2. “X Block” = Teacher-led Monthly In-School Small Group Activities

18. Learnings & Connections to School 2003-2011 “ One thing I learned at UNH [Browne Center] was that you can do whatever you want if you really try and put a lot of hard work into it… like when we did the ropes course, at first I was a little nervous about the ropes course, but when I got to the last rope I felt so much better and felt like I accomplished a lot.”

21. “ When we went to UNH [Browne Center] , I learned that we should trust one another more. We should also get to know one another more. This applies to school because now I feel more connected to more of the kids.” -- Jadzia

26. Teacher-Facilitator Reflections “… We often just assume that students know how to work in groups. We tell them to work in groups without any explanation or modeling of how to do this effectively. The truth is they need to be shown how to interact, voice their opinion respectfully, and come to agreement to solve a problem. This is not something we are born with. The Edventure program gives students an opportunity to learn and practice these skills, which they can then apply in their classes and in the rest of their lives. “ The Edventure program is probably one of the most important things students will do while in middle school. While it's often easy to get caught up in academics and MCAS and grades, it's this development of sound interpersonal skills and team building that will help students be successful in life. Things like teasing, hazing, and bullying probably would not be issues if every student went through a program like this one in every grade.” Jim Kirkcaldy, Instructional Assistant, Watertown Middle School

27. One of the biggest changes I noticed was how outgoing and comfortable our group got with each other. At the beginning of the year they were shy and not very confident in their leadership skills. Since we have been meeting, we have students who are unafraid to voice their opinions, dissent with the group and also we see more whole hearted group cooperation once a path or goal has been decided upon. Toni M. Carlson Educational Technology Watertown Middle School

28. “ In my Edventure group, I have seen students who feel free in this small, safe environment to "come out of their shells" a little more than they would in a regular classroom setting and emerge as real leaders. I have a student who is painfully shy in class and dreads any type of presentation that she may need to make in class. In our X-Block group, however, she seems to be in her comfort zone and approaches the activities as a leader who expresses her voice to the group. It has been nice to see this different aspect of her personality and has also given our teacher-student relationship a new dimension since we are able to work together in a regular classroom setting, and also in our X-Block group. “ Also, it is nice during the field trip for the students to see teachers demonstrating the "challenge by choice" attitude by taking risks themselves. I had never done a ropes course before, but was encouraged to try it. It allowed me to be more empathetic to the kids, and allowed them to see me take on a challenge that was new for me.” Chris Cochran, Teacher of English & Reading, Grades 7 & 8 Watertown Middle School

29. For more photos, see: http://wmsgr7humanities.blogspot.com/ For more information, contact Kerri Lorigan at Klorigan@Watertown.k12.ma.us