19 Oct, 2015
Encouraging lifelong learners, in high school and beyond
By andrea tomkins in Fishbowl patrons
I was fortunate to attend a fairly progressive public high school. There was a special stream for students who wanted to get their pilot’s license; “gifted” level classes in math, science, English, and social studies; French immersion; a computer lab at a time when they were incredibly new and no one really knew what to do with them; a “creative media” class which included desktop publishing and access to a darkroom; and a co-operative education option that – in hindsight – is the reason I chose the career I did.
I don’t think I fully realized the remarkable opportunities I had at the time, even as I compared notes with friends who attended “regular” high schools in the area. I learned about fonts and white space. I studied French, and took a year of German. I went on a school trip to Europe. I did some pretty cool dissections in biology class that some of my friends didn’t get to do. I remember thinking that although our school experience was similar – we’d sweat over our math equations, curse our gym teachers, and had the same exams – the route we took to the same learning outcomes was different. In my classes we divided into teams and debated aspects of Canadian history, spending hours at the library doing research about our respective positions. My friends, they sat at home and memorized names of and dates listed their textbooks.
Is one style of education better than the other? I’m not sure what the answer to that question is. I do know that my friends who memorized all those names and dates fared well in the grand scheme of things, but I will say this: I certainly am grateful for the education I received because it built the foundation of who I am today.
As a parent of young teens, I think about what they are learning in school and try to facilitate new and interesting opportunities for them. This might be something as simple as going to the library, exploring some local caves, firing off a rocket, microwaving a bar of soap, looking at a dragonfly wing under a microscope, or dragging the telescope outside to see the recent super moon. :)
I had a chance to visit The Element – a Fishbowl patron – at the beginning of the school year, and it’s given me a lot to think about.
The Element is a not-for-profit private school newly located at Lansdowne Park. (The Element is part of OMS Montessori. I wrote about my visit to the school earlier this year.) The Element serves grades 7 to 12 in the Montessori tradition of learning. I will say this: they knocked my socks off.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived at The Element. At the very least I was a little excited about the location, not for me, but the students. Can you imagine going to high school at the new Lansdowne?
I’ve only been to this area a handful of times since it opened. It felt strange to walk around this completely new development. It’s like visiting FUTURE OTTAWA. It’s Ottawa, but it’s also not Ottawa. (I realize that might sound just a little bit nutty, but there it is.)
I was early, so I poked around. There is a huge amount of green space out back and community gardens bursting with flowers and produce. And of course, some familiar sights as well:
When I finally knocked on the door and went inside, the entire school – oh, about 30 students and teachers – were in the middle of their weekly community meeting. One student was in charge of the agenda, and classmates took turns voicing their concerns and making announcements. It was all remarkably mature. Agenda items included basketball team sign ups and the location of garbage bins and recycling, among other things. When a concern was raised, another student addressed it. Here were students who were taking charge of their own experience, but it extended farther than just the merits of recycling. They were managing issues and problem solving on the fly. This was a team in the making!
Correction: the team had already been made. The younger grades started their school year off with an epic canoe trip they call The Odyssey. To get a better idea of what kind of team-building exercise this is, check out this student-produced video. I totally think all high schools should do this. Imagine how different high school relationships would be if you had to portage with your classmates? When you saw one another at your best and at your worst? What kind of foundation does it lay for the rest of the year? (FYI, the parents spoke out about it in a different video.)
I chatted with two Element students – Sydney and Amelia – who told me all about the trip and were practically beaming the whole time they described it:
