STEM Club

Students Learn App Design in STEM Club

The GMSW STEM Club continues to offer students opportunities to explore topics that excite them in a comfortable club setting.  One of the common interests that students talked about when surveyed was app design.  To help students understand the basic steps to app design, we began with a brief introduction to MIT's android platform app design program, App Inventor.  We were fortunate to have Marcie Aiello, GLHS computer science & programming teacher, visit our club to conduct a lesson in App Inventor with the students.  Students were able to design simple apps that incorporated a picture of a cat.  When the user tapped on the cat's image, the cat meowed.  App Inventor is a simple program that anyone can learn, and it lays the basic foundation for programming with a simple drag & drop format.

The video below gives you a glimpse into the simplicity of App Inventor. 

As you can see, App Inventor is simple to use.  Even if you don't own an android phone, you can still design apps and use the computer as the interface.  Why not check it out at home and design an app with your children?  App Inventor can be a great way to use technology in a creative, engaging way with students.



Marcie Aiello teaches students the basics of App Inventor.



Students work independently during STEM Club to design apps using App Inventor.



Speaking of apps in education, visit the following link to learn about apps that help improve students' reading comprehension.  

15-of-the-best-educational-apps-for-improved-reading-comprehension/               

What's Up at West?           

• February 14th - GJPS School Board Meeting (6:30pm at Clark Hall, 3rd floor)

• February 14th - District Middle School Orchestra Concert for 6th & 7th grade strings (7:30pm at MSW Auditorium)

• February 18th & 19th - NO SCHOOL

• February 21st and 26th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:15-7:45pm) Please call 614-478-5570 to schedule a conference.       

Common Core 101: An Introduction for Parents

Moving from the State Standards to the Common Core

The common core standards have been adopted by 45 states and 3 territories. They represent a common set of learning standards aimed at measuring  students' mastery of important academic skills.  The common core includes standards in mathematics and English/Language Arts and aims to increase the level of rigor in classrooms across the nation.  The standards focus heavily on the concept of literacy, including literacy standards in content areas such as science and social studies.  Further, the standards include an emphasis on writing, speaking, and listening.

Many parents ask what the difference is between the current Ohio learning standards and the common core standards.  There are many differences, but the main difference is that the common core standards lead to greater rigor for college & career readiness and deeper levels of understanding.  Whether through reading texts of greater complexity, applying mathematical concepts to novel situations, or writing to defend an assertion with specific support from a text, students and teachers are being asked to dig deeper into understanding than ever before.  Go to Core Standards for more information on the common core standards.

At Middle School West, parents often ask how they can help their children excel in school.  I think the best thing parents can do for children is to make reading a priority in the family.  Now, more than ever, parents have so many opportunities to make reading exciting and fun.  While trips to the library are certainly exciting for students (there's just something special for kids about picking out their own books), technology affords busy parents an opportunity to keep high-interest literacy support in front of their children at all times.  Below is a collection of apps compiled by Vicki Windman for the 12/28/12 issue of Tech & Learning.  The list includes apps to support learning in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and mathematics.  See the current issue of Tech & Learning for expert commentary on the shift to the common core.  Visit Education.com for more parent resources.

GMSW Students Present to School Board

At the January GJPS School Board meeting, Mr. Harmon introduces Braden Neal (8th grade)
and Jenaisa Payne (6th grade) as they share their involvement with MSW's Rachel's Challenge  IMPACT
initiative.  Guidance Counselor, Kathy Spencer (not pictured), also spoke to the Board about the group's plans for their
20 Acts of Kindness project.

What's Up at West?

• February 7, 2013 - Early Release.  Students are dismissed at 2:10pm.
• February 7, 2013 - PTO meeting (7pm in GMSW Library)
• February 21st & 26th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:15-7:45pm)  Call the office at 614-478-5570 to schedule a conference.

Using Multiple Representations in Middle School Math

Teaching for Understanding:  Why Using Multiple Representations is Essential for Math Learners.

