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.
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.
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.