Guest column: Academics, arts enrich elementary education for Albert Lea students
Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 8, 2003
For students and families who enjoy creative learning challenges, Albert Lea elementary schools have many opportunities.
Most of our &uot;gifted and talented&uot; programs are available at all four elementary schools.
Each school also has its own special programs.
Our spelling bee is open to students in grades 5-6-7-8.
Each elementary school and Southwest organize their own &uot;spelldown.&uot;
About 40 top spellers competed at the district level.
Four students advanced to regional competition in Rochester, based on our enrollment.
The top two finishers in Rochester advance to the state level.
This year eighth-grader Liam Moore won the second-place slot to the state spelling bee.
Science fair competition occurred yesterday at Northbridge Mall.
Thanks to over 70 volunteer judges and parents, over 300 students had a chance to talk about their scientific methods of research and experimentation.
They earn trophies, medallions and ribbons. Students can advance to the Regional Science Fair in Mankato. Science fair competitors also go to the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Young Writers Conference brings out the creativity in all participants.
One student per classroom in grades 3-4-5-6 is selected to attend this event at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Students and teacher chaperones attend breakout sessions in such things as poetry, cartooning, scriptwriting, bookmaking, short stories, etc.
Elementary Math Masters competitions are split into two events.
Sixth-grade teams compete in Austin March 21, and then fifth-grade teams compete in early May.
Albert Lea elementary schools each send two fifth-grade teams. Fifty sixth- graders are organized into their 10 teams.
Students practice with their coaches all spring to help their teams win and to earn top individual scores in math facts or problem solving.
All fourth-grade students become actors during the Arts Partnership Theater Project.
Local community theater volunteers come into each fourth-grade classroom to teach a unit in acting and audience etiquette.
To conclude the project, these local actors entertain the fourth graders with a live performance at the high school auditorium.
Business and Industries Around the World brings local business and industry leaders into each fourth grade classroom to teach students about the goods and services developed in Albert Lea and sold throughout the world.
The Battle of the Books continues for sixth-graders, thanks to the organizing efforts of our two elementary media specialists, sixth grade teachers, students, and parents.
Arts programming at each elementary school may include being in an art club, exhibiting artwork in the local art center student show, and other contests. Other programs continue to enrich students’ learning experiences at each school site.
Sixth-graders can begin orchestra.
Some schools offer early bird choirs.
All have yearly concerts.
Safety patrol teams and kids’ councils offer student leadership training.
Some schools sponsor 4-H clubs while others sponsor Scout troops.
Every school offers after school programs for remediation and enrichment as a 21st Century Community Learning Center.
These few traditional gifted and talented programs have existed for many years, thanks to the help of teachers, parents and community members.
PTO groups support many of the grade level field trips which expand students’ learning.
Our mission in Albert Lea is to equip all students to learn, to care, and to achieve. It’s always a joy to see students excelling in academics, in class and outside of class.
Judy Knudtson is the director of curriculum, instruction, assessment and grad standards for Albert Lea Area Schools.