Week of March 19th, 2018
Citizenship
A two-week Humanities study on U.S. Citizenship culminated this week with the delivery of persuasive speeches on the topic.
While the speeches were impressive and inspiring, it was an unplanned moment of joy and cooperation that, from my perspective, became the greatest display of this community's developing understanding of true citizenship.
During a 5-minute break from giving and listening to speeches, the students were encouraged to go outside for fresh air and sunshine. Within a minute, I glanced out the window to discover them rallying together to create a complete snowman within the short time-frame.
Some students were busy packing and rolling snow to create the body, while others scattered around the property to find objects that could be used for facial features and arms.
The natural joy and togetherness that was inspired by that unplanned yet well-coordinated effort was a perfect display of the power of active citizenship in a community. They returned to their seats inside, glowing with pride for their joint accomplishment.
“It is interesting to see how, little by little, [children] become aware of forming a community [...]. They come to feel part of a group to which their activity contributes. And not only do they begin to take an interest in this, but they work on it profoundly, as one may say, in their hearts. Once they have reached this level, the children no longer act thoughtlessly, but put the group first and try to succeed for its benefit." --Dr. Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
The topic of citizenship was explored through a variety of texts and activities. Background readings included a collection of founding documents and famous speeches from America's history.
The process of lawmaking described in the articles of the Constitution was brought to life as students were challenged to create a healthy dinner menu for the catered dinner they offered at the HMS auction.
The menu had to pass through three groups of students, each representing one of the branches of government.
The second amendment was the topic of a formal debate that took the place of their weekly current events seminar.
Students practiced the art of articulating claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence as four important parts of delivering a convincing argument.
A life of active citizenship was on display during a visit from U.S. Department of Justice attorney Rebecca Trinrud. She joined us one afternoon to speak about her work for the federal government and her experience as the only woman (out of 3,000!) in the army's JAG Corps.
As the community explored the foundations and workings of U.S. citizenship, Mrs. Fagan guided them through an accompanying, comparative study of bee society.
The civic nature of life in a hive will culminate in a collaborative short story after Spring Break. This project will surely raise interest and understanding as work on our hives resumes this Spring.
In the end, students spoke confidently and boldly about various aspects of active citizenship ...
... from the relationship between people and ogvernment, to rights and responsibilities, to the role of protest in civic life.
Beyond the classroom, some students experienced the role and power of protest in a democratic society at March for Our Lives rallies this weekend. (Students pictured in the photo above--Left to right: Sachi Sanghavi [alumnus], Shreya Mehta, and Aditi Sanghavi)
As these young people emerge into adulthood, active and responsible citizenship will become increasingly more important, not only in the context of their country, but also within the context of the many smaller communities they will become a part of.
"As I have come to see it, [citizenship] requires devotion and dedication, and a certain inescapable bewilderment and suffering. It needs all the virtues, all of one’s attention, all of the knowledge that one can gain and bring to bear, all the powers of one’s imagination and conscience and feeling. It is the complete action. Rightly understood, its influence and concern permeate the whole society, from the children’s bedroom to the capitol.” --Wendell Berry
Important Dates & Reminders
Monday, April 9th 3:30-5:30pm: HMS Book Fair kick-off; North House Specialties will have specialty products for sale
Wednesday, April 11th, 7-9pm: North House Specialties will be represented at the Celebration of Youth Entrepreneurship at University School
April 23rd-26th: Peace Trip to Washington D.C.
April 27th: Day of R&R—No school for middle school students only
