The Eighth Grade Social Justice Project

This second trimester humanities project provides an opportunity for students to engage in work around human rights/civil rights issues that are meaningful to them.  Students join like-minded peers to identify, research and arrange fieldwork in their selected area.  Students will write an Open Letter for the New York Times’ Student Contest, record blogs and develop a Ted Talk to be shared in March during the annual student-led Social Justice Teach-In.  Please see details in this website documenting past and current projects.

Fieldwork

Groups will conduct at least two fieldwork in their focus area.  Some groups will elect to do more. Fieldwork might be an interview (virtual or in-person),  volunteering experience, museum visit, conference, etc. and is initiated and scheduled by students (with some help from teachers).  Through fieldwork, students practice life skills: corresponding formally over the phone and via email, organizing a calendar, coordinating with group members, setting personal and group goals, planning for and conducting interviews, traveling the city, public speaking, and conducting themselves in professional spaces.  Most fieldwork is scheduled during school time and on rare occasions during after school or on weekends.  Eighth grade teachers will allow students to make up missed work.

Before attending fieldwork, students will email families and teachers in advance with details (day/ time, classes missed, title of visit, travel plans, etc.) On most occasions, groups will be joined by a volunteer chaperone (family members or teachers can join). Students will be responsible for all personal preparation for the fieldwork activity (preparing for the activity, dressing appropriately, being on time, having needed materials including their LREI student ID cards). Upon return, students check in with teachers about missed classes, follow up with Thank You notes and complete a fieldwork blog.