Summer Fun @ Ocracoke School
This year, 44 students enrolled in a six week fun-filled program centered on STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Culture, Math and Movement). The summer program, which is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, is led by Amandolin Webb who is the site coordinator. Echo Bennink, Amanda Gaskins, Jennifer Cowart, Alin Villanueva, and Brieanna Boos served as group leaders. They all did an outstanding job, taking students from class-to-class, participating with the kids, playing with them on the playground, and sharing their love of literature during reading time.
Patricia Piland led the students in numerous science discoveries based on matter. In her class, students made bouncy balls, tested parachutes, and made sensory jars, relating to density. Ms. Piland also studied air quality with the students, checking local air quality and hanging the corresponding quality’s flag outside each day.
Heather O’Neal helped the students create wonderful masterpieces as they studied the techniques and personal backgrounds of famous artists. During her art time, Ms. Heather focused on Cassatt, Van Gogh, and Mondrian to name a few. For culture, Heather used Time for Kids to learn about different countries. Students also learned a few phrases in different languages, looked at timelines of historical events, and talked about how children in other countries live each day.
Jeramy Guillory encouraged students to move and groove during his PE time. In his class, students focused on balance and movement, speed and relays, ball skills, playing by the rules, and teambuilding. Students loved playing baseball Frisbee, Snakes and Lizards (a movement game), two-person baseball, and Leprechaun Ball. Mr. Jeramy also talked about making healthy eating choices at meal and snack time.
I was responsible for the math and technology portion. In my group we became engineers by building mystery machines and monsters. We designed and built skyscrapers. We played lots of math games and learned magic tricks with numbers. Through all of this activity, we focused on the math concepts of geometry, probability, number sense, and place value. Thursdays were our technology days where we played online math games. Finally, I tied math with literature as we heard a math story of the week that connected all of our learning.
Ms. Amandolin organized additional activities for the students. She took them on nature walks and walking field trips. Students eagerly participated in the NPS Summer Programming at the Visitor Center and the Ocracoke Library Field Day. Campers also enjoyed the North Carolina Aquarium visit that was part of the Ocracoke Library summer reading program. Finally, students LOVED their water-themed field day, complete with water balloons, water relays, and a sprinkler!
According to Ms. Amandolin, fewer students were allowed to participate in the program this year. Group sizes ranged from 8 to 12 students per group, unlike the 20 students per group that made up last year’s camp. Ms. Amandolin stated, “The smaller group size led to more student engagement. It really allowed the teachers and assistants to work more closely with students- which is a blessing for the students and the teachers.”
Ocracoke School’s 21st CCLC Summer Camp wrapped up on Thursday, July 28th with a parent showcase. Ms. Amandolin reflected on the summer camp experience, “I absolutely loved the 21st CCLC summer program this year! This year, the staff really did a wonderful job engaging the students, and the students showed up excited and ready to learn. I was so proud of everyone and all of their hard work. We learned so much and had a blast along the way!”
