Classroom Happenings: Scaling New Heights

Spartans know that books can inspire, inform, and transport. Reading helps us escape into new worlds, empathize with others, and learn more about ourselves.

Students taught by Fifth Grade Teachers Heidi Bailey, Ron Coles, and Emily Oliff experienced this firsthand when they read “Peak” by Roland Smith. The book, about the physical and emotional challenges that face a 14-year-old boy named Peak as he climbs Mount Everest and New York City skyscrapers, follows themes of love, family, and survival. 

As teachers read the first few chapters of the book aloud in class, students used a “stop and jot” technique, writing short details about the setting, characters, and events in “Peak” to help them keep up with the story. Our young readers were also encouraged to visualize the story in their minds.

Cam Mootz ’32 said, “Jotting helps me keep up with my work because it helps me have an overall view of the entire book. The setting, characters, and events in ‘Peak’ were easier to understand and think about because we had an amazing teacher helping us the whole way through. Thank you, Ms. Bailey!”

“Jotting and visualization are great methods for readers of all ages,” said Ms. Bailey. “Jotting can serve as a roadmap, allowing students to refer back to their notes for details about what they’ve read or heard. Visualization is a wonderful way to fill in the blanks: mentally drawing descriptions of characters, places, and events. Each of us ‘sees’ a story differently, and those differences make for wonderful talking points in class and beyond.” 

In anticipation of a field trip to Peak Experiences, a Richmond gym, fifth graders conducted research on climbing and climbing equipment. They also researched Mount Everest to learn more about the story’s vocabulary and setting. The language of climbing — belaying, hand- and footholds, harness — piqued the students' interest, and on a brisk January day, they headed to Peak Experiences with their teachers and several parent chaperones. 

The day began with a lesson from Peak Experiences staff, who instructed students on the safety rules of climbing. The staff demonstrated different equipment that might be used on Mount Everest and demonstrated a fall, explaining how an anchor (a lead climber) can help to stop a fall when they are attached to another person (a lead fall). Other staff led the adults to become certified in auto belay (demonstrating competence and confidence with the components and fit of a harness). 

Students donned harnesses and, for the next few hours, climbed the various paths on the rock-studded walls before taking a lunch break.  

Although she found the high ropes course challenging, Stella Overman ’32 said having her peers encourage her was a real confidence boost. 

“To be cheered on made me feel like I could accomplish anything … and to be the one cheering, I could encourage others to keep going,” she said. “I enjoyed facing my fears.” 

Cam said, “Before I went to Peak Experiences, I thought that it would be a great time to show off my climbing skills. Now I look back and see how naïve I was. Climbing is a time to socialize and have fun with your friends, not to try and beat your classmates on a climb.”

Students also had the option to try the high ropes adventure course at Peak Adventures, which challenges balance, strength, and courage as climbers navigate obstacles at various heights.

“We are so proud of all our students,” said Ms. Bailey. “We loved seeing those who normally don’t hang out together support and encourage each other. Many students conquered fears and gained confidence.” The following week, students wrote personal narratives about a small but significant moment they experienced while rock climbing. 

“The field trip was helpful for students to use visualization while finishing ‘Peak’ the following week,” noted Ms. Bailey. “They were able to put themselves into the main character’s shoes. This combination of research, writing, and a hands-on field trip made for an unforgettable experience for all.”