The junior years, Grades 4 and 5, are often a transitional stage for students. Girls, in particular, are just steps out of their primary years, but on a steady journey to their teens. The ‘tween years’ are a special time; when girls navigate through their own self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Sometimes overlooked, this time is crucial for girls establishing themselves in their evolving world.
Our 21st century girls know more, see more, and feel more than ever before. At Glenburnie, we support this important time of girls’ development with our Smart Moves Club. This ‘girls only’ club meets regularly to chat, share, role play, and joke around in a supportive and fun environment. We deal head-on with issues our girls face in the classroom and beyond; from dealing with a poor result on a test, to jealousy, individuality, boys, and much more.
The goal is to give our girls a voice to share their school experiences in a safe and supportive circle of friends, where strategies are developed, discussed, and practised. Our girls have thrived by participating in role-playing exercises. These dramatic experiences encourage girls to create their own language through dialogue, mimes, and tableaus. The conversations that ensue after these mini-productions have been beyond our expectations. It has given us, as teachers, a greater window into our girls’ day-to-day experiences, and as a result, we have become the learners, and they, the problem solvers.
Within these comfort zones, we have seen our girls grow more articulate and confident with themselves, with each other, and within their school, or ‘home-away-from-home’.
K. Warren
Resource/Guidance/Computer Teacher
Glenburnie School
