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Show THE GREEN SHEET 11 Thursday, May 2, 1985 ScQnooHs The Whiz Kid' Has Special Bond With Bella Vista Children students Larsen began teaching tour years ago and who is now a sixth grader, placed 14th in the state, according to point scores. "To win the honor the Westover him. The mind is very important to him. "Some of the students just sail youth was given six computer programming problems which he had two hours to complete. "He completed four of six," said Larsen proudly, "and he was in competition with ninth graders. In fact with 10 more minutes he would have completed the fifth, but I made him give up when they meet a stumbling block." Because of his accident, Larsen knows about stumbling blocks and determination. After the accident he chose to go with what interested him. right through the computer stop." Mike Larsen believes it is impo- rtant for kids to be around computers in the home if the computers are going to be used for learning experiences and not just for games. "Games are fun, but kids are good at programming and they feel good about doing their own thing," Larsen explains. special computer class. Left to right are Jennifer in with students works Purdy, Robin Day, Tyrone Tsopie and Rob Dixon. at elementary, Many of the staff at Bella Vista into service. We started with small by Sherma Lind Yeates acgroups but now we are basically are aware that Mike Larsen has much physically since complished the school." whole him call Kid" Whiz "The teaching They Larsen teaches seven classes at the accident. But they feel there are around Bella Vista elementary But as they speak of him you know Bella Vista. In addition, he teaches even more important a such as the they mean something more than classes at several other elemen-tarie- s and he also maintains his development of his ability to show "Whiz." And that seems to be the care and concern to others, an abilistudies at Utah Technical College. opinion of everyone from the printy he demonstrates every day as he a was There when time it seemed cipal down to the kindergarten. They all say "Mike Larsen is one of the impossible for Larsen to accomplish goes about his volunteer duties. His injuries taught him to strive such things. He was hurt in a hunting most special people I know." to aim higher than most of us do. and And when you actually meet him accident with a high powered rifle. He has passed this goal on to the One-thir- d of was his brain know are you right. they students and they have developed a Mike Larsen is incredibly deter- destroyed. I was just a lazy greater interest in school and com"Before that excited and mined, caring loving I puters. Larsen "Since then kid," says. about life. "Because of the great interest the He is excited with the ways of the have learned to work. I have learned under Larsen have shown students I in was determination. the hospital mind. in computers, the PTA purchased I out a for me let month. and We noticed these things in the way They ache deals with children as he teaches could walk only with a cane. Six seven computers for the school," to Roxann Jenson, media cording so in a months later they put plate them programming on the school's there would not be a soft spot. The coordinator at Bella Vista. computers. "This made a total of nine comThere is a tremendous rapport. physical therapists said they for the students and Larsen to I puters do more. said couldn't anything The kids respond to him with a simuse as they pursue their love affair I worked and exercised it.' the behind But 'Forget Mike!" ple "Hey Bella with computers. greeting there is a whole world of on my own. I joined the swim team Vista students are Presently computer getting at was The exercise good Brighton. that and love, friendship respect training in grades K through six. seems to have developed between for my problem. I lettered in swimfirst gives general instrucLarsen and practiced walking every him and all of the students. The ming tion to whole classes of 25 to 30 or I worked and worked and workbeen for day. have friendships building more students. And then they break the past four years as he has ed until one day I threw the cane into groups of one to four for "Hands volunteered to work with them in away." On" experience. to in addition volunteering Today, computer classes. Principal Edwin C. DeBoard has "In 1981 I was working with just and studying computers, Mike allowed Larsen the freedom to one teacher at Bella Vista," Larsen Larsen teaches swimming at the own curriculum within a his deveolp Cottonwood Heights Community reminisces. "I found a computer in a set down by the few guidelines is also box and asked permission to put it Recreation Center, where he school and district. employed as night manager. Larsen is most proud of the There have been some changes in classes which teach basic and prohis life because of the accident in addition to walking. "Before I was gramming. Of course, the kindergarten and usually tops with 100's in spelling. nan n . rvuvrvn Now I know the word is wrong but I first grade are not involved