Page 2B • August 3, 2017 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Edmond Public Schools begins on August 18!
Action Based Learning Labs in Edmond a ‘Game Changer’
Learn more at
edmondschools.net
By Melinda Infante Research has proven that incorporating movement in the classroom actually increases brain activity and improves students’ academic achievement and behavior. Brain science strongly links movement to learning and this research has led to the development of Action Based Learning Labs which are being implemented in schools across the country. Edmond schools are embracing Action Based Learning Labs and are implementing them in the elementary schools. Charles Haskell Elementary was the first school in Edmond to implement an Action Based Learning Lab. The Charles Haskell Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) helped raise funds for the first lab. The second lab was implemented by fortunate circumstance when Ms. Dayna Hamilton, principal, was attending a luncheon and learned that an Oklahoma City school could not accommodate a lab due to overcrowding and pleaded for the equipment to set up the second lab in their school. She said they are very blessed to have these in their school. The students are in the labs at a minimum
twice a week, once with Laurin Fain, Action Based Learning Coordinator, and then with their classroom teacher. Teachers can take the students to the lab anytime during the day. Some teachers will take the students there before a test.
“Research supports the connection with mind and body.” Ms. Hamilton states that the overall calmness has changed, and the students are more attentive and engaged. The staff at Charles Haskell is committed to Action Based Learning and has noticed that more activity has also helped them in their own concentration and study preparation. The labs are available
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ABL Labs
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for the extended pre-K classes as well. With two labs, one is always available. Students with moderate behavior, such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) go every day, sometimes three times a day, and the teachers have seen a big difference in their ability to concentrate and engage in the classroom. The students’ are seeing a benefit from having movement during their day and look forward to their time in the lab. Ms. Hamilton stated that this is a “Game changer and makes me happy to see them move and wake their minds.” West Field Elementary also has two Action Based Learning Labs that have been in use for two years. They received grants through Edmond Public Schools Foundation and West Field’s PTO to fund the materials for upper and lower grades labs. They have a similar schedule where they go to the lab once a week with their Action Based Learning Coordinator and also throughout the week with their classroom teacher. West Field has incorporated movement into the classroom with an alternative classroom arrangement. Alternative classrooms consist of standing desks, stretchy bands that go around the desk legs that allow leg movement and a nubby seat cushion that is inflated and has nubs that allow movement as well as the ball chairs. The future will have more movement
incorporated into the individual classrooms. Ms. Lisa Crosslin, principal, stated that “the children love the Activity Based Labs where they work together in teams to reinforce the information learned in their studies.” Ms. Crosslin also noted the moderate special needs students have really benefited from these labs and allows them to concentrate and engage. All students love moving and learning, and it is easier for them to concentrate on their studies. Ms. Crosslin stated, “Research supports the connection with mind and body and when the teachers can meet those needs it works for the children.” Ms. Hamilton said we will see this in more schools, and in the near future Washington Irving and Frontier Elementary will be getting their labs. The Action Based Learning labs do not take the place of physical education (PE) or recess as these are different types of activity, and both are needed. It is too soon to measure the difference in test scores from prior years and difficult to know how to measure and accurately determine if the results would be directly connected to Action Based Learning as children are different each year. Whether or not the test scores are higher they are not needed to see that Action Based Learning creates a better learning environment and students and teachers love it.
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Best of Books recommends
Back to School Books For over 30 years, Best of Books has been Edmond’s goto, family operated book store. From current best sellers to thrillers and romance Best of Books carries it all. They are also known for their section of children’s books, which they have galore. Here are three picks from the staff at Best of Books that are great reads for elementaryCrenshaw by aged children: Katherine Applegate
Crenshaw In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.
Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary. This title has Common Core connections.
Roller Girl For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe Roller Girl by she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost Victoria Jamieson friendship, and middle school... in short, strong enough to be a roller girl. In this graphic novel debut that earned a Newbery Honor and five starred reviews, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverence, and girl power! Poet George loved words. But George was enslaved. Forced to work long hours, George was unable to attend school or learn how to read. But he was determined -- he listened to the white children's lessons and learned the alphabet. Then he taught himself to read. Poet by Soon, he began Don Tate composing poetry in his head and reciting it as he sold fruits and vegetables on a nearby college campus. News of the slave poet traveled quickly among the students, and before long, George had customers for his poems. But George was still enslaved. Would he ever be free? In this powerful biography of George Moses Horton, the first southern African-American man to be published, Don Tate tells an inspiring and moving story of talent and determination.
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A new director Edmond’s new Executive Director of Elementary Education eager to make education ‘the best it can be’ for all children Price Brown, an educator with nearly 40 years of experience and a reputation for turning around struggling schools by leveraging community and parental involvement has been named the new executive director of elementary education for Edmond Public Schools. He will be responsible for supervising all elementary administrators, instructional programs and methods of teaching at the district’s 17 elementary schools. Brown succeeds Angela Mills Grunewald who, early this summer, was named associate superintendent of educational services. Most recently, Brown served as the principal at Hilldale Elementary in Putnam City. He financed fitness labs, enhanced technology and other improvements at Hilldale through writing and receiving more than $300,000 in grants. He also secured community resources to help meet students’ basic needs which resulted in a dramatic increase in attendance and enrollment at the school. Under his leadership, Hilldale went from having a D- on its school report card to boasting a B. The Oklahoma Association of Elementary School principals named Brown its 2016 Principal of Excellence.
Price Brown ”Price Brown is an innovative, creative thinker who sees the potential in every child and works hard to expand opportunities for children,” said Superintendent Bret Towne. “He will be
children. “I have been provided incredible opportunities to listen, learn and lead from some of the best in my four decades in public education,” said Brown. “From Mrs. Lane's first-grade classroom where I did my first observation to the incredible teachers I observed at Hilldale Elementary where I most recently served as principal, I have had a front row seat to witness some of Oklahoma's best educators. I am excited to bring some of the lessons I
“I have been provided incredible opportunities to listen, learn and lead from some of the best in my four decades in public education.” actively involved in our elementary schools observing, interacting and strategizing with administrators and teachers to bring about the best academic, emotional and social outcomes for our elementary students.” Brown says it is his passion and life’s work to make education “the best it can be” for all
have learned to the children and staff in Edmond Public Schools and I thank Superintendent Towne and the Edmond board of education for the opportunity and confidence they have placed in me.” Brown is actively involved in both service and professional organizations including
the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals (OAESP) where he serves on the Board of Directors. The Edmond School Board also named at its July meeting Dawna Buck and Jeremy Reichman assistant principals at Edmond
North High School. They will replace Chris Helling and Ellen Vannoy who will be leaving the district for other opportunities in education. Most recently Buck was the principal of Muskogee High School. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal in
Enid. She has been a teacher, coach and curriculum coordinator. Reichman was most recently an assistant principal at Northwest Classen High School. He also has experience as a teacher, coach and school improvement grant coordinator.
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