Service Learning

Project LIT Community will introduce students to a book club with chapters in over 1000 schools across the country whose mission is to empower students as readers and leaders. Students will have the opportunity to hear from several Project LIT authors, like Randy Ribay and Ben Philippe, choose a book (or audiobook) to read over the course of the week, as well as hear from experts from the HP Alliance on how to use literature to be a better leader. In addition, students will create a proposal for starting a middle school chapter of the Project LIT Book Club at Gill and complete a book-themed community service project.

Details:  

• Potential visiting authors and speakers – at least one per day- to include:
• Ben Philippe (Charming as a Verb, Field Guide to a North American Teenager)
• Christina Hammonds Reed (The Black Kids)
• Randy Ribay (After the Shot Drops, Patron Saints of Nothing)
• Brendan Kiely (All American Boys, Tradition)
• Victoria Jamieson (Roller Girl, When Stars are Scattered)
• Katie Bowers (founder of the HP Alliance)
• Dr. Jarred Amato (founder of Project LIT Community)
• Students will choose a book from the Project LIT list to read or listen to over the course of the week.
• Daily discussions will include book talks, books as “windows, mirrors, and sliding doors,” how-tos for starting a successful new club, and more.
• Unit will also include community service piece - book drive, creating little free libraries, or another book-themed project.

Stressed Out? Too much screen time? Want a relaxing and lifelong hobby that can connect you to people of all ages around the world? Do you like bringing joy to others through sharing of handmade items? Knitting, crocheting, and needlework are timeless artistic traditions and excellent therapy! They can help promote mental health by relieving stress and easing depression; the needle arts are meditative practices that allow you to be creative and produce a beautiful project to wear, display, or share with others. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced student, you can learn something new or improve your existing skills. The Needle Arts for a Cause Unit will provide instruction and practice on a variety of needle arts with the goal of donating finished projects to specific charities/organizations. 

Topics to be covered include: 

• Knitting & Crocheting: We will make small knit/crochet hats for infants at a NICU or hospital. We can also knit/crochet small baby blankets for Project Linus, a nonprofit that provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. 
• Knotted Fleece Blankets: Making a fleece blanket with tied or braided fringe edge is an easy, no-sew project that produces lovely results in a short amount of time. We will learn how to make knotted fleece blankets and donate them to Project Linus or a homeless shelter. 
• Cross-stitch Project: We will make small hoop projects using cross-stitch, back-stitch, and French knots. Finished projects can be donated to brighten a nursing home or auctioned off with proceeds going to charity. 
• Temari Ball Project: Temari is an ancient Japanese art form, where thread covered balls are stitched upon with colorful threads. We will learn how to make, wrap, and mark the Temari ball and then stitch designs upon them. Finished projects can be donated to brighten a nursing home or auctioned off with proceeds going to charity/organization. 
• Quilting: We will learn to sew a basic quilting design and make a square (or squares) that will go into a quilt designed and completed by the Unit group to be auctioned off, with proceeds going to charity/organization.