 

A common belief held by many people is that math is difficult to learn.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, each of us is a mathematician, and all students have the ability to make substantial growth in math.  It is true, perhaps, that math could be very difficult to learn if all it is to students is an exercise in tedious memorization.  You see, math is about much more than learning algorithms and memorizing multiplication facts and formulas. 

MATH IS ABOUT THINKING.  

From infancy all children wonder about the world around them, seeking out answers to problems based on the information available to them at the time.  To help students grow as math thinkers, teachers and parents must get past thinking that memorizing math facts is enough.  To grow and excel in math, students must be challenged at the earliest ages - even before kindergarten - to think about math critically.  One of the best ways to help students develop this critical thinking ability is to expose them to multiple representations of mathematical concepts while challenging them to create representations of their own.

What would this look like for students in a middle school classroom?  Given that math is about thinking, we must accept that it is also about communicating our thinking - and about challenging our thinking and questioning our approaches to problems.  Consider the importance of these concepts in this brief video from Dan Meyer, doctoral fellow at Stanford University.



 

 

 



Recently, 8th grade math students at MSW were challenged to use multiple representations to analyze a non-linear pattern of growth.  Their teachers, Nikki Kelley and Denise Wolfe, wanted students to share their thinking as they examined one another's work.

 

"Students had to use various representations (tables, graphs, equations, pictures) to analyze a non-linear pattern of growth.  They had to make connections between the representations with the idea that given one they should be able to create the others.  The teams worked together to create the posters.  Then the teams went on a Gallery Walk to analyze the other teams' posters.  First they had to give feedback on the patterns the other teams created and critique the work the other teams produced.  Then they had to compare and contrast the work done by different class periods that had the same rule as them.  Overall the students should have a deeper understanding of multiple representations for algebraic problems."  ~ Nikki Kelley

 

Some examples of student work from the Gallery Walk:

 



 

One of the best indicators of a student's math understanding is his/her ability to explain their mathematical thinking.  As you sit down with your children to review their homework each night, ask them to explain their strategies for tackling problems.  You'll be surprised how much you know about math and about how impressive our students are!

 

 

What's Up at West?

• 11/26 - Winter Sports Pictures at 3:45pm
• 11/27 - Students return from Thanksgiving Break
• 11/29 - Coffee with Mr. Scruci (7:30-9am at Tim Horton's)
• 11/29 - 6th grade Strings w/LHS orchestra (7:30 pm at GMSW auditorium)
• 11/30 - Progress Reports Go Home
• 12/6 - PTO meeting (7pm in GMSW library)



RED RIBBON WEEK

GMSW Students Learn About the Dangers of Drugs

 

 

 

Spice. K2. Salvia. Bath Salts. Meth. X. Inhalents. Do you know about these drugs? If not, you should. Young people are being exposed to these street drugs earlier and earlier in their lives. In Ohio and across the country, the variety of drugs being offered on the street is exploding. Some even seem harmless. One looks like a clump of brown sugar, another like a child's multi-vitamin - complete with an imprint of a Transformer. Teens need information from caring, responsible adults about the dangers of drugs & alcohol if they are to understand the negative effects drugs have on one's life. As teachers and parents we must first understand what dangers these drugs pose before we can understand how to advise teens to make good choices about avoiding them. One thing is certain: Those who would push these products on children are not telling them the truth about the damage they can do.

During RED RIBBON Week at MSW, students had an opportunity to show their spirit and commit to following a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. Seventh and Eighth grade students had the opportunity to hear from retired Sergeant Mike Powell about the dangers of street drugs, including marijuana and alcohol. Sergeant Powell served in the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for over 32 years and now he continues to work as a public information specialist with Franklin County, conducting drug awareness training for students and parents all over the United States of America. Sgt. Powell was a supervisor with the FBI Drug Task Force here in Columbus. He is a member of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and is widely recognized as an expert on illegal drugs and their manufacture, sale, and impact on our society. He also happens to be a former GMSW Parent. We are excited to announce that we are planning a training for parents led by Mike sometime this winter. Look for more information coming soon. In the meantime, visit Operation:StreetSmart on Facebook.

