As part of the student’s ELA exploration of hidden bias in our society (which is a topic we will touch on in our next unit of immigration), students watched the film Coded Bias.  The film was provided to MJDS by the Milwaukee Film Festival; which was of amazing assistance.  Students watched the film and completed a study guide while watching.  Soon, they will use their knowledge from the film and other readings to work on developing a thesis to answer how bias is impacting our technology and society.

If you want to watch the film yourself, please let me know.  We have plenty of film vouchers to be able to watch the film on your time at home.  It is very insightful and provides lots of room for discussion and thought.

The movie trailer is located here.

Earlier this year, each student in 8th grade worked on a cross-curricular activity involving Veteran’s Day.  Students interviewed a veteran of the US Military; working on their listening and interview skills.  They then wrote a biography of their veteran; using many of the writing skills learned in ELA.  From there, they used knowledge of the Constitution to write a persuasive essay to answer the prompt of “The Bill of Rights and Me.”  The essays they wrote were entered in an essay contest with the Fleet Reserve Association; which is a part of the local VA.

Two of our students who entered into the contest placed in the finals.  One student took 1st place (and is now onto the regional judging which will be decided later this month) and another student took 2nd place.  I have linked each essay below (but that does not even tell the whole story).  If you look at each document, please start from the bottom and work your way up.  You will be able to notice the editing and revision process throughout this writing.  These essays were a culmination of weeks of revisions and peer editing; a lot of work went into them.  As you can see, the hard work has paid off.

1st place essay

2nd place essay

As part of a cross-curricular Tu BiShvat activity, students spent some time examining healthy vs. unhealthy food options, as well as pricing related to those items. We then examined healthy implications of unhealthy food choices; coupled with the recent increase in unemployment.

Lastly, we planted seeds into water bottle planters we created so that we can partake in healthy, inexpensive food in the future.  The planters are easy to do feel free to make your own at home.  I have plenty of extra seeds if needed.

The transition back to physical school has not been completely seamless.  There have been a few bumps in the road.  One area I have noticed we as a class (not any one individual student, but something across the board) have struggled is that of shouting out, talking over each other, and generally not listening.

Today, we did some mini-debates.  Students got different topics, had to prepare some research on those topics, and then “debated” with a classmate.  They had to follow strict rules of listening and asking questions, not interrupting, and respecting everyone’s opinion.

It turned out to be an awesome activity and a way to get the kids to listen to their classmates and be respectful.

President-Elect Biden was sworn in yesterday, becoming our next President.  Much of the news that followed after his inauguration was on what he was doing next.  The term “executive order” was thrown around a lot, which prompted numerous questions from kids on what that meant.

Never fear, we covered what an executive order is and some historical examples (click on the link here).  We looked at how some presidents have used those orders to enact wholesale changes.  Afterward, students looked at some of the executive orders President Biden signed yesterday (linked here).  Check out the list and start a dinner conversation tonight with your child concerning their thoughts on some of the actions of President Biden.

Regardless of political ideology, a Presidential Inauguration is an interesting and exciting time.  There is lots of pomp and rituals surrounding the peaceful transfer of power.

Today, we will participate in the inauguration in our own way.  First, students will come up with their own, briefer version of the inauguration address; which is designed to bring people together.  Students will write their own version and hopefully, deliver their speech to their classmates (a copy of the assignment is linked here).  Next, we are going to be watching whatever part of the ceremony happens to be on during our class (linked here).  During this time, students will be playing a bit of an I-Spy game in which they need to find different people, places, and things along the way.  The activity is linked here.  Finally, students are going to be reading an article which highlight some of the plans President Biden has for the 1st 100 days he is in office (article linked here).  From there, they will put forth some issues they believe the President should address right away while in office (the activity is linked here).

We now have a new president in power in our country (I am writing this before the inauguration so hopefully I did not jinx anything).  My hope is that students can disregard whatever party allegiance they have and start to focus on working together to solve some of the issues that plague our country.  Please discuss with them some of the things you and they can do to help make our country and world a better place.

As the House of Representatives moves to debate impeaching President Trump for the second time, we are left with the question of: should President Trump be impeached or not?

As difficult as it is, it is not my place to say to the students what I truly believe on the impeachment process.  My job is to provide them with the information they need in order to make an educated decision and have an educated discussion.  We as a class discussed the pros and cons of impeachment, as well as the actual structure of the impeachment process.  All of that work culminated in the students answering the question: should we impeach or not impeach President Trump.

Students posted their opinions on our class Flipgrid (linked here).  The next day, each student was asked to respond to their classmates, as well as students in other grades.  The idea behind this posting is for students to share their informed opinion, provide evidence to support their claim, and question what others think is a respectful manner.  Please feel free to check out our Flipgrid discussion and start your own at home.