Schools

Video: A New Way of Teaching at Indian Trail Elementary

Third grade students gave a presentation to the Board of Education to show what they learned in the International Baccalaureate program.

"Twenty years from now they will have the tools to solve problems and the mindset to be more open-minded," said Indian Trail Principal John Lacoste. 

Since May of last year, Indian Trail Elementary has been apart of an International Baccaloreate program, said third-grade Teacher Jen Verde. 

In short, the program offers a new way of teaching and thinking, explained third-grade Teacher Dana Barna. 

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Right now the school is a candidate for the program and the process to be accepted usually takes about 18 months, said Verde. 

The program is a pre-eminent education program in the world and encompasses a global education approach, while still following state guidelines for education.

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Three third-graders, Carter Cline, Jordan Seaman and Livi Edwards, from both Verde and Barna's classes gave a presentation to the Feb 14 to show what they've learned with the new style of teaching. 

The program the students and Verde talked about during the Feb. 14 meeting was about health standards. The next program is going to be about rocks and minerals.

"We're challenging them to think critically about things," said Verde, adding that instead of explaining to the students what they'll learn, she challenges her students to find creative ways to learn about different topics. 

"It's very hands-on ... we're teaching kids to think outside of the box," she said.

"We teach the whole year within these six themes: who we are, where we are in place and time, how we express ourselves, how the world works, how we organize ourselves and sharing the planet," said Barna.

Verde said one of the main differences in teaching and learning with the IB program is that "it's a way of life. We just don't learn what a food pyramid is, we encorporate it into the students' lives."

The start-up costs for the program are covered through federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Because Indian Trail has the highest number of free and reduced lunches in the district, it is logical to offer the program here because federal funding will continue to support the program, said District Spokesperson Jacquie Mazziota. 

The program may be initiated at eventaully too. 

"Echo Hills has the second highest number of free and reduced lunches in the district ... which means federal funding will continue to support the program and will not be a burden on local taxpayers," said Mazziotta.

There are currently 721 primary year programs (PYP) in the world for students in grades Kindergarten through fourth grade. There are 245 PYP in the U.S. Indian Trail is one of three PYP in Ohio.

Indian Trail is only recognized as a candidate for the IB program now, but Lacoste said "I feel very honored and privelaged to know the 21st century is taking place in our school."


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