Poetry, Family History, World War I & a Holocaust Survivor’s Visit (Session 6, Week 1)

Greetings from the Journey Studio, and welcome to Week One of Session Six!

Learners began this brand-new session by reading and reflecting on poetry, exploring themes of life and death, researching World War I, and engaging in meaningful conversations about history, resilience, and the human experience.

Genre

This week, learners read a variety of poems centered on the joy of life and the inevitability of death. After discussing the poems, they decorated personal journals where they could record their reflections, insights, and questions.

The thoughtful discussions and opportunities for personal reflection have already made this Genre one of the Journey Studio’s favorite experiences of the year.

Quest

Throughout the week, learners explored themes of life, legacy, and personal history.

On Monday, they recorded their thoughts about life and death through writing and reflection. On Tuesday, they created four-generation family trees, tracing their family histories and connections across generations.

For the remainder of the week, learners continued to contemplate life's big questions through a variety of engaging challenges and activities.

Civ

This week, learners researched and reflected on World War I, examining its causes, consequences, and lasting impact on the world.

One of the most thought-provoking questions they considered was:

"Is World War III avoidable? Why or why not?"

This question sparked a lively discussion, with learners nearly evenly divided on whether another world war could be prevented. They supported their perspectives with historical examples, current events, and thoughtful reasoning.

Hero's Visit

On Thursday, learners welcomed Rachel, a survivor of both the Holocaust and the purges under Joseph Stalin's regime in the Soviet Union.

Rachel shared her remarkable life story, offering firsthand insight into perseverance, courage, and resilience in the face of extraordinary hardship. Learners listened with great attention and were deeply moved by her experiences and strength.

Her visit provided a powerful connection to the historical topics being explored in the studio and left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

Looking Ahead

As Session Six continues, learners will deepen their exploration of poetry, history, reflection, and personal growth through meaningful discussions and challenging work.

Thank you for reading this week's Journey Studio Newsletter. We look forward to sharing more highlights with you at the end of Week Two.

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