These classrooms are just so ugly. (C) Michelle Yates
We have made it back to W. Virginia where school rolls on to wrap up the first quarter. The small classes here make it possible to do things that you just can't do with a larger traditional classroom. I think the most noticeable differences are the sophistication and interest levels seen in the classes. For example:
In physics, Shane Groves has been able to conduct experiments involving the 20ft ramp at Keenerville. Physics is just a lot more fun when you see that 50 gallon drum launch off the end of the ramp.
Shane's math classes also sound pretty intense. Whereas most math teachers feel they should have been dentists what with all the teeth they pull, I regularly hear Shane's students competing and arguing with one another over math problems. I thought 2 plus 2 always equalled 4, but apparently there is something to argue about there.
Eleanor Perry has stepped in to fill the Spanish and Biology AP classes. We have little post-its with pictures and spanish words on them all over the house these days. I ran a tub of dish water just the other day, and three with different utensil names floated to the surface. She is also working closely with her lone AP Biology student to cover some pretty sophisticated stuff. Not too long ago, she showed us all this really cool video of what goes on in a cell. It was a computer animation done to scale by the students at Harvard. It's amazing what goes on in their. An automotive assembly line has nothing on the functions of a cell if you ask me.
Kyle Dinnel has his World Literature classes exploring the patterns of the epic. They have read classical epics from various cultures, but also looked at contemporary movies to see how the same essential story has simply been recast. I regularly hear his students discussing the work of Freud and Jung who believed that we tell the same stories because we are simply symbolizing the enduring universal human experiences of birth, death, love, hate, etc. That's deep.
My (Adam Compton) U.S. History and Government classes have been a blast. We are able to cover so much more ground with two students in the largest classes. The U.S. History class took a walk around Ohiopyle, PA a week ago where we stood on the same ground that Washington passed through immediately before dodging the first shots of the French and Indian War. We also saw the remains of an early 20th century resort that emerged with the trains, and disappeared when the car gave patrons more places to choose from. The entire history of American can be found in that one town. Both the Government classes are trying to make sense of public opinion and media influences. Rest assured these kids will not be easily duped by the talking heads when we're done here.
Kyle's photography and Tino Specht's video classes are also turning out some pretty sophisticated stuff. Check out the student's blogs for photography, the website for some of the videos, and Tino's blogs for even more. I am really impressed with what these guys do. They seem to have no end of subjects or passion.
All in all, these kids are doing very well. I have seen a lot of progress across the board. We are sending some assignments home to get a little bit ahead before we take on the rigors of travel in China, but are also prepping lessons that will leverage the Chinese environment.
Original post by New River Academy and software by Elliott Back
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