Learning through Movement
Studies show that we retain knowledge better when experiencing it with multiple senses and/or with movement. Getting kids to become active participants in their learning not only fosters self-esteem and a love of learning but also focuses their natural curiousity/playfulness to maximize their social, emotional, physical and educational development.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
kelley
Last Name
shippey gilbert
Website
School or Organization
Spartanburg Charter School
Country
United States
Section 2: About Your Organization
School/Organization Name
Spartanburg Charter School
School/Organization Website
School/Organization Phone
864-621-3882
School/Organization Address
PO Box 3343 (385 S Spring Street) Spartanburg, SC 29304
School/Organization Country
United States
Your idea
Are you a
Parent
How does your innovation currently get kids (or how might it get kids) engaged in physical activity? How would your idea or project potentially be implemented during the school day?
Daily physical education, as well as multiple short (15 - 30 min) recess breaks throughout the day keep the kids moving. Yoga twice weekly offers an alternative to the standard physical education routine, and helps improve focus. Morning assemblies generally revolve around student-led activities, skits and announcements. Students at all levels (currently K5 - 5th grade) move frequently between classes and even move about within their classroom rather than having to remain seated at their desks for instruction. We have found that active learners are generally happier learners, and learning across disciplines makes lessons more interesting and applicable to childrens' lives.
Programming does not end with the school day - it continues until 6PM to accommodate working parents. The after school "Explorer's Club" encourages children to explore their interests in a variety of active pursuits such as gardening, karate, drama, running, and music as well as in the areas of science, American Sign Language, Chinese, poetry and homework assistance.
Name Your Project
Learning through Movement
How many children does this program currently or plan to serve? How much time does each child spend daily/weekly engaged in physical activity? (150 words max)
This is Spartanburg Charter School's first year; we are a Title I public school with space for 264 students this year and have approximately 255 students enrolled! We will be adding 44 students per year over the next four years, so our maximum enrollment will be 440. Each student has the opportunity to be physically active about 1.5 - 2 hours per day during school, and an additional 1.5 - 2 hours daily after school if they participate in after school programming.
Describe Your Idea
Studies show that we retain knowledge better when experiencing it with multiple senses and/or with movement. Getting kids to become active participants in their learning not only fosters self-esteem and a love of learning but also focuses their natural curiousity/playfulness to maximize their social, emotional, physical and educational development.
Tell us the story behind the social innovator. (150 words max)
Spartanburg Charter School (SCS) is a new public school, open free of charge to any student in South Carolina. SCS is the result of a collaboration between parents, educators and community-minded individuals who felt that Spartanburg needed a new public alternative to the programming that is offered in our existing public schools.
As a Charter School sponsored by the SC Public Charter School District, SCS employs a variety of innovative methods to teach the content of the State curriculum. Their approach is based on the Reggio-Emilia philosophy, which considers the students' enviornment, in conjunction with educators and families, to be a large part of students' educational experience. As a parent of a child with ADHD and sensory issues, I knew that my son would not do well in a traditional school setting. SCS's approach to learning is truly a dream come true for my family and for so many others - we are seeing the benefit of more "natural" learning, our kids love it and are thriving!
Here's hoping that others will benefit from learning about the methods employed at SCS and can put some movement into their learning experience!
 | 133 weeks agokelley shippey gilbert updated this Competition Entry. |
| 134 weeks agokelley shippey gilbert updated this Competition Entry. |
| 134 weeks agokelley shippey gilbert submitted this idea. |
