Sixth grade students have been diligently preparing for their first assessment, which will take place tomorrow. They will be asked to respond to an essay question of their choice and provide evidence from class to support their argument, in addition to identifying geographic locations we have studied so far this year. Students will also identify important terms and explain their significance. Their preparation, which includes learning to make important connections between events, places, and times, has been quite impressive.

Seventh and eighth grade students are learning about some of the ways the world “shrank” during the time of Alexander the Great, the Mauryan Empire, the Roman Empire, and the Han Dynasty. As part of this study, students are learning about the Silk Roads and the connections they provided across continents and cultures. To highlight this learning, we played a game about trading along the silk roads, in which students were allowed to trade resources specific to their region with those who were closest to them along the routes. The object was to have one of each major resource, which they achieved through strategy, communication, and collaboration, and they quickly picked up on better strategies to enhance the experience. 

This class is also beginning their first research and presentation project of the semester with an examination of the Roman Empire. Students were allowed to choose from a variety of topics within the empire, and they are working in teams to develop a deeper knowledge of their chosen topics. They begin their presentations for their classmates next Wednesday. 

High school students are also in the midst of a research project to understand the many wars during Europe’s state-building era. Students chose from a provided list and are working in teams to understand and present to their classmates on Friday. As we move through this unit on state-building, leadership styles are under specific review. Students are learning to compare and contrast governments and leadership in countries across the world, which will continue to take shape as the semester progresses.

The high school culinary arts class is wrapping up its healthy/fall foods unit. Henry taught students the impressive skill of how to roll sushi for his presentation yesterday, and his classmates very much enjoyed the lesson and its product. Next week, we have apple pie and pan de muerto on the menu, as students shift their focus toward baking.