Project Based Learning Explored Through J-Term Classes

January 12, 2016

Mount Vernon High School’s first J-term classes are past the half-way point. The 12-day term of all-day classes which are co-taught offer the flexibility and opportunities for field trips and projects. Below are photos taken by the Video Journalism J-term class, which is reporting on the coursework by creating videos and a book about the J-term experience.

The "Are You Game?" class play's blackjack to learn about probability Jan. 5. The class is taught by Mary Young and Beth McCollum. Photo/Colin Cross — The “Are You Game?” class play’s blackjack to learn about probability Jan. 5. The class is taught by Mary Young and Beth McCollum. Photo/Colin Cross

Exercise Science class practices yoga with Christine Davis Jan. 7. Photo/Catherine Yeoman.

Spanish students took a J-term trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Here they are on the beach in Tortuguero Island. Photo/Rachel Bell.

Noah Lineburg checks the oil in Consumer Automotive J-term. The class is offering services for vehicles to make money to do something fun together. Photo/Morgan Reilly . — Noah Lineburg checks the oil in Consumer Automotive J-term. The class is offering services for vehicles to make money to do something fun together. Photo/Morgan Reilly.

Students in Popular Science Chemistry with Mrs. Appley conduct an experiment. Photo by Grace McCollum. — Students in Popular Science Chemistry with Mrs. Appley conduct an experiment. Photo/Grace McCollum.

Junior Alex Moore takes a shot at a 3D deer Jan. 12 in Outdoor Pursuits, taught by German teacher and archery coach Tom Wilkinson. Photo/Zach Niehaus. — Junior Alex Moore takes a shot at a 3D target Jan. 12 in Outdoor Pursuits, taught by German teacher and archery coach Tom Wilkinson. Photo/Zach Niehaus.

Freshmen in health class get moving to learn about vitamins. Photo/Marissa Cranston. — Freshmen in health class get moving to learn about vitamins. Photo/Grace McCollum

Students in English Teacher Tawnua Tenley's short film class learn how to create a movie. The students will be able to enter these films in the IHSSA competition. Photo/Cody Connolly. — Students in English Teacher Tawnua Tenley’s short film class learn how to create a movie. The students will be able to enter these films in the IHSSA competition. Photo/Cody Connolly.

Learning about Criminal Minds from social studies teacher Margo Massey are Brittney Darrow and Kaitlyn Volesky. Photo/ Macy Griebel.

Experimenting on stage in Musical Theatre J-term, taught by Tom Stephens and Thad Wilkins, are Jenna Reimann and Katheryn Opperman. Photo/Marissa Cranston. — Experimenting on stage in Musical Theatre J-term, taught by Tom Stephens and Thad Wilkins, are Jenna Reimann and Katheryn Opperman Jan. 8. Photo/Catherine Yeoman.

Shawn Voigt makes a lending library with Yves Cotterill and Bree DeChant in Social Justice J-term Jan. 8. Photo/Elijah Recalde.

Senior Jenna Brannaman and officer Todd Gehrke show students how to defend themselves in Learning on a Dime, taught by Trista Lynner and Erin Wilkinson. Photo/Alex Moore.

The Social Justice class taught by Leigh Ann Erickson and Shawn Voigt serves food at Mission of Hope in Iowa City Jan 5. See KCRG's story about the field trip: http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/High-School-Course-Takes-Students-Out-of-their-Comfort-Zone-364580611.html … Photo/Grace McCollum. — The Social Justice class taught by Leigh Ann Erickson and Shawn Voigt serves food at Mission of Hope in Cedar Rapids Jan 5. See KCRG’s story about the field trip: http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/High-School-Course-Takes-Students-Out-of-their-Comfort-Zone-364580611.html … Photo/Grace McCollum.

Freshmen study Recent U.S. HIstory with Art teacher Ely Sotillo. The class interviewed adults about their memories of 9/11. Photo/Grace McCollum.

Senior Morgan Reilly shows off his camouflage on the Outdoor Pursuits class field trip to Matsell Bridge in Central City Jan. 6. Photo/Brian Harris.

Matt Morrical and Alex Moore learn to use the camera and tripod on the first day of their video journalism class taught by journalism teacher JoAnn Gage. — Matt Morrical and Alex Moore learn to use the camera and tripod on the first day of their video journalism class taught by journalism teacher JoAnn Gage. Photo/Elijah Recalde.

Coy Martin checks the oil for Consumer Automotive taught by Ben Kuker and Kevin Murray. Photo/Clayton Loyd @MVMustangMotors

Jordan Axtell poses with a model airplane and a drone in science teacher Richard Scearce's class Jan. 7. Photo/ Mason Stanbro. — Jordan Axtell poses with a model airplane and a drone in science teacher Richard Scearce’s class Jan. 7. Photo/ Mason Stanbro.

Science teacher Richard Scearce demonstrates the use of the drone on the second day of J-term, Jan. 5. Photo/Ian Reid.

Sophomores Garrett Welch, Colden Clark, and Drew Adams are excited to learn about the Cold War through James Bond movies taught by Maggie Willems and Scott Weber. Photo/Macy Griebel. — Sophomores Garrett Welch, Colden Clark, and Drew Adams are excited to learn about the Cold War through James Bond movies taught by Maggie Willems and Scott Weber. Photo/Kate Liberko.

Students take their drone out for a spin in the popular science j-term class. Photo/Marissa Cranston.