Following guidelines presented in the "This I Believe" radio series originated by broadcast journalist Edward R.
Murrow in the 1950's and recently renewed by National Public Radio on their "Morning Edition" and "All Things
Considered" radio shows, seventh grade students were asked to write essays that would reflect a core value or
belief that helps to guide their daily lives. In the player above, students read their essays about what is
important to them in life.
In the fall of 2007 seventh grade HAG students were introduced to a unit on "Global Warming."They
learned all about greenhouse gases (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, CFCs, and Nitrous Oxides), computer
modeling,
ocean level rises, changes in climate, alternate energy sources, fossil fuels, and political & personal
solutions. In January of 2008, students were asked to look back on their Global Warming studies, choose
a
topic and create a 'persuasive essay' to convince podcast listeners that Global Warming is real and
that their topic is an important Global Warming issue. Taking their topic in hand they headed to the
Internet to collect detailed information and then began crafting a five-paragraph essay persuading
listeners that their topic is indeed important in the Global Warming discussion and encouraging their
listeners to action in response to the topic. In the mp3 player above you will find their essays in the
form of audio files. These are students reading their own essays.