Lead Teacher: Elizabeth Wallace

Be sure to check out What's  page to find out what's happening right now in Microsociety!

At Gardendale, students in the Microsociety Magnet do not just sit back and learn--they experience the role of citizen as leader. Students have their own post office, bank, court, and senate. They assume multiple responsibilities in the community that contribute to the environment and culture. By using the Integrated Thematic Instruction model, students have hands-on experience with real life job situations in the Microsociety Lab.

A Day in the Micro Community!

Students are skilled in the art of writing a résumé, completing a job application, preparing for an interview, and then actually being interviewed by one of many business partners throughout the community. In turn, Intermediate Microsociety students are used to interview the Primary Microsociety students when they apply for jobs. This affords students the opportunity to see the process from "both sides!"

Students punch in on the time clock and report to their assigned job, based on their application and interview. Students must pay taxes based on their grade level, and fines are imposed for failure to pay. There is no unemployment in our work force!

Students may apply for the following jobs and a salary is paid for student’s work using the school monetary system.

• Postal Worker
• Recycling & Beautification
• Newspaper Publishing
• Marketing / Advertising
• Judicial System /Student Government
• Vocational/Technical
• Teacher’s Assistant
• City Works/Tax Collector
• Banking
• GEMS Guards
• Ellison Letter Cutting Service
• Mobile Used Bookstore
• Retail Clothing Store

Throughout their three years in Intermediate Microsociety, children will have invaluable opportunities. Some of these include Career Shadowing, where every student takes an aptitude test to see what areas of work they are interested in, and then, is afforded the chance to actually visit and research that particular job or occupation.

Students then hold a Career Fair showcasing what they’ve learned. National Conferences have been held at GEMS in which students act as tour guides, guest speakers and host/hostesses for visiting dignitaries.

Microsociety students are also very well rounded. Accomplishments are demonstrated annually, in many activities sponsored within the school. These activities include Strings, Instrumental Band, Chorus and Television Production, Micro students also enter many of the contests and competitions available school and countywide.

By actually introducing students at a young age to as many "real-world" skills as possible, they are preparing to be the "best they can be!" When high expectations are held for children, they usually rise to the occasion.