Equity Initiatives Continue Into Spring for RMS Seventh Graders
Seventh graders are in the middle of their inaugural non-fiction reading unit of Stamped by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. The entire seventh grade at RMS received a copy of the book after local resident and retired professor Pearl McHaney partnered with DEF to launch a fundraiser and purchase the books. Seventh graders read the book in the fall as part of the literary unit that centers on the inquiry statement “It is my responsibility as a global citizen to understand the social histories of my world and the consequences of decisions made that impact those in my society.” Because this is a book that requires “Courageous Conversations,” teachers provided mini lessons to students and set norms prior to reading. Equity Coordinator Dr. Mari Banks provided training to every ELA teacher and the teachers adapted and used the Courageous Conversation compass and Layla Saad’s “Circle Way” from the book Me and White Supremacy to prepare and approach topics that can be hard for even adults to discuss.
Book discussions prior to the holiday break centered around critical thinking regarding the inquiry statement. Teachers taught and used the protocol of “fishbowl discussions” to ensure a safe space to share thoughts and ideas and to listen to other perspectives. We are now in part two of this unit which revolves around researching a topic and expository writing. Students will select a chapter from the book to research and find research-based evidence to produce an expository writing to present two perspectives of a particular event from the chapter they chose.
The unit will then culminate with a virtual poetry slam! Students will work with participating artists-in-residence from PaintLove (who are trained in the Trauma Informed Care model) to create poetry that will be performed in late April. As part of the grant provided by DEF, teachers will also receive training on the Trauma Informed Care model so they can practice it in future expeditions. DEF awarded $13,600 for this multi-disciplinary project as part of its Zara’s Arts Infusion Fund.