Friday Fun
11/22/2019
Friday is a fun day for both students and teachers alike. Not only is it the end of a long and hard week of learning. It is also dress down day and a chance to get out of uniform! However, the big event on Friday is ACE! This time is great for students and teachers alike! For students they get to learn and try something new, that is not offered in regular academic lessons. For teachers it is also a chance to break away from regular academics and teach something new that they have a personal interest and passion for. You have probably already heard about ACE, about the fun things they did or who they worked with and perhaps have seen an ACE project or two make their way home. It may sound like students are just messing around and not doing anything academic however ACE provides students a vital opportunity. ACE stands for Academic and Character Enrichment. It is an elective based program where each students has their own freedom to choose what program they take part in based on their own personal preferences. Since it is own personal choice the groups that come together for ACE are multi aged. These groups collaborate together, learning and growing together alongside each other, sharing ideas and the older students often shouldering responsibility and mentoring the younger. This mimics real life situations. People interact with others of all ages and ability levels. With the more experienced guiding the new. Research indicates that in schools multi-age groupings actually improve social emotional learning and class bonding. While our model at PNA is not multi-age classrooms, we can reap the benefits of these learning environments through programs like ACE. Every three weeks, students are given the opportunity to try a new ACE offering. Students choose their top three personal preferences. It is important to encourage students to not just follow their friends and to try and find their own personal interest and expand their horizons even if that means leaving their friends and moving out of their comfort zone. They are then placed into groups based on these choices and the fun ensues... While they are having fun they are also practicing the very important 21st century skills such as collaboration, cooperation and creativity. They are using their critical thinking skills and expanding their content knowledge with the use of hands-on materials and technology. So ACE is not just a time to mess around and goof off. It is actually an important part of the school curriculum allowing for Academic Character Enrichment. Have a great Thanksgiving break! Here are a few snaps from the 2nd and 5th grades Thanksgiving Parade Project!
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Martina HenkeMartina Henke has been a K-8 educator for 30+ years. A life-long learner, she loves working with kids of all ages, new technology, great books, fiber arts, and her wonderful family! Archives
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