teaches English Language Arts and Social Studies at Orchard Gardens Pilot School.
Rosie’s Place
Project Hope
| Classroom Activities | |
• |
Write personal views of homeless people in reflection journals |
| • | Share reflections with class & discuss positive & negative views |
| • | View & report on The Little Match Girl & The Prince of Central Park |
| • | Read & report on Monkey Island |
| • | Compare personal views of homeless people before & after viewing films & reading books |
| • | Organize & hold Clothing Drive to help women & children at Rosie’s Place |
| • | Create web site & computer slide shows on Homelessness in Boston |
| Community Activities | |
• |
Walk through neighborhood |
| • | Identify local facilities that serve homeless women & families |
| • | Advertise Clothing Drive throughout school & on class web site |
| • | Share computer slide shows with other classes |
| • | Visit Rosie’s Place & deliver clothing |
| • | Plan to continue relationship with local social service agencies that serve homeless women, children & families |
When we first discussed students’ personal views of homelessness, most replies indicated we had some work to do. Responses portrayed drunken and dangerous men wandering the streets. As we read books, watched films, and discussed the issues, different pictures emerged. I deliberately try not to steer or influence our discussions. Conversations have led to exactly where I hoped. Students now want to help. They realize that homeless people are like us, and they are in dire need of help. While students may still be wary, they now exhibit more compassion towards homeless people. They see themselves as change agents for the greater social good.
At first, I thought homeless people stayed on the corner, drank liquor, and smoked.
Then I saw how Jay Jay survived in The Prince of Central Park. I read Monkey Island and found out how Clay Garrity lived on the streets. That changed my mind. Now I know not all homeless people are men. I think that homeless people probably were just like us when they were little kids. They went to school. They had goals to achieve. Then they had real problems like they couldn’t pay rent, or they lost their jobs. . . . I’m learning that we can help homeless people. We can help them learn how to read, bring them clothes and help feed them. We can make a difference.
