Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2016 | Page 4
Community shelter touched by fourth-graders’ Love Project
Fourth graders at Porter Ridge
Elementary are doing more than just
studying about poverty and homelessness;
they’re lending a hand to those in need in
what has been dubbed the Love Project.
“The Love Project was a way for the
students at Porter Ridge to give back to
their community, while learning about real
world concerns,” said fourth-grade teacher
Amy Morris.
The project was born during lessons
on social issues, when students learned
that there are problems that affect a large
number of people within society and even
the world.
Topics such as divorce, poverty,
gender bias, racial discrimination and
homelessness were studied.
“Students have read many articles and
books that show characters or historical
people who have faced various social
issues,” Morris added.
After reading about these societal
hardships, teachers and students took
things to the next level and decided to
collect hygiene items for those who live at
the Union County Community Shelter in
Monroe.
A school-wide drive, known as the
Love Project, brought in items such as
toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and soap.
After students collected the items, they Students at Porter Ridge Elementary fill approximately 200 bags with hygiene items for
organized them into more than 200 clear
the Union County Community Shelter for the Love Project.
plastic bags ready for distribution.
“It makes me feel good to
know I am helping other people
stay healthy,” said fourth grader
Lindsay Colquitt.
Principal Lisa Taylor said
students far surpassed their initial
objective.
“I am extremely proud of our
students and teachers for seeing
a need and being willing to help
by taking on this project,” Taylor
said. “Their goal was 88 bags, so
they were very happy that they
exceeded that.”
Discussing real-life issues and
coming up with solutions, Taylor
said, was a great way for students
to achieve “authentic learning.”
“They were able to feel the
satisfaction in doing something for Porter Ridge Elementary fourth graders and school staff stand ready to send the approximately
others without expecting anything 200 bags of hygiene items to the Union County Community Shelter for the Love Project.
in return and our wonderful
“When we help them, I think they feel really happy because they
parents, who graciously sent in the needed items, made it all
know
other people care about them,” Lindsay said.
possible,” Taylor said.
After
all