November 25th, 2017
21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM
City school students begin production of Wetland Wonders
Ornaments and hotplates to be sold at school mall
By TESS BASHAW & CHRIS MORGILLO
Special to the Messenger ST. ALBANS
The Voyagers team has begun production of Wetland Wonders, their ornaments and hotplates, for the first ever St. Albans City School Mall.
This fourth, fifth and sixth grade team has been working hard to produce quality, beautiful pieces that will be on sold on December 14 when the entire school will turn itself into a mall as part of a school wide economics unit. This activity allows every student in the building the chance to learn about economics in a hands on, totally engaging way.
Students have the opportunity to see how to plan production, gather materials, produce items and learn how much hard work it takes to create a product from conception to completion.Each item is produced checked by a quality control member and then packaged. Equally important students learn about the environmental impacts of a business on its community.
Before work could begin, students created a business plan, which they presented to a committee of adults and peers. This allowed them to show exactly what their plans were, and gave them a platform to show how our process as a team would work. Once they got approval, the real work began.
Multiple production groups that have been diligently working over the last few weeks. The students have been so invested in this process and it shows. They started by filling out job applications and then moved to small groups to complete their part of the production line.
The sanding team has been working to create smooth pieces that they then pass on to our stenciling department. The stenciling department has been learning how to use precision based techniques to craft beautiful stencil work on our ornaments and hot plates.
The cutting and sewing department has been cutting and measuring our burlap to perfection, which is then woven into reusable bags to sell our products. This has truly been a team project. Watching the excitement and effort students have put forth throughout this process has been truly inspiring.
They have also been working hard on a commercial, jingle, logos, environmental and safety plans and a brochure. Every aspect of this process has given the kids the empowerment to take control of this endeavor and it has been both a powerful, and educational process to watch.
Their activities have been paired with instruction in math and reading to fully immerse them in this unit. Their enthusiasm regarding this process has been infectious throughout our community. They have fed off of each other and we could not be more proud to watch the Voyagers truly set sail throughout this special process.
--Tess Bashaw and Chris Morgillo are fourth to sixth grade teachers at St. Albans City School
Above left, precision is important in creating a quality product. To prepare the packaging, Voyager students at St. Albans City School needed to learn to iron. Above, Mr. M helps the students understand the quality needed, as students work diligently while wearing their safety gear.
Photos courtesy of JOAN CAVALLO
City school students begin production of Wetland Wonders
Ornaments and hotplates to be sold at school mall
By TESS BASHAW & CHRIS MORGILLO
Special to the Messenger ST. ALBANS
The Voyagers team has begun production of Wetland Wonders, their ornaments and hotplates, for the first ever St. Albans City School Mall.
This fourth, fifth and sixth grade team has been working hard to produce quality, beautiful pieces that will be on sold on December 14 when the entire school will turn itself into a mall as part of a school wide economics unit. This activity allows every student in the building the chance to learn about economics in a hands on, totally engaging way.
Students have the opportunity to see how to plan production, gather materials, produce items and learn how much hard work it takes to create a product from conception to completion.Each item is produced checked by a quality control member and then packaged. Equally important students learn about the environmental impacts of a business on its community.
Before work could begin, students created a business plan, which they presented to a committee of adults and peers. This allowed them to show exactly what their plans were, and gave them a platform to show how our process as a team would work. Once they got approval, the real work began.
Multiple production groups that have been diligently working over the last few weeks. The students have been so invested in this process and it shows. They started by filling out job applications and then moved to small groups to complete their part of the production line.
The sanding team has been working to create smooth pieces that they then pass on to our stenciling department. The stenciling department has been learning how to use precision based techniques to craft beautiful stencil work on our ornaments and hot plates.
The cutting and sewing department has been cutting and measuring our burlap to perfection, which is then woven into reusable bags to sell our products. This has truly been a team project. Watching the excitement and effort students have put forth throughout this process has been truly inspiring.
They have also been working hard on a commercial, jingle, logos, environmental and safety plans and a brochure. Every aspect of this process has given the kids the empowerment to take control of this endeavor and it has been both a powerful, and educational process to watch.
Their activities have been paired with instruction in math and reading to fully immerse them in this unit. Their enthusiasm regarding this process has been infectious throughout our community. They have fed off of each other and we could not be more proud to watch the Voyagers truly set sail throughout this special process.
--Tess Bashaw and Chris Morgillo are fourth to sixth grade teachers at St. Albans City School
Above left, precision is important in creating a quality product. To prepare the packaging, Voyager students at St. Albans City School needed to learn to iron. Above, Mr. M helps the students understand the quality needed, as students work diligently while wearing their safety gear.
Photos courtesy of JOAN CAVALLO