7TH GRADE NEWS

LANGUAGE ARTS AND HISTORY:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lose one of your senses?  What about losing your sight and your hearing? As an anticipation for reading The Miracle Worker, 7th graders practiced being blind and losing some of their hearing. They donned blindfolds and headphones and spent 10 minutes walking in the classroom and the commons. This exercise not only helped the students understand the life of Helen Keller, the main character of our play, but also taught the students the important life skill of empathy for people with disabilities. We often take for granted our abilities, but now we realize how much more in tune with the environment blind and deaf people are, and how much their perspective can offer to the rest of society.

MATH AND SCIENCE:

Yet Another Field Trip

Seventh grade hit the road again, this time we headed northeast to Little Rock. We spent the day at the Museum of Discovery downtown and saw, among other exhibits, the Guinness World Record musical bi-polar tesla coil. The interactive, hands-on exhibits at the museum kept us engaged for hours!

After spending the evening at 4-H, we dedicated our next morning to a volunteer project called Recycle Biles for Kids. We learned how to take apart old bikes and sorted reusable parts for use in upcoming repairs. It was hard work, but we enjoyed knowing our work would benefit the local community.

Our next stop was Heifer International, another charity organization based in Little Rock. We learned about their mission to end world hunger and poverty as we toured their urban farm and completed a scavenger hunt in the global village simulation. We also toured their platinum LEED certified headquarters, which is the highest attainable “Green Building” rating. We learned a great deal about how to plan building projects to care for the environment.

Before we ventured home, we took a moment to honor the memory of Anne Frank by visiting The Anne Frank Tree on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center. “Young people should be able to go to places like this and see symbols of life, unity, and hope. And we will remember the wisdom of a 14-year-old girl, whose spirit is depending on us to redeem the years she didn’t have.” ~President Clinton