Every August, 1550 children in 7th and 8th grade arrive on our sprawling campus for their junior high adventure. I claim around 200 of them as mine. In class, I observe students who play with LEGO's and draw unicorns seated next to known gang members and drug users. Some have never left our city, and others have crossed many borders escaping violence and persecution. The majority of students speak Spanish and English, with Arabic and Vietnamese increasingly heard. My students face many challenges, including homelessness, poverty, language barriers, deportation, foster care, and jailed family members. For many, school is their safe haven. For 45 minutes a day, kids can step outside their problems and interact with the natural world. When I ask students to describe my class, the most common response is "fun!" Isn't it great when learning is fun?
About my class
Every August, 1550 children in 7th and 8th grade arrive on our sprawling campus for their junior high adventure. I claim around 200 of them as mine. In class, I observe students who play with LEGO's and draw unicorns seated next to known gang members and drug users. Some have never left our city, and others have crossed many borders escaping violence and persecution. The majority of students speak Spanish and English, with Arabic and Vietnamese increasingly heard. My students face many challenges, including homelessness, poverty, language barriers, deportation, foster care, and jailed family members. For many, school is their safe haven. For 45 minutes a day, kids can step outside their problems and interact with the natural world. When I ask students to describe my class, the most common response is "fun!" Isn't it great when learning is fun?
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