Multi Media 3: 2nd Post

Montessori Style Education

Outside of the mixed age classrooms, the curriculum within Montessori schooling is also adjusted to a different format than regular education.

Principal of TCAPS Montessori school Lisa VanLoo says Montessori is more “student directed learning rather than teacher led.” She says that this allows student to be able to move at their own pace and abilities. 

Jen Hisem works under VanLoo at TCAPS Montessori currently as the Upper Elementary Directress after being with the program for 14 years.

Hisem says that the biggest benefits to Montessori style teaching are the individual lessons the children receives.

As an example, Hisem says that if she has  27 students in her classroom for the year, then she allegedly has 27 different lessons plans each day. “All children learn differently and at different times,” she says, “therefore, having individual learning plans for each child best meets that child's needs."

The Noga family of Traverse City has two students enrolled in the Montessori program. 

Cari Noga agrees with Hisem's statement and says “through Montessori, the student to teacher ratio is also lower which benefits not only our family, but also anybody else that enrolls in the program."

Hisem also added that all of the hands-on-material within the curriculum has been passed down from Maria Montessori and recommends this website to learn more about her educational methods. 

To enroll a child in the Traverse City Area Public Schools Montessori program visit this website.

Multi Media 3: 1st Post

Montessori Style Education

Traverse City Area Public Schools consist of eleven elementary schools, two middle schools and three high schools. The majority of elementary schools are taught with regular education, however, one of the eleven schools is a Montessori school.

Montessori style teaching is different, with the biggest distinction being that it combines grades within the same class room. First, second and third graders are taught together while fourth, fifth and sixth graders are also combined.

According to this website, there was 353 students enrolled in the Montessori program aged from preschool to sixth grade, and 14 teachers.

Lisa Vanloo, Principal of TCAPS Montessori school, says that “having three grades in one classroom provides many opportunities for the children to teach each other.” 

She also says that “the older grades serve as leaders and excellent role models to the younger children while still within the same environment.” 

The Noga family of Traverse City has two students enrolled in the program; a second grader and a fifth grader.

Cari Noga says that the main reason they chose Montessori was for their older son that allegedly has special needs.

"Montessori is able to offer a smaller student-teacher ratio that benefits our son," says Noga. 

The Noga family agrees with VanLoo's statements, as they also appreciate their children having the same teachers for consecutive years within the multiage classrooms. 

To enroll your child in the TCAPS Montessori program, visit this website.

Multiple Sports Article: Second Angle

Crossing Highschool Sports

In this  New York Times article, David Epstein said that “kids who play multiple ‘attacking’ sports, like basketball or field hockey, are able to transfer learned motor and anticipatory skills to other sports." He said they also "take less time to master the sport they ultimately choose.”

In Northern Michigan multiple high school coaches agree with this statement. 

Glen Lake football coach, Jerry Angers recommends “to play as many sports as each student possibly can. The skills of each activity will give them the ability to be the best all around athlete as well as teach to apply outside of athletics.”

Glen Lake graduate, Chad Zelinski, says that he was influenced by Angers to play three sports and that this shaped him into the athlete that he has become. 

This article includes more details on the benefits of crossing sports. 

Multiple Sports Article: First Angle

Crossing High School Sports

Do all sports have an equal chance of participation?

Athletic participation throughout adolescence is encouraged as sports can teach students lessons that are even beyond those used in the specific activity.  

This article tells different opinions on multi sport athletes vs "specialized" athletes. 

High school sports are thought of as limited, however, as many student athletes are restricted from some sports due to overlapping seasons of others.

Many coaches say that they recommend their athletes to participate in multiple sports, but even these are almost discriminated against. 

At Traverse City West High School, head football coach Tim Wooerr says that he urges multi-sport participation. “As coaches our main goal is to teach our athletes life lessons that they can use once they're done on the playing field. This idea is strengthened as the number of sports the athlete participates in increases,” Wooerr says.

But, head baseball coach Matt Bocian says that the specific sports being recommended are limited.

Wooerr implied that they encourage their football players to run track and participate in powerlifting, but this then in turn restricts them from playing other winter and spring sports that occur simultaneously.

Do the student athletes feel they are stuck in the middle? 

This article shares Coach Kent Smiths opinions on the subject. 

Summer Camp 2016 Review

TCAPS Summer Adventure Camp 2016

The First Day

Earlier today, Traverse City Area Public Schools launched it's annual Summer Adventure Camp for kids aged from preschool to fifth grade. 

Live tweeting earlier today was done by this twitter account.

The campers met at 7am as parents were invited to stay and meet the seven camp counselors who greeted families with welcoming smiles. They then started the day with breakfast to fuel them through activities until lunch at noon! After lunch the campers were split up into four smaller groups which they then rotated with through stations that change daily including art, gym, music, recess and games.

The day flew by, you know what they say- "Time flies when you're having fun!" As the campers met for dinner before being picked up at 6pm, the first field trip was announced for the following week. The campers look forward to a canoe trip this Thursday! Trips later this year will include swimming, attending a movie, visiting a zoo, etc.

If this article has intrigued you and your child, do not worry! Registration remains available throughout the first week and can be found here. For more information email Anne Thornton.

Summer Camp 2016 Preview

Summer Adventure Camp 2016

The First Day

If your child is in preschool through fifth grade and you just don't have as much time to spend with them as you'd like this summer, this article will speak to you!

Later this morning, the first campers will begin to roll in as Traverse City Area Public Schools launches it's annual Summer Adventure Camp. 

At 7am every morning at Central Grade School on 8th Street, campers meet to kick off the day with breakfast. Students can be dropped off thereafter anytime until 6pm as students will be fed dinner and then sent home to rest before the next busy day! 

Returning campers will eagerly share the unforgettable memories from last year in camp, while at the school and on the field trips the group attends. On Thursdays and Fridays, a location is chosen by counselors to bring the campers to as they will engage in different activities like swimming, canoeing, attending a movie, and simply being kids! The schedule for group trips can be found here. 

To sign your child up for this fun filled opportunity click here. And for more information email Anne Thornton. 

Visit this Twitter account for live updates on the first day.