Sergeant Mike Powell (Ret.) speaks with GMSW 8th graders about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.



What's Up at West?

• November 7th - MSW Skate Zone Party, sponsored by the GMSW PTO (6-8:30pm)
• November 8th - Early Release Day. Students dismissed at 2:10pm.
• November 8th - 7th & 8th grade strings rehearsal at GLHS Band Room (6:30-8:30pm)
• November 15th - MS & HS district orchestra concert (7:30pm @ LHS auditorium)
• November 19th - 8th grade district choir concert (7:30pm @ GLHS)
• November 21-23 - Thanksgiving Holiday. NO SCHOOL.
• November 26th - NO SCHOOL. Teacher In-Service Training.



Why READING is so important.

Sustained Silent Reading During PRIDE Period Helps All Students Grow

 

 

 

 

All students at MSW have time each day to read during their PRIDE period.  Why is this such an important part of their academic growth?  There are several reasons.  The most important of these is that when students are able to choose what they read and are given time to focus on that reading, they grow at an astonishing rate.  As Bernice Cullinan of New York University writes in Independent Reading and School Achievement:

Age level is a primary factor that shapes why people read, what they read, how much they read, and what they do with what they read. Furthermore when students started to read affects their subsequent school experiences and reading competence. Developmental influences are strong.

Unfortunately, many studies suggest that it is during the middle school years that students begin to read less on their own, often enticed by other emerging interests and pursuits common for their age and development.  For this reason, it is essential that students are afforded the time each day to choose rigorous, high-interest, engaging text that is appropriately complex for them. 

“There’s no better way to inform and expand your mind on a regular basis than to get into the habit of reading good literature . . . You can get into the best minds that are now or that have ever been in the world.” – Stephen Covey
 

Please take the time to discuss with your children what they are currently reading and encourage them to continue to read for extended periods at home.  READING is a habit of success.  Let' make is a habit for all.


What's Up at West?

• October 22nd - Red Ribbon Week Begins (anti drug and alcohol awareness)
• October 26th - Red Cross Blood Drive (noon - 6pm in the auditorium)
• October 26th - End of the First Grading Period

 



Mr. Harmon's Student Blogging Contest

Students are Challenged to Show What They Know in the Principal's Blogging Contest!

Some say that students today cannot write as well as those from previous generations.  I say this is false!  Today's children are writing and publishing more than any generation in history.  So why is it that some experts are so concerned about students' command of the written word?  I recently spoke with a friend who works at Ohio State as a physics professor and researcher.  He was clearly excited about the work that he and his graduate students were doing in the lab, but he lamented their ability to write academically about their important work.  He said to me, "It's amazing how hard it is for me to teach them to write.  They are wonderful young scientists, but they struggle when trying to put their findings into a professional, academic paper."

I don't have the answer to why some clearly bright students struggle with academic writing.  I can say, however, that a passion for writing begins with the content we are asking students to write about.  Think back to your first positive experiences with writing.  I bet that part of what made your experience positive was that you were writing about something that you cared deeply about.  With young writers we must foster a love of writing by embracing the opportunities we have to encourage students to write about the things they find interesting.  While students who enjoy writing will usually be content with a pencil and paper, blogging offers a high tech, creative alternative form of writing that incorporates multi-media.  Through such technology students gain access to a very rich platform for writing that allows them to use the technology they love so much!

Enter the Principal's Blogging Contest!

I'm inviting all students at Middle School West to enter the Principal's Blogging Contest.  To enter, simply create a blog site (see information about free blog sites below) and email the link to the completed blog to Mr. Harmon no later than November 15, 2012.  Rules to follow:

1)  The blog must educate the reader about a topic learned in school.  It can be about something interesting that the student learned in any of his/her classes.

2)  The blog must include media (photos, weblinks, video, etc.) about the topic that assists the reader in learning about the topic.

