Readin’, writin’ and ‘rithmetic were replaced by Latin, labs and lyrics during Wye River Upper School’s recent Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Over seventy five percent of the school’s student body enjoyed the company of at least one grandparent or special friend. One friend flew in from California for the special day.
Devin Wootton, WRUS English faculty member, led the scholastic planning for the day through an oral history assignment. The students were expected to collect information about a grandparent and present it through a range of responses, from question and answers to elaborate audio-visual slide presentations. Several of the students were asked to present their work to the entire school community as everyone gathered for a catered luncheon. They were asked to focus on their grandparent’s high school experiences.
“Initially, the students were not so thrilled over the assignment…there were a lot of moans and groans. But as they got into it, they came back with their own intriguing stories. Some were fascinated by the cars of their era, some by the wages, others enjoyed the music of the era. It was a great way for them to gain a deeper appreciation for their own family members,” reports Wootton. Rob Richardson, a WRUS sophomore from Ellicott City, enjoyed the company of three of his grandparents and presented a slide show highlighting his maternal grandfather, Warren Reed of Catonsville. Many of the histories focused on the stories of grandparents who had served during wartime including WWII and Korea. Chloe Tong of Easton shared touching stories of her grandmother, now deceased, with whom she spent many happy summers on a family home in Virginia. “She was my friend and confidante,” reported Tong, “I loved talking with my Mom about our great memories as I created the slide show.”
Guests were encouraged to participate in student’s lessons and activities. Jake Wilkes of Queen Anne, enjoyed the help of his grandmother, Pat Arbogast, during his chemistry lab. Connor McFarland, of Bethesda, heard his grandfather Jack White admit that Latin was his least favorite subject in high school. J.R. Bauer of Rock Hall included his grandmother as he used his personal laptop for research during a U.S. History class. “We were very impressed with the teachers, and the interaction they had with the students. We really enjoyed the day!” reported J.R.’s grandmother, Dolly Bauer.
“We recognize and appreciate the learning that comes in many forms and opportunities, not just textbooks and tests. From planning, researching, using the technology, then presenting their work, this has been an excellent instructional unit for us. Our grandparents offer a trove of teachable moments for our students. They are welcome here anytime,” says Chrissy Aull, WRUS Head of School.
WRUS is an independent, college preparatory day school serving bright students with learning differences. The school is located on the campus of Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Md. For more information regarding the school contact Katie Theeke at 410-827-5822.