The Wizard of Oz - Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School

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SIXTH GRADE In keeping with our team theme of being part of a greater whole, the sixth graders have reached out to their communities. Over the holidays, sixth graders participated in a special fundraiser to help children around the world. Working through Heifer International, students raised funds to purchase two llamas, four goats, four sheep and a flock of chicks. This veritable ark of animals was donated to our international community to provide food and schooling for those in need. Academically, Team 6A turned its focus to the worldwide issue of water scarcity. In Science classes, students delved into the problem by creating a drinkable source of water. Their solutions were based on their understanding of chemical and physical properties. Students’ exploration continued in Math classes by evaluating and comparing their own water consumption, using Excel to create usage graphs. In Language Arts and Social Studies, students were challenged to find a way to bring water to the community garden described in Seedfolks. Additionally, they practiced drawing inferences using an excerpt from A Long Walk to Water, a nonfiction text set in Africa. Examining the problem of water scarcity through the various disciplines gave students a more global perspective. In classrooms, Team 6B has embraced elements of student-‐centered learning to enhance student success. Math and Science classes have alternated methods of teaching between whole group instruction and mini lessons, when appropriate. This focus allows specialized content to be taught in a manner that is most beneficial to students. Language Arts and Social Studies have incorporated activity lists to motivate the students by placing them in charge of the order in which they complete assignments. Many students have remarked how empowering it is to have the choice be in their hands. The activity lists also give students a clear picture of the expectations for a given project well in advance to facilitate effective planning and pacing. Team 6B students know firsthand what it is like to be in control of their academic success. Team 6C has continued to make real-‐world connections through interdisciplinary lessons and student-‐centered learning. Students addressed the issue of water scarcity in Science, Math, and Social Studies. In Science, students worked on a lab in which they arrived at solutions to the problem of creating drinkable water. In Math they kept track of their personal water usage and then used Excel to create usage graphs that could be used to make comparisons to classmates' consumption. They then evaluated their results and wrote conclusions about how to better conserve water. In Social Studies they saw the importance of drinkable water and how it has shaped the development of civilizations. Beginning a novel study unit in Language Arts, sixth grade students are reading Tuck Everlasting and beginning a unit of study where they consider how a single action can impact the world. Sixth graders have embraced the theme of being part of a greater whole, and are looking forward to future opportunities to make a difference. Mrs. Bridgette Moore Team 6C Team Leader 6
NEWS FROM TEAM 7B Halfway through the school year, Team 7B is well on their way to producing academic and social stars. From metaphors for the Constitution in Social Studies to online simulations of cloning in Science, the students are exploring new subjects in a variety of different formats. In Math, students studied statistics by conducting surveys about ideas they consider passionately. In Language Arts, individual poems were deeply explored and stories were written to predict how the poems came to be. Also, students are making connections between their various subjects, such as learning about money and different values in Spanish class (Math in a different language!). Social Studies was brought into the Language Arts classes when the history of the Klondike Gold Rush was explored before reading The Call of the Wild. Also, in Science, students wrote biology-‐related love poems for Valentine’s Day, and in Social Studies mock congressional sessions were held which discussed many contemporary bills including the status of endangered species, directly linking to a project in Science class. Math students saw how graphs can be used to persuade viewers, which is similar to how some essays make the reader think in a certain way. Team 7B is a big web of learning, and all team members hope to only make these connections stronger throughout the year. Our Stars of the Week will be taking part in a special pizza luncheon to celebrate their success in the year so far. The students invited to this luncheon are Laura Baldacchino, Liam Dwyer, Brandon Gomes, Aissa Guindo, Yasym Harvey, Natalie Herr, David Medina, Elizabeth Miner, Lucas Monserrat, Akanksha Patel, Nicholas Rodriguez, Delaney O’Dowd, Joseph O’Dowd, and Ulyana Piterbarg. More exciting events are on the way! Mr. Timothy Belmont Team 7B Language Arts Teacher We’re gearing up for the greatest night of the year at LCJSMS! FAMILY FUN NIGHT Friday, April 27, 2012 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. We need your help and support for the TIN CAN RAFFLE!!! Last year the amazing prize give-‐aways included an iPad, TVs, Tiffany jewelry, a Coach bag, sporting equipment, Kindles, iTouches, and so much more! All fabulous prizes given away are donated or funded by parents. No gift or monetary donation is too small! Please send in monetary donations or combine with friends to purchase cool, wonderful gift baskets! All monetary donations can be sent to the Main Office at LCJSMS Attention: Jean Marie Apruzzese or Diane Carlson. Monetary Donations Due April 1, 2012 If you are purchasing a Tin Can Raffle basket, please email Jean Marie Apruzzese at jmapruzzese@draadvisors.com or Diane Carlson at dianescarlson@yahoo.com in advance to let them know what you are buying. Any questions, please contact Christie McGinn at cemcginn8@gmail.com 7
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