48. Fourth Grade Citizenship Certificate

At a mid-year ceremony, each fourth grade student receives a certificate to signify their Big Dalton citizenship and pledge to uphold the values of good citizenship both at Dalton and in the wider world.

The fourth grade’s overarching theme for the year is immigration and migration. In social studies, the children explore the meanings behind and experiences of those coming to America, today and in the past. In tandem with this historical focus is one on the children’s own experience as migrants themselves from the First Program (or another school) to the Middle School. From the very first day, the children consider what it is like learning about a new country, acclimating, learning new routines and language and turning a new place into a familiar one of their own. They start by creating maps of their journey — imaginative renderings of their movement from Little Dalton to Big Dalton. A Museum of the Old Country is created in the hallway filled with the children’s dear artifacts from their earlier years. City blocks from second grade, writing from third, photos from first and art work from kindergarten soon decorate the 9th floor bulletin boards. In biweekly Citizenship lessons, the children ponder what makes a good citizen of House, grade, school, country and world. Lessons featuring book read alouds, journaling, and other activities encourage consideration of this alongside such larger themes as equity, allyship, and diversity. Midyear, there is a very special ceremony when the children each receive their Big Dalton citizenship. Not only do they receive a certificate, but hear welcoming comments from the Middle School government leaders, the Middle School directors, and the Head of School. This ceremony ends with the children taking a pledge to do well as citizens of their school.
—Sylvena Goodman, Fourth Grade House Advisor