Middle Schoolers Explore New Skills, Interests in Fun-Filled MiniWeek

Organized by Middle School teachers Eric Cowell and Becky Kinney, the two-day event included workshops on diverse subjects and skills like “spooktacular” science experiments, podcasting, bullet journaling, and more led by Calvert teachers.

 

As in previous years, MiniWeek was designed to promote non-traditional skills and continued learning beyond the classroom, and students were encouraged to pursue new interests and hobbies. Under Calvert’s COVID-19 safety measures, all in-person activities were divided by grade level, with students staying in their homerooms as they moved through an exciting rotation of workshops.

 

Guided by Mrs. Daly, Fifth Grade students built candy corn towers as tall as they could go. Sixth Graders studied rugby with Mr. Cowell, and Seventh Graders created intricate yarn crafts with Ms. Sloane. In the Eighth Grade, Señora Sachar led students as they explored their creativity by painting pumpkins, and these activities were just the start.

 

Students were also able to customize their MiniWeek experience by selecting parts of their own schedule. This year, they had the opportunity to choose between enriching virtual offerings on world travel, sports history, and nature journaling, among other fun courses. Conducted over Google Meet, these offerings allowed teachers to provide new learning opportunities while prioritizing student health and well-being.

 

In addition to online courses, our boys and girls enjoyed virtual visits from guest speakers like U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett and science writer (and Calvert parent) Christopher Wanjek, who spoke on their respective fields.

 

Thank you to all of the teachers, guest speakers, and community members who supported this year’s MiniWeek!