Service Learning
A Passport to Character and Community
At Big Blue Marble Academy, we know that a global learning curriculum is more than introducing children to different countries, languages, and cultures—it’s about learning the role they play as good citizens in their community and of our world.
Helping to foster and grow positive character traits, such as responsibility, empathy, and persistence, is woven into our curriculum each month. We build on these learning experiences by introducing children to mindfulness techniques to help them better understand and appreciate their feelings. Through service learning opportunities that we call our Heart Projects, our children then learn how they can help make a difference by putting these traits into action.
Character Development Through Mindfulness
Our mindfulness and character education is designed to help children understand that their actions have an effect on themselves and others. As they learn how these traits can help them at school and at home, the results can often be seen as improved attention spans, the ability to stay calm under stress, and helping to create a more caring classroom community. Teachers first describe each character trait, and then throughout the day, seek opportunities to discuss the character trait in real situations and in interactions with classmates.
Character Development Through Service Learning
One of our primary goals is supporting young children on their journey to become caring, compassionate, and responsible members of their community. Through our Heart Projects, our children learn that they have the ability to solve real-world problems and make meaningful contributions to the lives of others. Our young learners are challenged to think critically and creatively while practicing essential skills, such as collaboration, communication, and teamwork. Through our service learning opportunities, children grow into good neighbors and involved citizens.
Children participate in different Heart Projects throughout the year, and our teachers take every opportunity to assist the children in making connections between the project and their daily experiences. Featured Heart Projects include:
Blankets of Love (January)
Each January, our children make new, no-sew blankets to provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. These blankets are distributed to Children’s Charity Center Orphanage in Ukraine, as well as shelters and childrens’ hospitals in local communities. Last year, more than 270 Blankets of Love were made and shared.
Change for a Change/Mission of Hope (March – April)
This initiative supports pre- and post-natal care at Rotifunk Hospital in Sierra Leone, Africa. Children collect change to benefit Mission of Hope’s Madonna Project at the hospital. They learn that mothers need healthy food, clean water, and doctors so that they can have healthy babies. The children make posters informing people of the need, ask for change to help the mothers and babies, and brainstorm locations to display their posters. As the change comes in, the children are responsible for counting and rolling it into coin containers. Lastly, they create cards for the new mothers visiting Rotifunk Hospital.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (June – July)
Big Blue Marble Academy raises money and awareness for childhood cancer causes, primarily for research into new treatments and cures, through Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraisers. Children are encouraged to get involved by measuring ingredients, preparing the lemonade, decorating the lemonade stands, making posters, and learning to count change. Last year, BBMA families raised $8,831 through lemonade sales.
Cookies for a Cause (September)
BBMA fundraiser to support an orphanage in Ukraine and Operation Christmas Child
Each fall, BBMA students sell cookie dough to their friends and family to raise money for two of BBMA’s Heart Projects. BBMA receives 40% of the proceeds that go directly to Global Children’s Outreach, a 501(c)(3) that provides 100% of the annual operational support and food for an orphanage in Ukraine. Remaining funds pay for supplies and shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, which sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children all over the world.
2020 Cookie Dough Sales $153,000
2021 Cookie Dough Sales $218,000
2022 Cookie Dough Sales $190,530
2023 Cookie Dough Sales $161,087
Season of Giving (October – December)
BBMA’s Season of Giving invites children to participate in service learning projects during the holiday season. Our children will be learning the joy and meaningful impact of giving to those in need close to home and around the globe.
