Dr. Usha Balamore, Shipley’s Assistant Head of Lower School and Director of Character Development, promotes Shipley’s mission of compassionate participation in the world with an integrated character education program. Character Education, Dr. Balamore says, is “the pathway to excellence and ethics; a way to get students to do their best work and to be their best selves.”

In Lower School, fifth graders focus on a balance of performance character (passion, perseverance, self-discipline) and moral character (respect, compassion, integrity). By the end of November, students have a clear understanding of the skills needed to become successful while maintaining high moral standards.

The capstone project in 5th grade is the Think, Care, Act project. Usha’s inspiration to start the project at Shipley stems from the book of a personal friend: Think, Care, Act: Teaching for a Peaceful Future by Susan Gelber Cannon.

Fifth graders start by exploring themselves. Students identify on paper what they feel their skills, talents, and strengths of character are. Usha’s simple charts and lists of words such as caring, friendly, creative, and curious aid students in answering the question: Who am I?

Once fifth graders learn more about themselves, the focus turns to showing concern for others. Usha challenges students to look at their surroundings to identify a problem. Options are limitless – students explore issues at school, at home, in the community, state, country or worldwide.  No matter how big or small the issue, Usha works closely with each student to create a solution to their chosen problem using their own skills and talents.  “It’s powerful when students make it personal,” said Usha.

Similar to a business model, Shipley fifth graders research their problem and develop a project plan. The plan worksheet guides students to outline the description of the problem, possible causes, and what other organizations or people have worked on the problem. The final, most important piece, challenges students creatively to decide what they will do to help. The project guidelines do not permit simple fundraising, but allow students flexibility to raise awareness on their issue in various ways.

“Students think, ‘Can I do this?’ And it grows. Kids think they will collect only 20 books and they end up collecting 50,” says Usha. With the help of Shipley faculty, other students, and parents, fifth graders make their project plans come to life. Some results are awe-inspiring.

Fifth grader Josh Gallia always enjoys using Crayola products at home and at school. So when Josh visited The Andrew Jackson school in Philadelphia and noticed the severe lack of art supplies, he saw an opportunity to help.

Josh found the mailing address to Crayola and courageously wrote a letter addressed to “The Kindest Person in the World.” The first line of his letter read, “Please consider my dream below...it WILL CHANGE lives, I promise.” He sent the letter off to Crayola in hopes of hearing great news. Several days later, a giant package full of art supplies arrived at Shipley, which Josh delivered to Andrew Jackson over the Martin Luther King Holiday.

“We’re hoping for a transformative experience,” says Usha. “If it’s meaningful to them, they rise to a higher level than just another assignment. This has purpose. I find they go much higher.”

San Scurto-Davis, a talented piano player, felt he could use his personal talent to enrich the lives of those in nursing homes. With the help of his parents, he was able to find several nursing homes who were delighted to have him play for the residents. His visits created lasting memories for all the attendees. One woman, whom his performance brought to tears,  asked if San would be her adopted grandson.

The Think, Care, Act project gives students a sense of pride and personal accomplishment and empowers students to make a difference in the world. What can one Shipley fifth grader accomplish? Whatever he or she sets his or her mind to!

The annual Think, Care, Act Fair displays a culmination of all fifth grade projects. Family, friends, and community members attend and celebrate the hard work and dedication of the Shipley students.