Breast Cancer Awareness Spreads to the Classroom
Last year, my friend Lacey so graciously agreed to write a post on Breast Cancer for me. This year after I saw what she did her classroom to raise the awareness among the younger generation I knew I wanted her to write for me again. If you missed her post last October you can check it out here.
It’s October! What does this mean to you? Fall, pumpkins, candy, and costumes? I enjoy all of that but it means pink too! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The only time I rummage through my closet to find something pink to wear. Although it looks good on me, pink is not my favorite color. I wear pink for my grandmother. She was a breast cancer survivor. Each year with her in mind, I make it my duty to raise awareness. Breast Cancer may not be preventable but we can reduce the risk factors. We can choose a healthy life style. We can maintain a healthy body weight, eat a healthy diet, and stay active. Let us also not forget monthly self-checks and mammograms yearly for those 40 years of age or older.
This year I wanted to do something different to raise awareness. Usually, I post on Facebook, I put note cards with facts in co-workers mailboxes, and spoil them with pink treats. After about three years of this, I felt like I wasn’t making a difference. After talking with my team teacher, we came up with a plan. This plan involved our students and two “new subs”. My team teacher and I dressed up to educate and entertain our students.
It was a Monday morning and in walked myself and my co-worker. We called ourselves Penelope Pink and Priscilla Pink. We were “hired” by the original classroom teachers. As the students walked in to our classrooms that morning they were curious as to why these two individuals were in their classroom dressed in pink and black. As the morning went on we taught these students using the core curriculum.
However, the lesson this day involved Breast Cancer Awareness. In Ms. Penelope Pink’s classroom she taught Math using cancer statistics. We discussed the Science behind cancer. In Ms. Priscilla Pink’s classroom the students read about the history behind the Susan G. Komen foundation and more cancer facts. At one point the students were asked if they knew someone with cancer or that had cancer. The number of hands that shot up in the air was more than Ms. Penelope or Ms. Priscilla had imagined. Also, sitting in on this was the school’s principal. She later shared her appreciation of our lesson and shared a personal story. Needless to say, I feel this year I have fulfilled my need to raise awareness.
Special thanks to my team teacher Bonnie McCray! Together we were able to connect with our students on a topic many knew of but aren’t always given the opportunity to talk about. That big “C” word is scary but ok discuss. Share the facts. Share your story. The more we are aware of it, the more likely we are to take preventive measures. Breast Cancer, all cancer, affects us all, young and old.
Lacey, aka Penelope Pink, is a wonderful friend and teacher. She is a mom to a precious son who considers our girls his sisters. She is a huge advocate for breast cancer awareness as she watched first hand her grandmother fight this disease.
I bet it took some time to put together those fun outfits and activities. They have some very lucky students.
Happy to be co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you!
What a fun way to raise awareness with the kids and adults! Great job for an awesome cause. 🙂 Melissa, thanks for sharing this important message at the #HomeMattersParty…and for being such a fantastic host!
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thank you for co-hosting with me 🙂 #HomeMattersParty Hope to see you next week.