Tour of the Visible Human; Bandaides & Blackboards; 
Hope for Kids Education Health Program ; MGH/Timilty Partnership; Courage Connection
Community Partners Massachusetts General Hospital, high school mentors, The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum

 


Learning Standards Classroom Activities Service Activities
o Connect reading with own & others' experiences (ELA)
o Use research & study skills (ELA) 


o Read about a boy who died of leukemia
o Begin Internet search on health issues
o Discuss personal stories of courage & illness  		o Decide to publish stories of courage on a class designed Web page 
o Invite hospital personnel to class 
o Report on an interview with a practicing or applied scientist (S) 

 

 o Interview hospital visitor on how kids can help hospitalized kids
o Agree to produce a brochure about hospital visits &/or stays
o Reflect on interview in daily journals		 o Begin an e-mail exchange on Web page & brochure with high schools students 
o Continue to record & share reflections with classmates & hospital contacts 
o Conduct historical & social studies research (SS) 
 		o Build computer research skills with an Internet scavenger hunt
o Compile lists of health & courage Web sites 		 o Submit e-mailed health care list to high school mentors & the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum
o Understand & use the writing process effectively (ELA) o Plan & schedule hospital field work 
o Preview departments & labs to be visited 
o Observe & take notes on staff, equipment & environments (emergency room, lab, etc.) 
o Outline various health care careers available in hospital 		  o Display outline of health care careers in school lobby
o Communicate with hospital contact through snail mail, e-mail & phone
o Use various formats & technology to complete & enhance work (ELA)
o Use telecommunications to share information & ideas (ELA) 
 		o Designate teams & tasks for Web page & brochure for pediatric patients 
o Transcribe & share notes for brochure
o Design & create Web page & brochure
o Write & post personal stories of courage on Web page 		 o Edit Web page & brochure with input from high school mentors
o Send brochures & Web site address to pediatric patients
o Read stories at schoolwide assembly
o Collaborate on project that applies learning to educate others  o Participate in a schoolwide health fair
o Present brochures & Web site address at fair 		 o Include hospital contacts, community leaders & family in health fair