As part of Edythe J. Hayes Middle School’s new Vibrant Learning Experience (VLE) initiative, all three 8th-grade social studies teachers at Edythe J. Hayes Middle School — Mr. Kitchen, Mrs. Deener, and Mr. Castillo — collaborated on a project engaging more than 300 students in connecting history to the modern world. The experience began with the DBQ Project’s “Transatlantic Slave Trade: Who Was Most Responsible?” Students examined the historical systems of forced labor, then pivoted to explore current global labor practices in the fashion industry, focusing on issues such as child labor and unethical factory conditions.
After analyzing articles and videos on fast-fashion supply chains, students identified and investigated potential modern stakeholders — factory owners, global brands, U.S. import companies, or consumers. Using evidence from their research, students composed claim-evidence-reasoning (C-E-R-T) essays that identified who they believed bore the greatest responsibility and proposed actionable solutions. Students then chose an authentic audience: some emailed company CEOs or U.S. senators, others wrote letters to the local newspaper or delivered persuasive speeches to their peers. The project culminated in a visual product, either a poster or infographic, designed individually or in small groups to advocate for change. These posters will be on display in the hallways of the school and during the school’s winter Curriculum Night, a family engagement event showcasing student work.
This VLE powerfully aligned with the Fayette County Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Students practiced being Lifelong Learners by applying historical reasoning to modern contexts, Civically Engaged through advocacy and communication with real-world audiences, Future and Life Ready collaborators by producing creative media products, and Reflective and Resilient thinkers through structured writing and revision.
This was the first attempt at a VLE for this PLC. Following the project, the teachers asked students for feedback. Student feedback reflected strong engagement and ownership. They rated the project 7.6/10 for real-life connection, frequently commenting that it helped them “see how slavery was in the past and how bad things are still happening.” Most students said they would not change the project, though many requested more time to complete the writing and poster components. Key takeaways included the need for more structured writing support, flexible project formats (e.g., digital options like Canva), and clearer group role expectations.
This was Hayes Middle School’s first official Vibrant Learning Experience in social studies and one of the earliest VLEs in the district. It demonstrated how inquiry, authentic action, and cross-curricular skills can come together to make learning both rigorous and relevant — helping students connect history to the world they live in today.
David Kitchen
Edythe J. Hayes Middle School
Fayette County Public Schools
8th Grade
