Crafting paper mache into perfect spheres to match the planets and using colorful paints of all kinds. As they get taped to the ceiling, students smile and laugh. The same smiles they had when their teacher lit a table on fire to show how physics and chemistry work hand and hand.
These are experiences of the students in Michelle Schwimmer’s integrated science class.
In Schwimmer’s integrated science class, students learn the topics of the scientific method, physics, astronomy, Earth’s processes, and weather. Students do hands-on experiments, presentations, and labs. This helps kids be able to take the topics they learn and apply them to the real world. The occasional quiz thrown in there.
Being in Schwimmer’s class is like being one of the kids in The Magic School Bus. You walk into class never knowing what fun things you are going to do that day. Schwimmer always has a way to cheer up your class and turn average topics into new experiences, just like Ms. Frizzle.
Schwimmer is able to perfectly balance the amount of fun activities with the traditional forms of learning, like quizzes and notes. Schwimmer is very patient and tries her best to help each student. Besides being patient, she is also not afraid to take care of interrupting students.
“She’s a good role model. She’s patient.She has a lot of experience because of her clubs and past military experiences,” said Freshman Warius Yaftal.
While others kids described why they liked Mrs. Schwimmer, some focused on why they liked the class.
Freshman Eliana Ball said,“I like the people and the sort of energy of it, it’s not super stressful. I think it is the right amount of challenges.”
Schwimmer knows how to throw challenging work at students, but she also knows how to handle challenges with students.
“She doesn’t let kids walk all over her, but also she’s not too strict when she does,” said Ball.
She cares about all students, even the ones that misbehave.
If you know an 8th grader, make sure to tell them to request Michelle Schwimmer for integrated science to your counselor.