This work is part of a podcasting project that builds on a Grade 7 history unit on how a bill becomes a law. Ahead of their trip to Washington, D.C., students do more than study the legislative process. They use it as a model for thinking about change at Graland.

The work begins with individual ideas. Each student writes a bill proposing a change they would like to see on campus. Some focus on student life, while others look at school policies or campus improvements. Similar ideas are then grouped together, and students form committees to strengthen their proposals.

“We start by helping students understand how ideas move through a system,” Grade 7 History Teacher Mr. Jeff Wolkoff said. “From there, they begin to see how their own ideas can take shape and be shared with others.”

As their proposals take shape, seventh graders begin to think about how to communicate them clearly. They study the structure of podcasts, explore how to engage an audience, and learn how to present their ideas with purpose. As part of the process, they connect with a professional podcaster, gaining insight into storytelling and production.

“Podcasting gives students a platform to share their thinking in a way that feels real,” Mr. Wolkoff said. “They’re not just writing for a teacher, they’re creating something meant to be heard.”

Each committee then creates a podcast centered on its proposal. Students write scripts, plan their episodes, and interview peers, teachers, and administrators to gather different perspectives.

“They’re learning how to ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and build on what they hear,” Mr. Wolkoff said. “That’s where a lot of the deeper thinking happens.”

As the episodes come together, seventh graders combine research, interviews, and their own ideas into a final product. When the podcasts are complete, the class listens to them together and discusses the proposals as a group.

The work does not end there. The strongest ideas are shared with school leadership, and in past years, student proposals have led to meaningful changes on campus, including updates to the dress code, increased student choice for clubs, and the addition of a safety net to protect ECLC students during soccer games.

“When students see that their ideas can lead to real change, it shifts how they think about their role in the community,” Mr. Wolkoff said. “They begin to understand that their voice matters.”

Throughout the project, seventh graders demonstrate many of the skills outlined in Graland’s Attributes of a Graduate. They show agency as they develop and advocate for their ideas, curiosity as they research and explore different perspectives, and creativity as they shape their ideas and bring them to life through their podcasts. Through interviews and collaboration, they also build empathy and perspective.

For seventh graders, the podcasts are more than a final project. They are a chance to share their ideas, engage with others, and see how their voices can contribute to the Graland community.