A Nobody joined seven classrooms at Kincardine Township Tiverton Public School last week.
Who is Nobody? is a new program within the Bluewater District School Board to promote character development, community service and volunteerism.
I found it very interesting and thought it would be a great way for children in our school to learn about character traits— Katherine McFadden, teacher
KTTPS teacher Katherine McFadden initiated the project to the school after attending a workshop a few months ago.
“I found it very interesting and thought it would be a great way for children in our school to learn about character traits,” said McFadden.
Senior kindergarten 1 to Grade 6 classes were given a suitcase last week and students were to ask questions based on the labels on the outside of the box to figure out what might be inside.
Last Monday, the suitcases were open, reveling a blank stuffed ‘nobody’ without facial features, clothing or any distinguishing traits that make a person who they are.
To create their ‘Nobodys’ and give them a personality, students have to help one living thing which can either be a person, an animal or the environment, based on age relevance and the child’s interest.
The idea is to have the students find something they can do to promote awareness for that cause and donate their time to help people become aware of the issue— Katherine McFadden, teacher
“The idea is to have the students find something they can do to promote awareness for that cause and donate their time to help people become aware of the issue,” said McFadden.
For example, if a student was interested in animal rights, then they might do something to raise awareness about the issue. Once that student has finished the project, he or she will attach something to ‘Nobody’ to represent the project, like a tail (representing an animal).
Other ideas may include doing something involving the Canadian Institute for the Blind and adding eyes to ‘Nobody’ when the project is complete.
McFadden said from now until May, each week a different student will make a presentation about the category they have chosen.
“By then, Nobody should have become Somebody,” she said. “Then as a class, we will give our Somebody a name.”
To help cover the $300 cost of each of the kits, the Kincardine Rotary Club president John Hill, left, presented Katherine McFadden with a $600 donation to help pay for two kits.
For more information, visit www.whoisnobody.com.
This article was published in the The Kincardin News on November 30th 2009
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