At The Calais School, innovation, creativity and collaboration are commonplace. Our teachers are continually looking for ways to keep learning challenging while also making it fun and engaging for our students. Cross-department collaboration allows our faculty to create lesson plans that inspire creativity and offer our students new perspectives.

Recently, Mr. Martin Calais 9th grade world history teacher and Ms. Orna, Calais Visual Arts teacher joined forces to make history come to life for their students. Through a multi-sensory approach, Mr. Martin and Ms. Orna are giving students greater awareness of the world around them and the history that led us to where we all are today.

Their approach begins in history class where students are led on a journey around the world as they examine other countries and cultures. Classroom studies are enhanced by related visual art projects that require students to conduct independent research. Mr. Martin and Ms. Orna’s tactile approach to learning allows students to actually see, hear and feel history. 

The hallways display all the topics and projects students have covered so far.  Students have studied Africa and the meaning behind African tribal masks before making their own, traced their hands for an Diwali-inspired henna project based on their studies of India, and created dragons for their most recent research on Chinese and Japanese history. 

Mr. Martin and Ms. Orna care deeply about learning and believe their combined approach positively impacts student motivation and learning. Next up is a chapter on Rome and the Middle Ages.