11-Alive News At Epstein: The 2008 Olympics
Education Reporter, Donna Lowry of 11-Alive News (WXIA), Atlanta's official Olympic news station, came to The Epstein School to film a news segment about Jackie Pierce's 3rd grade science class celebrating the 2008 Olympics, Potato Olympics that is.
As part of Epstein’s enhanced “hands-on” elementary science curriculum, 3rd grade students are using all their senses in the Sense-ational Science Program, enabling them to better explore the wonderful world of science. Students participating in the Potato Olympics, carefully examined, selected and named their “Olympic athletes"
(potatoes). Some of the spuds had “eyes” or buds that were examined with a hand-held magnifying glass; students looked to establish whether this is a helpful feature in competition.
Next, the excited 3rd graders wrote biographies about their Olympic athletes, indicating not only their athlete’s histories, size and weight measurements, but also a little bit about what they enjoy in their off time while not training for the big competition.
The potatoes then “competed for the gold” in exciting games of bowling, soccer and more. Later, the students will artistically dress, decorate and create their athletes visual persona as well.
This is a creative and entertaining way to engage children and integrate the studies of science, math, language, social studies and art. Studies have shown that children learn best in an environment where hands-on activities are cultivated, and where they can explore our world through, sight, touch, taste, smell and sound.
“The students are always very excited when they engage in activities that are not only educational, but fun, exciting and interesting. Activities that stimulate all the senses really brings everything they learn together and makes the learning experience more meaningful,” stated 3rd grade teacher Jackie Pierce.
To learn more about The Epstein School, a nationally recognized independent Jewish Day School, please visit www.epsteinatlanta.org .