FOCUS STUDY INFORMATION

Learn more about this unique program designed just for Ann Arbor Open School.

We offer a program that is truly a departure from our regular course of studies and a great opportunity for all of us to be life-long learners. Following is a description of our ambitious program. We define our regular offerings as:

Specials: a traditional class offered to students as part of their weekly program such as art, physical education, library or vocal music.
Electives: a class offering that students in the upper grades elect to round out their daily schedule. Electives might include choir, orchestra, advanced art, Future Cities, Algebra, or Environmental Education.

A Focus Study is a class offering that students in all grades select as a special interest focus for a two week block. These classes will meet for 60-75 minutes per day for two full weeks.

For approximately six weeks, we have a set schedule. Some students have a weekly specials schedule, with physical education, art, library and vocal music. Older students have core academic time with their homeroom teachers and electives each day. This is the “specials/electives” schedule.

Then for two weeks, this schedule is amended. We move to a focus study rotation where all K-8 students select one class that focuses on students’ specific interests. These classes are designed by combining core curriculum with ideas generated from student and staff special interests. During these two weeks:

Each day of the session, K-8 students attend focus studies. All teaching staff and some parent volunteers offer a focus study for ten consecutive days. Kindergarten students select a focus study once per year during the session where they regularly attend school. (For example, for one session, AM kindergarten students will have a focus study, but PM students will not. During the next session, the reverse will be true). Then, after the two week rotation, we go back to the original specials/electives schedule for everyone.

The focus study groups fall into one of these arrangements:

1. An integrated thematic study of a topic of high interest. For example: Horses. During the course there might be math, art, science, reading and writing experiences all combined to delve into this topic.
2. A study of a special skill. Some offerings focus on a specific skill such as a foreign language, a physical education activity, or study of a musical specialty.

Advantages to our unusual schedule:

*This plan is truly alternative. It looks different from a regular program and is different from any other AAPS school. It builds on our philosophy of giving students real choices in what they study.
*It offers several opportunities for cross-age groupings throughout the year.
*Two-week focus studies are a chance for adults and students to sink into a project or topic in depth.
*Students really get to know others outside of their usual classes - ten sessions allows time to make social connections with students throughout the community.
*Because lots of adults participate, class size for focus studies is small.

Can you help with Focus Studies?

Training will be provided for leaders of focus studies. It describes how to facilitate a focus study, how to plan a course, and guidelines for appropriate behavioral expectations and management.

We know that two weeks is a difficult volunteer commitment. Part-time staff or parent volunteers are very welcome to participate in focus studies, so think about “team teaching” if you can. If you can only volunteer for less than 10 days, we still need you! We always need volunteers to take attendance and offer support to other leaders as well.