Help Nepal
Theme: How we organize ourselves
Central idea: Money is a human-made system that helps value goods and services."
The fourth grade classes decided that for their summative assessment task, they would raise funds to support the improvement of an elementary school and high school in central Nepal by providing various school supplies and tools for teaching and learning. The small village of Thapakatheri in the Dhading District of Nepal is located near the epicenter of the 7.8 earthquake that struck April last year. Without much government assistance, the community has struggled to provide adequate schooling for its young people.
The summative assessment involved providing goods and services to the teachers at school, as well as to family members at home. On March 28, students sold goods (ex. snacks, stationery, etc.) to teachers during the break time. Then, last March 31, students used the break time to provide services to teachers (ex. cleaning the classroom, running errands for teachers, etc). In addition to providing services at school, students were encouraged to find opportunities to provide services at home. Through brainstorming and class discussion, students came up with a list of services and prices of things they are able to help with both at school and at home. Through their hard work, students learned what it means to provide a good service and realized the value of services in relation to money.
The fourth grade team proudly raised a total of $20,580 - all thanks to parents, teachers, and students who have participated and contributed for this cause. The students presented the money (in the form of "handmade" checks that they themselves have created) to the Thapakatheri village representative, Mr. Narayan Kandel, who came to visit our school on May 21 and shared the Thapakatheri culture and way of life, as well as the daily challenges they experience, especially the students. The teachers will keep in touch with Mr. Kandel and the principal of Shree Tripura Sundari School to ensure that the learning supplies reach the village safely.
