From the Desk of the Superintendent…Karen McGraw
Although educating our children is a serious business, we always remember that the path to learning should be fun. New Lebanon teachers remember this. Sometimes our teachers use humor, sometimes they design active, hands on projects, and sometimes just the sheer intellectual challenge provides joy when the student has mastered the learning.
The other day I watched some Kindergarten students figure out how to write a sentence for their letter books. Although not easy for a five year old, these kids were having a ball tackling the challenge. Last week, I watched 7th graders confidently sing in Spanish with smiles as big as a crescent moon. On another day, students applied math and physics to enable them to construct bridges that would support weight. These students were proud of their accomplishments and rightly so.
Another vehicle our teachers use to enhance learning is connecting students with their individual interests. Whenever possible, students are given choice of materials, topic or projects. English teachers provide reading selections based on students’ previous preferences. Physic teachers use examples based on sports or musical instruments students play. Mathematic teachers will develop word problems involving students’ favorite activities. Physical education teachers will provide choices such as yoga, weight training or team sports. Social Studies teachers use inquiry based learning connected to topics of interest to their students.
Every day, we strive to maximize learning. Making learning fun or connecting the learning to our students' interests are ways we accomplish this.