The 3rd Grade Teacher at Odin School is this week’s WJBD-WSIQ Teacher of the Week.
Melinda Fredrick is determined to make this school year as normal as possible even though Odin School has been on remote learning for most of the first semester.
“Since I can’t see my kids and we have a lot of special activities that happen in 3rd grade. I like to make the magic happen however so if I have to make a porch drop then that’s what I do. I have some more next week and the week after that. Whatever we can do to get the kids involved and engaged and trying to enjoy education however it works, that’s what we are going to do.”
And what is a porch drop?
“First porch drop was for our Judy Moody Celebration when we finished that chapter book. It was a Purple Mountain Majesty and it was a purple bag with a mood ring, bowl of cereal and things that went along with our story. This is what we do in our class. I do a room transformation and we do a whole Judy Moody day and since they missed that I just made it happen at their house.”
Fredrick says the parents know she is coming and the kids often are at the window to waive at their teacher. She reports this week’s drop will involve the STEM subjects, science, technology, engineering and math.
“The kids think they are just building and creating activities but it’s a lot of out of the box type thinking for things they can do that aren’t on Google Classroom or on a worksheet they are just hands on activities. One of the things they are going to do is building a Christmas tree with cups. See who can build the tallest one without it falling over and they can decorate the cups however they choose. They have to design it, write out the blueprint for it and then tell how it worked, how they changed it and how they can make it better.”
Fredrick says Odin is using Google Classroom and Zoom meetings. She reports the students get together daily to talk and share stories as well as do their school work. Fredrick feels the students are doing pretty well, thanks to a lot of supportive parents which is key. She notes she doesn’t follow a regular school day, conversing with parents at night or on weekend to help them assist their students whenever necessary.
Fredrick is in her 13th year at Odin and say by far this is the most challenging. Odin Superintendent Jeff Humes says Frederick is very dedicated and has worked hard to build up her students self esteem and is among the best in making sure their social needs are met.
If you would like to nominate a teacher of the week, please fill out a nomination form by following the guidelines on the homepage of WJBDradio.com.
