When I (Jenn) reached out to teachers asking to them to share information about interesting things happening in their classrooms, I was open to any and all sorts of replies. I got such good replies, we’re actually making a Down Home and Social Media series about all the fun learning going on!
This week, I want to share about what one teacher did with her Upper Middle School students. Allow me to introduce Mrs. Ridley. UMS Humanities Teacher, Mrs. Stephanie Ridley is a mama, and an avid reader for years and years. She teaches Upper Middle School Humanities, which means she’s an expert in History, Literature, and Logic. Interesting, right?
Last week, her students sat in a circle (a very classical activity, by the way!) for story time. Mrs. Ridley expected the lesson to go as usual where she’d be the one reading the book, St. George and The Dragon, but the students surprised her. They wanted to be the ones to read the book aloud! Mrs. Ridley allowed just that, supporting her UMS students in their emerging independence. These scholars were taking their shot at playing teacher and leading their fellow students. Mrs. Ridley reported that, “it was a lovely reversal of roles.”
If imagining middle schoolers volunteering to read aloud to their peers surprises you, here’s some photographic evidence.
Also in the last couple of weeks here in Trimester 1, Mrs. Ridley and Mr. Newman’s classes made the Great Chain of Being. Students were given the supplies and had then to think through how to represent it.
Next up, Mrs. Ridley reported she and Mr. Newman are going to guide their classes in creating parts of the Bayeux Tapestry in class and as a school, we’re wrapping up Trimester 1. We’ve studied and worked hard to wrap up the first third of the year. If you want to read about other UMS teachers, check out our blog which showcases them this year.
Also on the blog, we’ve been writing along with the history curriculum, and made blogs about the Vikings, and the Mesoamerican Middle Ages. Take a look if you haven’t already. As always, thanks for reading!
