John Curran
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 28, 2008

NORMAN WELLS - The students in Mrs. Arey's Grade 3/4 class at Norman Wells' Mackenzie Mountain school all say they enjoy learning - but when it comes to deciding which subject is best, the jury is still out.

Farrell Pope, 8, left, Meadhbh Quigg, 7, Emily Hodgson, 8, and Willow Boyle, 8, are all in Mrs. Arey's Grade 3/4 class at Mackenzie Mountain school in Norman Wells. - John Curran/NNSL photo

Meadhbh Quigg, 7, said art is her favourite class.

"I really like drawing," she said.

Social studies is also good, she added. For a recent assignment, she designed a brochure about spruce gum including drawing the cover.

"It was good," she said. "I got to talk to an elder, Napatchee Popko, to learn about the uses for spruce gum first."

In the case of Emily Hodgson, 8, who prefers to work independently, science class is about as good as it gets.

"I like doing experiments and working on my science fair project," she said. "My project is going to be about whether objects float better in salt water or fresh water."

Willow Boyle, 8, also prefers science class, but for different reasons.

"I like everything about it," she said, adding her love of animals is her main motivation. "I want to be a veterinarian or a zookeeper when I grow up - I really want to work with animals."

She said she's lucky because her family's house is near DOT Lake.

"So there are lots of rabbits and bears around, right in my backyard," she said. "It's perfect for me."

It doesn't take Farrell Pope, 8, long to decide which subject is his favourite.

"It's gym," he said almost instantly. "Floor hockey and soccer are my favourite sports to play at school."

Kali Boyle, 8, agreed with Pope that gym is tops, but she prefers dribbling to stick handling.

"I like playing basketball best," she said. "It's good exercise and a lot of fun."

The gym fans also agree that Mackenzie Mountain is an amazing spot to learn.

"There are lots of friendly people," said Boyle. "We have a great school."

Pope added the students are lucky because the staff is so good.

"It's a really good school because we've got really good teachers," he said.