Fifth Grade Forum

Fifth Grade Forum is well underway in Ms. Richardson’s class this year. Born of a desire to instill a culture of kindness and social awareness in our classrooms, the Forum provides students with an opportunity to engage in weekly conversations and reflections around topics of identity, kindness, conflict resolution, diversity, and justice. Led by Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Taylor Hickman, and Director of Student Support Services, Heather Mosenson, the students utilize their reflection journals to put pen to paper while thinking deeply about the topics that are presented. Together, as a democratic classroom, the students nurture and cultivate a classroom of acceptance and open-mindedness.  

“Fifth Grade Forum began by creating class norms and re-establishing the values that make up the fifth grade class community. We discuss regularly the value of building and upholding community norms and creating a unified classroom culture. Students have engaged in this idea and the responsibility that it entails by reflecting on other communities with which they are a part of: families, sports teams, religious groups, friend groups, etc. It has been a joy to continuously engage with the Fifth Grade class, through self-exploration and collective conversation, the ideas of social responsibility, fairness, and equity as pillars of community,” Taylor Hickman explains. 

Literature plays an integral role in the Forum, and beloved anchor texts have included Thrity Umrigar’s Binny’s Diwali, which kicked off a discussion of the Festival of Lights, as well as other traditions that are celebrated throughout our communities and the world. Jacqueline Woodson’s book, Each Kindness, was instrumental in inspiring a class discussion around the importance of treating others with consideration and compassion, emphasizing that every interaction is an opportunity to spread kindness. With an eye toward building student voices and self-awareness, these fifth graders are taking steps toward strengthening the classroom community and cultivating a circle of kindness.

Student artwork illustrating different ceremonies, celebrations, and holidays that center “light.” Students reflected on traditions and customs they participate in, after reading and learning about Diwali in Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar.