Beyond the Book: No Textbooks Required for Class
By: Adam Rodriguez, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 25, 2012
Imagine getting some high school credit and not ever opening a textbook. That's a reality for some students at a North Little Rock high school.
"I really like this class. Because mainly we get out of class and don't have to do real work," says Freshman J.J. Askins.
It's a case of finding something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life.
"This is fun work. It isn't like, open a textbook, go to page 4," Askins says.
Don't pinch Askins, he's afraid he might wake up.
"This is actually required of this. We're supposed to be doing this," he says.
The freshman and his crew are getting class credit, for painting.
It's part of the STEM Initiative, a class where students pick their own projects.
"Going out and finding something that needs to be improved upon, or started, or fixed; and fixing it. And improving it," explains North Little Rock School District STEM Facilitator K.J. Kite.
Kite doesn't tell the students which projects to do, or how to do them. She just points them in the right direction.
"It's amazing the kids don't know that they can do something until they've been told, here, go try this. And they go out and they're so successful," Kite says.
Projects range from a school recycling program to shooting public service ads, and developing apps.
"It was hard to know where each of your classes was," Askins says.
Even painting numbers next to every room in the school was on the to-do list.
"It was actually our idea to start this. And we had to clear it with the principal, the administrator, and Coach Kite," explains Askins.
"Every single kid that has done a project has had that "ah-ha" moment," Kite says. "They are so surprised with themselves, that they've actually done something."
"We're just kind of learning the important of volunteer work, and how it makes you feel good inside to a job," says Askins.
These students are literally painting their way to a better community and a brighter future.
"I really like this class. Because mainly we get out of class and don't have to do real work," says Freshman J.J. Askins.
It's a case of finding something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life.
"This is fun work. It isn't like, open a textbook, go to page 4," Askins says.
Don't pinch Askins, he's afraid he might wake up.
"This is actually required of this. We're supposed to be doing this," he says.
The freshman and his crew are getting class credit, for painting.
It's part of the STEM Initiative, a class where students pick their own projects.
"Going out and finding something that needs to be improved upon, or started, or fixed; and fixing it. And improving it," explains North Little Rock School District STEM Facilitator K.J. Kite.
Kite doesn't tell the students which projects to do, or how to do them. She just points them in the right direction.
"It's amazing the kids don't know that they can do something until they've been told, here, go try this. And they go out and they're so successful," Kite says.
Projects range from a school recycling program to shooting public service ads, and developing apps.
"It was hard to know where each of your classes was," Askins says.
Even painting numbers next to every room in the school was on the to-do list.
"It was actually our idea to start this. And we had to clear it with the principal, the administrator, and Coach Kite," explains Askins.
"Every single kid that has done a project has had that "ah-ha" moment," Kite says. "They are so surprised with themselves, that they've actually done something."
"We're just kind of learning the important of volunteer work, and how it makes you feel good inside to a job," says Askins.
These students are literally painting their way to a better community and a brighter future.
