Middle school social studies classes took time Tuesday to learn more about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

We started by learning about the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, worked our way through Reconstruction and Plessy v. Ferguson, discussed Jim Crow across the South, learned about Brown v. Board of Education, heard the story of Emmett Till, talked about Rosa and the Little Rock Nine, and learned about the various forms of protest that took place throughout the Civil Rights Movement. Students had wonderful questions, and they showed deep thinking regarding the struggle for civil rights in America.

For the remainder of their week, middle school students will be working hard on their drafts for “free speech, free press, free society,” which are due on Friday. I’m really proud of their diligence in tackling this research project, and I’m so excited to read their takes on these aspects of the First Amendment.

High school is continuing to learn about the Sectional Crisis that led up to the Civil War, digging into primary sources that highlight the experience of everyday Americans. High school students are also diligently working on their individual projects. Be sure to ask your student what they’re studying!