Classes mix fun with learning

Jeremy Hansen concentrates on fly-tying.

With the winter holidays behind them, and spring break still several weeks away, most students are dealing with the mid-winter blues.

At Sisters Middle School this past week, however, kids got to learn about subjects they were actually excited about.

Textbooks were temporarily shelved and imaginations refueled by a plethora of creative subjects: Fly-tying, snow-shoeing, quilting, and drumming were just a few of the classes the students could choose from.

Most of the classes were a half day in length, while a few -- such as wilderness survival -- required a whole day.

"The students get to take very few elective classes each term," said Marion Harrison, a teacher at the middle school. "Interim week gives the kids the opportunity to experience different things -- some of them never get to do the kinds of activities we offer."

Harrison helped teach an embroidery class during the morning session and taught quilting in the afternoon.

"The kids really had a lot of fun once they got into it," she said. "One of the great things about Interim week is that kids see you not just as a teacher -- but as an adult who is having fun with them.

"It's much more relaxed, the kids really want to be there, so it's a lot of fun for everyone."

The fly-tying and fishing class, taught by Chuck DeKay, appeared to be a hit with the students. Twelve boys and one girl had signed up for the course and were enthusiastically tying an assortment of flies.

"Everyone in my family goes fly fishing," said Cheslea McAllister, the lone female in the class. "I thought it would be something fun to do."

Grinning, McAllister added, "And my mom said it might be a good place to meet some boys."

Cory McCaffrey took the class by default.

"There weren't any other classes left to take," he said. "But I'm learning how to fly fish and having a good, fun experience."

Local artists got into the act as well.

Abby Merickel taught a class called "Celebrate Paper Arts."

"We made our own paper with recycled colored paper and plant fiber," she said.

The paper created by her students was then bound into individual books and used to make collages.

"My class was all boys, which surprised me," said Merickel. "But they really got into the project and were self-motivated once they got going."

Even the principal got to teach a class.

"I taught Personal Fitness," said Lora Nordquist.

With help from the facilities and staff of the Sisters Athletic Club, Nordquist gave her students a chance to try weight-lifting, spinning, and yoga.

She also talked to the kids about health-related issues each day.

"It was great," Nordquist said. "The only thing the teachers hate about Interim week is that we can't take all the classes!"

Nordquist introduced the concept of Interim week at the middle school last year.

"I'm trying to offer it twice a year," she explained, "holding it in the fall and the spring. We try to plan it during four-day weeks to give the teachers a break.

"Not only does Interim week give the students a chance to try different subjects," Nordquist added, "it allows kids who might not shine with normal curriculum an opportunity to excel. Being able to shine the spotlight on more kids is a constant goal for us."