Scene & Heard: ‘A mentorship disguised as fun’ in Vashon colleges

Scene & Heard: ‘A mentorship disguised as fun’ in Vashon colleges

Brick by brick, island college students have been constructing friendships and recollections in a brand new elective class this 12 months primarily based on Lego.

Brick by brick, college students at McMurray Middle School and Chautauqua Elementary School have been constructing friendships and recollections in a brand new elective class this 12 months primarily based on Lego.

The Lego class, taught by Erin Blaser, is full of imaginative and dexterous sixth, seventh and eighth-graders. But not solely center schoolers are having fun with the category. Since final fall, fifth-grade college students from Chautauqua Elementary School have been making common treks over to McMurray to pair up with Blaser’s college students on Lego tasks.

“It’s a great mentorship opportunity disguised as fun,” Blaser stated, describing the venture she devised in a partnership with fifth-grade trainer Ashley Smith. “Finding ways to connect with each other in a fun, non-threatening way can make it easier to dig into trickier, tougher issues when and if they arise. And seeing familiar faces around town — and in classes in the future — can really be a hugely positive protective factor for students, as well.”

Almost all of these “familiar faces” wore huge smiles on Jan. 16, when college students concerned within the venture celebrated a milestone.

That day, the middle-school college students offered their elementary-aged buddies with one-of-a-kind presents: Lego kits that they had dreamed up, crafted and constructed particularly for them, primarily based on their lengthy “getting to know you” experiences collectively within the class.

The kits — full with detailed illustrated directions made by the center schoolers and new Lego bricks bought with a Vashon Partners in Education grant — had been take-home prepared, offering the fifth-graders with lasting and constructive recollections of McMurray, the place they’ll arrive as sixth-graders within the fall.

“I think that through building positive relationships among students at different buildings and of different ages, we will create a stronger, healthier community,” stated Blaser.

Izzy, a fifth-grader, and Bodhi, a seventh-grader, constructed a verdant bamboo jungle. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

(Left to right) Sherpa, a seventh-grader, with fifth-grader Paloma, eighth-grader Leo and fifth-grader Jorge. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photos)

(Left to right) Middle-schooler Edie, and Mirabai, a fifth-grader, displayed their Lego project that Edie created based on a spooky story based in a woodland setting. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

Henry, a seventh-grader (right) created a Lego project based on a ferry boat and Orca for his fifth-grade buddy, Micah. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

Eighth-grader Eliza (right) designed a travel trailer for her fifth-grade Lego buddy, Eleanor. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

Alice (left), an 8th-grader, and 7th-grader Dakota. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

McMurray and Chautauqua students bond over the shared fun of Lego projects. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

McMurray and Chautauqua students bond over the shared fun of Lego projects. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)

McMurray and Chautauqua students bond over the shared fun of Lego projects. (Elizabeth Shepherd Photo)