Grand Rapids Christian Middle School Principal's Corner

Why iXplore Week?

Why take an entire week away from our "regular" curriculum in order to take just one or two classes? What are the benefits of having time to focus on a topic or two for an entire week?
 
This is our seventh annual iXplore Week at GRCS, and what I have learned over time about iXplore Week is that it not only helps students transition back from Spring Break but also helps them to learn in greater depth about a topic or two for the week.
 
I keep writing "or two" because this year we introduced the option of not only full day classes but many half-day options as well so that kids could opt for two classes instead of one. The structure of having just one or two classes per day allows students and teachers to take more time and opportunity to do larger projects without hourly or daily breaks (in some cases) and to go off campus to a variety of places both near and (sometimes) far away.
 
The pace of the week means that we are not rushed for time, and the opportunities for student choice in their classes and learning in multi-age groups are also further benefits of iXplore Week. We hope that you are learning alongside your kids as they come home and share what they have been learning and experiencing this week. Thanks, as always, for your prayers, support, and encouragement as we get back to the home stretch of the school year and enjoy the coming of spring, too!

On Friday afternoon, April 12, you can come and check out what some of our iXplore Week classes have been working on.  There will be a fashion show from 1:45 - 2:00 and then a play presented by the theatre class from 2:15 - 2:45.  Other classes will also be displaying some of what they have been working on.

Come check it out!

-Eric Burgess