For the coming year, Churchill School students will have three new specials added to the curriculum, but in shorter segments than the regular nine-week specials. District 153 has arranged its schedule to offer students in grades 1 through 8 the chance to learn new skills and broaden their knowledge through a set of “specials.” These are classes that, given in short time frames, enhance the regular academic curriculum.
For the coming year, Churchill School students will have three new specials added to the curriculum, but in shorter segments than the regular nine-week specials.
District 153 has arranged its schedule to offer students in grades 1 through 8 the chance to learn new skills and broaden their knowledge through a set of “specials.” These are classes that, given in short time frames, enhance the regular academic curriculum. They include general music, art and technology or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Students at Hart also get industrial arts and health specials.
The third, fourth and fifth graders at Churchill already have art, general music and STEM specials. The school board approved adding writing, technology and social-emotional learning/character development. These will be added to the specials schedule in three-week bursts, said Churchill Principal Nikki Kerr.
Churchill already has a STEM lab, and that will remain. The new technology special is designed to give students instruction on how to use specific computer programs, such as PowerPoint, and give them time to get familiar with a keyboard.
The writing segment will help students move from abstract to concrete thoughts in writing, and give an introduction to doing research.
The social-emotional learning/character development is being taught now throughout the school curriculum. This special will put an emphasis on sharing, kindness, caring and other traits that need to be reinforced, Kerr said.