Once on our way, our project focuses on the Holocaust. In the classroom, we study and discuss prejudice and bias advocating behaviors that will change our community. Our SSL unit transpires through language arts classes, unifying our content and skills. Social studies, science and math are also incorporated into our unit. Reflection diaries are on-going throughout our unit allowing written interaction between student and teacher.
Students choose other students with whom they wish to work and people they wish to research.
We have established Community Partnership with an AIDS speaker, Holocaust survivors, ministers, and parents. Many students come to our 6th grade with misguided conceptions about people of color, different religions, etc. One of our SSL goals is to enlighten the darkness of prejudice thus ending the circle . This carnival will allow the students to put into operation in a real life situation all the accepting behaviors they gave learned. During their planning, building, operating and enjoying their carnival, they are able to develop a sense of caring for others, to integrate their academic curriculum, to have structured time to interact and to be an integral part of an accepting community.