Grade 8 English Class Prepares for Class Trip to the American South
Graland eighth graders are gearing up for their class trip to the American South in early February, where they will explore key Civil Rights Movement sites. In preparation, students in Mrs. Katy Cooper's English class have been studying a series of impactful texts by James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jr., and W.E.B. Du Bois.
These readings help students better understand the historical context of the Civil Rights Movement, offering them insight from key figures before they visit the actual sites that shaped this critical period in American history.
The class has read and discussed Baldwin’s "A Letter to My Nephew" and "Previous Condition," as well as King’s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," "On Being a Good Neighbor," and "A Call for Unity." They’ve also explored Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness and will apply it to Baldwin’s "Previous Condition" through an essay.
The class has read and discussed Baldwin’s "A Letter to My Nephew" and "Previous Condition," as well as King’s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," "On Being a Good Neighbor," and "A Call for Unity." They’ve also explored Du Bois’ concept of double consciousness and will apply it to Baldwin’s "Previous Condition" through an essay.
The trip will take students to important Civil Rights landmarks in Memphis, TN; Birmingham, AL; Selma, AL; Montgomery, AL; and Atlanta, GA, connecting the historical lessons they've learned in class to real-world locations. From visiting the Lorraine Motel in Memphis to walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, the trip serves as a powerful experience, allowing students to witness firsthand sites of great historical significance.
We look forward to sharing more about their journey in next month's newsletter as they continue their study of Civil Rights history.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
