By Meghan Chew
Grade 5 and 6 Dean
When the fifth-grade teachers met to discuss the grade's annual service day, we were inspired by the words of Headmaster, Bob Whelan at our annual Convocation. The message of kindness was a big takeaway for our students, and we wanted to draw upon those words as the theme.
Keeping some of the same service projects we continue to complete each year — trash clean-up at Burying Hill Beach, a read-aloud with the first-grade students, weed clean-up on the GFA campus — all were a must on our schedule for the day. However, we wanted to engage the fifth-grade students to think critically about how they could use their academic knowledge and skills to truly integrate their learning into service. How can we continue to foster a climate of kindness on campus, even after service day has concluded?
Utilizing design-thinking strategies, fifth-graders were encouraged to think about how they can create a positive impact on the GFA community. One kind message at the right moment can change someone’s day, outlook, and life. How could we, as the youngest members of the Middle School, spread kindness to all students?
Keeping in this theme, we decided to bring The Kindness Rock Project™ to GFA. The project “encourages people to leave rocks painted with inspiring messages along the path of life.” The fifth graders were tasked with designing kindness rocks with a meaningful quote or kind message of their choice.
The results were incredible. Messages included:
- Don't be afraid to dream BIG!
- In a field of horses, be a unicorn.
- What if I fail... but what if you fly?
- Dare to be yourself.
- Happiness takes time.
- You can do this.
- You are the only YOU!
What started as one small idea has evolved into a much more integrated project. Once we started brainstorming, the fifth graders couldn’t stop thinking of possible ways to bring more members of the community in on their project. For now, please feel free to visit the Fifth Grade Kindness Rock Garden located in our vegetable garden and stay tuned for more developments on this ongoing service project.
To see more of the GFA students’ kindness rocks, click here.
To learn more about The Kindness Rocks Project, visit thekindnessrocksproject.com or search the hashtag #TheKindnessRocksProject.