Unorthodox way to learn

Students enjoy summer school

MOSES LAKE - Would your child like to play Nintendo Wii at school? How about Uno, light bottle rockets, play soccer or create art?

Select schools in the Moses Lake School District are offering summer learning activities, funded through a 21st Century grant. Learning sites include Larson Heights Elementary School, North Elementary School, Chief Moses Middle School and Moses Lake High School.

The program is free to participants, said Shawn Hendricks, site director at Larson Heights Elementary. Approximately 15 students are participating at the school.

"We focus on helping kids boost their reading ability, math skills, social skills," Hendricks said.

Larson Heights students use the computer program SuccessMaker, which helps build their math and reading skills, he said. Students get story time, play board games and video games, and participate in outdoor activities.

During the school year, students can participate in an after-school enrichment program from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parents can register their students for fall, Hendricks said.

The summer program is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes lunch. Students can join at any time.

"We like to focus on kids that are having trouble so we can help them out," Hendricks said.

With some activities, the students are unaware they are learning, he said.

One outdoor game involves moving a giant ball by using smaller balls. The student learn such skills as graphing, timing, estimation and problem solving, Hendricks said.

"I chose (to participate) myself because (of) the games, the toys, the Legos," said 9-year-old John Atkins, who is entering fourth grade.

Atkins said his favorite part of the program is playing the Nintendo Wii.

"They even feed us," Atkins added.

"It's cool because we have a Wii," agreed 9-year-old Rodney Paris, who is also entering the fourth grade.

The best part of the program for him is the outdoor games, like soccer and football.

Paris said he is learning during his participation in the program.

"I'm learning stuff from other kids, like learning their personality," he said.

The program is more academically focused during the school year, Hendricks said.

Crispin Ramos, who is the lead tutor for Larson Heights Elementary School and Chief Moses Middle School, said middle school students select from a variety of programs. The students can take a cooking class, play Age of Empires, participate in soccer, or conduct science activities, Ramos said.

At the high school, "It's really to get back on track and get your credits back," he said.

For more information about the programs, call 509-766-2650.