Sydney Freibaum, sixth grade English, and Jennifer Cordero, sixth grade social science
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Two Sixth Grade Teachers Featured in Educational Blog for Classroom Discussion Techniques
Through R.E.A.L. discussions led by middle school teachers, Hutchison girls are learning about the power of conversation.
R.E.A.L. is a structured discussion technique and acronym for four fundamental discussion skills: relate, excerpt, ask, and listen. Since receiving training during the previous school year, Sydney Freibaum, sixth grade English, and Jennifer Cordero, sixth grade social science, have been successfully implementing R.E.A.L. discussions in their classrooms.
“We have started intentionally, purposefully teaching our girls how to have formal discussions. Informally, I have seen how that translates. They are looking for evidence now, and that is what we are trying to do: teach them to question everything,” Cordero said.
The R.E.A.L. technique can be used in both formal discussions and casual conversations and was born out of the need to provide structure to in-person discussions for students who “struggle with expressing themselves, engaging different viewpoints, listening deeply, and reading non-verbal cues.” Freibaum said she incorporates informal R.E.A.L. discussions into her daily class structure, and for the girls, it feels “organic.”
“My ‘why’ is seeing the girls start to think differently. I think the best way to get students to consider what an author was thinking and trying to convey is through discussion,” Freibaum said.
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At Hutchison, Zelia Cedeño-Avila ’24 stepped out of her comfort zone to try many different things and hone in on her interest in science and math, from serving as Technology Council president to creating a robotic scarecrow for her myExperience capstone project. A lifelong learner, she will bring her knowledge and skills to Vanderbilt University, where she plans to study mechanical engineering.
Three upper school students will participate in high-intensity summer programs in subjects including emerging technologies, international studies, and computational physics.
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AP Scholar and National African American Recognition Program Scholar Lauren Coleman ’24 explored her interest in science and the environment at Hutchison. She hopes to make a difference through a career in sustainability.
J’oules Williams ’24 is a member of Memphis Parent magazine’s inaugural 10 under 20 class. The award celebrates youth who strive to make a difference in their community and change the lives of others for the better.
Adela Calzada ’24 has attended Hutchison since pre-K, and she said it allowed her to blossom into a leader who also makes Hutchison feel like home for her peers.
Our inaugural graduating class of the myExperience program presented their capstone projects with confidence, poise, and enthusiasm at our first myExperience Senior Showcase.