Last week, seventh-graders traveled to Springfield, where they visited the state capitol, touring the Illinois House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Court and the governor's office.
They met with State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, and talked with a lobbyist from the Illinois Environmental Council (the students will write letters to legislators on the Clean Water Funding Fairness Bill as a follow-up to what they have previously learned about water pollution in Chicago and the Chicago River). They also visited Lincoln's tomb, as they have been studying slavery this year in both Reading Workshop and History.
Other key parts of the three-day trip included visiting Starved Rock State Park (to enjoy nature in light of the grade's environmental service learning theme) and an organic farm (seventh-graders also have been studying sustainable farming and how food production and consumption relates to the environment).
The students learned a lot on the trip, had fun and shared a great bonding experience with their classmates.
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