Two sixth grade classes at Northwood Elementary School recently learned how the power of the written word can have a profound impact on global issues and understanding. Julie Dioguardi’s and Laura Mayer’s classes read the book A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, which begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a fictional girl in 2008 named Nya and a real life boy in 1985 named Salva Dut.
“The students were beyond enthusiastic about the story of Salva and the way in which he affected change in the world by providing clean drinking water to parts of South Sudan,” said Dioguardi.
The book led into the sixth grade level service project, “Jar Wars,” a coin drive to benefit the charitable organization, “Joining Hearts and Hands,” during the month of October. Through this effort, students were able to raise enough money to provide a valuable water retention system for a village in Kenya, along with some other much needed academic supplies.
“The conversations among students never stopped as they have consistently referred back to the lessons learned through Salva’s story,” said Dioguardi. “In fact, many students have continually mentioned clean drinking water as their intended focus for the upcoming sixth grade social action project, The Power of One.”
On March 18, the classes were able to participate in a special live streaming event with Salva Dut and Linda Sue Park. “When we found out about the opportunity to participate in the live streaming event, students begged to be a part of it. As the live stream unfolded, the room full of 47 sixth graders were riveted to the presentation. Students feverishly took notes on all the profound and impactful words spoken by Salva and Linda,” explained Dioguardi.
As participants in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, students were able to accurately identify the approach to learning (ATL) that Salva used in his experiences and presentation, along with the ATL they used in participating in this event. The ATLs include: thinking skills, communications skills, social skills, self-management skills and research skills. Students were also able to share their understanding of the takeaway message following the presentation.
“The most important message from Salva was that he didn’t choose revenge over his attackers, but he chose peace instead,” said Creelyn Leturneau, sixth grader. “Linda Sue’s most important message was when she said that the word ‘water’ in the title actually symbolized ‘freedom,’ just like in Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.”
“A well is not just for clean water. It is for education for boys and girls. It changes people’s lives to hope,” noted sixth grader Emma Koch.
“Through these experiences, students are becoming globally aware and ready to take action,” added Dioguardi. “The Water for South Sudan Organization has done an amazing job of sharing the plight of South Sudan, and making tangible connections to the students of Northwood Elementary.”
The live streaming presentation will broadcast on YouTube until April 8.
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