Skating with the Flin Flon Bombers, creating a school newspaper from the bottom up and cuddling abandoned cats at the SPCA.
These are just a few of the activities that enrichment program students at Ruth Betts Community School have been up to this year.
In this program, 14 students from grades 3 to 7 leave their regular classes for one-hour enrichment slots where they explore outside-the-box learning activities.
“We offer the program to allow students an opportunity to challenge themselves in areas that may not be typically done in our regular classrooms,” said school principal Tammy Ballantyne.
Elementary school teacher Melissa Morissette, who leads the enrichment classes, is full of enthusiasm for the program and its focus on student-led learning.
“It’s amazing, I’ve never done anything like this before,” she said.
Based on their preferred learning styles and interests, Morissette grouped students into one of four topic-focused clusters: five students in a school newspaper group; two in a fitness and health group; four in a design group, and three in a “pay it forward” group that focuses on community service.
Morissette meets with each group twice in every six-day school cycle. During those classes, she aims to step back and let the kids take the lead.
“In the design group, I asked them, ‘What would you like to create?” she said.
The kids were interested in working with wood, so Morissette did some research on what could be done with the resources at the school’s disposal. The group settled on making miniature hockey rinks, and the kids decided to add an electrical circuit with a switch that can be turned on when a team scores a goal.
Morissette sourced the materials then stepped back and gave the students room to work out the design challenges.
“I want them to create their own experience,” said Morissette.
“My aim is to not give them too many instructions, to let them figure things out.”
Inquiry-based learning, a teaching approach where students and teachers ask questions in order to investigate and uncover new ideas and techniques, is key to the design of the enrichment program.
In the newspaper group, students have been exploring their ideas for what their peers would like to read.
“They are coming up with great ideas, like comic strips and puzzles,” said Morissette.
“It can be challenging with the technology, but I am trying as much as possible not to step in there. I want them to take ownership of it.
“They have really been learning quickly.”
Getting out into the community is another perk for students in the enrichment class. The students in the fitness and health group have learned hockey tips from the Bombers and learned about the life of a physical trainer at Sal’s Fitness.
The pay-it-forward group, which focuses on giving back to the community, has volunteered their time with the SPCA and other local organizations. The newspaper group is planning a visit to The Reminder to see a newsroom in action.
“I hope to open their eyes to experiences outside of school and different possibilities,” said Morissette.
Participating students need to miss an hour of regular class time twice a cycle, so in order to take part in the enrichment program they need to be meeting classroom objectives, and make up any missed work outside of class.
Morissette said Ruth Betts teachers identify students who they think would be a good fit for the enrichment program.
According to Morissette, the program shows real value for kids whose attention might be waning.
“For some kids it’s what keeps them interested in school.”
