Middle School and Lower School Cross-Divisional Learning Experience Inspires Reading and Discovery

As part of their English classes, Middle School students in grade 7 hosted Lower School students in a cross-divisional learning experience recently.

 

Grade 7 students engaged in a reading and research unit over the last two months, studying a self-selected memoir or autobiography about an inspirational person. The selection of these books included a variety of notable pioneers, innovators, creators, and survivors, such as Rosa Parks, Katherine Johnson, Jack Robinson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Misty Copeland. 

 

Throughout the process, students focused on significant events or themes within their person’s life, extracted information, and created a list of “artifacts” to represent these important moments. After completing the reading and research, each student created an artifact box complete with five objects to illustrate the story of their inspirational person’s life, including struggles, turning points, and triumphs. 

 

During community time, grade 7 students hosted Lower School students in grade 4 and grade 5, sharing a brief introduction, explaining any of their artifacts, and answering questions about their chosen person. Grade 4 and 5 students toured various projects, showing great interest in the learning and enthusiasm for the connection with older students.