Hickory Bend's First Annual Luau Luncheon

Many third and fourth grade students took a "vacation to Study Island" and earned a wonderful reward!

by Amy Hein

April 17, 2007

Study Island is a program that helps students prepare for the ISAT test. The Study Island program involves lessons that target each Illinois learning standard in third and fourth grade. There are a total of 55 different lessons in the third grade module and 65 lessons in the fourth grade module. Hickory Bend third and fourth graders learned to use the program during their computer lab time and were given a learning challenge. Students were challenged to complete at least 30 of the lessons with a certain level of proficiency. Students received a blue ribbon for each lesson completed.

The learning challenge was particularly difficult, as the challenge could not be completed during school hours, students needed to work at home to reach their goal. According to Study Island data collected by Mrs. Hein, third graders worked approximately 145 hours at home and fourth graders worked almost 95 hours at home! A total of thirty six students reached the goal of at least thirty ribbons. Mrs. Bragg, Hickory Bend's principal, as well as teachers were very proud of the effort put forth by the students. To date, Hickory Bend students have completed 137,000 questions!

Mr. Campbell, School Board President and Firefighter attended to show his support.

Eligible students were invited to a Luau Luncheon to celebrate their achievement. Mrs. Hein and Mrs. Bragg organized the luncheon in the teacher's lounge. The students enjoyed receiving a Hawaiian lei and four students were given trophies. The trophy recipients were three third graders and one fourth grader that completed all lessons in the Study Island module! Two "Brookwood celebrities" were also in attendance to show their support of the students. Mr. Blackman, the Brookwood Technology Director, and Mr. Campbell, School Board President and Glenwood fire fighter, enjoyed the luncheon with the students. The entire Hickory Bend staff is very proud of our students' accomplishments and we hope that even more students will reach the Study Island goal next year.