Middle school students, although all studying the same topic – place-based American History, are each in a different place depending on their grade level.
Sixth grade is spending time building the skills of the historian. We have been practicing critical thinking, respect of classmates during discussion, reading primary sources, and taking accurate notes. These students thoroughly enjoy learning through stories, and today they appreciated the stories of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation and the beginning of the story of Henry the VIII. Their joy and excitement is infectious!
Seventh grade is utilizing similar skills, but they are building on the foundation laid last year. Students are increasingly critical in their thinking and asking fabulous questions to drive discussion. This group is full of deep thinkers, and their knowledge of history is impressive. We’re also taking time to practice geography with games and questions.
Eighth grade students are spending more time in primary sources, seeking to understand the colonization of the Americas from those who experienced it firsthand. We’ve had important discussions about bias and motivations in primary sources, specifically with the excerpts we’ve read from Columbus’s journal.
