Independent Projects
Montclair's Enrichment Coordinator works to provide a variety of independent project opportunities.
Classroom extension projects: The Enrichment Coordinator works closely with classroom teachers to develop projects to enrich and extend classroom learning. In some classrooms these projects are a required part of the curriculum, in others they are optional for interested students.
Independent Investigations: Many students will have an opportunity to work on an independent investigation under the guidance of our Enrichment Coordinator. Students in younger grades will choose some aspect of a common, but broad, topic to learn the process of doing an independent project. Weekly meetings in which the teacher will demonstrate how to work on the project provide younger students with an opportunity to learn how to tackle a long-term, multi-faceted project. Older students who have successfully completed a project will choose a topic totally based on their interests.
One group topic project we did in the past was a biography project in which students picked an individual of interest to them, read at least one biography, shared the information through any of a variety of project options and also participated in a "news conference" in which they answered questions from "reporters" as if they were the individual.
Mentorships: A limited number of students who are at least 10 years old may be recommended for a mentorship through Community Resources. Teachers are asked to refer students with an in-depth interest in a specific field and unusual task commitment. These students are paired with a professional in their chosen field to do a mentorship of either one full day of shadowing or a series of six weekly one hour sessions, to pursue their interest. Some internships we have arranged in the past include:
Classroom extension projects: The Enrichment Coordinator works closely with classroom teachers to develop projects to enrich and extend classroom learning. In some classrooms these projects are a required part of the curriculum, in others they are optional for interested students.
Independent Investigations: Many students will have an opportunity to work on an independent investigation under the guidance of our Enrichment Coordinator. Students in younger grades will choose some aspect of a common, but broad, topic to learn the process of doing an independent project. Weekly meetings in which the teacher will demonstrate how to work on the project provide younger students with an opportunity to learn how to tackle a long-term, multi-faceted project. Older students who have successfully completed a project will choose a topic totally based on their interests.
One group topic project we did in the past was a biography project in which students picked an individual of interest to them, read at least one biography, shared the information through any of a variety of project options and also participated in a "news conference" in which they answered questions from "reporters" as if they were the individual.
Mentorships: A limited number of students who are at least 10 years old may be recommended for a mentorship through Community Resources. Teachers are asked to refer students with an in-depth interest in a specific field and unusual task commitment. These students are paired with a professional in their chosen field to do a mentorship of either one full day of shadowing or a series of six weekly one hour sessions, to pursue their interest. Some internships we have arranged in the past include:
- Veterinarian for a Day - in her internship with a veterinarian, one student learned not only about general medical care for animals, but also about surgical procedures as she assisted in the operating room during a routine procedure with a dog.
- Artist in the Making - another student refined her skills in the visual arts by working with a local artist. Her works were posted throughout the school.
- The Mechanics of Engineering - through a partnership with a local engineer, a third student learned about mechanical engineering by designing and building a model car with working parts.