Supported learning helps students explore their passions

Students in Grades 4-12 will receive help pursuing their passions or special
interests through a new Peace Wapiti program. Known as the Enrichment
Personalized Inquiry (EPI) Program, it is being offered through Peace Wapiti’s
online school, PAVE, the Peace Academy of Virtual Education.

Suited to motivated students who want to learn beyond the regular
curriculum, the EPI program is both individualized and student-driven.
“Students actually write the project proposals. It is critical that this is
a student interest or passion,” says PAVE Principal Joan Coy.

Coy is excited about the program and the opportunity for students to
challenge themselves. “We now have the flexibility, the capacity and the
technology to support this type of program,” she says. “Even five years
ago, we couldn‘t have run a specialized program like this.”

The program will run as an enrichment activity that’s completed on the
student’s own time, either within or outside of school hours. It is suited
for students who want to learn about a subject in-depth while exploring
different approaches to learning.

“In most cases these will be subjects that the students would want to
explore on their own anyway. The difference is that they will have teachers
to help guide and support their desire to learn more, and to possibly offer
educational paths they wouldn’t have considered on their own,” says Coy.
Students must be recommended to the program by their school principal.

For more information:  http://ecommunity.pwsd76.ab.ca/course/view.php?id=3
www.pwsd76.ab.ca/pave   Have a special interest and want to volunteer as a mentor?  Contact, Joan Coy, joancoy@pwsd76.ab.ca

Playful science club popular at Harry Balfour School

Young students at Harry Balfour School are learning about science by playing with plastic Lego bricks.

“The idea (of Lego clubs) is to get science into schools and to make it fun,” says Lacey deKock, the mother of two children who attend Harry Balfour School.  An admitted “science geek” herself, deKock works as an instrumentation tech.  “Both of my kids are ‘sciencey’ and I thought this would be fun,” she says.

And fun it has proven to be.  There are 18 children in the after-school club, with another 10 on a waiting list to join. 

Using Lego bricks to build models, students are challenged to research topics and create science fair type exhibits and posters to explain what they’ve learned. 

Last year’s challenge “Snack Attack” had children learn about food safety by exploring how proper preparation and food storage can help keep people healthy.  The final project had to include a motorized moving part and a “Show Me” poster.

Working in three teams, the creative students in Grades 1-4 built models showing where food comes from and how it’s processed.  Models included a truck hauling grain, and a pizza kitchen that showed a food handler washing his hands.  Each team works with an adult or older-student mentor, who helps them focus on demonstration and learning, rather than on competition.

The group meets after school for one hour a week for eight consecutive weeks.  Typically, each session starts with a “mini challenge” in which the children might, for example, be asked to write their name in Lego, build a tower or free play, followed by team building. 

The group of 6-9 year-olds at Harry Balfour is part of the international Junior First Lego League in which more than 12,000 children in five countries are involved.  Leagues for older children are also available.

For information on setting up your own league, visit:  www.juniorfirstlegoleague.org

Clarke Titford
Bonanza School

Clarke Titford demonstrates good citizenship:  respect for others, a strong sense of responsibility, and a willingness to think of others before himself.

Additionally, this Grade 8 student remains consistently on the school’s honour roll while being active in the Students’ Union, fine arts, and school sports.

Clarke has a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong, and does not give in to pressure from peers.  A leader, rather than a follower, he is someone his peers and younger students look to for direction and advice. 

School staff report Clarke’s behaviour at school is exemplary, and say he is mature beyond his years.  As well as being kind and compassionate, he is well-liked by staff and students, has excellent work habits, and is keenly interested in learning.

Online learning not lonely at all

“Learning online must be a lonely life.” 

Not so, say students and staff of Peace Wapiti’s online school.

As well as daily online chats with teachers and each other through the Elluminate site, Moodle and email, PAVE (Peace Academy of Virtual Education) students, staff and parents get together for a field trip or activity each month. 

Last month, it was a sleigh ride at Loberg’s Ranch in which everyone brought items for the “Filling or Funny” Charity Auction.  The auction raised a record $1,100 for ANSO, a local charity that supports Ethiopian students and rural families. 

For more info on ANSO: http://www.ansoinfo.com