Fourth Grade Takes Us Far and Wide with Journeys Project
Last Thursday, Fourth Grade students at Rutgers Prep presented Journeys, an annual project that explores immigration, cultural heritage, and global-mindedness.
At Rutgers Prep, we often say that we come from everywhere, and we can go anywhere. That statement is true of our community, and it's also true of the world at large. This idea is at the heart of Journeys, which allows students to connect with their own family histories while developing empathy for the experiences of immigrants past and present.
The Journeys project integrates multiple subjects, including social studies, art, library research, technology, music, and drama. Students begin by selecting a country tied to their cultural background or a place in the world that interests them. From there, they dive into research, creating personal scrapbooks filled with family stories, historical context, and artistic representations of their heritage like family crests. They also use technology to develop interactive presentations and work in the library to produce posters with their research.
Students then take the stage to share what they’ve learned, Whether reciting lines, presenting portions of their project, or performing music, they gain confidence in expressing themselves in front of an audience. Their teachers note that, year after year, students rise to the occasion, demonstrating poise and enthusiasm.
Perhaps the most important lesson students learn from Journeys is empathy. By learning about the stories of immigrants, our fourth graders develop a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and the challenges of adapting to a new country. Their teachers emphasize patience and perspective, helping their students see connections between their own lives and those of people from different places and backgrounds.
Please enjoy photos from the students' presentations and performances and join us in thanking the Fourth Grade for taking us along on their Journeys.