Extracurricular programs offer unique learning environment

BECKY RASPE | SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF REPORTER

braspe@cjn.org | @BeckyRaspeCJN

Students at any age can enjoy extracurricular activities.

According to Stefanie Albrecht, pre-kindergarten teacher at Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, and Roberta Brown, middle school science teacher at University School in Shaker Heights, unique experiences allow students to tap into their interests.

Brown detailed a program offered to University School’s seventh- and eighthgrade students called Young Surgeons’ Course. The program, which the school has offered for nine years, first offered “comparative and evolutionary anatomy.” It now focuses generally on the field.

“We have moved to a more handson component with several clinics where extraordinary physicians have come in and offer clinics to the boys,” she said.

Some of the participating hospitals include Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and University Hospitals.

“The students have various opportunities to work with different hospitals and clinics to learn handson about surgery,” Brown added.

In Hathaway Brown’s early childhood program, Albrecht said students go to Case Western Reserve University’s Squire Vallevue Farm in Hunting Valley once a week.

“It about exploring nature spaces and we go during all seasons,” she explained. “We found that nature play is super important for young kids. It encourages a lot of independence, risk taking and resilience. They can try things there that they might not have the opportunity to do at school. They need to find things to do in less-directed play like that.”

Albrecht added academics can come easy for many students, so extracurricular activities pose a new learning challenge.

“Having them play in nature and the like presents a new challenge for these students,” she noted. “They have to figure out what to do and it’s not directed learning. They are using their imaginations and learning to be independent.”

For older students, Brown said exposure to different career opportunities is important.

“This is the time where they should explore and the medical field is huge not only in Cleveland, but all over the world,” she stated. “And if it is something they end up doing as a career, great. But if not, it’s good for students to know what exists.”

Students can apply what they learn in extracurricular activities to their school subjects.

“In regards to the social settings of the world, medicine and access to medical care is a huge social issue, so it certainly hits the social studies content and the economics of medicine are certainly challenging,” Brown mentioned. “The community engagement of extracurriculars is a huge piece because they will be communicating with that community their whole lives.”

Albrecht added, “These are different opportunities for learning. We teach science through nature when we’re out. So, you could learn through a book but learning in nature speaks conversations that wouldn’t typically happen in the classroom. (Extracurricular activities) lend a different learning environment in that space.”

Brown said finding the right activity should start with taking risks.

“It is a matter of allowing oneself to take chances and have new experiences,” Brown recommended.

“So, take a chance with performance on stage or with a sport you’ve never played before. It’s about exploring, taking chances and trying out something new. And what a great time to do that than at a young age.”

For younger students, parents should talk with the school and their child about activities.

“At the beginning of the year and throughout the year, we have conversations with parents and have them ask their children what they enjoyed doing and what challenged them,” she noted. “It’s seeing what the child enjoys, what they need to thrive and working together to point them in the right direction.”

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