During the last week of April, students at the Early Education Lab—the JumpStart preschool classroom located inside the Moorhead High School Career Academy—were able to participate in events that collaborated with multiple classes at the Career Academy and the Moorhead Alternative Learning Center.
"This is our third year hosting the JumpStart preschool classroom at the Career Academy,” said MAPS Director of Early Learning Joelle Hofer, “and it continues to be an exciting opportunity for meaningful collaboration between our high school and preschool students. It’s incredible to see how these interactions benefit learners of all ages."
During the week, the JumpStart preschoolers were able to sculpt and create monsters with a Career Academy art class, assemble fruit kabobs while learning about nutrition with a Career Academy culinary class and participate in carnival games created by students at the Alternative Learning Center. Bringing the youngest Spuds into high school classes injected a new energy into the high school classrooms with the end of the school year quickly approaching.
“It’s a long school year for students, so it’s really refreshing to see the excitement that the JumpStart kids bring,” said Johanna Heigaard, Career Academy family and consumer sciences teacher. “The enthusiasm is infectious and really gets everyone excited to work together in class.”
The collaborative week was not a one-off, however: the JumpStart Spuds spend meaningful learning time with high school students and classrooms throughout the year. This allows them to build more familiarity with their older counterparts, who might otherwise be intimidating.
“At the beginning of the year, some of our preschoolers were hesitant to interact with the older Spuds in the building,” explained Rachel Beck, Career Academy JumpStart teacher. “Now, after having so many positive experiences, they light up when the high school students arrive because they know that something wonderful is in store for them. Having the attention and support of the students they call their ‘big friends’ really means a lot to these kids.”
With classrooms at the Probstfield Center for Education and MHS Career Academy, JumpStart uses a research-based, highly respected early childhood curriculum called High Scope, which emphasizes active participatory learning. Active learning means students have hands-on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. Students also learn to plan many of their own activities, carry them out and talk with others about what they have done and learned.
Learn more about JumpStart at the MAPS Early Learning Center website.