Learning MS Publisher
7th Grade DMS students watched a live heart bypass!
7th grade students at DMS had a wonderful opportunity to connect with the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and interact with doctors and nurses as they performed a LIVE open heart triple bypass surgery.
Judith researches calories consumed through eating and calories burned through exercise.
In Ms. Self’s Health classes, middle school students are learning about fitness and nutrition using the Internet. Self’s class visited several nutrition websites to determine how many calories a person should consume based on the height and weight. Her class also visited websites which described how many calories can be burned through various types of exercise. Terrell C., a student in Self’s class, summarized the activity. He stated that the activity compared the number of calories that he should eat each day with the number of calories that he burns each day through physical exercise.
After completing the online research, Judith L., another student in Self’s class, realized that she is only consuming half the calories a child her age should be eating to sustain life. Judith is not alone according to Self. Self said that many students in middle school do not eat either breakfast or lunch. These same students who do not consume enough calories for the day are in jeopardy of passing out at athletic practice. Self said that students realize they cannot skip meals and still be able to perform sports after they complete the online research project.
By completing the research activity, students in Self’s class also realized that a person can burn calories by performing everyday activities, such as ironing, vacuuming, or even just sitting on the couch. Mason J. realized that he needs to consume 3200 calories each day to stay the same weight. He also mentioned that 1800 calories each day are burned by a couch potato who is the same height and weight as Mason.
Self has noticed that some students do actually change their eating habits after they complete the online research project. Many students who previously skipped meals realize the importance of eating regular meals realize their bodies need the energy to perform better at sports.
Alyssa uses voice recording technology to improve her reading fluency.
Students in Ms. Larson’s Reading class experimented with a new technology tool to improve their reading fluency. Students in Larson’s class used the voice recording software, Audacity, and a microphone to record themselves reading a passage. After recording the passage, the students listen to their voice reading the passage using headphones.
Students in Larson’s Reading class have noticed improvement in their reading skills as a result of the voice recording activity. Dakota E., a student in Larson’s class, stated that he is able to read faster. Alyssa F. has also noticed improvement in her reading speed and accuracy. Previously, Alyssa mentioned that she read passages “word for word.” After listening to the recorded passages, Alyssa is now able to read complete phrases. Unlike reading aloud in the classroom, Alyssa mentioned that she is able to make improvements in her reading because she is able to hear her mistakes and correct them the next time she reads the passage.
Larson decided to use voice recording as a supplement to her lessons because she wanted to make sure each student could improve fluency. Her class size is too large to allow her to listen periodically to each student individually. Voice recording allows the students to practice repetitive oral reading of passages, which is the best way to improve reading fluency. Larson described the activity as “cool”, and she is excited that she can integrate technology into reading class. She mentioned that she should notice an improvement in the reading grade level for her students, and she plans to continue using voice recording to improve reading fluency in her classes.
6th graders in Mrs. Bandy’s Explorer Art classes participated in a video conference called “Georgia O’Keeffe and the Faraway.” The program was organized and presented by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. Students were introduced to basic art concepts while also discovering O’Keeffe’s connection to the land and the American West. The program encouraged students to examine the work and techniques of one of America’s best known modernists as well as other artists and their particular view of nature.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame offers a wide variety of programs and services. Check it out.