Middle School Enrichment Programs
New Middle School Programs (piloted in 2008/9)
This school year, the students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are participating in two experiential-education initiatives which were successfully piloted in the 2008/09 school year. Both of these programs are designed to bring about more hands-on and project-based learning to the students while also offering them an element of elective or choice that they are ready for in these grades.
The first program is "Main Lesson Enhancement." This occurs every Friday beginning in the second week of school. Students complete their regular main lesson at 9:35, and then go to an enhancement activity of their choice for the last 30 minutes of the main lesson. These are offered as fall, winter and spring terms. For each of the 3 terms, students choose a different enhancement activity. Some enhancements offered are: choir, eurythmy, sports, archery, guitar, practical and fine arts, circus arts, dance, etc. So far the program has been wonderful for both students and teachers. The mix of grades provides all an opportunity to join with others who they do not have classes with at any other time, and during the sessions there is a genuine enthusiasm for the extra focus they can experience in their area of choice.
The second program is called "Project Week" and two Project Weeks will be offered this school year: November 2-6 and April 6-9. During Project Week the students take a week-long break from their typical lessons that occur after Main Lesson to participate in two workshops of their choice. The workshops offered are taught by Class Teachers, Specialty Teachers, Parents, and Community members and may include (but are not limited to) furniture building, instrument making, fabric arts, circus arts, eurythmy, performance, blacksmithing, basket weaving, dance, metalworking, cooking. Some students participate Monday-Thursdayin a morning workshop during periods 1 and 2 and an entirely different type of workshop during periods 3 and 4. Other students participate in a Monday/Tuesday full day workshop and a different full day workshop for Wednesday/Thursday. On Friday there is artistic sharing during periods 1 and 2, in the form of a project fair and performances in the gym.
We are excited to be expanding the "Project Week" program into two project weeks this year after piloting it in the Fall of 2008. If you are interested in teaching a small group of enthusiastic Middle School students in an area where you have expertise or special interest, please contact Carron Mulligan via the school office at 250-352-6919.
Main Lesson Enhancement Update
Since September 12th, students in grade 6, 7 and 8 have been taking part in "electives" every Friday morning for 30 min. The program was designed to provide students in the upper grades the experience of choice in their curriculum, while also deepening of some of the curricular and extra-curricular choices that enhance various forms of movement and the arts. Currently, students are in either creative writing, modern dance, basketball, or ping pong. Students were given a form for the year on which they selected their first, second, and third choices for each of the 3 semesters. The current sessions will be completed at the Winter Break and a new session will start in January.
So far the program has been wonderful for both students and teachers. The mix of grades provides all an opportunity to join with others who they do not have classes with at any other time. During the sessions there is a genuine enthusiasm for the extra focus they can experience in their area of choice. We look forward to continuing this successful program into the future.
Project Week—Nov 3-7
This week the students of Class 6, 7 and 8 participated in Project Week—a new Middle School initiative at NWS. The students took a week break from their typical lessons that occur after Main Lesson to participate in two workshops of their choice. The workshops offered were taught by Class Teachers, Specialty Teachers, Parents and Community members. They included drumming, guitar, piano duets, rock and roll acrobatics, lazuring, fine metal work, basketry, wet felting, blacksmithing, marionette making, outdoor education, bookbinding and printmaking. Some students participated in a morning workshop Monday-Thursday during periods 1 and 2 and an entirely different type of workshop Monday-Thursday during periods 3 and 4. Other students participated in a Monday/Tuesday full day workshop and a different full day workshop for Wednesday/Thursday.
Parents, Family and Friends were welcomed to the all-school project week assembly on Friday November 7th in the Silver King Hall/Gym. This included musical performances, presentations, and displays of student projects.