"In-Depth" Learning Rules at Independent Day School

For immediate release:
December 19, 20OO
Tampa, FL

Ask second graders Adam Chowdhari or Carly Cepelak what was the best part of Pond Measuring Day at Independent Day School (IDS) and they'll tell you that, without a doubt, t was the canoes.
"I had never been on a canoe before, so that was the most exciting part," says Adam.

"Getting on the canoe was first a little scary, and then a lot of fun," say Carly.

Students in Fran Ehrlich's and Catherine Harrison's classes got to the bottom of a real-life math problem last month when they donned ill Jackets and, with parents serving as guides, boarded canoes to measure the depth of the school's pond. They also measured the pond's diameter and water temperature at various depths.

'This lesson was typical of how we at IDS take something in the environment and integrate it into the curriculum to make real-life connections," says Harrison.

It's also typical of how teachers at the school move beyond textbooks and blackboards to give students practical, hands-on learning experiences that make learning come alive. Pond Day measuring activities reinforced skills in language arts and reading, math, social students and science -- from reading and following directions, measuring and graphing to mapping, understanding directionality, and the scientific method of discovery.

The only way a child can connect learning to the real world is through these smaller practical experiences," says Ehrlich. "They'll be figuring out diameter for the rest of their lives. Having made the connection with measuring the pond, they'll know how to do it."

In addition to measuring the pond, students drew maps, sketched the pond, participated in nature scavenger hunts, kept journals of the days activities, and collected trash around the pond area.

According to Ehrlich, one of the most exciting parts of this learning experience for the students was when she and Harrison showed them how to make and use their tools for measuring depth and temperature. They made boat line sinkers to use as depth finders, and attached strings to thermometers. 'whey just couldn't wait to get to the pond and use them, " says Ehrlich. "They also really enjoyed sharing their results with their parents."

Both Ehrlich and Harrison agree that hands-on learning experiences are more powerful than traditional classroom teaching. "Do it for me and I learn a little for today," says Ehrlich. "But have me do it myself, and L learn forever."

Founded in 1968, Independent Day School is a fully-accredited, private, non-sectarian school located in the heart of the Carrollwood section of north Tampa. It serves 400 plus students in grades Pre-K through 8. At IDS, all children experience learning in a nurturing, caring, child-centered, and highly academic environment focused on excellence and developing a positive self-concept and high self-esteem.

Contact: Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman, Head of Independent Day School
Telephone: (813) 961-3087