With students home for the holidays this week, here’s a look at recent activities from the local elementary school.
Alice Biss leads Sloatsburg Elementary school kids in some holiday songs.
Last week, Sloatsburg Elementary School music teacher Alice Biss led choir members through some wintry holiday songs at the Ramapo School District administration building. Cherry Lane music teacher Donna Cardillo also put in an appearance, leading the school’s handbell choir.
Before kids let out for the December break, kids at Sloatsburg Elementary School transformed the school’s gym into ever-popular Gym City, under teacher Ken Wojehowski. This innovative and much-anticipated physical education unit integrates math, social studies and life skills for students in grades two through five.
Thrifty Sloatsburg Elementary school fourth-graders deposit their earnings in the Gym City Bank with physical education teacher Ken Wojehowski.
Award-winning teacher Wojehowski said he developed Gym City eight years ago, after hearing about a traffic safety-oriented physical education unit being implemented in another district.
Students take turns working 10-minute shifts as police officers, tow truck operators and fitness instructors, to earn a $5 paycheck in Gym City currency. When they aren’t working, students can deposit their money in the bank or spend it on vehicles or entertainment.
Students pay $1 to use the Gym City fitness center, but can earn $3 for exercising.
“I thought that we could really build it into something much more and teach students about citizenship and money management,” Wojehowski said. “I have students who, in the first year, blow all their money on games and vehicles. And that’s OK, because it’s up to them to figure out how they want to play. But the next year, many of those same students are much more focused on earning and saving. They’re learning lessons that will help them beyond school.”
“It’s a game to teach us road safety and how to save our money,” reported Jimmy, a fourth-grader, during his shift as a bowling instructor. “You can go over to the fitness center and pay $1. But you earn $3 if you do 30 steps on the machines.”
Vehicles are big in Gym City. Students can save up to rent a set of wheels for one class or purchase their dream ride for the entire two-week session. Wojehowski determines pricing up front and, just like the real world, newer, flashier vehicles—the Green Machine and the Dream Machine—are most expensive. Owners can trade up or sell their vehicles, but their value depreciates with each passing day.
“They are the adults here,” explained Wojehowski. “Students will negotiate deals for short-term rentals of high-demand vehicles, like the Green Machine, while the owners participate in another activity.”
Photos courtesy of Ramapo Central School District.
