Each week Takoma Park Middle School teacher, Maura Moore, highlights one student in each of her classes that has done something noteworthy (kind to a classmate, perseverant with an academic struggle, exemplary work, etc.)
Those students get to adopt a “meep” to keep. A meep is a crocheted emotional support orb. Moore started making the meeps in March– having made over 1,000 in a little over half a year (between 200-250 for staff and students).
When she made her first meep, before it had a name, it was just a gesture to say to someone “I see you struggling, and I want you know I am here and I care.”
Students know that if the meeps become a distraction in her class, or any other, they will be taken away. Moore has been been pleasantly surprised at how many students find lost meeps and return them to her instead of keeping them.
She feels that students go out of their way to demonstrate kind behavior in hopes of being awarded the “Meep of the Week.”
Last year, it was strictly a raffle system. She gave away 150 through raffle tickets that were earned through participating, being kind, earning good grades on certain assignments, etc. but everyone who wanted one was given one by the end of the year.
Moore’s Spring Break consisted of her crocheting in the club lounge of the Ritz Carlton Orlando. She made 100 during then break. This year she use the meeps to acknowledge students individually.
If you’d like to learn more about meeps, check out the All You Meep is Love Facebook page.
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6 comments
https://forms.gle/Ktb91a8WHcfZ8VWG8
Only in one location…
somewhere..
Hi, I live in HC and would love to make some of these to share with teachers I know. Do you have a pattern you could share with us.
Love these and love the work you are doing with your students.
nope, they are free! you contact her on facebook to order them!
i love meeps! if they are free then I will take 10 meeps.
I do not have Facebook so what do I do