OUR SCHOOLS
BY AVERY BOUCEK - GRADE 6 ELECTIVES THAT INSPIRE
A s students rise to grades 6-8, many feel there is more of an emphasis on earning good grades. They begin to feel pressure to do well in school and more time is dedicated to studying. To ensure that students are not just focused on grades and have more of a growth mindset, H.W Mountz introduced an electives program. Electives are 30 minute classes on a wide variety of topics ranging from nail art to flag football to robotics. Each class runs for two weeks. Within the two week time period, students are exposed to new interests, learn how to collaborate with others, and express their creativity. These classes also create an environment where students can make mistakes while learning and release the pressure from the more academic classes. Administrators and teachers were very thoughtful when selecting a wide range of topics to appeal to a number of different interests. Offered electives have included art, sports, science, games, technology, cooking and woodshop. Students are empowered to explore their different interests by voting on the electives that are most intriguing to them. Regardless of the topic, the teachers are committed to creating a place where students can explore their interests, learn, make mistakes and collaborate with other students from all three grade levels. Last spring, collaboration with others reached new levels in our woodshop where students built homes for animals in the recovery unit at Rescue Ridge in Howell. Students
from HW Mountz worked with students from Avon, Belmar, Brielle, Manasquan, Sea Girt and Spring Lake Heights. Together they made a plan to tackle each component of the house. Then they broke off into groups to build the pieces of the house and then they came back together to assemble all of the pieces. This required students to listen to one another, communicate clearly, and problem solve. After the house was finished, they gave it to Rescue Ridge so the animals that were in the recovery unit felt comfortable and safe. When speaking with students who have taken these electives it becomes clear that the program is working. Sixth grader Charlotte Moran explained that she feels stress towards her school work, but electives are a way for her to release that stress and take her mind off of tests. She said, “Electives are the things I look forward to everyday.” Charlotte also recognized the opportunity that electives provide. She has been able to work with students across multiple grades and enjoys the creative outlet. In today’s competitive school environment it is easy for students to become too focused only on grades. H.W. Mountz has developed an electives program that reminds students of the importance of balancing grades with exploring interests. This program empowers students to discover what they like to do outside of the classroom while learning how to work with one another. Students look forward to electives everyday.
16 November 2024
Stroll Spring Lake 17
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