Eighth graders learn big lessons from CNN Heroes assignment
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow e-mailed and chatted over Skype about his work to relieve hunger problems for kids.
January 5th, 2011
11:44 AM ET

Eighth graders learn big lessons from CNN Heroes assignment

For a group of eighth graders in Iowa a language arts assignment turned into an eye-opening experience when they got the chance to speak with some of the CNN Heroes winners.

Their teacher assigned them to draw names of the CNN Hero finalists and try to reach out to them for a Skype session for class. Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, who was named a hero for his efforts to towards global hunger relief, shared stories with the students of other kids, worlds away, who don't have even the simple luxuries the Dickinson County kids likely took for granted.

"For our kids to hear these stories about other students their age that all they want out of life is education and a meal," teacher Chris Block told the Dickinson County News. "That's pretty amazing– for our students to know what life is really like in other places."

Learn more about CNN Heroes

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Filed under: Iowa • TV-CNN Heroes
soundoff (75 Responses)
  1. Erika Burton

    Any time teachers can connect student models to their students they see how their efforts can make a difference. Altruism is lost in our country without bringing attention to acts of selflessness and continuing to push our children to rise to meet some passion project through action instead of words.

    The most meaningful solution to atrophy of human generosity is to model examples of it everyday.
    It starts with our role models: parents, teachers, neighbors, friends.
    Erika Burton, Ph.D.
    Stepping Stones Together, Founder
    Empowering parental involvement in early literacy programs
    http://www.steppingstonestogether.com

    February 4, 2011 at 1:34 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Emily McCaffery AKA Ease

    I think, that the world is ment to be a very nice place.

    February 16, 2011 at 1:44 pm | Report abuse |
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