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Team learning emphasizes connections Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman Part-time instructor Joe Peterson talks to students in Ashland High School�s Small Community program about the history of Ashland. The pilot program involves 45 freshmen and 45 sophomores, about a fifth of students at the school, who study English, science, art and social science under the direction of teachers who work together. The pilot program will run for three years. Under Ashland High pilot program, four teachers create joint projects for freshmen, sophomore students By TONY BOOM ASHLAND � High school freshman Natalie Paulson-Jones likes the sense of community created by a pilot program that keeps freshmen and sophomores together with four teachers for much of the school day. "It�s intimate. You can go talk to a teacher and they know you better," said Paulson-Jones. "Since all the teachers work together, they won�t all give you a bunch of homework at once." Ashland�s new Small Community program brings together 45 freshmen and 45 sophomores, about a fifth of students at the school. During four class periods each day, they study English, science, art and social science under the direction of teachers who work collaboratively. Wednesday, for example, Paulson-Jones and her classmates wrote responses about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Teacher says program bonds students, faculty ASHLAND - First-year teacher Becky Anders says the Small Community experiment at Ashland High School gives students an opportunity to see that life is integrated rather than compartmentalized. "I love the collaborative nature of the project," says Anders. "I was looking for something that had collaboration." Anders says she is teaching the basics of a regular biology course. She just does more integrated work with other curriculums in the project. This week, for example, students will combine learning and research in genetics with English skills as they write papers and debate genetic engineering. "As teachers, we can talk about the kids," says Anders. "The kids have different skills. We can see the holistic nature of the kids. We know much more about them." The program also has taught teachers a few things, including that a need exists for improved communication between teachers, students and parents, says Anders. For example, teachers assumed materials sent home with students reached parents. They found out that didn't always happen. Anders has a master's in education from the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she also earned a degree in chemistry. She did student teaching at the Jefferson County Open School in Colorado. The questions were a follow-up to a joint English and social science project � a mock trial that two classes held for President Harry Truman, who unleashed the weapon. "Our intent was to build a safe environment so the kids could let their hair down a little bit," said social science teacher Bill Gabriel. The collaboration allows more in-depth, multi-disciplinary projects among classes. Gabriel and English teacher Butch McBaine had been collaborating on classes for 10 years. Biology teacher Becky Anders and art teacher Mark Schoenleber are the other team members. McBaine and Anders both say the program gives the teachers better knowledge of the students� strengths and weaknesses. The teachers meet weekly to discuss curriculum and students. Students also learn about each other. "They know what to expect from each other," said Anders. "They know how to push each other in a positive way." An overnight retreat in the Greensprings, a ropes course, a day�s work on a farm and a historic walking tour of Ashland are among the variety of activities tied to academic pursuits. "All my friends were in it. We could all be together," said freshman Peter Jensen, who plans to continue in the program next year. Sophomores will return to regular school scheduling next year. The pilot will run for three years, says Gabriel. Assessments will be made of dropout and completion rates between Small Community students and the general school population. Next year, five teachers will be involved with the same number of students. Art will be dropped and students will choose between woodshop and family consumer studies. Student numbers in the program will remain about the same next year. Students or their parents can apply to take part in the program; everyone who applied this first year got in. Parents of students in the Small Community program hold regular monthly meetings. Teachers ask them to help with curriculum enhancements, such as bringing in guest speakers or helping with field trips. "It offers a more interesting place to play a role in the high school than typically happens," said parent Richard Presicci. About 30 percent of parents whose children are in the program have shown up for the meetings. A potluck for class members and their families drew about 300 people. "There�s been a big learning curve," said parent Amy Blossom. "There�s a lot of excitement and a reality check on what can be done with teachers who are also doing other things." Two of Blossom�s children, sophomore Meagan and freshman Gallagher, had different reactions to the program. It opened up science and art, areas of limited experience, for Meagan. "Gallagher wanted more experience," Blossom said. "Small Community is small. He was ready to try new and different things." Freshmen in Small Community take only one elective course due to other requirements. That can be a drawback for students from middle school who look forward to more variety. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.