EAST WATERBORO — How do we teach others to make decisions that allow them to live healthier lives?
That was the challenge recently for seventh and eighth graders at Massabesic Middle School during their Wellness Revolution, a unit that allowed students to combine their learning in English language arts, math, science and social studies into wellness-focused projects of their choosing.
While students’ final projects differed depending on their interests and selected research topics, they were all designed — in different ways — to teach others about making healthy life choices. The Wellness Revolution culminated in a fair in the school’s gymnasium where students displayed their work.
The Wellness Revolution allowed students to select and research a topic related to physical health, social and emotional wellness, environmental impact, or food politics. As part of the learning process, students heard from guest speakers specializing in all areas of wellness and were challenged with the task of how best to educate and encourage others to make positive wellness decisions.
Massabesic Middle School — along with other schools in Regional School Unit 57 — has transitioned to a proficiency-based system of education in recent years that allows students to meet the required learning standards in ways that suit their learning styles and the different speeds at which they learn. The Wellness Revolution let students design projects that were personally relevant and gave them choice in deciding how they would meet the relevant learning standards.
[vodpod id=Video.16151350&w=425&h=350&fv=]
View the images with descriptions on Flickr.
Thank you to RSU 57 for submitting this news. Share news from your school.
Resources and more information
- Lori Lodge, Curriculum Coordinator
RSU 57
207-247-3221 ext. 2289
lorilodge@rsu57.org - Diana Doiron, Proficiency-based Education Specialist
Maine Department of Education
207-624-6823
diana.doiron@maine.gov - Massabesic Middle adjusts to standards-based model