Recently, Berkeley Carroll fourth graders welcomed families to the Lower School’s new 703 Carroll classrooms for a special Celebration of Learning, highlighting their work from the Humanities unit Journeys.

At the heart of the event were students’ oral history interviews, in which they explored stories of immigration and ancestry from members of the Berkeley Carroll community. Interviewing faculty and staff, students practiced active listening, asked thoughtful questions, and worked to understand the personal histories that shape the people around them.

The project was inspired by earlier field trips to the Tenement Museum and Ellis Island, where students examined how artifacts and firsthand accounts help tell the stories of those who came before. Building on those experiences, they turned their focus inward, uncovering and honoring the diverse journeys within their own school community.

During the celebration, students proudly shared their interviews along with work from the unit, demonstrating not only their research and writing skills, but also their empathy and curiosity as young historians.

In a sweet nod to history, families were welcomed with doughnuts and coffee, a traditional treat offered to immigrants arriving at Ellis Island at the turn of the 20th century.

We are so proud of our fourth graders for their care, curiosity, and dedication throughout this unit, and for the thoughtful way they brought these stories to life.

View the Celebration of Learning Photo Gallery