From Sixth Grade Camp to Medieval Faire, the sixth grade year is packed with innovative educational activities. Being the oldest of the Lower School, sixth graders act as role models to younger grades while they themselves are preparing for the transition to the Upper School.
With the opening of the new Arrillaga Student Center on Tuesday, Jan. 20, the sixth graders in the Class of 2032 were the first to experience the Kaneshiro Learning Community. The Kaneshiro Learning Community, a separate part of the Arrillaga Student Center reserved for sixth graders, seeks to enhance the ability for tailored academic support and social emotional learning, ensuring students are able to succeed during this phase of their academic journey. They spent the first day adapting to the learning center equipped with nine classrooms, an outdoor learning space and a courtyard bringing all sixth grade homerooms together. The day was filled with excitement, but also uncertainty. The learning community brought positive change, allowing students to build stronger relationships with each other, while also creating distance from the rest of the Lower School.
The building has many positive impacts: one is that all sixth grade homerooms are together in one area, allowing for deeper connections with one another. Previously, sixth grade homerooms were dispersed throughout the Lower School buildings.
Sixth grade social studies teacher Ms. Kenedi Lopes ’17 stated, “We’re all finally in one space, it definitely helps us, and I think the kids can just build more relationships and grow connections with other people and other students.” Being all together in one area built a community that allowed for students to make deeper connections with others they may not have seen as often before.
The proximity of the classrooms allowed for less walking between classes. All sixth grade core subjects are located in the Kaneshiro Learning Community, saving time during passing periods.
Kaysen S. ’32 said, “It’s better because my classes are a lot closer to each other.”
The only classes that aren’t within this community are Art, PE, Religion, Science and Design and Tech. The farthest being science, which students stated isn’t a problem, as they often make it in time for class.
Despite the positives, students and teachers have become more aware of challenges. Having their own community means being separate from the rest of the lower school, creating a sense of isolation.
Ms. Lopes noticed this when she said, “Just being in the heart of the lower school and seeing the teachers that I used to see all the time. I do miss them.”
Previously, sixth grade classrooms were located among the classrooms for second to fifth graders, allowing for interaction with other grade levels. Now, being separate from them, student Dylan K. ’32 noticed, “I just don’t see people as much.” While some students don’t mind as much, others like Dylan miss seeing their friends in lower grades.
The transition to the new student center wasn’t at the most ideal time with many educational activities right around the corner, but the teachers were able to make it work.
Ms. Lopes stated, “As teachers, we were asked to move in the middle of the year, so sometimes it’s a little bit disruptive…The third quarter is all about the Medieval Faire.
So trying to plan and coordinate our materials and making sure that the transition was as smooth as possible was the key to our success in the new space.”
Despite the disruption, Ms. Lopes enjoys teaching in the new space as it’s more spacious than her original classroom. Students noticed they don’t bump into each other or desks like previously. The natural light that comes through the floor to ceiling windows is also a plus.
The new Kaneshiro Learning Community presented change for the sixth graders and their teachers. Although change can be hard, students and teachers have grown fond of the area, from bigger and nicer classrooms to more interaction with their fellow classmates. This area will allow future classes to succeed during their time at ‘Iolani.