Stay Gold! Stay Creative!

By Susie Rogers, ELA, 5th-8th

Our 7th graders recently wrapped up one of the most beloved traditions of the year — The Outsiders novel project! After diving into S.E. Hinton’s classic story, students worked through a comprehensive novel packet to analyze the novel’s rich characters, setting, and themes. Their discussions showed how deeply they connected with Ponyboy, Johnny, and the rest of the gang.

To celebrate finishing the book, students enjoyed watching the movie adaptation — complete with chocolate cake and Pepsi, of course — just like the Curtis brothers would have wanted!

The grand finale was the “Bloom Ball Project,” where students combined creativity and critical thinking. Each side of the ball featured meaningful quotations, original poems, personal reflections, and favorite characters. The finished pieces now hang proudly from our classroom, joining the work of past 7th grade classes in our growing ceiling of Outsiders Bloom Balls.

This project continues to be a student favorite every year — a perfect mix of literature, creativity, and timeless lessons about friendship, loyalty, and staying true to yourself.