The Wingham Advance-Times, 1975-02-13, Page 6anee-Times, Thursday, February bZ, Il975
"Electives Dcr"
The librarian teaches needle-
work, i l e oral french teacher is
reet i UA'y outdoor winter sports
and the vice-principal is teaching
ceramics. Ws called "Electives
ay" and it's all happening at the
,Howick Central School.
The program is in its fourth
year and principal Bruce Robert
son calls it "a cul eat success,'P, A%
don't want to give the lanpresrtten,
of frivolity," he explained, "but
you can call it education for lei-
srtre time." Vice-principal Clay.
ton Cober calls it "trying to pro-
vide activities that are in some
way providing a learningsitu.
tion as well as catering to indivld,.
success at Ho
ual needs and interests." But
whatever the rationale, the pro-
gram is an unqualified hit with
both students and teachers.
"Electives Day" . is offered
every sixth school day and every-
one looks forward to it. The fun
and enthusiasm of the day are ob-
vious to even a casual Obaerver,
The morning Prograin is reserv-
ed
e v -ed for grade five and six students,
with the afternoon devoted to
grades seven and eight.
The school atmosphere
changes considerably on "Elec-
tives Day." Sounds of ukulele
strumming and singing from one
room; typewriters speedily chat-
tering in the next room; giggles
and excited voices in the drama
group; and intense concentration
from the engrossed needlework-
ers. The gym is invaded by
bouncing and tumbling bodies,
and the school yard is over-
whelmed by laughter and joking
as the sports electives students
practice snowshoeirng. It's educa-
tion without the attending pains
and it woks•
various pl eVam* are in-
dicative of the many interests
and hobbies of both the students
and the teachers. Junior students
are offered a choice of gymnas-
tics, outdoor winter sports, ilk-
ulele lessons,, crafts, 00111108,
typing, needlework, eeranies
and drama. ..The intermediate
students • participate ,in skating
and hockey drills, outdoor winter
education, cooking,,.,.ce amics,
ukul4le lessons, needlework, typ-
ing and woodworking. Instruc-
tors for the classes are both
teachers and parents who,volun-
teer their time to teach their hob-
bies to interested students.
Roles are overturned as in-
structors find themselves teach,
ing Other thanIheir •wcar,e1a*?
and study are grouped by
Interest rather, e 'or
classroom. Social roles aso
��d, as b invade the
cooking class to leM hireadmok
ing or the crafts class to sew
p 'Or the a rami elan to,
ke.mugs, and the girls find
they enjoy the gymnastics, snow -
shoeing and woodworking as
much as any boy.
"Learning can be fun" is more
than just a motto at Howick Cen-
tral: it's a working concept that
proves its worth with every
"Electives Day" that comes
around. Judging by Its great suc-
cess with all concerned, educa-
tion with imagination are a
powerful and effective team.
DWAYNE SANBURN, Paul Zeemar, Wayne Morris and Kent Strong display the hand
puppets they made in the junior crafts elective class at Howick Central.
CATHY GIBSON of Howick Central works hard to complete
her hand puppet in the junior crafts elective class. •
PAINSTAKING CARE and patience are all-important as Heather Rognvaldson, Phyllis
Griffin and Donna Harding work at their khitting and needlework during a junior elective
class at Howick Central.
DRAMA ELECTIVE class students work on props for their impromptu skits at Howick
Central.
HEAD STANDS and somersaults are a fun exercise for stu-
dents of Howick Central participating in the junior sports
elective class.
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Apply a small amount and see how a little
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1 cyou are onvinced that
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cOnd,t,on than any other hand care product t`►en
return the container and we will refund your money
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NEEDLEWORK projects engross Irene Griffin and Shelley Jacobson during a needle-
work elective course at Howick Central.
JIMMY BAKER on the bas's accompanies the ukulele players in a zingy rendition of
"Country Road", at Howick Central School.
GRADE FIVE AND SIX STUDENTS at Howick Central prol,dly display their wares in the
junior ceramics elective class. They are: front, Suzanne Strong, Leisa Garniss, Ronnie
Lockie and Robbie Stafford; back, Glenn Litt, Paul Martin, Paul Edgar, Donald McInnis
and Brenda Mann.
soon) .,St riffe • t
MRS. MILLIE NIXON supervises grade five and six girls as they practise their typing in the elective course at
Howick Central.
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