Keeping Time – Wrist Watches Keep Summer Learning on Schedule
BEF NEWS
Keeping Time – Wrist Watches Keep Summer Learning on Schedule
Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
As soon as Greenway and McKay third-fifth graders entered their Camp Achieve summer classrooms, they began squealing with excitement and awe. Sitting on each of their desks was a brand new analog watch for students to use in conjunction with classroom learning. Students were able to keep the watches to encourage continued growth and excitement long after school was over.
Thanks to our generous community’s support and BEF’s Building STEAM 4 All funders, 75 analog watches were purchased to supplement curriculum and show how time-telling lessons applied to experiences students would for the rest of their life.
“The watches represent so much more than just a teaching aide,” explained Greenway Elementary Academic Coach, Trina Simkins-Moore. “They trigger an excitement for learning that a paper clock could never create. They also build a powerful connection to others and actively promote continued clock reading skills after class is over!”
One rising 4th grader, Ahmad, overcame considerable obstacles just to attend Camp Achieve. When he finally arrived at school, he could not believe he was actually getting a watch to keep. Ahmad helped his class transition on time every day and took pride in using his watch to calculate the amount of time until the next classroom transition.
Trina initially approached fellow success coach, Brule Speck, with the idea to purchase watches for her class of 26. After sharing how the hands-on tools would greatly improve classroom lessons, Brule was convinced that they should partner with BEF to bring watches to all 75 Camp Achieve third-fifth grade students at both Greenway and McKay.
“This seemingly simple project is an excellent example of what BEF does best,” said Kristine Baggett, BEF’s executive director. “We were able to respond quickly to Trina’s request, funding a multi-school collaboration over a holiday weekend, ensuring students would have hands-on tools that district staff knew would provide a stronger learning connection and improve opportunities for student success.”