3) All content on the blog must be appropriate for school.

Up to 5 blogs will be chosen as gold medal blogs by a panel of staff members and students at MSW, and the winning bloggers will be awarded with an Expect Your Best! certificate.  With parent permission, the winning blogs will be featured on the West Weekly Blog and on Twitter via my Twitter feed, @bharmon2.  

Resources for Beginning Bloggers:

PC Magazine's best free blog sites (This article profiles several free blog sites, including Blogger, Google's free blog platform that West Weekly is published with.)

How to Help Your Child Start Blogging

Fun Things to Include on Your Blog

Remember, as you assist your child in creating his/her blog, students must focus their blog posts on demonstrating/teaching about some topic they have learned in school.  Using all of the multi-media and technology makes the exercise very engaging, but the content of the writing should be the star of the post!  Good luck - I can't wait to read the entries!

What's Up at West?

• 10/16 - 7th & 8th grade strings rehearsal at LHS band room (6:30-8:30pm)
• 10/18 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:15-7:45pm)
• 10/19 - MSW 7th & 8th grade Halloween Dance (6-7:30pm)
• 10/26 - Red Cross Blood Drive (MSW auditorium 12-6pm)
• 10/26 - End of First Grading Period - Remind students to expect their best as the grading period comes to an end!

Homework Incentive Plans Work

iPass Incentive Motivates Students to Demonstrate Positive Academic Behaviors

 

 

Students at GMSW have a new reason to think positively about their homework!  The iPass is an incentive system that rewards students for doing their homework with attention to detail and for turning it in on time.  Equally important, the iPass encourages kids who miss a homework to do what great learners do:  ask questions and work to understand the material they have missed.  There is a reward for this behavior, too. 

 

The iPass rewards students on a monthly basis with experiences and incentives that they choose.  The "i" stands for initiative.  Here's how it works:

• Students are encouraged to do their homework on time - all of the time.  That's the standard of excellence.
• However, we recognize that there will always be times when unexpected things pop up.  Because of this, students receive an iOops opportunity once per month.  It's basically one free pass if something unexpected happens.
• If a student misses any homeworks that month beyond the one iOops, he/she is marked with an iMiss.  If a student receives more than two iMisses in any given month, he/she does not earn the initiative incentive.
• Encouraging students who make mistakes to work hard to improve is a primary tenet of the iPass system!  Students keep their iPass sheets out as they learn and work in class.  As teachers recognize good academic behaviors (asking good questions, being prepared to learn, being engaged in discussions, etc.) they reward students with iStamps on their sheets.  When a student earns 10 iStamps, he/she gets one iMiss erased.
• Students learn responsibility and have short term goals to work toward.  They must be responsible enough to keep their iPass and have it out in class to earn iStamps.  Losing your iPass means you have taken yourself out of the running for that month's incentive.

 



Students who complete the month with two or fewer iMisses earn the incentive for that month.  Our first month, September, was a great success!  The students really embraced the idea, and 87% of students (that's 548 boys & girls!) earned the "Build Your Own Sundae" incentive.  Further, there were close to 300 students in the building (almost half of our students) who didn't miss a single homework or even use one iOops pass!  These students were entered into a drawing where two students from each grade level won iTunes cards.  Students now have their new iPass sheets for October, so please talk with your children about their academic goals for this month.  The incentive?  A Gaming Party on November 2nd!

 

What's Up at West?

 

• October 5-12 is Book Fair Week!  Feel free to stop by our library to check out lots of great books, posters, and other fun stuff!
• October 9th & 18th are Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Please call 614-478-5570 to schedule a conference with your child's team of teachers.
• October 12th - NO SCHOOL
• October 26th is the GMSW-American Red Cross Blood Drive.  The blood drive will be held in the GMSW Auditorium from 12-6pm.  Your child will bring home information about the drive and how to give the gift of life.  All West parents and friends who donate will be entered into a drawing sponsored by the GMSW PTO for $50 to California Pizza Kitchen!