LHU elementary education students planned hands-on classroom activities to take KCSD third graders

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - If third graders at Woodward and Robb Elementary Schools wanted to learn the Mexican hat dance, the Polish polka, an Irish jig, write their names in hieroglyphics, or play the Australian didgeridoo, they would have to travel the world. That is precisely what they did without leaving their schools during the “Around the World Day,” March 3 and 5.

In a collaborative program with Keystone Central School District, Lock Haven University Elementary Education professional semester students created colorful, interactive displays and taught hands-on lessons about the art, music, or dance traditions of countries from eleven countries. Each third grader visited three countries and, for a finale, presented what they learned at their last country to the entire group.

Dr. Priya Poehner and Dr. Margaret Pursell, assistant professors of elementary education, wanted to provide their professional semester students with the opportunity to plan, teach and reflect on ways to integrate social studies and language arts in the local schools. Poehner said, “Social studies education is often an area of the curriculum that is neglected due to an increased concentration on reading and math instruction. This project provided an avenue to demonstrate that a social studies focus could amplify student motivation and interest in reading and writing through creative hands-on learning activities. ” ]

Poehner and Pursell collaborated with Dr. Jennifer Creamer, director of LHU’s Institute for International Studies, who acted as a liaison for the international student community. Creamer networked the professional semester students with international students from the selected countries to provide items such as food, clothing, and flags that enabled them to make their lessons more interactive and engaging. “The third graders were beaming. I overheard them talking and asking each other, ‘Where are you going next?’ or saying, ‘I want to go to Mexico,’ or ‘I want to go to Ireland.’ Learning a dance or a craft and tasting the food of another country makes that country come alive,” said Creamer, who attended the programs.

Poehner and Pursell plan to make this an annual event. To learn more about the program or how you can be involved, please contact Priya Poehner at (570)-484-2634.