Cross-curricular learning objectives help James River students make the kinds of connections that cement knowledge in their memories and fire their curiosity. In a recent example, sixth graders visited to the Academy Center of the Arts (ACOA) on Monday to see Wings of Life, a movie from Disneynature. This movie takes a deeper look at butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and their roles in life and in our food chain. Haylie Ogden, who accompanied the students, was impressed with how well it tied in with topics being taught by Heather Guard in our 5th and 6th grade science classes, such as animal and plant life cycles, plant pollination, plant parts, photosynthesis, and plant reproduction. To expand on the links to science classes, Mrs. Ogden asked her 6th grade English students to "... write a reflection journal entry on what they saw in the movie, how it connects to what they've learned in science, and how it parallels with our own life cycles as human beings."
Our thanks go to Heidi James, JRDS alumni parent and Director of Lynchburg's Bee City working committee, for letting us know about this wonderful opportunity at ACOA.