Blog

A full view of ‘The Toxic Spider Web’ ROPES activity for QUEST students at Hazelwood Central Middle School.

For a group of new sixth graders at Hazelwood Central Middle School, the day’s lesson focused on learning how to work together as a team and developing leadership with a program called ROPES.

The activity involved a contraption that looks like an arched tent held together with thin, stretchy cords. Named “The Toxic Spider Web,” the object of the game was to get everyone in the group inside the web without touching the cords – a challenge that requires sharing ideas, listening, group consensus and trust.

“Everyone starts outside the web. Roles change as the group works together to get inside the web for safety,” explained Tom McCaughan, ROPES coordinator and physical education teacher at Hazelwood Northwest Middle School.

As the students work together, McCaughan pointed out various stages that happen as the group’s members learn to lead, as well as follow.

“At first, they get mad and frustrated. Then they start to listen. They develop better communication, develop teamwork, and thinking and problem-solving becomes easier,” he said.

“You watch them grow right in front of you. The quiet ones learn to speak up and the louder ones learn to listen,” said McCaughan.

The activity is part of the student’s larger experience with QUEST, a program designed to help incoming sixth graders make the transition from elementary to middle school. QUEST sessions are held at every middle school in the District during summer.

Andrea Thomas and Marlowes Chapman will attend Hazelwood Central Middle in the fall. Both shared their thoughts about QUEST and the ROPES activity.

Chapman thought the activity was “okay,” and Thomas said it was “really fun and good.” “We learned how to work together and build teamwork and leadership,” said Thomas.

By participating in QUEST, Chapman said that they have learned to use lockers and he confidently said that he knows his combination.

Thomas was excited to have met teachers in math, science and communication arts. She thinks it was helpful to meet them so that “it won’t be a surprise” when school starts.

Meanwhile, upstairs in a lab on the seventh grade floor, teacher Karis Jackson was leading a ‘Young Scientist’ class for sixth graders who are going into seventh grade.

Jackson said the class is designed for both enrichment and remediation. One student was matter-of-fact with her reason for being in the class. Looking up from a book, she said, “To tell the truth, I wasn’t passing science.”

Lessons in ‘Young Scientist’ include learning about chemicals, reactions and the elements chart.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us