Conquering Challenges With Character

In Mr. Lagarde’s opening remarks to faculty and staff this year, he noted traits to which we should aspire as a community including empathy, self-discipline, optimism, curiosity and creativity. These aren’t qualities you can teach from a book, they must be modeled and practiced through a variety of different experiences in and out of the classroom. Last week the entire 5th grade visited the Stine Environmental Center on Teel Campus to complete a low ropes course, demonstrating mindful teamwork and testing their ability to put these character traits into action.

What is the Low Ropes Course?

Behind Teel Campus, the James M. Stine Environmental center is a 3-acre parcel of land that includes a tiered-stone classroom, low ropes challenge course and walking trails. The course includes a set of wooden and roped structures with an accompanying curriculum that helps a group work together to solve problems, overcome perceived limits, and foster a sense of exhilaration and accomplishment. Severn faculty and staff take certification classes to lead groups through the course.

Mindful Mindset

Before starting the course, teachers talked to our 5th graders about what to expect throughout each activity. They stressed that the challenges are more mental than physical. Students would need to plan, communicate and reflect on what works and what doesn’t to successfully move from one station to the next. They talked about strategies students can use to make sure their teams work together in a positive, supportive way. And they encouraged the classes to be present and take in the experience — to enjoy each moment, each breath and each step rather than rushing to complete a task or move to the next.
Severn School students and teachers sit in an outdoor stone classroom.
Setting intention and expectations are an important part of good teamwork and communication.

The Challenges

Lower School faculty Ms. Kitchin, Ms. Hayman, Ms. Wild and Ms. Mitchell chose four challenges for the day: Whale Watch, Alligator Boards, All Aboard, and Australian Trolley. Each required the groups to create a plan, work out some method of communication, assess progress, and adjust. During the activities, our teachers asked students to think about their successes and frustrations, and to use that reflection to better approach the next activity.
Severn School elementary school students work through an outdoor obstacle course.
During Whale Watch, students had to configure themselves on a large balance board, maintaining balance as each member of the team joined the group.
Severn School elementary school students work through an outdoor obstacle course.
In All Aboard, the group had to get each member to stand with both feet simultaneously on a 2x2 square platform without losing balance.
Severn School elementary school students work through an outdoor obstacle course.
The Australian Trolley looks like a large set of wooden skis with rope attached. The group had to move forward a designated distance keeping their feet on both skis at all times. Groups who succeeded were then challenged to make the same move but using only hand signals to communicate.
Severn School elementary school students work through an outdoor obstacle course.
During Alligator Boards, the groups pretended to cross an alligator-infested river with only three planks to get across. They could only use each board once so the entire group had to cross at the same time, keeping both feet on a board.

Lessons for a Lifetime

As we prepare our students for the future, the most valuable set of skills we can teach are those they can transfer to any discipline, any circumstance and any career. That means learning how to work with others, determine and push personal boundaries, creatively solve problems and actively self-reflect. During the challenge course on Friday, teachers reminded our students to be aware of their thinking and actions; to bring their unconscious learning into a conscious space that they can draw upon again. This experience helps develop stronger relationships and a greater sense of self-efficacy, while challenging our students to uphold good character in unfamiliar and difficult situations — skills they will carry into the classroom and throughout their lives.
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