Middle schoolers participate, learn in X-block sessions

By Ella Frey and Amelia Stone|October 24, 2018

Imagine a period in the day where students have an hour to put away homework and design their own website or learn how to make succulents in plastic containers. For middle schoolers, X-block is this period.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, middle schoolers select and participate in two out of 26 X-blocks, including Costume Couture, Curiosity X and Batik Pattern and Printmaking.

Watch the video above to learn more about student experiences in the ALTeachers, Art and the Environment, Be a Digital Fortune Teller and Science Fair X-blocks.

Passion and purpose: Young Green Ambassador leads the way with environmental advocacy

History teacher and Innovative Learning Coordinator Malia McClurg teaches the Gender Studies senior seminar students about the importance of intersectional feminism. "I hope that students walk away with a curiosity about themselves and the world around them," McClurg said.

Teaching and tech: Innovative learning coordinator’s diverse interests contribute to curriculum

A library goer at the Beverly Hills Public Library sits at a desk doing work. Many seniors among the class of 2025 have begun attending their local public libraries, embracing these spaces to complete work.

Within the book stacks: Seniors embrace working at local public libraries

Three women question themselves and others around them. "Women have been socialized to aspire to perfection and are overly cautious," Reshma Saujani said. "Even when we’re ambitious and we lean in, that socialization of perfection has caused us to take fewer risks in our careers."

‘This might be wrong’: Exploring female fear of failure in the classroom, workplace

A plywood sign states “we are free take us home” in front of a used mattress sitting on the sidewalk. Unwanted furniture is often abandoned outside for free.

From Trash to Treasure: What was once furniture waste can have a second life

MULTIMEDIA

S5E7 – The Scoop on Archer junior’s summer abroad experience in Taiwan

Spanish-speaking family night title slide

Broadcast: Spanish speaking family night unites bilingual families, Latine community at Archer

S5E6 – The Scoop on student pilot, how she achieved her license

S2E2 – Rights, resistance, reactions: History of Black voting rights, reactions to 2024 election

S5E5 – The Scoop on two teachers’ experiences with single-sex education

Comments (0)

As part of Archer’s active and engaged community, the Editorial Board welcomes reader comments and debate and encourages community members to take ownership of their opinions by using their names when commenting. However, in order to ensure a diverse range of opinions, the editorial board does allow anonymous comments on articles as long as the perspective cannot be obtained elsewhere, and they are respectful and relevant. We do require a valid, verified email address, which will not be displayed, but will be used to confirm your comments. Because we are a 6-12 school, the Editorial Board reserves the right to omit profanity and content that we deem inappropriate for our audience. We do not publish comments that serve primarily as an advertisement or to promote a specific product. Comments are moderated and may be edited in accordance with the Oracle’s profanity policy, but the Editorial Board will not change the intent or message of comments. They will appear once approved.

Share your thoughts...

All The Oracle Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest