Interdisciplinary TeachingOur school community values interdisciplinary instruction and our teachers do a great job of infusing interdisciplinary units of study into their grade level curriculum. In addition, the whole district participated in an interdisciplinary character education project this year called the "Star Project," providing students and staff members with the opportunity to share about their family, culture, beliefs, and interests. The "Star Project" focused on diversity, emphasizing what makes each person unique, as well as the importance of working as a team. The "Star Project" was also a catalyst for ensuring a school climate of kindness and acceptance.
Interdisciplinary CommitteeThe Interdisciplinary Committee met several days during the summer to discuss our vision and goals for infusing interdisciplinary instruction through Character Education this school year. Our goal was to begin by focusing on 5th and 6th grade this year, however, we were able to create opportunities for all grade levels district-wide to be involved in several interdisciplinary projects. The interdisciplinary projects that our students and staff members participated in throughout the year include The Star Project and The Potato Chip Champ unit study. The committee met throughout the year to reflect on the projects and to create an additional opportunity for our 5th and 6th graders through introducing our Character Journals. During their Steps to Respect time each week, students have the opportunity to reflect on the topics that were discussed throughout their character education lesson in their Character Journals. Our 5th and 6th graders are currently working on revising and editing one of their entries which will be showcased at the Art Show in May.
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The Star ProjectThe “Star Project” was introduced by the Interdisciplinary Committee in September, as an opportunity for all students and staff members to get to know each other better. It included elements from each subject area, and allowed everyone to share who they are, where they come from, their interests, family history and traditions, and personal mantras or beliefs. Once completed, homeroom quilts were created at Clark, and grade level quilts were created at Mickle. The quilts are displayed in the hallways and students had the opportunity to share their individual stars, make connections with their peers, and share compliments during a character education lesson. We want our students and staff members to know that they are valued and that we should all be proud of who we are, where we come, and what makes each of us unique!
"We are each a STAR shining brightly with all that makes us unique. Together, we form a BEAUTIFUL Galaxy!" |
The Potato Chip Champ Interdisciplinary Unit
The Potato Chip Champ unit study was spearheaded by our Special Area teachers, guidance counselors, and Character Education committee as part of The Great Kindness Challenge in February. Students were introduced to The Potato Chip Champ by Maria Dismondy during Library class and discussed the theme of the book with their peers. The Potato Chip Champ promotes the importance of showing empathy and being kind to one another. Following the theme discussion, students worked in small groups to discuss additional story elements and summarized key components of the story. Students also participated in extension activities connecting to art, music, health, physical education, Spanish, and technology during their Special Area classes over a two-week timeframe. In addition, homeroom teachers provided students were center-based extension activities connecting to math, science, social studies, and writing. Homerooms even had an opportunity to Skype with author, Maria Dismondy. During the Skype session, Maria shared her story of why she became an author, discussed other books that she had written, discussed why the themes of kindness, diversity, and acceptance are so important, read The Potato Chip Champ to our students, and answered questions from our students. Participating in this unit study and having the opportunity to Skype with Maria Dismondy were both valuable learning experiences for our students!