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Curriculum Integration and the Application of Skills
Greenwood's unique Village Program demonstrates the practical application of mathematics, social studies, science, and other subjects. We also refer to it as the "Game of Village," since it not only incorporates creative and experiential learning components, but also culminates with a year-end display where judges review the work of students and recognize them with various awards.
Codeveloped by a Greenwood faculty member, Village is a unique simulation of the essential elements involved in constructing a miniature town, complete with social structures and an economic system. Students model miniature inhabitants (complete with fantasy "persona"), obtain loans, plan a town center, and purchase construction materials. Each student designs and builds a model house in the school's carpentry shop, and a small parcel of school campus is set aside for his personal use during the game. In May all properties are value assessed by a visiting architect and "bought back" by the school. Students invite their parents to the Village fair and spend their profits at a fantastic and always enthusiastic final auction.
An additional dimension of Village is the exploration of other academic studies coordinated with the Village program. For example, when students study the Middle Ages, they:
- Construct a medieval village
- Learn medieval music
- Dramatize a medieval play
- Explore different environmental issues
The Village program offers an ideal means of showing students how practical knowledge is a necessary foundation for the expression of creative ideas.
In addition to accomplishing educational objectives, Village fosters:
- A sense of community responsibility
- The study of environmental concerns as the development of the Village site expands
- Exploration of different environmental issues is highlighted
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