Passage Presentations
In 2022 we started a new tradition at DAA that we happily carried forward this year, passage presentations. During passages, our 7th graders compile a portfolio of their academic work for each subject, write a personal statement, gather HOC recommendations from adults in their lives, and consider where they would like to go to high school. For 6 weeks toward the end of the year our 7th graders spend time reflecting on their progress and on their growth areas, with the ultimate goal of proving that they are ready for the high school transition process. I was honored to be a part of the process last school year as a panelist and this school year as a passage advisor.
Passages matter because they empower students to take the lead role in their educational journey. The work that they do serves them not just in middle school, but in life. They learn countless valuable lessons, and they come together as a stronger and closer crew as they support one another throughout the process. They learn how to present for an audience. They learn about responsibility, organization and decision making. They cultivate an evidence based mindset, and they learn to take pride in their accomplishments.
The first step in our passages each year is allowing students the opportunity to analyze models. Last year our students looked at models from other schools, but because this was our second year, they were able to see recordings of their peers in 8th grade. While watching, they took notes on presentations, ultimately working together to generate criteria for a presentation rubric. Afterwards, they analyzed digital portfolios, following the same process.
Once the criteria was clear, they compiled their own portfolios. Starting first by writing a personal statement. Their personal statements are designed to be able to be used in the fall as an essay for the high school application process. Students included information about themselves as learners and an overview of why they believe they are ready for high school. After writing a personal statement students reached out to teachers to request letters of recommendation. Finally, they compiled artifacts from their classes that showed their best academic achievements from the year. After completing a digital portfolio they went through several rounds of peer feedback. Then finally they began practicing to present.
As nervous as our 7th graders were, the presentations were spectacular! It brings me so much joy as the 7th grade Crew leader to be able to see my crew’s growth over the course of this school year. Our 7th graders reflected and took responsibility for their learning. They showed so much courage and perseverance while they were presenting to their families and panelists. It was such a great way to end another amazing school year!