We finished (for now) our immigration unit; culminating with students creating an introductory paragraph (thesis included) designed to answer the question: in what ways are immigrants treated differently in the 1900’s compared to today.

Yesterday, we started our next area of focus: Soapbox Speeches.  In coordination with the Mikva Challenge, an organization focused on developing a voice within our younger students to live lives of active citizens, we have introduced Project Soapbox.  This curriculum is designed to get students thinking about something in their lives they are unhappy with (in school, their community, their country).  From there, they research that topic and ultimately develop a speech advocating for change as it relates to that topic.

Students did a preliminary selection of their topic yesterday, and it was amazing to hear some of the items that are of interest to our students.  We will continue to develop our speeches and passion.  This project culminates on February 20, when some of our students will present their speech at a local speech competition.

Feel free to ask any/all of our students about the topics they are interested in participating in.