Beginning Feb. 1,1997-Feb. 28, 1997

Dreams and hopes for a better future and a better world are shared by many of us. Sometimes our dreams are inspired by "heroes," people who inspire us because they have had dreams and achieved them.

Is there a person you admire and "dream" to be like when you grow older? Why? What contributions did this person make to inspire you? What would you have to do in your life to achieve this dream? This person does not need to be someone many people would know--heroes do not have to be famous to make us dream. Heroes come from all walks of life. They can be your parents, relatives, friends at school, teachers, historical figures or even literary characters. A hero can be anyone that displays courage, friendship or generosity.

The Project:

Write one paragraph or more about your personal hero and why you dream of becoming like this person.

Let's start with the opening sentence:

My hero____________________inspires me to do great things someday.

Then :

1. Give a brief description of the contribution this person has made.
2. Why you want to be like this person.
3. What will you have to do to achieve your dream?
4. A conclusion- a wrap up sentence.
5. Please include name (first name is fine), location, and grade.
6. Please put the word "hero" on the subject line of your e-mail.

EXAMPLE:

My hero Cesar Chavez inspires me to do great things someday. Cesar Chavez helped the Mexican immigrants fight for better working conditions in the US. He united the immigrant workers in California against the grape growers. He helped achieve better pay and safer working conditions for them. I want to be like him, because he was not afraid to take a stand in something he believed in. To be like him, I will speak out too, when I believe I am right.

Dennis--Rock Falls Middle School--Rock Falls, Illinois--USA

Please join us for "My Hero and Me." Let's "Light up" the internet with your dreams and the people who fill them.

In order to participate, students must answer the four KIDLINK questions:

1. Who am I?
2. What do I want to be when I grow up?
3. How do I want the world to be different when I'm grown up?
4. What can I do now to make this happen?

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

1. Expose young people to a variety of positive role models.
2. We hope to share heroes from around the globe, in many different countries, and in all walks of life.
3. Encourage critical thinking and writing skills.
4. Asset Building--encourage positive self-image.
5. Locating countries, identifying social customs, and values.
6. Develop research skills.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES for PARTICPANTS:

1. If your person is a well-known person, you can learn more about her/his life and deeds by searching at one of these WWW sites:
   • http://www/excite.com/
   • http://www.infoseek.com/
   • http://www.metacrawler.com/
   • http://www.yahooligans.com/
2. Locate all participants on a map or globe.
3. Read more about the countries and people you meet in this project.
4. Send an e-mail to another participant whose hero inspires you, too!
5. If your hero is a local person, why not interview him or her to find out more.

Everyone has unique and fascinating stories to tell!

My Hero and Me Project Moderator: Dennis Buccola <dbuccola@essex1.com>

KIDPROJ Information Contact: Patti Weeg, Title 1 Computer Teacher, Delmar El. School, Delmar, Maryland, USA. Home Page: http://www.intercom.net/local/weeg

KIDPROJ WWW Contact: Grant Dougall, Educational Consultant: Technologies, Saskatoon Board of Education, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA. Web Site: http://198.169.140.21/

   Go to the KIDLINK Home Page

    Return to KIDPROJ Projects Page