Friday, March 8, 2013

Work, Work, Work.

 What a busy day!

Our CIA5 Group is one week into the Literacy Through Photography (by Wendy Ewald) experiment. They learned how to analyze a photo. We talked about photo elicitation, or how we emotionally respond to photos. Students had an assignment to represent a typical school night in their homes. At home, they took photographs on cell phones, digital cameras and even one Polaroid!

After printing off the image, students were asked four questions about their image and responded in journals. They swapped images with another person, then had to guess their story, using the same questions. They met at the end to learn the real story behind the images. We had a few technical difficulties and a handful of those who chose not to participate, but the work produced was compelling and beautiful. Kudos!! Next week, we work on self-portraits and writing about our strengths.

WMS had an amazing opportunity today to participate in a live webcast with NASA. They celebrated twelve years of science at the International Space Station by going live with a moderator speaking to some of the support team at the Payload Operations & Integration Center (POIC). The POIC is kind of like "mission control" for the science experiments that happen at the ISS. Participating schools  watched a video tour of the facility. Through e-mail, some asked about some of the science experiments from the ISS, and had questions about their careers. This is the first time NASA was "live" there, so we were fortunate for this opportunity!


Our shire is coming along nicely! Mr. Corbitt's 8th grade elective class came in to help build the setting. It's getting so close to completion. Thanks, guys!



Believe it or not, I help out too.


Sure, he's that tall!

Making stones for the path. (We know you didn't cut this one ;)

Artists at work
At the end of the day, I met with some of our Battle of the Books team. We nailed down procedures, quizzed ourselved dizzy, then had a serious discussion about some strategies for tomorrow's competition. We can do this!! 

Don't we look serious? You can't even tell we're eating chocolate!
 

Book Fair is Coming!

We are building excitement with WMS staff and students. Our Make Reading a Hobbit Scholastic Book Fair is coming next week!

Our Student Crew has been working to promote and decorate the fair. Mr. Corbitt is lending his theatre expertise to help us stage a "shire" setting and work with his select students to participate in our Reader's Theatre on March 19th.

Here are some snapshots from yesterday's set building crew:

Crew member is painting our hobbit hole entrance. Thanks to Mr. Gallagher for lending art supplies!

cutting leaves for our tree

making parchment with leftover coffee

Our artist perfects his work

Mr. Corbitt transforms the entrance to a forest!

The PTA will have a general meeting before the event, 6:00-6:30PM. Parents are encouraged to join in.

Our family event will begin at 6:30PM with introductions and performances from The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Our Family Literacy Event will entertainment, refreshments and door prizes. We're hoping the whole community comes to participate in the event!

See information, including class schedules, volunteer options and some great book selections to be offered at this year's book fair here.

Stay tuned to watch progress as we complete the shire before opening day next Friday.