Sixth Grade:

Yesterday, sixth grade students were introduced to this year’s Law Day theme: Advancing the Rule of Law Now. Students began researching this topic and digging into information that can help them formulate an essay response. Check in with your sixth grade student to see if this is something they plan to pursue – they would benefit from encouragement and your questions on the subject! It’s a great opportunity to practice writing for a prompt, doing in-depth research, and practicing a growth mindset in talking a new challenge. My goal is to support their work on this project, but it is not a requirement for their class this semester.

Seventh/Eighth Grade:

This class has also discussed law day, and individuals are deciding whether they would like to participate. This week, though, their focus has been on their assessment, which examines major empires and universal religions. They each spent the full 45 minutes on this test, writing out responses to short questions, explaining terms – including their significance to history, locating areas on a map, and crafting an argumentative essay based on questions previously given to them. I’m so proud of their perseverance and growth, especially in their study habits.

High School:

High school students are also completing an assessment this week. Their test tomorrow will cover the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, colonization, and 19th century economic developments. A new addition to this exam is within the primary source section. Rather than discuss the meaning and significance of just one primary source, they are tasked with explaining two and linking them together in one essay. This group has made tremendous progress this year, and it’s been a joy to see the connections they’re making!