To discover where colors come from in a scientific world, fourth graders make their own dyes in the Science Discovery Lab. With the guidance of the school's art instructor, they use those dyes in weaving and in painting masks. From the music instructor they learn to play the Lakota Flute Song on recorders. All this learning comes together in a "Thanksgiving Tribute to Native Americans," produced and presented by the students themselves, including drama and music, as well as a pre-show museum in the library of the dioramas, weavings, looms and leather work they have created in the home project component of their unit of history.
Staff and parents agree that this "whole learning" approach makes Emerson unique. "We have wonderful resources, both in our core staff and in our enrichment programs," explains Principal Laura Monroe. "When we use our resources to the same purpose, we are constantly enchancing our effectiveness."
Emerson's technology program bears Principal Monroe's statement out. A full-time computer instructor allows every student to work at the computer lab for forty-five minutes two to four days a week. By sending one half of a class to the lab at a time, both the computer teacher and the classroom teacher work with small groups for two periods. Furthermore, both teachers meet weekly to discuss what children are learning in class, so that the computer teachers can select software that supports the classroom work.
Staff members speak enthusiastically about the new literature-based program Emerson is beginning this year. Educating for Character, which uses top quality literature to teach children both academic skills and also such values as empathy, honesty, being different and appreciating elders. "The program allows us to choose our own books -- wonderful books!" teacher Jamie Carlson says. "And it gives us a broad range of suggestions for related activities, both for the classroom and at home." For example, Susan Hodge's first/second graders recently read A Bargain for Frances, a story about a character who takes advantage of a friend. After reading the book, students discussed what a friend should and shouldn't do -- including why the character had acted as she had. "This teaches them about empathy," Ms. Hodge explains, "to ask them to think about other people's feelings as well as their own."
Emerson's enrichment continues after school. One parent describes a walk through the halls of the school -- past classrooms in which children were painting, playing chess and rehearsing a play. From the cafetorium came the sound of the band practicing, while out on the playground a basketball game was in full swing.
For a school that does so much good work, Emerson also knows how to have fun. One monthly favorite is Friday Fun Night. At a recent Night, students, teachers, parents and principal all turned out in pajamas and with sleeping bags to watch a movie, eat popcorn, and whisper and giggle to their hearts' content. No wonder one parent proclaims, "There is no school like Emerson."