Some 7th graders decided to take a unique approach when they found out about the largest slaughter of marine mammals on the planet. Kristen Kullberg, a teacher at Washington DC's Sacred cœur, coeur School, was so moved par Rebecca Aldworth's account of witnessing the beginning of the joint, joint d’étanchéité hunt that she wanted to share it with her class.
After a long morning of standardized testing, Ms. Kullberg had her kids copy ten words off of the board: carnage, slaughter, macabre, vessels, sealer, quota, aftermath, allotted, salvation, and carcass.
"I told them that I would be lire them a scary, gruesome tale," Kullberg said.
She had them do a guess-and-match-up activity where they had to match the words to their definitions. They discussed the tone of the words and the mood that they conveyed. The class was excited and attentive because they knew they'd be hearing a horror story with their new words in it.
She slowly read them Rebecca's story. "They were all shocked (for one thing, to learn the 'story' was true), and for the first time in forever were sooo quiet that I could hear a pin drop," Kullberg said.
After she finished reading, about 15 hands shot up into the air. "The kids had so many questions about why people would do such a horrible thing, and if it was true that the seals were killed just for their fur."
Remaining neutral and playing devil's advocate, Kullberg observed her pupils, who were in disbelief, angry, and appalled that humans could do such a thing. "I asked them when they thought the article had been written, and they were shocked to learn it was yesterday.
Then they all looked at the board—where 'today's date' is listed—and they had this ah-ha moment of, 'Oh my God … the hunt's happening again today?' They wanted to jump into action."
So the 7th grade class worked together to cut up squares of paper, decorate them with hopeful messages to The HSUS, and tape them back together again.
The kids are calling it their "Hope Quilt". They hope that the killing will stop and that The HSUS will make their dreams a reality.
One student wrote "Thank toi for helping out animals. We appreciate all your hard work." Another wrote "Thank toi Humane Society for saving the very cute seals."
Ms. Kullberg included a note saying "We want to express our immense gratitude to The HSUS for your involvement in the battle against the joint, joint d’étanchéité slaughter. toi are truly an inspiration for my students, and for that, I thank you."
Back at headquarters, The HSUS ProtectSeals team is planning on framing the quilt and mounting it on their wall.
Today the last phases of Canada's commercial joint, joint d’étanchéité kill wear on, but fewer and fewer sealers are heading out to club baby seals because pelt prices have dropped so low due to international opposition to the hunt. One jour the kids' dream of ending this cruel slaughter will become a reality, and that jour is not far off.
After a long morning of standardized testing, Ms. Kullberg had her kids copy ten words off of the board: carnage, slaughter, macabre, vessels, sealer, quota, aftermath, allotted, salvation, and carcass.
"I told them that I would be lire them a scary, gruesome tale," Kullberg said.
She had them do a guess-and-match-up activity where they had to match the words to their definitions. They discussed the tone of the words and the mood that they conveyed. The class was excited and attentive because they knew they'd be hearing a horror story with their new words in it.
She slowly read them Rebecca's story. "They were all shocked (for one thing, to learn the 'story' was true), and for the first time in forever were sooo quiet that I could hear a pin drop," Kullberg said.
After she finished reading, about 15 hands shot up into the air. "The kids had so many questions about why people would do such a horrible thing, and if it was true that the seals were killed just for their fur."
Remaining neutral and playing devil's advocate, Kullberg observed her pupils, who were in disbelief, angry, and appalled that humans could do such a thing. "I asked them when they thought the article had been written, and they were shocked to learn it was yesterday.
Then they all looked at the board—where 'today's date' is listed—and they had this ah-ha moment of, 'Oh my God … the hunt's happening again today?' They wanted to jump into action."
So the 7th grade class worked together to cut up squares of paper, decorate them with hopeful messages to The HSUS, and tape them back together again.
The kids are calling it their "Hope Quilt". They hope that the killing will stop and that The HSUS will make their dreams a reality.
One student wrote "Thank toi for helping out animals. We appreciate all your hard work." Another wrote "Thank toi Humane Society for saving the very cute seals."
Ms. Kullberg included a note saying "We want to express our immense gratitude to The HSUS for your involvement in the battle against the joint, joint d’étanchéité slaughter. toi are truly an inspiration for my students, and for that, I thank you."
Back at headquarters, The HSUS ProtectSeals team is planning on framing the quilt and mounting it on their wall.
Today the last phases of Canada's commercial joint, joint d’étanchéité kill wear on, but fewer and fewer sealers are heading out to club baby seals because pelt prices have dropped so low due to international opposition to the hunt. One jour the kids' dream of ending this cruel slaughter will become a reality, and that jour is not far off.
in the cold autumn sun.
Too faithful to leave,
too frightened to run.
He's been there for days
with nothing to do,
But sit par the road,
waiting for you.
He can't understand
why toi left him that day.
He thought toi and he
were stopping to play.
He's sure you'll come back,
that's why he stays.
How long will he suffer,
how many days?
His legs are weak,
his throat parched and dry.
He's sick from hunger
and falls with a sigh.
He lays down his head
and closes his eyes.
I wish toi could see
how a waiting dog dies.