New Upper School Elective Draws Connections Across Curriculum
Source/Author: Dominique V. Craft, Assistant Head of Lower School
December 06, 2019
The Shorecrest curriculum evolves with the needs and interests of students and the skill and expertise of the faculty. A prime example is a new Upper School social studies elective entitled “The Theory and Practice of Teaching and Learning.” In this course, Lower School Head Dr. Lisa Bianco and Assistant Head Dominique Craft facilitated conversations around philosophies of education, took students to visit four area schools, and guided students as they conducted research around controversial topics in modern-day education practice.
Like the Center for Medical Sciences brings in guest experts from the medical community, this course also benefits from guest instructors, including members of the Shorecrest faculty and staff. In a recent class, Lower and Middle School Counselor Kate Fierce joined the Upper School students to discuss Social and Emotional Learning and adolescent brain development. Many of the Upper School students were able to make connections between the class discussion and their own experience in the Lower School at Shorecrest.
Students are now engaged in field research in the Lower School, pursuing answers to their own questions, such as: How do students use technology in the Lower School? How do students manage social relationships in the classroom? How does the relationship between student and teacher facilitate learning?
In the images, you’ll see students gathering data as they observe in classrooms. The students have enjoyed the connections they’ve made with Lower School students and teachers throughout the semester as well as a deepening understanding both of education in general and of themselves as lifelong learners.
