Ruggles Lane fourth-graders present Mesa Verde and Ellis Island projects; teacher marks retirement

Fourth-grade students from Ruggles Lane Elementary presented social-studies projects to the Quabbin Regional School District committee on June 11, showing slide decks and posters on Mesa Verde and Ellis Island.

Principal Chris Carlson introduced the students and thanked the committee for the opportunity; students read from slides and explained why the terminology for some groups has changed, saying they use "indigenous" or "ancestral Puebloan" rather than older terms.

Their teacher, Ms. Murphy, told the committee she had organized the units to integrate social studies into ELA and said, "When students are engaged and excited about what they're learning, they absorb the material more deeply and retain it longer." She described the curriculum as inquiry-based and emphasized use of primary sources and project work.

Students pointed to examples such as cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde and explained primary-source activities; a student presenter asked, "Why did we rename our Anasazi and Indians?" and then explained that updated terms show respect for indigenous communities.

Committee members praised the students. Doctor Allen and others asked about connecting the units to local history, and Ms. Murphy described visits to Lowell National Historic Park and junior-ranger activities at Mesa Verde as examples of hands-on learning.

The presentation closed with committee appreciation for student work and a note that Ms. Murphy is retiring after more than three decades in the district. Committee members and community speakers offered thanks and congratulations.