Grade 8: Prepping for Civil Rights Trip
Eighth graders spent the week learning about the people, sites and cities that were significant in the civil rights movement before they leave on their epic class trip tomorrow. History and English teachers ensured students were prepared to get the most of the packed itinerary through two relevant assignments.
Eighth graders spent the week learning about the people, sites and cities that were significant in the civil rights movement before they leave on their epic class trip tomorrow. History and English teachers ensured students were prepared to get the most of the packed itinerary through two relevant assignments.
In history class, students paired up to investigate a particular aspect of the trip -- a museum, church, person, etc. The goal was to become the trip expert who can educate peers in a short 3-4 minute verbal presentation on site.
"It can be a challenge to give a presentation from memory in a noncontrolled environment, like a busy street corner," comments Jake Dresden, history teacher. "They are learning to be educated travelers so they can connect with each experience on a deeper level."
For example, Weston Wolkov thought it was interesting that the room where James Earl Ray fired the shot that killed Dr. King was preserved at the National Civil Rights Museum. Greg Kintzle discovered that the original Ebenezer Baptist Church was the site of King's first sermon in 1947 at the age of 19.
English students pored over correspondence between King and area clergymen who were critical of the civil rights movement. Teacher Jane Maslanka says the goal was to understand the writings from a historical perspective and to note King's tone of respect and civility, which will serve as a model for their own persuasive essays later this fall.
Abridged Itinerary
Saturday, Sept. 17 - Depart for Atlanta
Sunday, Sept. 18 - Visits to Ebenezer Baptist Church, MLK Visitors Center, Center for Non-Violence, King Gravesite, The CNN Center, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Monday, Sept.19 - Visits to Southern Poverty Law Center, Rosa Parks Museum, Lowndes Country Interpretive Center
Tuesday, Sept. 20 - Visits to 16th Street Baptist Church, University of Alabama
Wednesday, Sept. 21 - Visits to Stax Museum, National Civil Rights Museum
Thursday, Sept. 22 - Return to Denver
Back
In history class, students paired up to investigate a particular aspect of the trip -- a museum, church, person, etc. The goal was to become the trip expert who can educate peers in a short 3-4 minute verbal presentation on site.
"It can be a challenge to give a presentation from memory in a noncontrolled environment, like a busy street corner," comments Jake Dresden, history teacher. "They are learning to be educated travelers so they can connect with each experience on a deeper level."
For example, Weston Wolkov thought it was interesting that the room where James Earl Ray fired the shot that killed Dr. King was preserved at the National Civil Rights Museum. Greg Kintzle discovered that the original Ebenezer Baptist Church was the site of King's first sermon in 1947 at the age of 19.
English students pored over correspondence between King and area clergymen who were critical of the civil rights movement. Teacher Jane Maslanka says the goal was to understand the writings from a historical perspective and to note King's tone of respect and civility, which will serve as a model for their own persuasive essays later this fall.
Abridged Itinerary
Saturday, Sept. 17 - Depart for Atlanta
Sunday, Sept. 18 - Visits to Ebenezer Baptist Church, MLK Visitors Center, Center for Non-Violence, King Gravesite, The CNN Center, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Monday, Sept.19 - Visits to Southern Poverty Law Center, Rosa Parks Museum, Lowndes Country Interpretive Center
Tuesday, Sept. 20 - Visits to 16th Street Baptist Church, University of Alabama
Wednesday, Sept. 21 - Visits to Stax Museum, National Civil Rights Museum
Thursday, Sept. 22 - Return to Denver
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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.
