On March 30, 2017, the Villa Academy 8th Grade U.S. History students traveled to the Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle to try former president Andrew Jackson for his alleged crimes against humanity, which occurred in the 1830’s as Americans moved west. The specific charges stated that “President Andrew Jackson, with premeditated intent, did conduct or […]
Mock Trial 2016– Photos and Review
Nyssa L. and Ethan B. go free! Nyssa, accused of killing her Humanities Teacher with a Pokemon Ball and a candlestick, has been acquitted. The prosecution called Detective Billy W., who made clear connections between the forensic evidence found at the crime scene (including Nyssa’s fingerprints and blood type), presented evidence that Nyssa was failing […]
World Fair Latin America
The 7th graders brought in their FIRST World Fair projects of the year today! The projects are creative and colorful. They demonstrate critical thinking, creative problem solving, and a willingness to take risks. I’m proud of these kids and I look forward to watching them create amazing projects that demonstrate incredibly important learning, over the […]
8A Protests Their History Textbook
This year, we piloted an online textbook for 8th Grade History. The text connects to Common Core standards, the National Council of Social Studies standards, and 21st Century Skills. The online text provides a foundation of content from which we have further investigated topics like the Constitution and Bill of Rights, westward expansion, immigration, industrialization, reform efforts, […]
8th Grade Mock Trial: Andrew Jackson is NOT GUILTY
On February 25, 2016, the Villa Academy 8th Grade U.S. History students traveled to the Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle to try former president Andrew Jackson for his alleged crimes against humanity, which occurred in the 1830’s as Americans moved west. The specific charges stated that “President Andrew Jackson, with premeditated intent, did conduct or […]
Europe World Fair Photos
7th Graders completed their Europe World Fair last week. Check out all the amazing projects, below! Also, save the date for our 2016 Villa Academy World Expo in the Rainbow Theater, on June 7 from 9:00 am to 10:10 am.
Photos from our SPD Visit
Sergeant Lang and Detective Biggs, both from the Seattle Police Department, visited 8A and 8B on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. Students learned about their jobs as patrol officer and detective, their career paths, and how they might have investigated our Mock Trial crimes. See photos, below:
8A Mock Trial– Tess is GUILTY!
What a great day… for 8A’s Prosecution team! The prosecution prevailed today in Villa County Court. The jury carefully deliberated for at least 30 minutes before voting to convict Tess J. of murdering her math teacher, Ms. Skoorb. The defense mounted a good fight, claiming that either the Middle School Director Jonah C. and a never-before-seen dinosaur (the Tytusuarus) […]
CSI: Villa
Today, 8th Graders invested the outdoor crime scene in the case of Washington v. Tess Johnson. What the students found was critical to the investigation!
8th Grade Goes to Law School (in a day!)
Michael Guadagno and Joe Shaeffer are here today, providing the 8th grade students a crash-course in the law. This fun-filled day of learning introduces students to courtroom procedure and terminology, the ins and outs of legal roles, and allows them to apply their understanding of the Constitution to the law and legal process. They examine cases – some […]