Students in Lakewood City Schools have access to novel ways of learning important state standard skills like real-world math, communication and interviewing practices. Two programs in the district in particular — one for sixth graders and one for seniors — connect students with small business owners in order to teach these lifelong lessons.
Math in Business
Sixth-grade students at Harding Middle School participate in a program called Mathematical Thinking in the Business Community, which culminates in a symposium where students share their work. The program is now in its third year. The classes (approximately 150 students this year) are divided into groups of three or four, with each group assigned to study a small business in Lakewood.
Math teacher Stephen Kerney explains: “The students research the business and write questions about mathematical practices, based off the eight standards of mathematical practices we learn about in class, like ‘How do you use precision in your business?’ ‘What kinds of graphs do you use?’ ‘What kinds of math patterns do you see in your business?’”
Students record their interviews, which their teachers then review. Then, students learn from local graphic designers and copywriters about how to create an infographic. Results are presented at a symposium in October, which is attended by students, families, many of the business owners and the mayor, who also appears on an informative video that kicks off the six-week program.
“Students learn how businesses use mathematical principles to make their business succeed. They see how math in the real world is a living, active response to what a business owner faces,” Kerney says. “It’s also a beautiful example of the vibrancy of the Lakewood Community — a small community with lots of microbusinesses and business owners eager to share their time and expertise with our students.”
Practical Communication
At Lakewood High School, seniors have the opportunity to take a semester course called Practical Communication. The inclusion language arts course, in its ninth year, is team-taught by intervention specialist Aimee Guzowski and English teacher Gray Cooper. It kicks off with a writing assessment and culminates in a networking session as its final exam.
Over the course of an hour, in the high school’s Westshore Culinary Arts Ranger Cafe, students interact with people from the Lakewood community to practice the communication skills they’ve learned.
“Small business owners, police officers, firefighters, city council and board members, the mayor, all have representation there,” says Guzowski, who worked in business before becoming a teacher.
“Students put into practice the interpersonal skills we’ve learned and rehearsed in class,” Cooper explains. “How to shake hands, maintain eye contact, how to listen, how to open and close a conversation.”
Students also learn how to make an apology, how to navigate difficult conversations and how to enforce boundaries.
The community members and students who participate are encouraged to mingle and have multiple conversations during the hour.
“[Senior year] is the time in life where these students are becoming adults,” notes Guzowski. “Our course is about articulating who you are and how to communicate effectively with people — especially people you don’t know.”
“Our students rise to the occasion,” Cooper adds. “Even students with severe anxiety leave with evidence that they can successfully navigate a challenging interaction.”
