Friday mornings at Riderwood Elementary are all about geography

Students at Riderwood Elementary School in Towson have reason to get up a bit early on Friday mornings. Through the school’s popular Geography Club, students and parents alike have places to visit before the day’s first bell sounds.

The school’s Geography Club is one of many such academically-oriented activities that draw students to school before the instructional day even begins. Parents and administrators have seen the programs – often staffed and supported by parent volunteers – swell in popularity even as they assist students in their school work.

At Riderwood, parents and students begin to arrive before 8:00 a.m. to prepare for a group meeting that averages 25 students. The coordinators of the club -- Martha Bishai, Debbie Hontz, and Dana Silver -- devote time to planning and implementing activities. The club itself is designed to assist in preparing students for the National Geographic Bee each year. The coordinators and parent volunteers display activities like mini-bees which simulate the National Bee, as well as, map studies.

Students enjoy preparing for the school-based bees, such as the junior bee which is held for students in kindergarten through grade 3. Students in grades 4 and 5 spend their time preparing for the chance to go on to the National Bee. The school champion goes on to further competition and is annually recognized with an engraved trophy, which remains in at Riderwood.

In addition to the learning that takes place, many students attend Riderwood’s club meetings just because they’re fun. Any student can participate and doesn’t need to formally join the club. Other students enjoy being at school early, especially when parents drop them off, rather than taking the bus to school.

Regardless of the reason for attending Riderwood’s Geography Club, geographical awareness and knowledge are being raised!

Story by Gene Monahan, grade 4 teacher and Good News Ambassador for Riderwood Elementary School, and Trevor Bishai, grade 4 student and member of the Geography Club, Riderwood Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Riderwood Elementary School.

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