December 11, 2017
To Whom it May Concern:
It is my pleasure to write this letter on behalf of Bianca Rimbach. Mrs. Rimbach serves as a fifth- grade teacher here at Evans International Elementary and has built a solid reputation here. She is one of the most passionate educators I have ever met and that passion infects those around her.
This year she has spent a significant amount of time getting trained in the Movement Method and has brought back that unique style of teaching and implemented it in her classroom on a daily basis. I have been fortunate enough to witness evidence of this implementation as I have observed numerous lessons she has done with her fifth graders using the Movement Method. For example, when studying human body systems, Mrs. Rimbach hid various bones all around the playground. Students worked together in groups to find the different bones and then sorted them out in a grid form. This was a hands-on way of identifying body parts and a lesson that provided 100% engagement for all students.
For Math, Mrs. Rimbach recently taught a Movement Method lesson on fractions. She used a large parachute with different colored slices that resembled a pie. Again, she took the students outside and had them experience fractions by laying on various colors of the parachute and marching around to show ¼, ½, ¾, and 1. By making this active, students transferred what they knew about fractions on paper and could demonstrate it with their bodies. When returning to the classroom, they were given playdough and got to cut the dough into various fraction parts and explain how they came up with equivalent fractions. Student engagement was off the charts and student understanding of the concept was exceptional, demonstrating that the Movement Method has a significant impact on students.
What I have found particularly remarkable in watching this method is how it includes all students, particularly those with special needs. This type of kinetic learning program is applicable for all students and is something that I look forward to watching grow and develop as Mrs. Rimbach begins to train other staff members at our school. We are extremely fortunate to have her here to and guide and model for us using this exceptional method of teaching.
Sincerely,
Ginger Ernst, MA, MA, LPC
Assistant Principal – Evans International Elementary School
