Click here to see a CNN video about how one student decided to “go halves” with those in need. In the process she discovers that helping out also helps student achievement in the classroom.
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91 Comments on “Helping Out Boosts Grades”
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Ms. Computer Teacher's Blog 
September 23, 2011 at 10:54 am
Thats a really nice thing to do.
September 14, 2011 at 8:58 am
i think this is very inspiring, i think anybody who is willing to give up half there house for the homeless is more then just a good person. I agree with this video if we all just give a little time and money, we could really help the people in need. I think that I and others my age could give a lot to. we could give some of are time to give to school charity programs and other things like that. i think one thing that prevents us with helping out more is that it doesn’t really affect us so we don’t no a lot About it
September 14, 2011 at 8:56 am
(\__/)
(‘.’) help others
(“)__(“)
September 14, 2011 at 8:55 am
I thought the video was really good, it show that people who don’t have very much are still trying to give to people that don’t have anything. I agree that they should be helping because they probably feel better about their self. I have been helping out in my youth group I went to Serve Durham I helped with the food drive and Durham rescue mission. Nothing keeps me from doing work for other people i love to help out.
September 14, 2011 at 8:53 am
I thought the video was Very interesting, i like how they gave so much and received nothing in return. They gave like 800,000 dollars to africans in africa. That is pretty amazing. I wish i could do that
September 14, 2011 at 8:52 am
I think that this video told the absolute truth of what is going on in the US today, because when you cut what you have you are giving someone in need the ability to have a better life one step at a time and when you helps someone, someone else will see that and want to help too. This also helped a lot of kids in Atlanta and the schools started a two-step procedure that helped kids with problems this was, first the kids talked about their problems at home, then they learn how to give back together. This helped the kids feel better about what is going on in there lives and help them get past it. I feel that anyone who watched this video would be affected in a good way by it and want to change it. I agree that lessening what you have can help someone in need of basic items and get out of the ditch that they are in. It doesn’t have to be drastic, even just spending less time with the lights on can help someone in need. I could help by watching less TV, less time on the web, less time talking on the phone, a less time with the lights on, and pick up trash when I see it. Sports and school work prevent me from doing some of these things because with school work I need the internet and sometimes the phone to call a friend to discuss a problem. Also, I need light when I am up reading at night. The sports prevent me from picking up trash, but on the weekends, this is all possible.
September 14, 2011 at 8:51 am
I thought the video was very helpful and you could learn a lot from it. I thought it was very generous fro those people to sell there house and give all the money to charity. I was amazed of what an impact those people made selling there house. Yes i do agree with the Salwens that everyone has the power to give money, talent, or time. Some ways could start helping out would be to startgive money to charitys and maybe give food or water to people on the side of the street. Some things that prevents me from helping out is i have soccer about every night and that takes up a lot of my time. Also I take doing homework and traveling to a soccer game My family also works a lot on the computer a good part of the day like my mom. So I think if i didnt play 2 diffrent soccer teams I would have more time to help out.
September 14, 2011 at 8:51 am
I think that the video was right. We can all help out and we all have something that we can give. We can give time, money, and much more. Just be considerate of what others don’t have and cut your time in half. Also you need to be grateful for what you have because when you see the people on the street, you have to remember that you have a lot and they have very little.
September 14, 2011 at 8:50 am
i like and agree with the video, me and my dad see people with no home all the time but he thinks they r just trying to git money 2 get drunk.i do think we should help other instead of some people be so selfish and greedy. we have all these new phones and i pods and computers. if u have a phone that can git internet use that as your computer and give that computer to some one that would use it for school or something else.give your old close to a homeless shelter, i did that and one of the little girls that got something other than a cut up pillow case as a dress was so happy she danced around in it. if u help even a little bit u can change a persons life. 🙂
help save tigers only 1411 left
September 14, 2011 at 8:54 am
I like your idea carrigan. I never thought about the phone with internet and giving away your computer. Good thought.
September 14, 2011 at 8:56 am
I feel the same way about some of those people on the street, but have you ever considered giving them money for food or bring food back to them to make sure they cant buy something else with the money you give them?
September 14, 2011 at 8:57 am
i think that is a good idea about if you have a phone with internet then you ahould give your compueter to spmeone who needs it. we have three computers and we dont use on of them. and i dont use mt tv in my room be cause it dosent have cable but i bet someone would still enjoy that
September 14, 2011 at 8:50 am
I think this very inspirational. I agree with this video because it help a lot of kids to bring grades up and to make the city look better. A bunch of kids are helping out homeless people out. I could help by sending them money or send old school stuff. I cant help out frequently because a play baseball a week.
