Sixth Grade Seminar
Building upon skills cultivated in last year’s Fifth Grade Forum, Mrs. Dews’ students continue to hone their socio-emotional literacy and explore their sense of self as social beings in this year’s Sixth Grade Seminar. Working in close partnership with the classroom teacher, Director of DEIJ, Taylor Hickman and Director of Student Support Services, Heather Mosenson build upon Mrs. Dews’ curricular work of Morning Lesson and Specials classes to expand on topics of global cultures, world history and social justice.
This year’s seminar prioritizes the exploration of identity and justice through biographies, beginning with that of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her inspirational story of courage and activism, detailed in her book, I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World, provides students with insight into the Taliban takeover of Pakistan, and its devastating effects. Through her powerful words of resilience and purpose, she reminds the reader that “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful,” and that “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
Each week, the class begins with a meaningful reflection of the previous week’s readings in their writer’s notebooks, before the class continues their journey deeper into Malala’s story. The class then participates in discussions to delve deeper into the cultural and historical backdrop of the story, as well as the prevailing themes, such as the purposes of schooling, and education as a human right. According to one student, “In Sixth Grade Seminar, we are reading about Malala. The discussions have been deep and meaningful. It is overall a very enjoyable experience.” Another student commented, “I think the reason we are learning about Malala is she had a very powerful voice and spoke her truth, just like Ruby Bridges did - who we learned about last year in Fifth Grade Forum.”
By studying the inspirational stories of those who came before us, The Sixth Grade Seminar provides students with opportunities to use their voices, to make connections, think critically, and learn more about the lives of important people in history, as well as themselves. When asked what he had done to raise such a strong and courageous daughter, her father once remarked, “Do not ask me what I did. Ask me what I did not do. I did not clip her wings, and that is all.” May we all be inspired by Malala’s story and live free as a bird.