Co-curricular creative thinking
The learning experience for students is evolving with each passing day, and educators are doing their part to help students adapt to our changing times.
A number of private schools are taking a creative approach to after- school programs to help students build on what they learned in class — and develop valuable life skills in the process.
Check out any school, and you will likely find a new offering to round out a student’s educational and social experience — from additional language programs ( Arabic and Mandarin are growing in popularity) and sports activities like fencing, to STEAM projects and cooking classes.
Kendellhurst Academy in Mississauga has found a productive way to tap into students’ prolific technology skills with the introduction of a new program for grade 6 to 8 students called the Genius Hour Club. “It’s a way to show students how to be entrepreneurial as well as technologically and social media savvy,” explains Paula Carrasco-kendell, school director and owner.
“It’s really exciting to see how quickly teaching and learning are changing,” she adds. “Students are always online looking at things. Rather than just having them simply study things like social justice initiatives and take notes, we thought, let’s use their interest in technology to help them become critical thinkers and engaged learners.”
The new after-school program is an offshoot of the school’s recent transition to Chromebooks and interactive digital displays in the classrooms, and will run once a week from October to January.
It offers a creative space for students to put their technology skills into action in the form of videos, podcasts and other multimedia projects, Carrasco- Kendell explains. “Students can be part of creating something they know others will be looking at and increase their intellectual capacity as online users.”
“Kids today don’t just read books to get information. They now watch videos or listen to podcasts,” says Grade 6 home room teacher Jenna Marinucci, who will be running the new program.
Kids today don’t just read books
to get information
TO TALK ABOUT INNOVATION, CREATIVITY AND SKILLS THAT KIDS NEED TO HAVE, EDUCATORS NEED TO GIVE THEM SPACE TO PRACTISE, HAVE FUN AND LEARN REALLIFE SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM IN THEIR CAREERS.
With the club, the school is moving students toward producing media rather than just consuming it, she explains.
“It’s really an extension of what they are already learning in class every day, and giving them a space to apply it and create something. They can research things they are interested in, whether it’s new techniques, important social causes, or fundraising.
“In order for us to talk about innovation, creativity and skills that kids need to have, educators also need to give them space to practice, have fun and learn real- life skills that will help them in their careers.”
Real- life skills are an integral part of the programming at Pickering College in Newmarket. The school’s global leadership program is designed to develop students into agents of ethical and positive change, says Peter Sturrup, headmaster.
“It’s one of the most unique things about the school. Every student from K to 12 is involved.”
Global citizenship encompasses a wide range of skills, which is why the school’s co- curricular calendar offers dozens of recreational programs and activities. “These provide a chance for students to get engaged in activities that help them learn about collaboration, team- building, and leadership,” he says.
Newer programs added to the roster include Student Voice, which combines writing, film- making and radio programming.
“It allows them to think about something that concerns them, articulate it in a clear way, and encourage others to listen, whether it’s through film or on our radio station,” Sturrup explains.
Other recent additions include animation production, acapella singing, curling, and a field- to- fork program to help students understand the food supply.
Junior school students are also now being introduced to fencing. “It’s not just kids pretending to be pirates having a sword fight. There is a lot of skill and self-discipline involved in this sport,” Sturrup says.
Another addition is a culinary arts program. “We have a full kitchen and dining hall for our boarding students. So the students get to work with the chefs and have a great time while learning an important skill.”
It’s all in aid of helping students achieve a balanced approach to life, he adds. “It’s not all about academics. That’s critically important, of course. But students also need ways to express creativity, fitness and interaction with others. They become more engaged when they have a breadth of interests beyond their [ academic] studies.”
Students also need ways to express creativity