Monday, September 23, 2013

Declaring W.A.R.

Books, physical activity and school have always been a big part of our family. I read to both of my kids every night in their early years and both of my kids played lots of sports. Her mother and I are teachers.

With that in mind I have started a Walk and Read club at my school. We are partnering with my daughter's kindergarten class. Also we are partnering with several schools locally.

The following is a letter I am sending to Michelle Obama:


Dear Ms. Obama

Greetings from Madison, Mississippi. I want to declare W.A.R. on obesity and illiteracy.
Please hear my strategy. It is inspired in part by your effective Let’s Move campaign.

First, I need your help for my daughter, Mary, a first year kindergarten teacher and her students, and for thousands of others across the country.

Mary, like countless other elementary school teachers, need at least a couple of other hands and minds in their classroom. I am trying to get iPads for her students and eventually for 1000s of others as did the Coachella Valley Unified School District and the McAllen Independent School District in California and Texas. (The Tennessean, September 5, 2013)

These iPads will help them read not only books but the world. They will give the teachers yet another way to broaden their learning community.

My plan is simple. A teacher will write a grant for a classroom set of iPads to a foundation, hopefully, started by you. This will not be a straight give-away program. Teachers who are interested will have to take the initiative to apply. W.A.R. will be well published through the media and the internet.

Once they are received the teacher’s students will be asked to walk so many miles a day. Initially this could be as little as a lap around the track or the school. A goal set of miles would be set for the class. Once this is goal is reached; each student would receive a book.

Then another goal of many more miles would be set. Once this goal is reached; the students would receive not only a book but also a video. This video would be from someone “famous” that they admire, such as you, reading that book to them.

Finally, another much larger goal would be set. Once this is reached; the students would receive another book and a visit. The visit would be from their hero who would read that book to the class.

To get this started, I have begun a W.A.R. club at my school to help my daughter’s class in Jackson, Tn and many other classes locally.

Will you help declare W.A.R. with us?


Sincerely,


John R. Banks     


Madison Central W.A.R. Club       



No comments:

Post a Comment