Things are easier said than done, or so the old adage goes, and I couldn't agree more. That's why we are doing the GOOD Campus Challenge, a one-month attempt to live better and be happier.
Directions: For each day in February, you will be asked to complete a task (it’s a leap year, so that’s 29 tasks in all!). Some will be easy, and some will be more difficult. These tasks are intended to make you aware of how your actions can promote positivity. They will also encourage you to continue to do good deeds throughout the year. And yes, I am completing them too!
Grading: This is not a typical assignment, so you will not be given a typical grade. Instead, you will be required to choose FIVE tasks, and write reflections about them in your journal. What did you learn? How did the task affect you, or change your life? Did it change the life of someone else?
The good stuff: If the entire class completes all the tasks (honor code, people!), then we will have a movie day before Spring Break. You will also be allowed to bring in snacks. Again, ALL STUDENTS must complete ALL TASKS (with your five reflections) in order to have a movie day.
Extra credit 1: Post status updates on the class Facebook page about how the tasks are affecting you. What did you learn that day?
Extra Credit 2: Take photos during your do-goodings and post to Facebook/print/e-mail.
Now, go out into the world and make it better! I am happier already!
GOOD Campus Tasks
□ Wednesday, Feb. 1: Teach someone something.
□ Thursday, Feb. 2: Visit acespace.org/DOT and pledge to Do One Thing to help the environment. Then, do it!
□ Friday, Feb. 3: Ask a family member for advice about something, and take it!
□ Saturday, Feb. 4: Collect at least five items from your room (old clothes, books, etc.), and ask your parent to donate them to Good Will or another center.
□ Sunday, Feb. 5: Prepare snacks for the Super Bowl, even if you are just watching it with your family. Refill drinks for everyone, and gather the trash afterward.
□ Monday, Feb. 6: Eat a piece of fruit or vegetables during lunch, and omit any junk foods.
□ Tuesday, Feb. 7: Refrain from saying anything negative for the entire day. This includes: profanity, gossip, rudeness, or bad thoughts.
□ Wednesday, Feb. 8: Ask your parent for a refillable/reusable water bottle, and use it for the rest of the month. If they do not have one, use only the water fountain for a week. If you already use a reusable water bottle, talk to all of your friends who use plastic and try to get them to switch.
□ Thursday, Feb. 9: THIS ONE IS HARD! Either leave your cell phone at home for the whole school day, or turn it off and leave it in your backpack for the whole day. Talk to friends face-to-face instead, and make plans in advance.
□ Friday, Feb. 10: Tell 10 friends about the Loop the Lake for Literacy event and ask them to donate. Change counts!
□ Saturday, Feb. 11: Visit footprintnetwork.org and click on “Footprint For You.” Calculate your carbon footprint to see how you are affecting the planet. Bonus points if you have a parent do it too!
□ Sunday, Feb. 12: Make breakfast for at least one other member of your family. Don’t know how? Ask an adult to show you how to scramble eggs or make pancakes.
□ Monday, Feb. 13: Pick up at least 10 pieces of trash while you are at school. Use a tissue or gloves, and remember to wash you hands afterward!
□ Tuesday, Feb. 14: Say Happy Valentine’s Day to as many students and teachers as possible, not just your friends.
□ Wednesday, Feb. 15: When you get home from school, discuss today’s Holocaust presentation with your family members. If you did not attend, start a discussion about the Holocaust with your family and see if you can answer any of their questions.
□ Thursday, Feb. 16: Read a book for at least 30 minutes today. Can’t find anything interesting? Visit your local library and check something out. It’s free.
□ Friday, Feb. 17: Make something for someone.
□ Saturday, Feb. 18: If you have a sibling, offer to do something with them today. They get to choose. Only child? Offer to do something fun with a parent. Need suggestions? Visit the West Palm Beach Farmer’s Market at the end of Clematis Street and taste-test all the free samples.
□ Sunday, Feb. 19: Write a letter or thank you card to someone. It can be a letter to a grandparent you don’t see often, a thank you card to a teacher or coach, a note to your parents, or anything similar. Be creative!
□ Monday, Feb. 20: Watch tonight’s news program, and write a Facebook update on the class page about the most interesting story. Don’t have Facebook? Write it in your journal for me to check.
□ Tuesday, Feb. 21: Teach at least two friends about genocide in Darfur , and tell them to visit savedarfur.org to help prevent it.
□ Wednesday, Feb. 22: Listen to one TED Talk today. Pick one that interests you at ted.com.
□ Thursday, Feb. 23: Go to your classes as early as possible and ask your teachers if there is anything you can help them with before class begins.
□ Friday, Feb. 24: Hold the door for everyone today. No exceptions!
□ Saturday, Feb. 25: Think happy thoughts today as Mrs. Marcello bikes 31 miles around Lake Okeechobee to help raise money for the PBC Literacy Coalition! Eek!
□ Sunday, Feb. 26: Research food drives or beach cleanups in your area. All you have to do is find out when and where they are, and write it down in your journal. Going is up to you (but I think you should!).
□ Monday, Feb. 27: Give three complements. Bonus points if you complement a stranger.
□ Tuesday, Feb. 28: Ask a family member what they did today. Have a conversation.
□ Wednesday, Feb. 29: Write about your experience as an Upstander, focusing on how this process might change the way you live your life in the future.
