Eighth Grade Students Share Their Place in America’s History

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A young boy in a pink shirt points to a paper on a desk while an adult in a plaid shirt looks on, with other people and a classroom setting in the background.
Eighth Grade Students Share Their Place in America’s History

Students in Chuck Taft’s 8th grade American history class kicked off their year of studying America’s story by sharing their families’ stories—and how each weaves into the fabric of our country. “The purpose of this project is to bring people together around a conversation,” he said. “All of us are part of the thread that makes up this big fabric we call the American story.”

After writing one-page summaries of their stories, students brought in an artifact, or a photo of an artifact, that related to their families’ histories. They then spoke to their classmates and visiting faculty and staff members about and how and why the artifact is important to their family. “Not only is this project great for getting to know our classmates on a more personal level, it gives them a chance to practice their writing, presentation, public speaking, and conversation skills,” said Taft.

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In the foreground, three women are gathered around a table, while the background features a bookshelf filled with books.
A young girl in a school uniform sits at a desk with papers and artifacts in the foreground, while a bookshelf filled with books and awards is visible in the background.
A teacher in a plaid shirt discusses a project with two young students in a classroom, with a whiteboard visible in the background.
A young boy in a pink shirt points to a paper on a desk while an adult in a plaid shirt looks on, with other people and a classroom setting in the background.
A young man in a blue shirt gestures while speaking to a group of students in the foreground, with a window showing trees and a building in the background.
In the foreground, a young boy in a school uniform looks at documents on a table, while in the background, adults and students interact in a classroom setting.
A young boy in a blue shirt sits at a desk with a laptop displaying an old photograph, while a woman and a man stand beside him, looking at the screen.
A blonde woman in a tan suit stands by a table with books and pamphlets, while a young woman in a white shirt sits at a desk with a laptop in front of a bookshelf and a door.
A young person sits at a desk in front of a whiteboard, while a person in a plaid shirt stands in the foreground.