Students in sixth grade are studying early empires, including the civilizations of the Phoenicians, Neo-Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks. As part of this, students are learning about trade and seeking to understand the economic systems involved in these empires. They’re demonstrating important growth in their critical thinking and application skills, and it’s been fantastic to see their progress in classroom discussions. 

In seventh grade, students studied the Seven Years’ War and then wrapped up presentations on various other factors leading to the American Revolution. They continue to demonstrate growth in their skills of collaboration, creativity, and presentation, with one group deciding to teach the events surrounding the Boston Tea Party through a conversation while drinking tea (see photos below). 

In eighth grade, students had a mock trial over the events in Salem, Massachusetts at the end of the 17th century. For this exercise, they had a trove of primary sources to utilize in crafting their cases. Students have also been discussing the factors that led to the American colonies separating from Great Britain. They completed a quick research project that asked them to examine a key revolutionary involved in the war, which helped build understanding of the events surrounding American independence.