Middle School WIN Time Promotes Hands-On Learning Outside of Regular Classes

Beginning this school year, the PA Distance Middle School Principal, Ms. Crandall, and the middle school teachers engaged their 7th and 8th graders in a new unique way. The new “WIN Time,” or “What I Need Time”, is designed as an ungraded intervention period used as an enrichment and intervention period for teachers to make their own. 

“WIN Time is centered around building strong academic skills, fostering positive relationships between students and teachers, and providing students with the tools and time they need to reach their academic goals.” 7th-grade Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Jones explained. 

The PA Distance Middle School Social Studies, Fine Arts, Health & Wellness, and Science departments all provide these rotating WIN Time enrichment opportunities throughout the school year. 7th and 8th-grade students meet with these subject teachers weekly with the subject, and corresponding activity, rotating every four weeks.

“Teachers collaborate together in their respective content areas using their classroom data to identify students who would benefit from re-teaching, remediation, and/or reassessing during WIN Time,” Ms. Crandall said. “This time also allows all students to have a time, outside of class, to learn differently.” 

The most recent WIN Time was completed with the middle school Science teachers, Mrs. Brennen, Mrs. Simmons, and Ms. Turocy where students flexed both their right and left brain creative muscles with a special hands-on “Engineering Challenge” throughout February.

"Our Science teachers focus this time around our students practicing scientific skills that they have not yet mastered on their benchmark exams while celebrating their learning growth,” 8th-grade Science teacher Mrs. Simmons said. “WIN Time is an extra support for that.” 

During these four weeks, students were challenged to create an animal or vehicle (real or imaginary) using the items below (and the cardboard box they were sent in):

“I was very impressed by the quality and variety of the students' projects - from animals such as cats, dogs, cows, unicorns, and frogs to vehicles such as a rocket, trucks, cars, trains, buses, boats, and even a helicopter!” 7th-grade Science teacher Mrs. Brennen explained. “Students also designed and created working objects such as safes, buildings, a soda dispenser, mask, basketball court, and phone stand TV.”

“One challenge that students faced was making iterations to the project or changing what didn't work, which is an essential part of the engineering process,” Mrs. Brennen said. “The students enjoyed building and decorating their projects the most.”

“Engineers must not only be scientific and mathematical but also creative and resourceful,” 7th and 8th-grade Science teacher, Ms. Turocy explained. “During this activity, we showed the students that while not everyone grows up to be an engineer, everyone can channel their inner engineer to approach the problems in their lives.”

Each grade level team chose the three best creations by the 7th and 8th graders and sent them a prize in the mail for their hard work. The student in 4th place for each respective grade level received PBIS rewards points to use in the School Store. 

8th-grader, Ishmael T., created a mini interactive basketball game using the provided materials and won 3rd place for his grade. 

“The challenge was really fun,” Ishmael said. “I added some extra decorations to mine like crowd photos, mini benches, and LED lights to make it look more realistic.”

This Engineering Challenge was made possible through an anonymous donor/local restaurant owner who attributes his success as a businessperson to the STEAM skills he learned in school as well as skills obtained working in the industry.

"Learning is a life-long process.  I give back to inspire others to find their calling, make a difference, be the change by having knowledge and making good decisions in life,” the project donor said. 

In addition to the most recent science-focused WIN Time, the Health & Wellness, Social Studies, and Arts departments have also taught middle school students something new. 

Health & Wellness Department

The middle school Health and Wellness teachers provided students an opportunity to participate in enrichment activities to expand their knowledge on everyday health topics during their WIN Time.

“We took topics that are covered throughout the year and gave each student the chance to connect it to their own lives, extend their thinking and challenge themselves to learn more,” Health & Wellness teacher, Mr. Reda explained. “For our next session, they will explore and apply their learning in many different activities like creating healthy menus, how to de-stress, obesity trends, and how to continue healthy habits.”

Social Studies Department

The middle school Social Studies department planned a series of lessons that focused on big ideas like geography skills and analyzing primary and secondary sources during their WIN Time.  

“These lessons tied into what we were teaching in our classes at the time,” Mrs. Jones explained. “Students took a look at some historical artifacts, went on virtual field trips, and engaged in meaningful discussions with their peers.”

Arts Department

During Art WIN time, students participated in ‘Art Therapy Corner’, where they used artistic methods to help reduce stress and anxiety through the use of mindful art activities.

“During our latest WIN Time, students created artwork, such as Self-Esteem Portraits, Digital Mood Collages, and other forms of self-expression! Students connect by making authentic relationships via meaningful projects and beautiful art,” 7th and 9th-grade Art teacher, Ms. Jordan, explained. 

“The middle school teachers have done a great job being creative in their respective WIN Times,” Ms. Crandall added. “Students have already had a variety of hands-on activities that promote learning in each subject.” 

“Next year, we will be seeing even more hands-on activities for WIN Time,” Ms. Crandall said. “We are all excited.” 

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About PA Distance Learning Charter School

Since 2004, PA Distance has been providing a welcoming virtual learning environment for students in grades K-12 across Pennsylvania. Students at PA Distance engage in a blended environment that combines “synchronous” and “asynchronous” learning. PA Distance’s mission is to blend proven classroom teaching techniques with educational technologies to promote academic growth for all students.