Neighbor News
Barnesville 7th Graders Research Outstanding Abilities of People
Each year, Barnesville School seventh graders research a notable person with a physical, mental, or learning disability.
Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences Middle School language arts and art teachers teamed up to add an experiential art and writing component to this year’s 7th Grade Disabilities Project.
After watching a video about an artist born without arms, students painted their own pictures using only their feet (photos of this can be viewed on Facebook) and did a writing reflection based on the experience. The paintings and reflections were put on display in the hall near the gymnasium in advance of the 7th Grade Disability Project presentation.
Each year, Barnesville’s seventh graders research a notable person with a physical, mental, or learning disability and write biographical essays. With display props representing significant components of each figure’s life and accomplishments, students pose as the individuals they researched and deliver first-person oral presentations to other students, parents, and faculty.
Individuals featured in the 2018 7th Grade Language Arts Disability Project were:
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Roy Campanella
- Tom Cruise
- Leonardi Da Vinci
- Walt Disney
- Thomas Edison
- Albert Einstein
- Carrie Fisher
- Steve Gleeson
- Bethany Hamilton
- Mandy Harvey
- Stephen Hawking
- Hellen Keller
- James Earl Jones
- Marlee Matlin
- Lionel Messi
- Michael Phelps
- John Wesley Powell
- Curtis Pride
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Marlo Runyan
- Jacobus Tenbroeke
- Mike Utley
- Vincent Van Gogh
Photos can be viewed on Facebook.
Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences is an independent private school in Montgomery County, Maryland offering innovative preschool through 8th grade programs. Cross-curricular teaching encourages students to explore how subjects relate to one another, helping them to make connections that spark inquiry and deepen understanding. Small classes enable skilled teachers to engage each child in an academically challenging environment. Our 30-acre campus is our extended classroom, and we integrate nature into everyday learning. Barnesville is certified as a Maryland Green School by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, demonstrating achievement in curriculum and instruction, community partnerships, and best management practices.