September 14, 2011 at 8:49 am
I think that this video is very insporational. I agree with what they’re saying because everyone has something to give. Even if it’s just a little bit, it helps. I could donate some of my old school supplies that are still in good condition. I think sports that I participate in prevent me from helping out more frequently.
September 14, 2011 at 8:49 am
i liked the video and i think it is very helpful to people that dont have alot of money.
i agree that if you give half of what you have you can make a difference.
i could volenteer for comunnity servace.
i dont have transpotation so i cant goo anywhere.
September 14, 2011 at 8:48 am
This video was very inspirational because it showed that all people can give and even if you are poor you can still have the power to give. I agree with this because I see people every day who take but never in their life do they give. I can help by taking off the time I watch TV and maybe sometimes I could stay up late and help as much as I can for as long as I can. The things that hold me back from helping is defiantly for me not wanting to do it or just thinking I’m too busy.
September 14, 2011 at 8:54 am
I agree with Luke that we can help as much as we can. You can stay up late and help as much as you can. This video was very inspirational because it show us that even people in poverty have the power to give back.
September 14, 2011 at 8:48 am
The video was good. I agree that we all sould help. I could read to the kids that have canccer. I have not thought about helping like that before.
September 14, 2011 at 8:47 am
i liked the video.
i agre with them beacuse it is going to help alot of people
i can go help by picking up trash
i think school beacuse it takes away most of the day and then we hve home work
September 14, 2011 at 8:53 am
I agree with school being one thing that will keep me from helping out.
September 14, 2011 at 8:44 am
i liked this video, i think it is going to help alot of people in the world. i think not much people are going to sell there house though i think people might help out more and take there time to help. i feel bad for the people that dont have alot to live off of.
September 14, 2011 at 8:44 am
I think the video makes a very good point. I agree that just giving half would help some people out a lot. One way we can help is by, not being on the internet as long as we are, everyday. Sometimes we can’t help out because we have other things going on, like sporting events or some parents have to work different hours than others.
September 14, 2011 at 8:48 am
sounds good
September 14, 2011 at 8:43 am
I think that all of use should help out someone. We all have so much that we sould give some of the things that we don’t need. So insted of wanting things we sould give things. That is what i think we all should do.
September 14, 2011 at 8:55 am
Yes, I agree with your comment Cole. If we all gave one thing it will add up to a lot.
September 14, 2011 at 8:42 am
I think what they did was really great but most people will not sell there house. Thats not all you can do like she said cut your time on electronics in half and go help out for the other half. I agree with the video because it shows how little you think you do but how much it does for someone else. i think you could go to a homeless shelter or volunteer/start a food drive.just anything that can help others to get out of their situation. i think what prevents me from helping out more is spending to much time gaming on the computer or dong stuff that doesn’t really have a good impact.
September 14, 2011 at 8:51 am
I like the idea of starting a food drive, and everything else I agree with because it is all possible and good ideas.
September 14, 2011 at 8:42 am
I thought it was very interesting and important. I agree with what is said on the video a lot of people could learn from it. some ways that i could personally help out are help at a homeless shelter, a food bank, or at a community service project.some things that keep me from helping out is my lack of time to do very much other than what i all ready have on my schedule.
September 14, 2011 at 8:42 am
i thought the video was good and gave good information. i agree with cutting back and helping in your comunity and other places. i could volentier at a local salvation army or give money or volenteir at many other places. i cant get places on my own and i have piano school, i have to go to my sisters soccor practice, and i have homework and that doensnt leave me much time to do things. alot of times my church volentiers for thingd and i come out and help with them and it makes me feel good.
September 14, 2011 at 8:40 am
I agree, mainly because I use to see so many people on the street going to my moms old work. Many times we have given money to the people on the street, maybe they aren’t homeless, we will never know, but at the end of the day you feel good about giving to someone less lucky, even if they aren’t. We could give back if we go to the Durham Rescue Mission, pick up trash on the street, and raise money to give the homeless some food and some place else to sleep besides the cold hard ground possibly by giving them a blanket. Somethings that stop me from helping out a lot is money issues, and not having enough time.
September 14, 2011 at 8:40 am
i think that it was good interview was good. she gave her house away and gave 800,000 dollars to ghuana.i like how she gave a way to give to otheres instead of 12 hours on a computer do 6. and let the other half go read to kids with cancer.
