By Jacob B., 7th Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
What student wouldn’t want to create a dragon or the Great Wall of China, or learn Chinese martial arts? Each year, the middle school at Krieger Schechter Day School participates in a three-day learning experience called the Gitomer Family Learning Festival. This year’s theme for the Learning Festival was China — past, present and future.
During the Learning Festival, students have an opportunity to work in project groups to create a connection through something fun and exciting. This year’s project groups included: building the Great Wall of China, martial arts, learning and celebrating the Chinese New Year’s Festival, the art of the Chinese tea ceremony, and building and racing dragon boats.
Each year, presenters speak about the theme of the learning festivals. Some of this year’s highlights included presentations about the art of silk and paper making, Wei Qi (the game of Go), Chinese musical instruments, Chinese foot binding (known as the Golden Lotus), Jewish refugees and Shanghai, and Terracotta Army warriors.
For the past four years, Kristen Wavle, middle school counselor and Karen Booth, Gassistant head of the middle school, have taken on leadership roles in planning and preparing for the Learning Festival. “Each year we come up with a couple of options for a theme, and then we discuss them with the entire faculty. This year, everybody was excited about China because of its connection to this year’s eighth grade play, “Mulan,” Wavle said.
Each year, the middle school staff embraces the Learning Festival and the learning it provides for the students. “I think it is an opportunity to reset and take a break in the middle of a long period of time. Since it is winter, there are not a lot of things that we can do to get out our energy. It is something fun and exciting that re-energizes people,” Wavle added.
Noah B., seventh grade KSDS student, loves the Learning Festival and was especially interested this year. “I did not know how cool of a country China is until I went through all of the sessions, and I learned about so much that happens in China. I loved learning about Chinese pottery and Chinese calligraphy. It was a really cool Learning Festival this year,” said Noah, who also appreciated being in the tea ceremony project group. “I really enjoyed learning all the ways of doing an actual Chinese tea ceremony, which is something I had never learned before. That was my favorite part of this year’s Learning Festival.”
Wavle notes the value and uniqueness of the Learning Festival. “I like how the students get to do something different for three days. The students get to meet new people, work on fun projects, and do cool things. It is just not something anyone would do in a normal curriculum,” she said.
The Learning Festival is an experience everyone at KSDS looks forward to each year. The activities are creative and fun, and everyone gets to think and learn outside of the box.
This year’s Gitomer Family Learning Festival was a huge success, as many KSDS students were extremely happy with the sessions, project groups, and everything they learned about China.
Jmore Juniors Noah S. and Eli S. take a look at the differences between the Jewish communities of Baltimore and Chicago.
Madeline L., a seventh grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, writes about the phenomenon that has been Starbucks over the past half-century.
An eighth grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, Jmore Juniors writer Micah B answers an array of questions from his peers.
Jmore Junior Eitan Beck writes about the pros and cons of having electric cars in the future.