The Washington Latin student-run newspaper Sumus Leones is excited to have so many new members in grades 5-12 this year! Student reporters shared their rough drafts and peer edited on the 30th of September. The first issue is due in October, and slated to include reporting on how Covid-19 has impacted the school community, Latin alums doing college at home, social justice protests, the explosion in Beirut this summer, new teachers, new clubs, and of course the many pets adopted during quarantine. The club meets weekly on Wednesdays and is advised by 8th grade English teacher Ms. Breitman, with senior Zoe Edelman serving as editor-in-chief.
In Ms. Sisk’s 8th grade Latin class, students are researching Roman history to complement their study of the language. Using a history textbook, students are researching and making a slideshow about the Roman monarchies, from Romulus to Tarquinius Superbus. Students then presented their knowledge of Roman leadership to the class in groups of 3-4 a day. By working to research the past leadership, students are learning key research and reading skills while infusing facts about the history that gives the language and culture context.
Sixth and seventh graders took part in the first of a year-long series of conversations with their peers called Dialogues Across Difference on Wednesday. The discussion served as the asynchronous work for both English and history classes on Wednesday. This series, which encourages students to share aspects of their identity with one another also features older students helping facilitate the conversations alongside teachers. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to work together to delve deeply into complex conversations.
This month in sixth grade science with Ms. Dobler, students are learning about connections in ecosystems. Students got to help their teacher (using their voices and zoom chat) add different forms of pollution to the model ecosystem the class had created. Then they watched what happened when it rained, and the pollution created run-off and further damage. This will spark a discussion of how to mitigate the pollution we see on land so it does not pollute the water! The study of watersheds is part of a year-long project in the sixth grade science classes.
Mr. Green continues to cook up midweek delights with Wednesday’s baking club. His club meets in the morning each week, and students have already completed their first two recipes. Last week included chocolate chip cookies, while this week’s delicacy was banana-chocolate loaf. Students have enjoyed the chance to work together in the synchronous Zoom club to measure, mix, sift, spoon, and bake! What a sweet treat!
