CHOCOWINITY — Innovative and creative teaching methods at Chocowinity Primary School recently resulted in an educational and entertaining opportunity for third-grade students.

“When Lynn Whittington and I started multiplication this year, our students were working towards becoming black belt ‘ninja fact masters,'” said Katelyn Singleton, part of the third-grade teaching team at CPS. “All students had a ninja that was displayed in the classroom; as they mastered a fact, they earned a new belt.”

According to Singleton, the students took a timed multiplication quiz each day on the fact they were attempting to master.

“Once we had the majority of our classes achieve their black belt status, we decided they needed to really prove themselves as fact masters,” Singleton continued.

Recently, the third-graders were informed that their principal, Alicia Vosburgh, had been “kidnapped” by evil ninjas, portrayed by Assistant Principal Spencer Pake and computer lab facilitator Rufus Moore.

“They even saw the security footage of Mrs. Vosburgh being taken,” Singleton said. “Both classes received a box with a note from the evil ninjas instructing them on what they had to do in order to find Mrs. Vosburgh. Our students worked in pairs with a student from the other class to solve multiplication word problems. Once they had solved the problems, they earned a letter for each problem they answered correctly. Then they had to unscramble all of the letters to figure out where our principal was being held.”

With the clue “gymnasium” in hand, the students set about rescuing Vosburgh.

Chocowinity Primary is the beneficiary of generous support from the local community, including a partnership with Fitness Unlimited in Washington for this particular activity. Jui jitsu instructor/personal trainer Aaron Edwards collaborated with the students as they prepared to defeat the ninjas and free Vosburgh.

“They had to master a few ‘ninja’ moves,” Singleton explained. “Aaron gathered the students, practiced important call and responses that they would need to know, and showed them moves to defeat each ninja.”

Students were called upon individually to use their moves, with students Carson Dail and Annalynn Silverthorne eventually defeating the ninjas, who were quickly taken into “custody” by Officer Treasure Godard of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

A rescued Vosburgh expressed her appreciation to the students and also thanked the local fitness club for its support.

“It has been a great opportunity to partner with Amy Thomas and Fitness Unlimited to create magic moments for our students,” Vosburgh said.