Emily Linn’s class has been having fun playing with bugs. “We’re learning about meal worms and the life cycle of creatures. The kids are fascinated by their bugs,” Emily laughed. “They think they’re cute. You got to love third graders.”
She’s genuine in that sentiment. Emily has taught in Two Harbors, where she lives, and now teaches at William Kelley Elementary School in Silver Bay, where she’s worked for three years. This is her first year with third graders. She is having a lot of fun. “I love it. The third grade is my ideal. If I could pick the grade I wanted, it would be third grade.”
Always trying to keep things interesting, Emily plans a lot of hands-on and fun activities for the kids (see meal worm reference above). One recent activity will have an impact not just inside the classroom but across the globe. The lesson that combined subjects like science and social studies started with the question, “Do you know what a humanitarian is?”
“We talked about natural disasters, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes,” Emily said. “But there is also war. If there are people who don’t have things because of a war, we have to try to help them out however we can.”
In learning that there were families that may not have electricity in Ukraine, the students were eager to help by building Ray of Life solar lights. The components of the lights come in a kit that requires assembly. “It takes a steady hand and following directions,” said Emily. Once complete, the solar light provides a light, nightlight, and a cell phone charger.
A senior and two sophomores volunteered to help the kids put the lights together. Having the upperclassmen in the class was a treat for the third graders. Two of her students were really proud when their older brother joined the class to help.
Emily was familiar with Ray of Life solar lights, as she had assembled quite a few of them for Ukraine through her church, the United Church of Two Harbors. When her friend and fellow church member Dave Nonnemacher asked her if she thought her class would like to help, as well, she said, “Absolutely!”
Dave is the director of New Horizons Foundation-USA, which is a public charity that promotes and supports charitable projects in many capacities. He had been heavily involved in non-profit work in Romania and Moldova. When the war broke out, his focus shifted to Ukraine and the refugees. He has since coordinated bringing supplies and Ray of Life solar lights overseas. He brought the class the solar light kits and expressed the importance of the work they were doing.
“He said ‘Your hands are touching this box today, and by Wednesday it will be in Minneapolis,’” Emily said. Dave explained how the lights would get all the way to Ukraine. They took out the globe to show how far of a reach their handiwork would have.
“I think they learn more and understand it better when they are taking part of it,” she said. “When their fingers are touching it and they’re having first-hand experience it’s going to be more impactful.”
Not only was it important work, but the kids also really had a good time putting the kits together. “When they get to the point where they can actually attach the battery pack to the light and see them light up, it was cheers!” Emily said. “They were saying ‘Oh my gosh, it actually works!’”
Emily believes that building the solar lights for Ukraine will be a memorable experience for the students. “When I can show them, here’s a literal light that you put together that you are sending to possibly another child that doesn’t have light,” she said, “They are going to remember that for the rest of their lives.”
It’s very likely the kindness will be remembered by the recipients on the other side of the globe, as well.
If you are interested in donating, volunteering, or have questions about the Ray of Light solar lights for Ukraine contact Dave Nonnemacher at 218-626-7222.
