On Thursday, October 21, students at Washington Elementary experienced new ways to learn during the Rock Your School event. Hosted by Get Your Teach On, this is the fourth annual worldwide Rock Your School event.

According to JP Richards, Principal at Washington, the purpose of Rock Your School is student engagement and “to teach our regular lessons in a whole new way to re-invigorate the desire to learn and to get kids excited about the joy of learning!” Richards organized the event at his previous school in Bend and found the event very positive and engaging for students and teachers alike.

On Thursday at Washington, grade level teachers used a variety of innovative ways to present their lessons. Third grade students experienced an investigative/detective-themed day. The fourth grade teachers focused on Native American studies, inviting members of CTUIR to join them for heritage activities, as well as some horses who visited the school. The fifth grade teaching team dressed up as different animals and planned activities to help students learn about animals. A pumpkin patch at the end of the day was a big hit for first graders.

Principal Richards said the joy of learning during Rock Your School should be something happening every day at school. “This is a great way to jump-start creativity, think outside the box, and use new, interactive methods to get Washington students excited to come to school every day.”

Since Rock Your School began in 2018, tens of thousands of educators from thousands of schools have participated in the event; more information is available at https://www.getyourteachon.com/rock-your-school. Get Your Teach On (GYTO) specializes in professional development and encouragement for educators and administrators in the form of conferences, workshops and events.