September 14, 2011 at 8:45 am
I think that we all sould do what she did we don’t have to give as much as she did but give something
September 14, 2011 at 8:49 am
whould u give away that much money
September 14, 2011 at 8:50 am
I agree with you though still 6 hours on a computer is a lot
September 13, 2011 at 10:07 am
What does HTML stand for?
A) hot tomatos make lemmons
B) here to make lemoonade
C)HTML
D)Home to mame lions
September 13, 2011 at 9:43 am
Community Service Is Great. Helping Out At Clinics Is Great. Having Lots Of Money Is Great.If You Really Think About It Millionaires And Billionaires Are Very Kind And Generous. Think About It. Mr. Hock. He Helped Us With Building Our School. We Use His House As A Library. But If Millionaires Want Big Houses, They Just Need To Think ” Is A Seven Million Dollar House Really Worth Living In?” ” How Can That Money Be Used Otherwise?”
September 13, 2011 at 9:43 am
I halfway agree with what this video is saying. I don’t agree with giving so much away for a few people on the streets. For most of those people it’s their fault they are there. They usually are too lazy to get a job or to go back to school, they also use what money they do have on things like alcohol or drugs. Some of them pretend to have less money than they really have just to get free money. I do agree with giving money to people in Ghana because they just can’t get any money.
September 14, 2011 at 8:48 am
I agree, people shouldnt have to give up what they worked so hard for, just for the people on the street.
September 13, 2011 at 9:42 am
I think it is awesome that a girl our age would think of something that is so neat and helpful. I see many people that hold up those signs, sitting on the side of the road. I think that it is very sad. Also, that just shows you how thankful we should be. We have every thing we need. We sometimes do not think of how fortunate we are for our food, clothes, and our education. This girl did an amazing thing and I am sure there are many other people around the world either helping or willing to help.
Do not forget to be thankful!!(:
September 14, 2011 at 8:51 am
I agree, sometimes we dont think about how much we really do have. There are many people who do not even have half of what we have and it is sad.
September 13, 2011 at 9:42 am
I like the Idea that students are helping with Community Service and as a result there grades are going up. I think that the program that does that is a really crucial one for the development of a more educated society who’s foundation will be on community service and good grades. Our future needs educated people to spearhead new technology,new sciences,and new ideas that could change the world. So In all I really like the idea of this program.
September 13, 2011 at 9:41 am
I agree as well because there are times when I do want to help but do nothing, mostly because I don’t think about what I can do with out having to use money. In our house we have 4 TVs, 2 desktops, one laptop, four cell phones, one Ipad and five Ipods and some much stuff we don’t need but don’t want to get rid of because we’re use to having all that. When I think about it, before we only lived in a two bedroom house and had two TV’s and 1 desktop and at that time we we’re use to just having that. Soon we just got so much stuff that it’s now what we always use and when I sit there on the computer I would never think about the people who don’t have any of this at all and it hurts me that I didn’t. I now know that what I have is enough and I should start giving instead of taking.
September 13, 2011 at 9:40 am
I see those homless people all the time and i dont do anything about it so i think i can change and start giving money. 😦
September 13, 2011 at 9:38 am
we have plenty of stuff we dont need mabye i can sell some stuff and raise money for the homless
September 13, 2011 at 8:49 am
When I ride with my dad a lot of the time we see people with those signs. It really makes me feel bad and I always want to give them something but I don’t really do anything. The video made me think about what more we have compared to others. A lot of people talk about what they don’t have but we need to talk about what we do have. I agree with them because if we give just a little bit it can mean so much to people. Once I went to my friends church for a lock in and we didn’t eat for 24 hours, cleaned up trash on the side of the road, and madde lunches that we took to an orphanage. Most of the time people say they have something to do like go to the movies or something but if we helped instead of doing stuff like that it can mae a huge difference. 🙂
September 14, 2011 at 8:44 am
thats a good idea not to make excuses and i went to a lock in at my church 1 time but we didnt do any compunity survice
September 14, 2011 at 8:44 am
my church has done the same thing, we made food at the Ronald McDonald house all day long and it felt good to do something
September 13, 2011 at 8:48 am
Cool Video, I agree, that we do need help kid’s out if they have problems with their homework, or organize their stuff. My family has lots to do over the week.
September 13, 2011 at 8:44 am
Hey everyone!
