Notably , she was able to sequence the data representations she used in the Meadowcroft materials so that the students were learning increasingly sophisticated concepts as the unit went on . It ’ s a method she also employed in preparing the voting lessons in Wittig ’ s classroom .
Echoes
Picklo clicks to advance to the next slide , which introduces the subject of poll taxes and literacy tests . There are audible protests from the students as Picklo describes how a Black voter might be denied the right to vote for missing just one question on a test .
“ That ’ s the one that bothers them the most ,” says Pfenning , recounting how one student rose from his seat to approach the whiteboard and point at the slide in righteous indignation . “ As test takers , they ’ re putting themselves in the position of those voters .”
Picklo and Wittig note that the lessons learned during Pfenning ’ s voting unit have echoed in their other lessons this term .
In a unit focused on the United States ’ founding documents , for example , Picklo points out that students have drawn connections between the voting unit and the fact that many of these documents , such as the Constitution , had inequality built into them from the moment they were written .
“ A lot of the later amendments to the Constitution are talked about in the voting unit ,” Picklo adds . When he and Wittig cover the 15th and 19th amendments , for example , students are already familiar with them from having talked about the amendments giving Black men and women , respectively , the right to vote .
The Beauty of Being in a Lab School
“ It ’ s always exciting to work with other people on a curriculum ,” says Wittig . “ That ’ s the beauty of being in a laboratory school .”
The students appreciated knowing that they were playing a role in testing out Pfenning ’ s curriculum , Picklo says . “ They have a say in whether it ’ s going to work and how it will change .”
Now that he has this curriculum , says Wittig , “ We can use it and develop it in any way that fits .”
He ’ s already integrated the voting unit into his teaching during the presidential election . Much of that talk continues to resonate with students who are steeped in lessons about who is allowed to vote , who isn ’ t , and the means used to keep some groups from participating .
Greg Wittig
Thinking beyond the 2024 election , Wittig also is looking forward to eventually teaching seventh-grade history to Pfenning ’ s granddaughter , Lillie , who is now a Falk first grader .
“ Having witnessed firsthand the extraordinary degree to which Falk fosters the intellectual growth of students like Lillie ,” says Pfenning , “ I knew we could set a high bar for these middle school units . Sitting in on the classes , I saw teachers guide their students to internalize concepts that many people would consider challenging even at the university level .” ■
FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 31