THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230231
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
AIMEE BOWYER is one ``teacher'' who takes her work seriously.
Seated atop a table in front of a handful of Tallwood High School students on a recent Tuesday afternoon, Bowyer made sure everyone knew she was ready to deliver her lesson just after fifth bell sounded.
``Let's get started you guys,'' said the confident blonde, who was comfortably dressed in a blue cable knit sweater, jeans and blue suede Converse sneakers, but armed with an intimidating stack of handouts. ``I have a lot to cover.''
While multiculturalism was Bowyer's topic of choice, the subject matter wasn't the only intriguing aspect of her three-day lesson. Bowyer, a senior, is one of 21 gifted students involved in Tallwood's student-directed class, SPARKS (Students' Perspectives, Awareness, Reaction, Knowledge Seminar).
In its first year at this school, the half-credit elective class gives students the opportunity to pursue topics they want to learn about. Based on the college freshman seminar format, SPARKS requires student leaders to pick a subject, research it, introduce it to the class, moderate a discussion about it and assign a related activity to be graded.
Students also are required to include material from at least three disciplines and may bring in guest speakers, film clips or any other medium to generate interest.
Two sections of SPARKS are offered to juniors and seniors twice a week during lunch. ``(SPARKS) gives the children ownership of what's interesting to them,'' said gifted resource teacher Lisa Walker, who facilitates classroom discussions. ``It promotes thinking about thinking. It's the kind of grass-roots thing people need to know about.''
Multiculturalism was a natural point of interest for Bowyer. ``We have a nice mixture here - it's like the (United Nations),'' she said, referring to the racial breakdown in her class, which includes whites, blacks and Filipinos. In terms of race, the SPARKS class is a microcosm of the entire school.
On the first day, Bowyer encouraged open discussion of racism, the roots of ethnic slurs and why people are afraid of different cultures. The open forum atmosphere of SPARKS allows students to voice their opinions, as well as listen to those of their peers.
``It's like conversation among friends,'' said Evonne Fontanilla, a senior. ``Some people have really strong opinions on certain issues and (Walker) just lets us go at it. We respect each other and we learn from each other.''
Students made cultural collages and family trees for homework and brought them in for the second class meeting. Principal Bernard E. Morgan III participated by sharing his heritage.
He said SPARKS activities like the multicultural seminar are an important part of the Tallwood experience. ``We have people here from all over the world,'' he said. ``The students see a need to understand each other better.
``What they're doing can spread through the building,'' he added.
The lesson wrapped up Tuesday when students brought in ethnic dishes from their countries of origin. They evaluated Bowyer's lesson - another requirement of the class.
Walker, for one, was pleased with the unit, since it took time to focus on the positives associated with race. ``I grew up with pride in who I am and where I come from,'' said Walker, who is part Armenian and part British. ``(This lesson) has given these children the opportunity to have ethnic pride and appreciation.''
She has been equally impressed with other topic choices for the year, which include the history of black colleges, martial arts, asthma treatment, affirmative action and the influence of ``Star Trek'' and ``Star Wars'' on language.
Walker, who teaches freshman English courses at Virginia Wesleyan College part time, said her high schoolers are as ``committed, enthusiastic and challenging'' as college freshmen.
She sees SPARKS as a two-fold opportunity. ``Students get to talk with each other about topics that are important to them,'' she said, ``and I get to listen. These kids have a lot to say.
``They are the future - they will be our educators, lawyers, doctors and .
``Maybe I'm naive,'' she added, ``but I still believe you change things one person at a time. That's what we're trying to do in here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
Among those in the SPARKS class (Students' Perspectives, Awareness,
Reaction, Knowledge Seminar) are, from left: Anthony Lim, junior;
Emmeline Cenizal, senior; Tillman Breckenridge, senior; Lisa Walker,
gifted resource teacher and facilitator; Emerald Cenizal, junior;
and Danny Irizarry, senior.
In a discussion of multicultural-
lism, senior Aimee Bowyer encouraged open discussion of racism, the
roots of ethnic slurs and why people are afraid of different
cultures. ``Let's get started you guys,'' she said, carrying a stack
of handouts. ``I have a lot to cover.''
by CNB