Thios story is really amazing, and this girl is, too! I found this very touching, due to a girl making a serious change. Not many people are as selfless as this girl, and I feel very grateful to her for being such a good person. I thinkshe has very intersting ideas, and I found it shocking that someone could make such a change. SHe moves everyone around her, inspiring people to do good things for people who have less. I think she is a very,truly cool and awesome person. She gave kids ideas to help out, and give back to the planet. I hope she was weel rewarded! This girl is a perfect example of someone who isn’t afraid to think outside the box, and still make the idea cool, no matter how small the idea! Giving back to the planet and other people is a idea everyone should have!
September 13, 2011 at 8:44 am
I think that that is amazing what they did, and are doing. They gave up their home and downsized by half. It reminds us to help the community and to be less selfish. Not only did they give up their home but they also volunteer. I think that girl talking in the video was amazing. She was the one who convinced her whole family to do that.
September 13, 2011 at 8:44 am
What did you think of the video?
I thought it was really cool, how a fourteen year old girl realized that she had more than she needed and convinced her family to cut their house in half. It’s amazing that such an important lesson so young, and it really is important to realize stuff this important so young.
Do you agree or disagree with the video and why?
I agree that unless you start to realize what you have way too much of you will live your life thinking that you don’t have much of anything.
Give ways you can personally help out
I can do the normal things like pick up trash go to the food bank, we unfortunately are in no position to sell our house so we’ll stick to volunteering.
What prevents you from helping out more frequently?
The other things that we have to do, like school and work and helping out our own family comes before helping out others, but we still find time to help out.
September 13, 2011 at 8:41 am
I do something like she does… I do this thing called Freerice.com, its where you go online and answer questions about vocabulary. Every time you answer one correctly, it gives someone 10 grains of rice. 100 grains of rice is one meal. So if we answer 10 questions a day (Correctly) then you can give someone a meal!
September 13, 2011 at 8:45 am
I had no idea websites like that existed!
September 13, 2011 at 8:46 am
Yeah, its really cool! It even shows you the rice in the bowl.
September 13, 2011 at 8:46 am
lol, i should do that everyday after school! of coarse after homework… but still,cool
September 13, 2011 at 8:47 am
Sounds like a ‘rice’ thing to do!
(Cheesy joke LOL)
XD
But that is a nice thing to do you know! :3
September 13, 2011 at 8:47 am
Hey, Mandy!
Good idea! I think I’ll try it again tonight! I’ve tried that before, when the EOGs where there last year, because someone in my class gave us that idea! I didn’t know it would feed people, but that’s really cool! I thought it was just for fun, and I had no idea it was really helping people out! I did it for five minutes, so I guess I just helped out! That’s a really cool idea, by the way!
September 13, 2011 at 8:49 am
WOW!
September 13, 2011 at 9:39 am
I did not even know that website existed. I will have to check it out sometime. That’s a good thing, that they have a website that if you answer a question right it gives rice to people who need it.
September 13, 2011 at 8:40 am
I thought that the video was helpful. It exsplained that it is better to give. I agree that it is a good idea that if you and your family has to much, then you can give half to others who are in need of help. i can personaly help by maybe volenteering at some place that help sthose people who are in need. A prevent that will hold me back are that some people proble want money to go to bars or to buy drugs so says my mom.
September 14, 2011 at 8:47 am
If they want to do that let them do what they want to do.. it’s their lives, not yours.
September 13, 2011 at 8:40 am
it is true, everyone in this school has something to give, but we probobply dont give it.
September 13, 2011 at 8:39 am
I really liked the video. The Salwen sacrifised so much to help people in need. I agree with what there saying; you might not have much but you always have something to give, money, time, or talent. Well I do our churches “Monthly Meal for The Hungry” and it’s a ton of fun. I could do more. I could help out weekly instead of monthly. I could help other organization like TROSA or Chathlic Charities, or even ROnald McDonald House. I think how busy I am. My secedule is packed with soccer, cross country, Tennis (not at school), piano, homework, girl scouts, etc. I never have much time to even sleep. My family and I have lot’s of electronics. I think that if we can cut or time of eletronics in half we could plan a time once a week to help out.
September 13, 2011 at 8:42 am
Cool, Senith! I think that that would be awesome!
September 13, 2011 at 8:45 am
Yeah, and freerice sounds ao awesome!
September 13, 2011 at 8:38 am
this is an amazing story, the way they just sold their house and gave the money to charity is amazing. I would have never thought that selling your house and writing a book could make such an impact on so many people. I totally agree with the salwens and think that they are such selfless people. their motto is amazing and its true everyone has something to give.
