What’s Happening in the Middle School in After School Enrichments

The Power of Persuasion

“Who here likes to argue?” Malorie Seeley-Sherwood asks MS students. From the hands raised, it is apparent that most students are eager to hash out a heated discussion or two with their peers. How to prove your point convincingly and respectfully with all the formality that a structured debate demands? Now, there’s the rub!

In Malorie’s Power of Persuasion enrichment, essential debate skills are learned and put to test in weekly sessions covering topics such as: shortening the school day, the pros and cons of social media, the necessity for mandatory gym class, and whether or not the government should impose restrictions on freedom of speech.

During the sessions, the students divide into teams and research their topics. Each member has a turn at defending the team’s argument and rebutting their opponent’s defense, within the strict time frame of only a few seconds. The formal structure of the debate helps focus the students’ arguments and sets the tone for a respectful meeting of the minds.

It’s hilariously fun too!

 

Middle School Math Team

In this enrichment, Karl Mauks coaches groups of MS students into looking for solutions to challenging math problems in multiple ways. Students have a chance to focus on the problem at hand without the pressures of homework or tests, learning both advanced techniques and interesting mathematics not normally found in the classroom. Here’s to Karl for garnering so much interest in exploring math – there is not just one but TWO Middle School Math teams! By popular demand, this enrichment will also be offered in the winter enrichment term.

 

 

 

 

 

Wilderness Skills

A few intrepid 6th graders have joined this new enrichment that features a weekly outdoor class where they learn skills such as knot tying, compass and map reading, primitive fire and shelter building, first aid, how to stay warm in cold weather and much more. Students are all provided with wilderness equipment kits that they will use and keep at the course’s end.

Once a naval officer, and the founder of Gear to Go Outfitters, instructor Kevin Rosenberg is happy to share skills learned from his vast experience in remote wilderness areas, from the deserts of the Southwest, to the arctic tundra of Greenland, to the legendary Appalachian trail. He hopes to instill in the students the same joy he has found in living the outdoors, and equip them for a lifetime of exploration and adventure.

Mapping the course in Wilderness Skills

For the winter enrichment term, Kevin is designing a course where parents and students can explore the outdoors together on selected weekends. Some activities will include snow shoeing expeditions, ice shelter building and other pursuits specifically tailored to the cold weather.