Sharon Elementary School “ Where Multiple Intelligences Shine ” By Bea Quirk
For more than 100 years – since 1912 -- Sharon School has been teaching the children of Charlotte and preparing them for the world they will grow up in . Alumni include Billy Graham and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot .
Principal , Catherine Phelan
The school was originally a three-room schoolhouse located in what is now SouthPark , at the corner of Sharon and Fairview roads , behind the area ’ s iconic Burger King . It moved to its current location on Foxcroft Road in 1976 .
Today , as a neighborhood elementary school , Sharon has a little more than 800 students in grades K-5 . The school mascot is the Eagles . It was a School of Distinction last year and is “ on the cusp ” of becoming a School of Excellence , says principal Catherine Phelan .
During its illustrious history , Sharon School was once a K-12 facility and at one time was a magnet school for communications arts . Today it distinguishes itself by focusing on multiple intelligences ( MI ) learning . Indicative of the pride the school takes in this approach , the school motto is : “ Where Multiple Intelligences Shine !”
The basis of MI is that each individual person learns in different ways – it may be tactile , auditory , visual -- and so the best way to teach them is through different modalities . For example , for some people , using a map is the best way to get to a new place , while others prefer written or oral directions .
Explains teacher Debra Baker , “ Paper-andpencil assessments are not the only authentic approach . Not everyone can sit down and recall facts --- but they might be able to show what they have learned through music , art or speaking , creating a portfolio or problem solving collaboratively . We want to make sure every child is happy and confident and wants to come to school .”
Adds Phelan , “ There are different types of intelligences , and there are different ways children are smart . We believe in project-based handson learning where Debra Baker the rigor is extremely high , and we make sure every day is exciting . By letting students show their knowledge base in different ways , we take learning beyond what is required and make it come alive beyond the textbook .”
For example , the first , third and fifth grades participate in three curriculum-based student productions that are put on each year . This year , the fifth grade production was called “ See the USA ,” which included aspects of history , geography and literature . First and third grade productions in the past have focused on mythology , American folk tales and the books of Roald Dahl and Dr . Seuss . The productions include singing , dancing , poetry , skits and acting . Every child performs on stage .
Another annual schoolwide effort is the Halls of Wonder . Each grade has a topic , and students develop group projects based on that theme that allow them to share their knowledge and teach their classmates . These projects can include dioramas , songs , videos or poems . Students and their parents are invited to visit the handiwork and hopefully learn something new as well .
Field trips are another important part of the Sharon curriculum . The fourth grade goes to Raleigh each year to see state government firsthand , and the fifth grade goes to Charleston to learn about science and history .
For extracurricular activities , students throughout the year can choose to participate in four-week-long sessions in such areas as fencing ,
24 – My School Rocks !