On Monday mornings at 糖心vlog’s Bauder Elementary School, fourth- and fifth-grade students don’t just go to class; they choose it.
Through Encore Enrichment, students explore subjects like music, art, physical education and technology with more voice and choice involved than a traditional specials schedule. From pottery and team sports to filming episodes of “The Bauder Show,” students can dig deeper into what they are passionate about.
These classes are called Encore, like an encore performance that leaves the audience wanting more. Fourth and fifth graders select the Encore Enrichment classes they want each quarter. If a class fills up, there is always another chance to try it the following quarter.
“It gives them the power to use their voice and analyze what they want and reflect with themselves," said PE teacher Annie Falardeau. "When they get to middle school, they get to choose more of what they want to do. Then, in high school they know they have the power of options and that goes through life. If you want to do something, just choose it and go for it."
The program encourages students to explore what interests them and take ownership of their learning. Giving children the chance to make choices early on helps them discover their strengths and start shaping the path that is right for them.
Fourth-grader Emmett Watz enjoys playing football, especially with his friends, and appreciates getting to do that while trying out other fun activities.
“I really like this year a lot better because I got to choose what I want to do,” said Watz.
Classmate Zariah Hernandez chose art.
“I like expressing myself and how I love my animals and how much I really care about them,” she said.
Hernandez is currently using her free time in art to design a pouch for her pet rat, Smokey. She hopes to have this pocket sewn into one of her sweaters so Smokey can join her wherever she goes.
In the technology class, students produce a show, which is later shared with their families and on the school website, giving students a sense of pride in their work.
“Something really nice is it inspired the younger kids,” said Emily Edler, whose older sisters also once participated in Bauder Student Television. “It definitely impacted me because I always looked up to my two older sisters. I always wanted to be like them and seeing them on TV is cool because the whole world can see that, and it's kind of special.”
Students are grouped by grade level rather than homeroom, allowing them to meet new people and work collaboratively across classes in ways they might not have otherwise. It is more than just a set of activities; it is a chance to build real-world skills that extend beyond the classroom and into everyday life. At its core, Encore is about giving students the opportunity to choose and play an active role in their learning.
Whether Encore Enrichment classes are scoring goals or performing music, students like Walker Fairweather say they are having fun and discovering more about themselves in the process. Fairweather, who participated in PE this quarter, said he enjoyed getting active, but what stuck with him most was how it helped him learn more about himself by trying something new with different classmates.
“It is fun because you get to find a unique personality and figure out what you want to do and become yourself,” said Fairweather.
