Blue Ribbon Campaign
The Blue Ribbon Campaign connects your elementary through high school class with students throughout the USA who are making their statements on behalf of nearly 70 million children who are denied the opportunity to get a quality education. Schools and youth groups from around the country are invited to participate in the Blue Ribbon Campaign, which runs from now through Global Action Week - May 2 - 8. 2010. Ribbons collected from students and youth groups from around the country will be featured at a major Washington D.C. press event during Global Action Week.
In addition to adding to the national Blue Ribbon chain, students and youth groups are invited to make blue ribbons they can wear during Global Action Week. Directions are provided below.
Blue Ribbon Chains
Supplies Needed: light blue, 8 ½” x 11” sheets of paper; paste; markers or pens; double-sided tape.
- Cut a strip of blue paper 2 inches wide by 11 inches long. You can also use this ribbon for the activity.
- Ask students to write on one side of the ribbon why going to school is important to them.
- Ask students to write on the other side of the ribbon why going to school is important to children in developing countries.
- Write on the board different ideas for possible messages for students to use on their ribbons – but reinforce that the messages should be their own.
- You may want to suggest messages that relate to your curriculum, such as “Why is it important that girls receive and education?”
For example: On one side, a student could write, “I am going to school so that I can be lawyer for poor women and girls.” On the other side a student could write, “Educating girls in other countries means less infants die of diseases.”
- Once the student has completed writing on both sides, the paper ribbon can be affixed to another, to make a chain. Keep growing the chain as each student finishes his or her blue ribbon.
- Students might extend their chain around the school entrance sign or mascot and post to Facebook (see below).
When you have completed the blue ribbon chain, mail your chain to the Global Campaign for Education, U.S. at 750 First Street NE, Suite 1040, Washington, D.C. 20002.
Teachers are encouraged to mail their blue ribbon chains as soon as they are completed. All chains must be received by April 18, 2011.
Blue Ribbons to Wear
Supplies Needed: light blue, 8 ½” x 11” sheets of paper; paste; markers or pens; double-sided tape.
- Cut a strip of blue construction paper one inch wide by 11 inches long.
- Have students bring the two ends of the paper together, crossing over each other, forming a ribbon.
- Have students paste the ribbon where it crosses over to seal the ribbon.
- Students can use double-sided tape to affix the ribbon to their shirts.
- Ribbons can be presented to other classes and faculty during Global Action Week.
GLOBAL ACTION WEEK – USA Blue Ribbon Chain On Display
- The blue ribbon chains from schools throughout the U.S. will be linked together and wrapped around a giant globe as the visual centerpiece of a media event during Global Action Week in Washington.
- Your class will be displayed on a poster board with photos of your students as the back-drop for the press event.
- The leaders of the AFT and NEA will join other leaders of the Global Campaign for Education and present blue ribbons to President Obama and the members of congress with a WAKE-UP call—economic development, peace and stability require education for all children.
Blue Ribbons: When should you wear them?
- Students can wear their blue ribbons the day they participate in the Lesson for All activity and all throughout Global Action Week.
- Teachers are invited to take group photos of students wearing their blue ribbons and post them to the GCE-US Facebook Page or email the photo to info@campaignforeducationusa.org.
- Students can also take the blue ribbon project home to engage their parents and post photos to the GCE-US Facebook page or email their photos to GCE-US.
- When posting to Facebook or emailing photos, teachers should include the name of the school, city and state, teacher’s name and grade.
- Photos of students wearing their blue ribbons will be turned into posters and displayed at that Capitol Hill press event in Washington D.C. during Global Action Week.
To get information on additional activities and events taking place around the country, sign up for the Global Action Week Action Alert.
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