Located in the northwest corner of Mid-Prairie Middle school is a classroom humming with excitement and energy. It is a classroom where students gather every morning , not just to drop off assignments but to share their day with their teacher. That teacher is Nathan Erickson and he is kept busy teaching reading, science, and social studies to 6th graders.
A graduate of Ballard community School in Huxley Iowa, a town with a population of 3050 and is located in the area between Ames and the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa. Obtaining his BA from Wartburg College in Elementary Education, Mr. Erickson soon found himself in Kalona's middle school where he has been teaching for the past 4 years.
At this time, his social studies class is working on an Aztec project: dioramas, costumes, war clubs, pottery, feather work and other projects will finish the unit. On Friday November 20, they finished the unit with a fiesta to celebrate the learning and fun during this unique and interesting unit. During the fiesta, foods such as tacos, salsa and chips, fajita's, guacamole, and mole sauce were served. And much to the delight of all enjoying this fiesta, fried ice cream was served as a dessert.
Describing projects his students have created and will be creating in his class in the future, Erickson stated, "In addition to the projects we have completed about the Aztecs, we will Also will build Mayan structures where the kids have to recreate a pyramid or a temple from the Mayan civilization. We will also research a famous Canadian person whom they will choose from a carefully prepared list of people such as historical figures, pop culture."
Mr. Erickson has quite a semester planned out for his students, filled with not just book knowledge but hands on activities as well.
When discussing teaching and how like any other job, challenges arise, Erickson commented, "My biggest challenge is trying to get kids to enjoy school as much as I do. I have a lot of fun here at school and I want them to enjoy being here as much as I do."
Surrounded by a room full of exuberant 6th graders, each eager to show him their latest project, Erickson stated, "My biggest joy in teaching is that I love the moment when kids get a concept and you can just literally see the light bulb go off in their heads. This look comes across their face that says 'Oh I did that now! That's awesome! That's cool how that works!' That is my favorite moment."
By the array of Aztec projects displayed in his classroom, his students appear to be learning much more than a chapter a book can offer. They're learning firsthand about cultures and how to appreciate people and lives different than their own.