Last week the seventh grade went on field trips to the Holocaust Museum, Morton Arboretum and met with the Friends of the Chicago River for a fun-filled week of applied learning! The students were engaged in a variety of activities where they were able to apply their knowledge from Jewish Studies, Science and Humanities to relate to the world around them! 

Our trip to the Chicago River had three stations: a nature walk, trash clean-up and water collection. At each station, students engaged with their surroundings and, despite a huge rainstorm, were able to observe nature, collect samples, draw conclusions and have a ton of fun! The Friends of the Chicago River organization worked with students to point out the habitat along the river, including types of flora and fauna. Students engaged in conversations about what can and cannot survive given the conditions along the riverbank and what types of plants were most common. At the water collection station, students learned about seven different tests that can be performed on water to determine its quality and viability. Students collected water samples and were able to analyze the results to draw conclusions about pH levels, dissolved oxygen levels, turbidity, phosphate and nitrate levels. The students were engaged and loved applying what they had learned in math and science class to these tests! 

At the Holocaust Museum, students explored different aspects of the Holocaust and other genocides that have occurred around the world. Each docent at the museum treated their group to a unique experience and telling of the story of the Holocaust. Students asked questions, listened to stories, offered personal anecdotes and heard from a relative of a Holocaust survivor. Our students were incredible listeners, guests and learners. After the museum, we enjoyed an afternoon at Harms Woods with a picnic lunch, reflection time and amazing activities led by our ShinShinim! 

Seventh-grade field trip week concluded with a day at the Morton Arboretum. Students learned about the woodland ecosystem, parts of a tree, different layers of the woodlands and the wildlife that lives in the trees. Our students were particularly captivated by a hawk sighting and loved learning more about the birds in their natural habitat. The week was a huge success and a highlight of the seventh grade year!