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September, 2007
ONE-OF-A-KIND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXPLORES MAINE
By Jon Wescott
What is the largest elementary school, geographically, in Maine? The answer is arguably Toddy Pond School, an independent, pre-K-8 elementary school in Swanville. And while, technically, it's located on just a few acres in Swanville, a rural town just outside Belfast, its "classroom" extends miles beyond, from Machias to Gilead, Portland to Patten.
"One of these days, we'll get up to Madawaska and ‘down' to Lubec," says teacher Jon Wescott, "but, yes, we try to use the entire state as a major learning environment for our students."
And it's no exaggeration. Photos taken during trips show Toddy Pond kids aboard the schooner Bowdoin in Castine, lugging canoes as a team in Bethel, bicycling Acadia's famous carriage trails, hiking to Chimney Pond at the base of Katahdin, testing water quality while on a rafting trip on the Machias River, learning about robotics from students at Bowdoin College, dogsledding at Nahmakanta Lake, competing in chess tournaments at UMO, aboard The Seal with Diver Ed in Frenchman's Bay, camping on the Canadian side of the St. Croix River - the list of photos and the trips they represent goes on and on.
"At one time or other, going to each of these places has enriched the learning experiences of our students," explains Wescott. "Sometimes field trips, particularly our adventure-based ones, form the framework for our academic work, while at other times, they serve as culminating events. Sometimes they are the means to an end, and sometimes they are the end. It all depends on what will work best."
The impact is noticed by the students. "You get to experience things," explains 7th grader Gately Conley. "You get to see what you're actually learning about."
"It begins by respecting each student's background and interests," claims Wescott. "Once we've tapped into what they are interested in, we can use it to draw out the rest."
At Toddy Pond School, traditional academic course work is integrated into thematic units with each theme based on the trimester's adventure field trip. Last fall's geology adventure trip exemplifies this: The students spent four days in and around Baxter State Park. Prior to going, all the children read numerous geology books, participated in geology activities on the school grounds, wrote reports on geology topics from all over the world, and went on a handful of local field trips. Some of the students used the book The Roadside Geology of Maine to plan the details of the adventure trip. The trip itself was filled with tremendous learning moments as the kids embarked on different hikes and these were followed up afterwards by yet another field trip, this one to Bates College's geology department where professors and college students helped to further the Toddy Pond students' understandings of what they had experienced. Each child then made a model depicting some aspect of a geological phenomenon they had seen in Baxter. The culminating event came when the students performed the musical Geology Rocks, a play filled with geology facts.
"It's all about making mental connections," says Wescott, "it's what is supported by brain-based research on how we learn best. Essentially, we try to come at topics from a variety of angles. It's a much more creative way to teach - and more rewarding because kids get it."
"I've learned 100 times more in the one year I've been at Toddy Pond than all the other years at my other schools," a student claimed near the end of a recent field trip.
Along with the academic opportunities the adventure field trips afford come chances for the children to work together in authentic ways. "I think when we go out into the woods," shares 3rd grader Emma Herring, "it helps with teamwork. We have to build stuff and help each other out."
The environment created at the school is one where students feel safe and gain confidence, too. "Since coming to Toddy Pond School, I stand up for myself more," relates Gately Conley. "I'm also a lot more me, I can be myself more."
"Maine is a special place," reflects Wescott. "It's one of the perks of our jobs at Toddy Pond School that, as teachers, we can share this with our students."
Toddy Pond School, Where Learning Comes Naturally, is a pre-K through Grade 8 school open to all children who want to enjoy learning in a creative, active and supportive environment. Class size is no more than 12 students per teacher. For more information or to make a donation to support the school and the adventure trips the children go on, please write to 561 Oak Hill Road, Swanville, Maine 04915, visit us on-line at toddypondschool.org or call (207) 338-3848.
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