Lakewood Elementary School

Overland Park, KS

Activating Student Engagement Through Brain-based Learning. Educators at Lakewood Elementary School take pride in creating schoolwide, interdisciplinary curriculum that students find exciting and memorable. They ground their strategies in a brain-based approach, meaning that lessons are designed to activate students’ brains, and that educators help children understand how learning happens.

Kathleen Cigich, Lakewood’s principal, explains in the audio profile that students in all grades “learn about different parts of the brain, and how that brain can impact a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. Our students even learn about metacognition and cognitive awareness, so that they know that reflecting on their own thinking will help them as learners”.

Cigich also notes that because “we know the brain turns on when there [are] life experiences involved”, teachers in all subjects get creative with their lessons, and are supported through collaboration time and ongoing learning about new findings in brain science.

To listen to the full podcast, scroll down. You can download the transcript here.

“During our integrated Oregon Trail simulation, kids are immersed in the history of this time period by walking in the shoes of the pioneers as they travel the trail. Participating in an interactive unit not only helps the kids learn the content, but it allows for development of communication and collaboration skills. Plus, this type of learning experience is a fun and memorable one!” – Robin Weinand, Lakewood Teacher

Lakewood students perform an original musical about bugs. “Our music teacher writes musicals each year with her students, and that pulls in the brain because it's asking our students to really become the author of the musicals. Everything is done by the students, from set design to costumes to program designs.” – Kathleen Cigich, Lakewood Principal

Contact InformationLakewood Elementary SchoolMrs. Kathleen Jane Cigich, Principal at time of Nomination14600 Lamar AvenueOverland Park, KS, 66223-9998
(913) 239-6500https://www.bluevalleyk12.org/lke/

Student Demographics 2019


Number of students K-5
611

Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%

Students receiving special ed services
11%

ELL
2%

African American students
5%

White students
50%

Asian students
33%

Hispanic or Latino students
6%

Two or more races
6%

Student mobility rate
13%