Seventh-graders explore "Dark Continent'

Seventh grade students Ajani Milton, left, and Faith Lewis, middle, participate in African dance as Thomas Jefferson Middle School celebrated the 14th Annual Tour of Africa Friday. Lincoln University's Dance TroupŽ students, under direction of Theressa Ferguson, at right, performed and worked with students in the dance demonstration.  Upon completion of weeks of study of the continent, its people and culture, food and history, students were treated to different aspects of the culture. Guest speakers helped to round out the day's celebration with slideshows, music, dance and clothing items native to different regions.
Seventh grade students Ajani Milton, left, and Faith Lewis, middle, participate in African dance as Thomas Jefferson Middle School celebrated the 14th Annual Tour of Africa Friday. Lincoln University's Dance TroupŽ students, under direction of Theressa Ferguson, at right, performed and worked with students in the dance demonstration. Upon completion of weeks of study of the continent, its people and culture, food and history, students were treated to different aspects of the culture. Guest speakers helped to round out the day's celebration with slideshows, music, dance and clothing items native to different regions.

Drawing in a variety of learning styles and curriculum, Tour of Africa Day for seventh-graders at Thomas Jefferson Middle School is a culmination of weeks of interdisciplinary study.

The 14th annual event held Friday morning allowed students to explore the "Dark Continent" with guest speakers, who are from a featured country or have visited one. Beyond their studies in the social studies class, seventh-graders learned about the continent's infectious diseases in science class, wrote African folktales in language arts, and made masks and shields in art class.