THE ACADEMIC CORNER
Enrichment for Everyone

Washington-Wilkes Primary School utilizes a variety of approaches to improve student learning. Students learn best when they are given hands-on opportunities to explore ideas and concepts and incorporate new learning in an authentic way. W-WPS provides for students to receive interactive, hands-on learning in the areas of Science and Social Studies in the Enrichment Lab.

Each grade (K-3rd) has an enrichment lab. Students go to their enrichment lab each day. In the lab, certified teachers provide instruction and meaningful experiences that help children gain a deeper understanding of the Science, Social Studies, and Health curriculum. Students conduct experiments, utilize technology (computers, SMART boards, interactive microscopes, etc.,) research topics and write reports, create art, sing and dance, and integrate their language arts and topics, and write reports, create art, sing and dance, and integrate their language arts and mathematics skills in a way that helps the gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being studied.

The labs utilize the outdoor classroom, located at the front of the school, as a living laboratory to study plants and animals. Students use the outdoor classroom to study animal habitats, plant life, and environmental ecology. Teachers read stories and provide appropriate literature for students to read and discuss. Special guests come to the school to provide further information about topics and to relate the topic to a career or hobby. Special field trips are taken to help students gain a deeper understanding of con- cepts and ideas and to expand their knowledge of their surroundings. Lab students also participate in various Journey projects. Through these projects, they link with students and studies throughout the United States to conduct experiments and provide information about different topics.

The enrichment lab is an active learning environment. The enrichment teachers are well-trained in differentiated instructional strategies. They understand how to best utilize and integrate technology and learning materials so that learning is student focused and meaningful. This requires a thorough understanding of early childhood development and learning theory. Through the hands-on, authentic, and languagerich activities in the enrichment lab, student achievement has increased dramatically.

(This space paid for by the Wilkes County Board of Education.)

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