Thanks to a generous donation from the Franciscan Physicians Network, the Rotary Club was able to offer a fantastic incentive to our Andy & Elmer Literacy Project during our reading of the Apple Dumpling Adventure to 3rd grade classrooms in Michigan City. Classrooms were invited to submit posters showing what the 4 Way Test means to them, and our club's Rotarians took a vote for the winning poster. Congratulations to our winner, Ms. Macke from Joy Elementary School! Her classroom wins a $250 grant for supplies for the classroom AND a pizza party, and Joy School will receive a matching grant. Thank you to those who submitted posters!

"We have been doing this project for a number of years here on the island of Maui and our lesson plan is on your website. We just completed it this year."

"I was first made aware of your literacy project when I visited your booth at an RI Convention...can't remember if it was LA or Salt Lake City.

Having taught regular education, special ed and gifted kids for several years, I surmised after our first year of presenting to 2nd graders, that the curriculum fit more appropriately in 3rd grade. My reasoning? We started the program in September/October in 2nd grade initially. These cherubs are 7--barely--and with what I know about their cognition, it was evident not all the 7 year olds had yet reached the age of reason, making the concepts we were teaching problematic. In fact, I'd venture a guess that at least half of them didn't understand everything at the level we wanted them to and "getting it" was simply not possible with their brain development. By 3rd grade, they've all turned that cognitive corner and can fully understand all the 4 Way test concepts; newly minted (or even later in the year) 2nd graders simply couldn't grasp this. 

Here are a few more testimonials from Marcey Whiteside and the Rotarian readers who participated in this project:

“Despite the variety of ability levels in each 2nd grade class, the students could easily relate to the components of the Four-Way test. They were able to give examples of how to apply these attributes in their life. Key to this success was the following approach (strategies used by teachers when teaching a reading lesson) to the lesson:

It was reviewed by the district media services director and he wrote a “review” that I have attached. (See below.) We made a presentation at an elementary principals’ meeting at which the Asst. Super for Curr. endorsed Rotary and our Rotary club in particular for asking if we could be of assistance and paying for everything that we supported.

In visiting all the 2nd grades in our district/area (20) we showed the A&E.wmv, explained what we and Rotary did (eradicate polio, scholarships, 50% of people fired are fired because they can’t get along with others.) We left a hard cover for each class and the school’s library, class sets of activity books, bookmarks, Four-Way Test poster, and club brochure. They were impressed with the .wmv and put it on the district’s web site share program so that it can be viewed again and again. This book fits in with the core democratic values and core curriculum. It does not add to the teachers’ work load but gives a useful and interesting tool to meet the requirements of the state mandated curriculum.”

The book has a cross-curricular apeal with ties to several subject areas including business, economics, math, science, life skills, and English Language Arts. It is very closely aligned with the Core Democratic Values and there are numerous connections that can be made. A variety of assignments and projects could easily be prepared by creative teachers to supplement and extend the book beyond just reading it as a story. For example:

• Students could rewrite the story with an outcome they think might happen if Andy had responded differently to one of the questions posed by the voice he heard.

• Making apple dumplings would give opportunities for students to work together cooperatively in an activity that would certainly engage them.

• There are obvious connections to math in the measuring process for ingredients, ratios, fractions, addition, subtraction, sales, percentages, etc. and could be lead-ins to activities using math tools and software.

• Following a formula to cook the dumplings is a great introduction to the scientific process and could lead to a variety of science activities that require step by step procedures.

Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure would be an excellent book selection to support an early elementary curriculum.”

 “The students enjoyed the story, and also, I believe they liked hearing about Rotary, what it is, and what we do. The principal asked when we were coming back.”

“I would like to bring you up-to-date on what has been occurring on the Andy & Elmer project presentation that I have taken on since I last contacted you in August.

I have been presenting to clubs in our area, with a tremendous response, and hope that they will be contacting you soon on their project.

In August it was brought to my attention that our club could apply for a Rotary International Vocational Service Project Award, which I think has never been done from our club. So I asked for an application and put together all the information that I could and submitted the application to RI in early August 2010. The application consisted of questions on: What was the primary objective of the project, benefits of the project, description of the project from beginning to end, groups, organizations or agencies that worked with the project objectives, and why this project should be given an RI Vocational Service Award, and this all had to be done in 500 words or less. This was difficult for me to limit this to only 500 words, because of the passion, purpose and the enthusiasm that I have for this project.

I just returned from attending our District 6080 Conference in Columbia, MO last week, and was extremely honored to receive the Rotary International Model Vocational Service Project Award presented to the Willow Springs Rotary Club for submitting the Andy & Elmer project. This submission form was available to all Rotary International Rotary Clubs who successfully completed vocational service projects during the 2009-2010 year.

As you might guess, I was overwhelmed to accept the honor. The past District Governor for 2009-2010, Steve Montgomery, which presented this award, remarked that he now has 3 additional clubs that will be taking on this project for the coming year.

Rotary is making a difference and I strongly feel that the literacy vocational project, Andy & Elmer the 4-way test, is a #1 way to integrate this into the schools. In whatever profession, trade, career, or vocation that these students choose, the 4-way test will be built into their moral and ethical structure and character, thanks to Rotary.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to pass the word around with educating our young people on the tenets of Rotary.”