Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Charter school offers enrichment classes

Argen Duncan El Defensor Chieftain Reporter, aduncan@dchieftain.com

Is that a fact? Or is it an opinion?

Some Cottonwood Valley Charter School students have to answer those questions as part of "The Big Idea," one of five new enrichment classes. This year, Cottonwood offered an enrichment program for its sixth- through eighth-graders.

Last year, the middle school students had only academic subjects.

"But we wanted to do some things that were more fun and more topical," said school administrator Karin Williams.

The middle school schedule now has seven periods instead of six to allow for a special class. The courses mix students from different grade levels.

"There are only 10-12 (students) in each one, so they can be more project oriented, more hands on," Williams said.

Students change classes every nine weeks, and teachers may choose to offer a different topic in the second semester.

In "The Big Idea," administrative assistant Jill Urban leads students in choosing a current event to research and discuss.

'The kids love this class so much that I have to kick them out when the bell rings," Urban said.

Urban has seen a lot of growth in the students' thinking and perspectives, she said.

The main objective of the class it to have students understand that all issues have more than one side and there may be issues they don't know about, so they shouldn't make quick judgments. Urban also believes it is important for students to respect classmates with different opinions.

Williams, who sometimes substitute teaches in the class, said the students have strong opinions, but are learning to back up their beliefs with facts and arguments.

"It's really fun," said sixth-grader Karl Young of "The Big Idea."

The class is the only one he knows of at the school that doesn't require taking notes.

Young said he has become more politically aware through the course.

Seventh-grader Sarah Frail also felt the class is fun appreciated the lack of note taking. She said students learn about other people's beliefs and what subjects they do or don't want to discuss.

Other enrichment classes include the economics class Nick Smallridge III teaches.

"A big part of the economics class is they do a stock market simulation, investing simulations," Williams said.

Students choose stocks to "invest" in, and watch to see what the prices do.

In addition, Nancy Engler is teaching "Science Topics," which gives students in-class time to work on Science Olympiad or Science and Engineering Fair projects.

On the artistic side, Don Gaitens is offering a drama class.

"He enjoys teaching drama, so he happily volunteered to do that," Williams said.

Finally, Kim Berlat is leading a publications class. Students work on a school scrapbook and literary magazine.

Williams said administrators call the program enrichment instead of electives because students don't necessarily get their first choice of classes every time.

Students can pick one class they really want to take and one they never want to do, and staff members try to honor those preferences.

"It seems to be going well," Williams said of the enrichment program.

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