Teaching sixth-graders how to serve others

April 21, 2008 - They are only 12 years old, but the sixth-grade kids at Anser Charter School are committed to helping people in need.

They raised money for the food bank and the Idaho Black History Museum.

They raised awareness about river pollution, global warming and diversity.

They bought and read books to disadvantaged children, volunteered at retirement homes and ran errands for the disabled.

Each fall, every sixth-grade student at Anser finds a community need that matches something they are interested in, and they go to work.  They write mission statements and action plans.  They raise money as well as give their time.

Thanks to teacher Michelle Dunstan, all sixth-graders at Anser spend a year learning firsthand what it feels like to give.

"Not a lot of nonprofits believe our students can do the kind of service they can do, so we've had to work closely with them, and Michelle is fantastic," said Suzanne Gregg, principal at Anser.  "She is on the phone all the time in communication with them."

All 190 students in kindergarten through eighth grade do some sort of community service; that is part of the curriculum at Anser.  But the service learning is intensified in the sixth grade.

"They are old enough to be able to commit to something they are passionate about," Dunstan said.

Dunstan does a lot of advance work in the summer, contacting nonprofits in the community to understand what's needed.  She puts that information into a database in hopes of matching a student's interest with a community need.

She then collects adult mentors who will commit time to help guide the students.

"We involve as many people as we can," Dunstan said.

Lauren McLeod, 12, loves to ride horses, so she picked Ride for Joy for her service project.  The organization trains therapy horses for children with disabilities.  McLeod raised about $600 this winter by organizing a variety of fundraisers, including a school dance and petting zoo.  She also spent most every weekend training six horses.

"Kids with disabilities should have the same experiences as us," McLeod said. "This class opens your eyes to how easy it is to help."

McLeod's twin brother, Ethan, is a kayaker, so his service mission was to clean the river and raise awareness about pollution in storm drains.  He organized a Boise River cleanup with his classmates.

"Kids end up having so much fun, you know this is the right thing to do," Dunstan said.

The projects are not always easy.  One of the hardest parts for the students is talking to adults at the nonporfits and convincing them a 12-year-old can be more help than hindrance.  Dunstan spends class time teaching the kids how to get things done in the adult world.

"It's hard to connect with the community when you are a sixth-grader calling,"Dunstan said. "We talk about what it takes to communicate with adults."

Action plans don't always work, so the children learn how to adjust and improvise.

"Anything but quit, "Dunstan said.

Success is not measured by numbers - the amount of money they raise or the amount of hours they volunteer.

Maia Hetherington produced a commercial to inform the community about the Idaho Black History Museum's needs.

Jesse Dark collected eyeglasses, shoes and school supplies to send to children in Africa.

Michael Duke worked with the YMCA to promote making positive food and exercise choices so young people can live healthier lives.

Claire Breen volunteered with the Special Olympics, and Chris Bohme trained dogs for companionship with residents at a retirement home.

"These activities empower them and give them confidence to be community members,"Dunstan said.

Giving back is a lifestyle for Dunstan and her husband.  Both have been church pastors and have a long history of mission work, mostly helping improve literacy among American Indians.

They are moving this summer to a Navajo reservation in Arizona to teach and serve.

"We want to help this Third World country that's right in the middle of the United States,"Dunstan said.  "Little things make a difference."

"I ask my kids to imagine what the world would be like if everyone became involved?"