September 13, 2011 at 8:38 am
i think thats this video was moving in some ways. i disagree with this, because some time s people really need that twelve hours on the computer. people might be on the computer for homework, facebook, and edicational games. i could help ore by volintering at church. i could also give food and water to the people on the side of the road. i think the things that prevent me from helping is facebook, and xbox 360, but like others i really need that time to relax, and see what friends are doing on facebook.
September 13, 2011 at 8:43 am
But sam, why would someone need to be on facebook? Or why would people be playing educational games. i dont have anything aganst computers i likie a good computer game as much as the next fat person but we could all give a little something.
September 13, 2011 at 8:38 am
I thought the story was fairly cool, but she was obviously spoiled. I mean her family sold their house for her, because she felt like it. Don’t get me wrong, it was a cool story, but the person was very spoiled. She’s not self centered, just spoiled.
September 13, 2011 at 8:43 am
True, but she let her spoilness be use of something good.
September 13, 2011 at 8:37 am
i agrre
September 13, 2011 at 8:37 am
i agree
September 13, 2011 at 8:36 am
I thought this video gave a message that we should all remember and it is to be kind and to help those who have less. One of the ways I could help is to volunteer more and to raise money for charities. I agree with this video because I think we can all make a difference. Something that prevents me from helping is that I am lazy.
September 13, 2011 at 8:42 am
I say drink more soda and donate more money! (Soda for energy.) ;D
September 14, 2011 at 8:50 am
i agree that we should help people 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 8:36 am
I thought that the video was interesting and provided a new way of thinking. I don’t disagree or agree because some people in Africa or where ever they are cannot help themselves, but some of the street side beggars could get a job. I go out with my church to the Durham Rescue Mission every year to feed homeless people. Time with family and friends, I couldn’t really cut that out…..
September 13, 2011 at 8:39 am
Its hard to make room for it, but we could still try it.
September 13, 2011 at 8:40 am
ya Sam J i agree with you.
September 14, 2011 at 8:43 am
nice one sam i lik it.. dont forget bout the cancer stuff
September 13, 2011 at 8:36 am
You know I once saw a guy on a street with a sign (I see a lot of those guys) when I was coming home from the state fair. I saw this lady come with a take-out bag and she gave it to him. I thought that was pretty nice. So my mom pulled over and gave him some money he could use to buy another meal. Then my aunt gave her umbrella to a homeless guy who didn’t have one during a rain storm. I think if people could do more things like this then I would see less people on the street and perhaps the house for sale in my neighborhood would finnaly be bought. I say we should think about raising money here at school to donate. You think?
September 13, 2011 at 8:35 am
i thought it had a good message for everyone to hear. i agree that you should take time out of your life to help others. i can volunteer at a food kitchen or something like that. some things that keep me from volunteering more are school, my moms work, my parents divorce, taking care of my sister, keeping my grades up, and doing chores.
September 13, 2011 at 8:37 am
You know if nobody does do anything what will happen to the world?
September 13, 2011 at 8:37 am
Thats a good idea Jenna. I sometimes work at a food pantry… its fun! 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 8:38 am
You like to read so I think you should read the book the Power of Help.
September 13, 2011 at 8:33 am
I think that this video was very inspiring. I agree that if we can cut in half what we have too much of, then we can really help other people that need help. I could help out by cutting down my time on the computer and maybe tutor kids that need help in math. I don’t help out a lot because I am busy a lot and can’t usually get out to help others.
September 13, 2011 at 8:35 am
Thats a good idea Patrick. I agree with the video also.
September 13, 2011 at 8:40 am
I can’t say I agree more with this. I know that the world can be a tough place to live in. It’s exciting but why do you think a lot of schools don’t get more new kids? Because!All these kids can’t get into a good school. I say we help them.
September 14, 2011 at 8:51 am
yeah if we cut in half and people really think about it i think they wold be able to live through it.
September 13, 2011 at 8:32 am
I like the video. It showed what we as kids can do and it was very inspirational. It was very touching also. Instead of buying a new phone or I-pad you could feed a whole family with that money.
September 13, 2011 at 8:37 am
I have never really thought how much money it takes to feed a family for a week. I guess it is the price of an iPad. I also agree with your comment.
September 13, 2011 at 8:41 am
You’re right. My family has 2 desktops, 3 laptops, and ipad, ipods, tablet, ereaders, camera… when we don’t need all this stuff. Maybe if we didn’t have so much we could feed 2 or 3 families.