Reflecting on Growth and Achievement: Severn 8th Grade Showcase

8/18/2023

Process. Authentic learning. These concepts create the foundation of our curricular and extracurricular programs at Severn Middle School. From 6th to 8th grade, we provide opportunities for students to value their work on a personal level and connect that work to the real world. The 8th grade showcase is the pinnacle of these authentic learning experiences where 8th graders choose the work of which they are most proud and present to their families, teachers, and peers. It’s a night to reflect on their achievements as individuals and as part of our community.

Student Choice, Student Voice

Part of what makes this event so meaningful is that the students themselves choose which work best represents them. It’s not simply a matter of picking the highest graded project or the one that took the most time. We want our students to choose the work of which they are most proud. In true Severn Middle School fashion, we provide a framework through which they learn to make these choices with purpose and thoughtful reflection.

Severn 8th grader presents a slideshow about his physics project on lasers. — **Nick Subong** ‘21 presents his physics waves project on lasers.

Beginning early in the fall and continuing throughout the year, 8th grade advisor groups work through a series of steps to curate the showcase collection. They create lists of all their projects from 6th, 7th and 8th grade. They then review the lists and consider which projects were most meaningful to them and why. Before submitting their collections for approval, they write artist statements about each piece. During the event, students put all of this self-reflection into action to articulate the significance of their work to their families.

During the 8th grade showcase, Severn students show their parents and peers the meaningful work they have completed during middle school. — **Regan King** ‘21 explains her project as the hallways buzz with excitement.

Students are required to submit two pieces from their classwork at Severn, but are also encouraged to submit any work done on their own, outside of school. Students showcase writing, artwork, videos, photographs and even performance art. It’s a chance to see a side of our students that we might not otherwise see on campus.

Severn school 8th graders perfrom a comedy sketch on stage during the 8th grade showcase. — **Fuller Clement** ‘21 and **Will Peeler** ‘21 performing their “Juice Tiger” original comedy skit.

A Last Look at Middle School

Through the 8th grade showcase, families, teachers and friends join together to celebrate our rising 9th graders’ talents, dreams and accomplishments. Our students look back at their time in middle school hours before they walk across the stage to receive promotion certificates and begin the final piece of their academic years at Severn. Well done class of 2021, we can't wait to see you in the fall!