IGLULIK - Sorting the art room, cleaning the gym and reading stories to another class are three of the 10 good deeds Grade 7 students at Ataguttaaluk Elementary School decided to do as a way to make a difference before moving to the high school, said their teacher.

Ataguttaaluk Elementary School students Tanya Rose Tulugajuk, left, Amanda Kipsigak, Terry Satuqsi, Julius Panimera, top, Muhammad Awan, Paul Jr. Angutiqjuaq, Elmo Qaunaq, Lisa Rose Taqqaugaq and Blandina Iqqaqsaq prepare a poster to mark Earth Day, one of the 10 good deeds the class decided to do. The Grade 7 students decided to do the deeds to make a difference before heading to high school. - photo courtesy of Ellen Faubert

Grade 7 teacher Ellen Faubert said from April 12 to May 20, her students have chosen to sort the art room, read stories to another class and clean the gym and equipment room. They have also decided to host an assembly, pick up garbage around the community and collect non-perishable food and clothing and ask teachers to do the same and donate it to social services. The deeds also include giving a teacher a break by playing games with or reading to the students, celebrate Earth Day by making posters, for instance, and taking the lead on teacher appreciation week and serving staff muffins and coffee.

As the project came from the students, it makes it "special," said Faubert.

"They're thinking more about being nice and making a difference and being kind to others - just doing things without being asked now," she said. "It's kind of ballooned into them doing nice things every day because they want to make a difference. If they see garbage in the hall, they just pick it up without being asked."

When the Grade 7 students used the school's kitchen, they noticed it was dirty and asked if they could clean it. Faubert said the students washed the tables, cleaned the counters and put the dishes away. Back in class, the students discussed doing other things to help around the school, she said, as they wanted to make a difference before they head to high school.

"They thought it would be a good thank you for having them at the school for all these years," she said.

Student Muhammad Awan said it was important to participate to "help make a difference."

"It's a chance to get together and help make a better school," he said.

The project has been going well and he has seen a difference in the people around him, he added.

"I enjoyed it a lot. It feels good to help your school and community," he said. "It would help them (class) learn how to be a good person."

Fellow classmates Blandina Iqqaqsaq and Joshua Haulli agreed.

"I learned how to help," Haulli said.

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