It was a lesson that could not be taught using any book on the shelves in Charlie Smith’s social studies classroom.

His students received a hands-on lesson about respect, sacrifice, gratefulness and encouragement.

Last week, Smith’s sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade social studies class at Immanuel Lutheran School in Seymour wrapped up a classroom effort to collect, box and ship items requested by American soldiers to a military base in Afghanistan.

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Students packed nine boxes filled with beef jerky, chips, peanut butter, crackers, deodorant, decks of cards and more for a unit of about 270 members of the military. Students also wrote about 40 letters to soldiers.

“I hope they’ve learned to be grateful and realize the sacrifices that people are making to protect us,” Smith said as students finished writing their letters.

The effort began the second week of school when Smith asked students if they wanted to bring in items to send to a unit on anysoldier.com, a website that allows the public to mail requested items to active military.

“I saw a lot of hands go right up as soon as I asked,” he said. “I’ve had relatives who are veterans, and I know a lot of students have family in the military. I was really happy when I asked and saw the show of hands.”

Smith took what each soldier had requested and made a “wish list” in the classroom and would periodically ask students if they wanted to bring items into class.

The students really rallied behind the idea, Smith said, and soon, an area of his classroom filled with items a unit had requested.

Jacob Krebs, a sixth-grader, said he donated peanut butter and beef jerky, which soldiers had requested. He said it was a great way to show the military there are people at home thinking about them.

“I think it’s a great way to help people serving our country overseas,” he said. “They’re risking their lives, and we need to support them.”

Sixth-grader Claire Combs said she thought about not being able to get some of her favorite items when she brought stuff in for the boxes.

“I’ve enjoyed helping people in the military because they need it since it’s difficult for them to get stuff there,” she said.

Combs also wrote a letter and asked what branch of the military the soldier is in, if they like serving in the military and what the conditions are there.

“They need to know that we support them while they’re supporting our country,” she said.

Isabel Perez, a seventh-grader, wrote a letter and wanted to let the military know how crucial their work is for the country.

“They should feel important and know there’s people out there believing in them and have hope in them because they are doing important things,” she said.

Perez said she thought the boxes would give someone overseas a boost of morale.

“I think this would give them a lot of faith,” she said. “It’s good to have people’s support because you can feel the faith grow in you and know someone’s there supporting you.”

The items are expected to reach the unit during a time where a little boost might raise their spirits, Smith said.

Since it can take between two and four weeks for the boxes to arrive, they’re expected to land in Afghanistan ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 11 or close.

“At that time, it will be getting closer to Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving will be approaching, so it’s a great way for us to show them that we’re thankful for what they’re doing,” he said.

Smith set toy soldiers throughout his classroom at the beginning of the school year as a reminder to students there are soldiers working each day to protect the country. He gave each student that donated items a toy soldier to take home to remind them, too.

“They’re watching us and protecting us, and this is a way to remember that, and we have the opportunity to give back,” he said.

There are a few soldiers on the projector and scattered throughout the room with a tank on the television.

Smith’s classes participated in the program in the early 2000s but discontinued because the military began to withdraw from Iraq and the website was used less frequently.

“It was always in the back of my mind to start it back up,” he said.

Smith said in past years, some of the soldiers have written back to the class thanking them for the packages.

“I know they (soldiers) appreciate it because they’ve said so,” he said. “I hope my classes continue to do it.”