Students at Independence Middle School recently experienced the joy of learning through creativity and hands-on engagement during their English language arts classes.
In sixth grade, teacher Michelle Koussa arranged a special visit from Helen “Cookie” Mahne (Koussa’s own, Grandma Galla, who played in the league for the Cleveland Bloomer Girls in the 1930’s), who arrived in full character as a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The visit connected directly to the students' unit exploring how sports impact the world and how the world impacts sports. Through this interactive experience, students learned about league expectations from the time period, worked collaboratively to analyze texts, and made meaningful connections to World War II and its influence on athletics. The lesson sparked curiosity and set the stage for deeper learning as students continue to explore the differences between historical fiction and historical fact.
Meanwhile, fifth-grade students in Emma Tomins’ class stepped into the world of The City of Ember in a truly memorable way. The City of Ember centers around an underground city powered only by lightbulbs. Adding flashlights and blacked out windows into the classroom, this activity mimicked the completely dark skies and limited light sources in “Ember”. With the lights dimmed and flashlights in hand, students read together “firelight,” mirroring the setting of the novel. This immersive experience built excitement for reading and helped students connect more deeply to the story’s atmosphere, characters, and themes.
“These engaging lessons highlight how creativity in the classroom can transform reading into an adventure,” said Principal Haley Mueller. “It helps students make meaningful connections to literature and history.”
