Choosing to Participate
Dear Families:
While the eighth grade is away this week in Gettysburg and DC as part of their core curriculum (click here to view pictures and updates from the trip Twitter page), I thought I’d take the opportunity to share with you another important piece of their learning journey, which culminated on April 29th.
The eighth grade core curriculum explores a range of social justice themes connected to the study of US history and literature from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Era. Throughout the year, students look at a cross-section of individuals who have taken a stand on social justice issues and who have “chosen to participate.” In turn, we ask the same of our students as they explore a range of pressing social justice issues. As with last year’s class, this year’s eighth grade choose to focus it’s inquiry on issues related to sustainability. So for the past five months, the eighth graders have been researching these issues as part of their core curriculum.
Their research into sustainability led them to organizations and volunteer opportunities that have helped them to better understand this crucial issue. As leaders in the Middle School, the eighth graders then planned a Teach-In for the students in grades five through seven. This day included a series of assemblies and student-run workshops that framed their experiences over the past five months and suggested ways for their classmates to take action on this issue.
Here is a sampling of the workshops that were offered:
- Public Service Announcements: Giving Hope for Animals
During this workshop, you will learn information about stray animals in New York City and animal cruelty. Participants will then use this information to make print PSA (public service announcements) about this issue and its impact on our city. If you are an animal lover and want to make a difference, join this workshop! - Save a Cat; Don’t be Dog!
We’ll learn about the not-always-positive experience that many animals have in animal shelters, we’ll watch a short movie, and then see how much we’ve learned by playing a fast-pased game. - Hunting for the Facts
In our workshop, you will participate in a “hunt” for animal rights. With a series of clues and some very valuable information, you and your group will learn about the importance of ethical treatment of animals as you race to answer questions about a certain animal-related issue. - Wiggle
In this workshop, you will learn about the wonders of red wiggle worms and how they help our planet sustain itself. You will engage in a hands-on activity with the worms as we make our own composting bins. You will feed the worms and make their home while learning how they help our planet. - CATastrophic Crackers
Participants will bake kitten cookies for the homeless cats at Ollie’s place (a non- profit cat shelter). These cookies will be made with all organic flour and will be delivered to Ollie’s place after the workshop. Learn about this important issue while you help feed animals that were not getting the proper nutrition! - Reaching to Save the Screeching
This workshop teaches you about Screech Owls in Central Park and the efforts people have made in sustaining and protecting their habitat. You will learn about the owls’ living and eating habits as well as the projects that are in place to save them. As part of the workshop, we will dissect owl pellets to learn more about the owls’ diet and how this is connected to the survival challenges that they face. - You Can Taste a Sandwich, but Some People Can’t
In this workshop, participants will learn impiortant facts about food pantires in NYC. You will also make sandwiches for the hungry and will designing a message for the recipient of your sandwich to be included in the bag. The sandwiches we make will be delivered to the Grand Central Food Station Wednesday night and you will have a direct and immediate impact on feeding the hungry! - Wind Wizards
In this workshop, you will learn the importance of wind-generated energy and alternative energy sources. We will build wind turbines in groups and then we will try to power a light bulb with the turbines! - Renewable Fuel & Green Technology
In this workshop, you will learn about the incredible concepts connected to Green technologies and renewable fuels. In an interactive set-up, you will explore different types of technology and how renewable fuels such as biodiesel work. We will look at solar panels, wind turbines, wave turbine and a selction of renewable fuel. You will be able to experiment with and learn about the challenges associated with these different technologies. We will also learn about which states are causing the most pollution and why this is the case. Participants will then take on the role of a government official and will draft a short bill to describe their plan of action to make their state go green! - Little Green School House
In this workshop, we will explore green architecture and a “greener” more sustainable way of living a modern life. We will do this by applying sustainable building practices to a construction of “green” gingerbread houses. This workshop will allow you to identify the most essential elements of green architecture, by using your knowledge and creativity to green an ideal “green” living space. - Pin the Green on the Building
Play a “green” version of the classic game. If you are interested in learning about green architecture and you enjoy fun and games, this is the workshop for you. - Junk or Art?
In this workshop, you will make your own musical instrument made out of recycled materials. Using bottles, buttons, and balloons, you will paint and paste your way toward the construction of a homemade instrument. You will learn that there are many fun and creative ways to reuse, recycle and reduce what too often goes into our landfills. Come and make ec0-friendly music with your peers! - RESTYLED
Have you ever had a shirt that just wasn’t right for you? In RESTYLED you will give your clothes a second life. We’ll teach you how to make something beautiful out of something that might otherwise end up in the garbage. We’ll use recycled materials to decorate your clothing into something you’ll be sure to wear.
Click here and then on “Middle School Earth Day ‘Teach-Ins'” to view photos from the workshops.
The assemblies featured a number of student-created videos, original music and a presentation based on excerpts from the award-winning documentary Flow, which examines the powerful role of water in the sustainability conversation. It was an empowering day and one that profoundly put students at the center of a progressive learning experience. It taught them something about the complexities of organizing and leading an event. I think they also discovered some new found respect for their teachers after having to walk a mile in their shoes.
Throughout the project, students maintained a class blog that was used for recording thoughts and experiences and for collecting feedback from the rest of the Middle School students and teachers following the Teach-In. I encourage you to explore the blog to dig more deeply into the learning experience of our eighth graders.
I am already looking forward to next year’s Teach-In.
On other fronts . . . as most of you are aware, our hiring efforts this season were limited to one position. We met with a number of talented teachers and, as always, I am grateful for the focused and collaborative effort of the middle school team in helping to identify the most promising candidates. I am pleased to inform you that Elizabeth Simmons will be joining us next year as a seventh grade core teacher. Elizabeth has worked in both public and independent schools and is currently teaching English and humanities in the New York City Public Schools. She made immediate connections with students in her demo lesson and faculty were impressed with her thoughtful reflection on the demo and on her approach to teaching. We look forward to what she will bring to the seventh grade program and to the LREI community.
Be well,
Mark