Students at Daycroft Montessori School Learn to Work Together Better
Two Days of Team-Building Activities Help Students in Grades 1-6 Build Confidence and Develop Listening and Group Problem-Solving Skills
Ann Arbor, MI (April 2, 2010) – On Thursday and Friday, March 18-19, Daycroft Montessori School of Ann Arbor held all-school team-building event for its students in Grades 1 through 6.
The event’s purpose was to initiate a process for team-building among students who will be in class together during the 2010-11 school year. Current second- and third-graders engaged in activities in one group, while current fourth- and fifth-graders worked together in another. First graders were in their own group.
Specific outcomes for the two days were to get students acquainted or reacquainted with each other, build their confidence, develop listening and group problem-solving skills, and have fun together.
Do More and Better as a Team
On Thursday, March 18, students visited the Howell Conference and Nature Center. There Daycroft’s first graders participated in age-appropriate team-building activities and games, while students from Grades 2-6 took on more challenging tasks, including a low ropes course, a climbing wall, and a zip line. All activities served to build confidence and cooperative working habits.
On Friday, March 19, students returned to Daycroft’s Elementary Campus on Zeeb Rd. for more team-building, group problem-solving, and listening skills activities. Diane Mukkala, Daycroft’s head of school, facilitated many activities, with help from Daycroft faculty members and parents.
Students worked in large and small groups to solve problems and tackle physical challenges. Activities included figuring out how to balance 12 nails on the top of one nail sticking out of a piece of wood and developing a structure out of various materials to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height of 12 feet.
“It was a very fun two days, and the children gained a lot,” said Mukkala. “They learned to always try your best and never give up. Activities also showed that you can often do more than you think, and it can help to think outside the box.”
Mukkala adds, “Maybe the biggest insight of all was that, while it can be hard to work as a team, the results can often be far better than when you go it alone.”
About Daycroft Montessori School
Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive teaching methods. Daycroft thus accomplishes its educational mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their full potential.
Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County's leading independent schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.
Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS; www.nais.org) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org).
Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 930-0333.
Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft's administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-3335.
Media Contact:
Chris Kochmanski
DesignHub, Inc.
(734) 944-8705
chris@design-hub.com
Daycroft Open Houses
Oakbrook Campus (Pre-K)
November 2
January 4
Zeeb Campus (K-6)
November 4
December 2
January 6
All open houses are from 9 to 11 am.
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