Here and abroad . . .
Dear Families:
It would be an understatement to say that it has been a busy week in the Middle School. Over the course of the week, the third floor slowly transformed itself into an ancient Egyptian tomb. With their “excavations” complete, fifth grade “archaeologists” led insightful tours to parents and students throughout the day today. The tomb was notable for the many fine antiquities that our young scholars “unearthed” and studied in a rigourous and systematic fashion.
A few floors below and centuries apart, the sixth graders have been hard at work preparing for the Medieval Pageant, which took place on Wednesday. Through drama, music, art, and scholarship in their other classes, the sixth graders provided a powerful and nuanced demonstration of the journey they have taken so far through the Middle Ages and of the interplay between “east” and “west.”
Closer to home and connected to their reading of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” the seventh graders have been making presentations on the Red Scare, that served as a cultural and historical subtext for the play. They have also sought to make connections between the hysteria of this more recent period and the hysteria that came to define an important moment in our colonial history. Embedded in both explorations are important themes of politics, power, and privilege.
And finally, the eighth graders have been researching a range of social justice issues connected to their “Choosing to Participate” project. This work has been profoundly captured in a series of “muckraking” expose posters that are on display in their classrooms and in the vestibule between the two eighth grade rooms. I encourage you to take a look when you are in the building.
Reading this makes me think that we are due for a well-deserved break. Fair enough, but for most of our eighth graders, spring break will find them in either France and Spain as they participate in our annual foreign language trips. These trips provide students with ample opportunities to put to use in authentic contexts the languages they have been studying. In addition, the trips provide students with direct exposure to the culture and customs of these two countries. In the spirit of full disclosure, a group of high school students will also journey to Germany over the break, so we’ll have the continent well covered.
It goes without saying that behind all of these incredible curricular projects and experiences are the truly gifted and dedicated members of the LREI faculty. Their passion for what they do and their commitment to your children often creates the illusion that what they do is easy. It is the hardest work imaginable and I am continually impressed by what they give of themselves each day in support of your children.
Have a restful and well deserved spring break!
Be well,
Mark