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CORAL HARBOUR
A Sakku School project helped students develop their sense of identity and improve their creative skill this past month in Coral Harbour.

The industrial arts sign project was tackled by students in Grade 8 and Grade 9 at the school.

Teacher Paul Yanchus said the initiative began with a pre-project that had students create their signs on pieces of plywood, so they could learn to use a router.

He said as the students developed the necessary skills to handle the router on their own, they moved to a thicker presentation on a two-inch piece of wood they could hang on their homes when completed.

"The idea behind the project is not only to create a colourful issue of family, but also to create identity," said Yanchus.

"We went as low as Grade 5 to teach routing and, in fact, I have some Grade 5 students who I'm perfectly confident in their ability to run a router and spell out their name on a piece of wood.

"The students took pride in making the connection between their work and family name."

Yanchus said a number of the signs have also been done in syllabics. He said the Coral students are very eager to learn during industrial arts classes, and their skill level becomes quite good after being taught.

"The skill levels in this instance rose very quickly because of their interest in wanting to do the project.

"My entire teaching career has been in the North and this is one of my pet projects.

"It's fairly easy to do, especially in remote communities where people lack some of the technology you would find in the south.

"The kids realize this isn't some foreign issue, but, rather, the outcome of having family and a school system."

Yanchus said many of the advanced students are quick to help those in the class who may be a step behind them.

He said research shows peer teaching trumps teacher-student teaching.

"Not all students are willing to do it, but when you release the opportunity most will step up.

"I find the approach is often a quicker way to teach the kids than me, because peer teaching is just so awesome.

"It also shows me I'm, at least, attempting to do my job properly."

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