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First-graders' program aim is to spread kindness
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| Nice work: Kayla Sherman, with Kindness Garden in background, and fellow first-graders in Michelle Saunders' class, are working to promote random acts of kindness. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Benson first-grader Ashton Knapp said by participating in the Ben's Bell campaign, there is a pay-it-forward effect that means their random acts of kindness will encourage others to pass it on.
Michelle Saunders' first-grade class at Benson Primary School is setting the example in the new school year by participating in a program established to promote random acts of kindness.
Saunders said she heard about the program through the Tucson media, and decided to look into it for her own class. Through small ceramic tiles, students are being taught how one act of kindness can turn into many more.
Ben's bells are ceramic wind chimes that are not for sale, but several times a year can be seen throughout the Tucson community, and soon Benson. The only way to get a bell is to find one, or be belled.
To be belled, the point is to be kind.
"We want people to remember how much power they have each day to make the world a better place simply by being kind," say Jeannette and Dean Packard, creators of the program.
The program was founded in 2002 as a coping mechanism in tragedy. A Tucson couple tells the story of how on March 29, 2002, it started as a normal day, but ended tragically when their son Ben, 3, died suddenly when his airways were blocked.
"The depth of pain we were experiencing was beyond description," the couple said. "Every parent's worst nightmare was our reality and we didn't know how we would possibly survive. More than anything we just wished we could die. Perhaps we would have died if not for Matthew (the couple's 6-year-old son). He was still alive and he needed us as he had never needed us before."
By incorporating coping strategies into their daily lives, the family soon started making the ceramic flowers that came to be known as Ben's Bells. They started making them for the backyard with friends.
On the first anniversary of Ben's death, the family hung the ceramic tiles throughout the Tucson community, telling those who took them to take one home and pass on the kindness.
"Ben's Bells symbolize kindness and its power in healing," the couple said. "We hope that they will touch others' lives and help to make our community a more gentle place to live. We are so very grateful for our community's incredible enthusiasm for the project and we know that we can make a difference."
Saunders said she hopes to instill those values into the Benson students through the curriculum laid out for the Ben's Bells program. With famous quotes about kindness posted, along with the class's list of what constitutes an act of kindness, students have been immersed into what will be a yearlong program.
To start, Saunders said the students made flowers in art class for the "Kindness Garden," that is now posted near the door in the classroom. And soon, the ceramic flowers will be handed out as acts of kindness occur. These students will then pass them on as they see others being kind.
For now, the actual bell that has the ceramic flower tiles is hanging in the primary-school office. Soon, Saunders' class and other classes will have the chance to compete for the honor to hang the bell in their own classroom.
Starting in October, students will be able to submit how they have been kind, and those who have done the most, will earn the honor to hang the bell in their classroom for a week.
Saunders said she hopes the program instills the kindness in these children for many years to come.
"This is a great program to promote random acts of kindness," Saunders said. "Most kids are kind and its taught out of them. We are encouraging kids to keep doing it."
Already taking hold, several students in Saunders' class were excited about the project.
Kayla Sherman said she is helping others tie their shoes and even more importantly, when she saw someone bleeding she got them a band-aid.
Ashton Knapp said he has helped friends tie their shoes, and has helped his grandmother by carrying groceries.
"If you are nice to others it makes them feel good, and it makes you feel good," Knapp said. "Then, they will pass it on and the kindness will never stop."
Benson first-grader Ashton Knapp said by participating in the Ben's Bell campaign, there is a pay-it-forward effect that means their random acts of kindness will encourage others to pass it on.
Michelle Saunders' first-grade class at Benson Primary School is setting the example in the new school year by participating in a program established to promote random acts of kindness.
Saunders said she heard about the program through the Tucson media, and decided to look into it for her own class. Through small ceramic tiles, students are being taught how one act of kindness can turn into many more.
Ben's bells are ceramic wind chimes that are not for sale, but several times a year can be seen throughout the Tucson community, and soon Benson. The only way to get a bell is to find one, or be belled.
To be belled, the point is to be kind.
"We want people to remember how much power they have each day to make the world a better place simply by being kind," say Jeannette and Dean Packard, creators of the program.
The program was founded in 2002 as a coping mechanism in tragedy. A Tucson couple tells the story of how on March 29, 2002, it started as a normal day, but ended tragically when their son Ben, 3, died suddenly when his airways were blocked.
"The depth of pain we were experiencing was beyond description," the couple said. "Every parent's worst nightmare was our reality and we didn't know how we would possibly survive. More than anything we just wished we could die. Perhaps we would have died if not for Matthew (the couple's 6-year-old son). He was still alive and he needed us as he had never needed us before."
By incorporating coping strategies into their daily lives, the family soon started making the ceramic flowers that came to be known as Ben's Bells. They started making them for the backyard with friends.
On the first anniversary of Ben's death, the family hung the ceramic tiles throughout the Tucson community, telling those who took them to take one home and pass on the kindness.
"Ben's Bells symbolize kindness and its power in healing," the couple said. "We hope that they will touch others' lives and help to make our community a more gentle place to live. We are so very grateful for our community's incredible enthusiasm for the project and we know that we can make a difference."
Saunders said she hopes to instill those values into the Benson students through the curriculum laid out for the Ben's Bells program. With famous quotes about kindness posted, along with the class's list of what constitutes an act of kindness, students have been immersed into what will be a yearlong program.
To start, Saunders said the students made flowers in art class for the "Kindness Garden," that is now posted near the door in the classroom. And soon, the ceramic flowers will be handed out as acts of kindness occur. These students will then pass them on as they see others being kind.
For now, the actual bell that has the ceramic flower tiles is hanging in the primary-school office. Soon, Saunders' class and other classes will have the chance to compete for the honor to hang the bell in their own classroom.
Starting in October, students will be able to submit how they have been kind, and those who have done the most, will earn the honor to hang the bell in their classroom for a week.
Saunders said she hopes the program instills the kindness in these children for many years to come.
"This is a great program to promote random acts of kindness," Saunders said. "Most kids are kind and its taught out of them. We are encouraging kids to keep doing it."
Already taking hold, several students in Saunders' class were excited about the project.
Kayla Sherman said she is helping others tie their shoes and even more importantly, when she saw someone bleeding she got them a band-aid.
Ashton Knapp said he has helped friends tie their shoes, and has helped his grandmother by carrying groceries.
"If you are nice to others it makes them feel good, and it makes you feel good," Knapp said. "Then, they will pass it on and the kindness will never stop."
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Diane Viewing wrote on Sep 25, 2009 9:34 PM:
Where are these children's parents? They should be the ones teaching about kindness. You, on the other hand, desperately need to teach them to read, write and do numbers. The taxpayers depend on you to deliver the academic skills these youngsters will need to survive in the coming years. Maybe this is just a little fluff piece for the beginning of the new year. I can hope. If this is an example of curriculum, we are doomed. Say it isn't so!
Diane Viewing "