in this 195 West 6400 So. 266-421- 5 have to think about spelling it. And type of teaching. Instead they are stroke commands. my mind goes faster than my doing single "Those littie kids can draw houses, mouth." boats, designs and names," he exclaims. In a sense these youngsters are also doing their own type of programming. In February, some Bella Vista students, under the direction of Larsen, competed in a statewide computer programming contest. The state did not even have a division for elementary students so the Bella Vista children competed with ninth graders. Brandon Westover, one of the WIZ KIDS. . . Mike Larson, a volunteer instructor Bella Vista Just Moved Sprucevvood SANDY. The third annual Sprucewood elementary PTA carnival is tomorrow (Friday) from 5:30-8:3p.m. Students and their families and friends are being invited to attend. Tickets at the door will sell at four 0 5pifc-li- 1 .1 :,V. A for$l. ; . ., mutual lund investing primarily in high yielding, lower-ratecorporate bonds to earn a high level ol current income. Dividends paid monthly Monthly compounding available through automatic reinvestment of dividends All types of activities are planned including the usual carnival booths and bake sale. A jelly bean guessing contest is also scheduled for the May Day carnival. Besides providing a family activity, the carnival will help raise funds to purchase media equipment and computer software. PTA president Kathleen Freeman points out that in "The answer to stumbling blocks is to find what interests the kids and go with that," he says. "There is "Most educators feel that kids don't need computer programming until ninth grade." Because of his experience in working with programming and teaching basic Larsen disagrees with that point of view. "Younger kids have more drive and no logic problem. Basically they are not afraid of computers. They will try anything. They just jump in and off they go. They don't think it is hard," he says. "When you are young everything is new and many things like learning to read can be a bit difficult. That is not as discouraging to young ramies Our surveys show 3 out of 4 people insured by State Farm, Farmers, or All State SAVE MONEY WITH US Call Us For A No Obligation Quote Steve or Anne 486-753- 5 Toulton Insurance tfgency Inc. children." 'It is easier to get excited when you are young." Everything is more exciting when you are young. Larsen hopes that districts will start teaching computers earlier to students. "They need hands on experiences with spelling, math, reading and social studies. But they need to get into programming. It will all be easier when they are young. They will learn faster because they want to and it is the kind of stuff they can do." Larsen got his start on computers seven years ago at Brighton in one of their early computer classes. He has advanced far from that class. He will graduate winter quarter of 1986 from Trade Tech in computer pro- always something." And the kids finally say, "Hey let's try this and off they go," following the example of their teacher. What have they gained? Determination! What has he gained? Seeing the children's minds light up with knowledge. classes," he says. "Others will just Spring planting r lmrm$ f (Tl -- ill' f gramming. He would like to change from volunteering to working as a professional teacher in the field of computers. "But no district in the state has a job teaching just computer classes to elementary children. I like working with children," he emphasize. "To teach I would have to go to college for a teaching certificate and then I probably would only be able to teach computers on the side. Those teachers who are teaching other subjects and trying to work with computers after shcool find they can't get everything done. There is so much to prepare for both lp Large Variety of POM programs." "I'll probably end up going programming," into he says and quickly adds, "I will miss the kids. Teaching computers in elementary is a field that should open up." And those who have seen his work at Bella Vista hope he will be able to work with children because "Mike" is someone they respect and love. The payoff is just "Knowing Mike" and seeing his achievements. The bond between Larsen and Bella Vista runs much deeper than just his volunteer experience with com- PETUNIAS MARIGOLDS ALYSSUM SALVIA TOMATOES Jet star DX Big Choice When asked what he has gained from the volunteer experience, he answers, "I love the opportunity to work with the enthusiastic young minds of tomorrow." Children are very important to 6 Boy U GERANIUMS the past the PTA has been strumental in purchasing items that enrich and aid in educational exin- Different Varieties snoo Your puters. PEPPERS 52 12 'Choose from 2 pacK MIX YOUR OWN FLAT $10 50 PLANTERS different .Greot Mother's Day gift 'Hanging baskets colors large, hardy stock French gardens periences. Green Sheet classified ads reach mid-valle- y 50 $11 homes nearly 55,000 every Thursday morning. That's ear potential readership in excess of 212,000 people - and that's a lot! 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