In connection to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, Kindergarten students have been learning about and discussing the power of his legacy with their teachers, Sam Cohen, Nitsan Heimer, Carly Humes, Susie Lorge, and Jenna Miller. Several books have been set up in the classrooms highlighting King and additional key figures including Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, and Jackie Robinson. As students and teachers read about these figures' many important contributions in history, they shared their thoughts about unfair laws and peaceful ways to make changes in our world.
Teachers also challenged students to look inward - rather than focus on appearances - to observe and share what is special about themselves. The prompt "if you just look at my face, you might not know that..." encouraged them to form their own responses, noting that they are unique because of their inner qualities rather than how they appear on the outside.
In Teacher Suzanne Caster's Judaic Studies class this week, Grade 3 students explored the theme of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Students listened to the book As Good as Anybody. This story traces how Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel came to march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. After discussing how and why these two men decided to stand up for what is right, students brainstormed how they can stand up for what is right and help repair the world. Our exploration culminated with students working b'chevruta, in partnership, to create tikkun olam posters to reflect their learning.