E Pluribus Unum

Out of many, one.

Compromise is at the heart of Congress.  How do many voices and diverse perspectives find common ground?  

If you look carefully, you can find
George Washington on the rotunda's ceiling!

5th graders can relate to this challenge.  They are at an age where they are testing their personalities and growing in their identities.  They are learning to appreciate each other as unique individuals, to vocalize their opinions, and to respect their differences.

So it is a powerful thing to witness these many awesome kids band together as one class.  The U.S. Capitol has that kind of effect on people.  Out of many, one.

As they study the legislative branch with Live It Learn It, students explore the basics of representative government and the responsibilities of Congress.  During their visit to the Capitol, they look for clues that tell stories about freedom, our nation's history, and the role of legislation in progress toward equality.

The kids are awed by the size of the building, the beauty of the artwork, and the legacy of hope for a better future that this place conveys.  I watched their jaws drop when we entered the rotunda and I overheard several students say they want to work here.  

During this heated election season, my experiences with students at the Capitol remind me that the role of government is not to divide, but to unify.  

Out of many, one.

Our future Congressmen and Congresswomen.

Live It Learn It Roll Call

As always, we are working hard to improve our curriculum and instruction for DCPS students. This school year one of our focuses is building a Live It Learn It community in our partner classrooms. The most popular addition to the Live It Learn It experience is our "roll call" which the students have begun to call the "Live It Learn It ditty."

Check out this amazing Live It Learn It ditty performance:

Spreading the Word!

Hello, Live It Learn It friends!  We have two tidbits to share with you today:

• Live It Learn It was recently highlighted in the Washington Post.  Help us spread the word, about our growing organization and our work with D.C. Title I schools by sharing this article with someone you know.  Our partners and community are the foundation of our organization.  We have a strong network but always welcome opportunities to tell our story to an ever-widening circle.

• Looking for something fun to do this weekend?  Consider visiting Hard Bargain Farm, one of our destination partners.  Saturday is Oktoberfest at the farm.  All are welcome to partake in outdoor, fall-themed activities including hayrides and making apple cider. 

Have a wonderful three day weekend!   

Live It Learn It around DC!

Check out our pictures below to see where Live It Learn It students were this week! As always, the city served as a great teaching tool for DC public school students.

4th grade students from CW Harris Elementary School visit the National Museum of  the American Indian.

Students learn different ways the Lakota people told stories in their culture.

5th graders from Ferebee-Hope visit the FDR Memorial.

Students learn about urban breadlines during the Great Depression. 

One Thing Teaching Has Taught Me
by Erica Harper

One of the most poignant lessons teaching has taught me is to celebrate the little victories. When I first began teaching, I was like most recent graduates -- bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and uber-idealistic. I was convinced I would have students reciting Shakespeare and using the Pythagorean Theorem to unlock some mysteries of the universe in no time. Reality proved to be quite different, and I quickly realized that if I was going to continue teaching, I needed to meet my students at their level. Every child I worked with wasn't guaranteed to be a baby Einstein, but that didn't mean they couldn't succeed. And even success looked different for each student.

That student that is never prepared, but shows up one morning with two finely sharpened pencils ready to work? VICTORY! That student that never talks, but perks up during my lesson on the solar system and even chimes in to answer a question? VICTORY! The student that never smiles, but finally returned one after months of working with her? VICTORY! The student who can barely read, but proudly recited MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial? VICTORY!

I had to learn to appreciate these victories as they came, and was struck with how much there is to celebrate when you change your perspective.

We are proud to announce new programs for the 2012-2013 school year!

Fifth grade students will travel along the Potomac River on the Sequahana, which is operated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. While aboard, students will assess the health of the Potomac River by completing several water quality tests using scientific instruments. They also will have the opportunity to catch, touch, and identify fish, examine plankton under the microscope, identify bird and fish species, and experience a day on the river - all while enjoying stunning views of their city!

Sixth grade students will participate in an interactive art lesson entitled "Hear Art/See Music" at the Kreeger Museum. Students will view African masks and investigate how masquerades demonstrate elements of culture. Students will then create their own masks using natural materials. Finally, students will participate in a drum circle where they connect the patterns on their masks to the rhythms being played on drums.

We are pleased to offer two programs for fourth grade students at Mt. Vernon this year. The first program focuses on George Washington: The Revolutionary. During this program, students will further explore Washington’s leadership and legacy. Evidence of his revolutionary mindset appears across the estate, and students will analyze it in the preserved artifacts as well as the outdoor environment. The second program focuses on colonial slavery. During this program, students will explore first-hand what daily life was like for slaves. They will view period objects and tools, such as toys and a spinning loom. Students will explore various work houses and slave quarters to analyze the life of slaves. Finally, students will visit an exhibit about slavery in the education center at Mount Vernon.

Fourth grade students will explore the art of Roy Lichtenstein while visiting a retrospective of his life's work at the National Gallery of Art. This program will begin with a play, entitled Framed, about the life and art of Roy Lichtenstein. The play uses a combination of music, acting, and visual art to tell the story. Students will then tour the Lichtenstein exhibit as they explore the historical context of the artwork and the various techniques used by Lichtenstein. Finally, students will have the opportunity to sketch one of Lichtenstein’s works.

Fourth grade students will have a new opportunity this school year at the Washington Youth Garden. The unit will focus on nutrition and how our food choices affect our health. Students will examine the five food groups and the specific nutrients and health benefits that come from each. During the trip, students explore the garden – harvesting and tasting different plants – to learn how a garden can provide a balanced meal. The culminating activity is a cooking lesson where students help prepare a healthy snack which they eat together at the end of the trip.

Breaking News: Teachers and Students in the Press

Recently, two of our school partners have been showcased in the local news--and we couldn't be prouder!  Read on to find out what's newsworthy about Burroughs Education Campus and Orr Elementary School.

Check out more photos of Harrod and her students here.

The Washington Post featured Hope Harrod (a long-time Live It Learn It teacher partner and a Live It Learn It board member) and her colleagues and students at Burroughs Education Campus on their first day of school. 

Post reporter Emma Brown quoted Harrod and one of her students:

“This has been a wonderful day. Lots and lots of instruction, lots and lots of procedures,” the teacher said. “It’s been a long day.”

Yessenia Aguilar, who was packing up her homework folder, disagreed. “It was very short,” she said. “Too short.”

Over in southeast DC, students at Orr Elementary School were featured on WJLA for their rap video about how much they love their school.  Principal and Live It Learn It board member Michelle Edwards said, "I think this video gives us an opportunity to show the world that great things are happening at Orr Elementary School in Anacostia."  We couldn't agree more!