Our Graduating 8th Grade Class
Our 8th grade class is soon to embark on a new adventure as they graduate and move onto high school. In their last year at the Waldorf School of Palm Beach, they were asked to choose an area of interest to go deeper with and to learn a new skill. They had to find a professional mentor in the community and an expert outside the community who would guide them in their independent explorations. They had to dedicate time outside school to form questions, research them, keep a journal of their experiences, develop an artistic piece, and write a research essay.
All eight of them worked diligently through the length of the school year. For many of them, new questions arose along the way and the project evolved into something they could not have imagined in the beginning. While learning about their area of interest, they deepened their understanding of themselves, too:
How do I respond to setbacks?
What are some strategies that aid me in moving forward?
Is it helpful if I take a break sometimes and re-evaluate, or let the idea rest for a bit?
Where can I find help when I need it?
How do I give feedback and how do I feel about receiving feedback?
8th Grade Project Presentation
The crowning of the project is the 8th Grade Project Presentation. The 8th graders now have to come before the community to show us what they have learned. For many of them, this means stepping out of their comfort zones. This year's 8th grade class has the added challenge of having to present remotely.
In the past two weeks, each student had to acquire the skills to record and edit videos and images, and do all of this with minimal help. They have been supporting each other with feedback and advice as they prepared the recorded presentations to send to the parent community.
I am extremely proud of this group of students. It has been a real pleasure and honor to work with them. Their passion and perseverance clearly show in the work that they have accomplished.
8th Grade Presentations
Isaac Dash, The Power of Learning Computers
Nicholas Hansen, The Violin
Aliza Tilson, The In’s and Out’s of Skincare
Isa Dencker, Cats
Peter Domokos, Pen, Paper and Dice - The World of Games
Andros Linnell, Composing Music
William Hupp-McDonald, Easy and Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Noah Routhier, Music Production and Song Writing
We look forward to sharing this amazing experience with you.
Sincerely,
Ms. Olga Domokos
8th Grade Teacher