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 * Welcome back! The 2011-2012 school year promises to be an adventure filled with lots of fun and learning.**


 * This wikispace will be the host to all of the information that you will need for grade 7 social studies and grade 8 PRA.**
 * Outline for 2011/12**
 * Grade 7 Social Studies: Investigating Empowerment**


 * Units of study:**
 * **Economic empowerment**
 * **Political Empowerment**
 * **Cultural Empowerment**
 * **Societal Empowerment**
 * **National Empowerment**

This assignment will help you with your critical thinking skills and your self-expression.
 * Essential Graduation Learnings**
 * **aesthetic expression**
 * **citizenship**
 * **communication**
 * **personal development**
 * **problem solving**
 * **technological competencies**
 * Sept. 21st / 2011**
 * I am ME and Nobody Else!**

Firrst, we will read this poem together. It was written by a grade 4 student in Chicago. Yes, a grade 4 student. Sadly, we know that bullying is STILL a problem at school. Please consider this as you read the poem.

//I am stuck and can't get out!// //When I am mad I have to shout,// //What should I do? Cry, Shout, Hit?// //Help me! I'm stuck in a deep pit.// //And the pit is holding me ...// //Lies are holding my legs ...// //Hitting is holding my arms.// //I pushed and pulled and got away from the pit of Emotion, rubbing trust on my body like a lotion.//
 * Trapped**
 * --Schinon E. Russell Grade 4, Arthur Ashe Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois**


 * Assignment**


 * 1) What do you think Schinon is trying to say at the beginning of her poem? Do you think she is being bullied? Possibly?
 * 2) What kind of challenges or problems seem to face her?
 * 3) What do you think she meant by, "I'm stuck in a deep pit?"
 * 4) Do you think she resolved her problems? Why do you think she did or did not?
 * 5) Do you think she was talking about herself in this poem or someone else? Why?
 * 6) Are there any messages you would like to share in a poem or another form of art? You may focus on such things as bullying, your lack of empowerment, etc.