5th, 6th, 7th – Michael Kovnar Mini-Mitzvah Day

5th, 6th, and 7th graders went to two locations in the Milwaukee River basin today to perform a mitzvah: clean up our environment to make the world a better place.  After 2 backpacks, a brief case, three softballs, 6 tires, and about 20 trash bags full, I think we did just a little bit today to do our part.

Encourage your student to continue to pick up and clean up our environment.

6th – Sukkah Model

We are working toward building our Sukkah models, to scale, so we can decide exactly what we want our Sukkah to look like next year.  It has been exciting thus far; a bit tense when supplies are not found, but the students are doing great.

6th – M&M Taxation

To better understand why Colonists were upset with the British system of taxation, we did a little simulation today.  Everyone was given a standard amount of M&Ms (what better currency than that).  Those within Parliament, the King, and Tax Collector did not have to pay any taxes, but Colonists did.

After 3 rounds of taxations, I thought we would have a riot on our hands in the classroom!  I am pretty sure the students learned real quickly why Colonists were update!

 

all the taxes that were paid.

6th, 7th, 8th – President Biden’s Speech to Congress

Last night, President Biden spoke to Congress for the first time as President.  Regardless of politics, it is an important speech to monitor because it highlights the current administration’s desires moving forward.  In class, we did our best to understand some of the speech, as well as the coverage of the speech (trying to get both sides of the arguments and to understand media coverage is biased).

To see the document we worked on in class (as well as attached resources to explore on your own), click here.  We are doing our best to present as unbiased a view as possible; which through discussion and personal research, students are able to develop their own opinion about a topic.