From elementary to high schools, students in the area are taking charge of their learning and engaging with the community.
Jamestown HS Students Honored for Work at Historic Jamestowne
When Molly Sandling’s students wanted to organize a day of activities at Historic Jamestowne, she was worried it might be too big a project for high-schoolers.
That initial conversation was four years ago. Every year since, members of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society at Jamestown High School have taken on the task with impressive results.
With no regular meetings, the juniors and seniors set out at the beginning of the year by dividing into committees based on area of interest. They meet on their own time outside of school hours to research, write and rehearse for the tours and hands-on presentations at the national park.
They will be showing off all that hard work Saturday, when Historic Jamestowne hosts National Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the full schedule of events here.
During the day they will be presented with the George B. and Helen Hartzog Award for outstanding volunteer contributions. The park superintendent Dan Smith will present the award, which also enters the students for consideration at the regional level.
Sandling believes the students – about 80 in the group – have connected so strongly with the project because it gives them ownership over the product.
“It’s not just a chore or assignment I gave them,” she said.
While Sandling is a resource and provides feedback at a dress rehearsal, the students are in charge to invest the time and energy to create work they can be proud of. All the while they are gaining skills they can apply in fields outside of social studies, and for the rest of their lives.
The students have added new activities each year, including colonial-style line dances. Sandling hopes the project will be tweaked and continue to evolve, and would like to continue as long as Historic Jamestowne will have them.
“I’m just grateful that the park service opens their doors and lets the kids take over the park for the day. … Not many high school kids have the opportunity to do this kind of thing,” she said.
HRA Students Learn Business Skills
In addition to reading, math and history, third-grade students at Hampton Roads Academy have added entrepreneurship to the list of skills they will work on this year.
The children have been researching and writing about businesses through a project-based learning initiative. They have gone into the field to speak with business people about their work, and heard a presentation from a local bank representative about financing.
The unit culminates in a public presentation of business the students plan, to take place May 3 and 4. The event is called the Parade of Sales, and is hosted by HRA’s Parents’ Assocation.
“This project lets the students take complete ownership of their learning,” said Kate Goddin, a third-grade teacher at HRA, in a news release. “I believe it will be empowering for them, and I hope they will carry it with them throughout their school years.”
