January 9, 2015

Independent Projects

*Save the Date: Open House on Thursday, January 29th @ 6:30 pm*

We are one week into our Independent Project work.  Student topics range from the changes in immigration laws over time to the unique adaptations of koalas.   Our librarian, Ms. Hennig, taught us a lesson in using WCS online library resources this week, which include many powerful databases such as the Vermont Online Library (password: pine) and online encyclopedias.  You can view the complete list of electronic resources here.  Many of these resources require a password when accessed from home.  We have handed students a list of these passwords and/or posted them on Google Classroom.

There are many e-books in the library catalog, as well.  For example, if you click on our main library catalog and search for "adaptations" you will see a book titled  A journey into adaptation with Max Axiom, super scientist.  This is an e-book, as indicated by the blue icon, and can be opened from home.  Students also have a log-in to access these books.  Of course, students also found good old fashioned books in the library to support their work!

Our next due dates include a bibliography on Monday, an introductory paragraph on Tuesday and completed notecards on Wednesday.  Students will practice the skill of taking brief notes on important facts in their own words this week.  For a complete list of due dates from now until the Open House on January 29th, please click here.

Swift Rewind

Hello my name is Jimmy Jiang. For my Eighth Grade Challenge, I am doing Book Writing and Publishing. In order to finish the project, I have to have a community challenge that is connected to my project. I am making a sort of magazine for Swift house filled with pictures, writing pieces and art works, called the Swift Rewind. I hope you encourage your kids to send in submissions for their core journal in Google Classroom next week.

Natural Resources Research

In the weeks leading up to vacation, seventh and eighth graders researched natural resource issues such as renewable energy sources and drilling for oil in the Arctic.  They presented their findings on the issues, including the background and pros and cons for potential solutions or options.  Part of the research required making a video to send to a politician who might have influence on their topic.  Below are a few examples of student videos from the class.

Global Warming- By Jimmy

Plastic in the Ocean- By Lily, Olivia, Camille and Bryant

Hydroelectric Dams- By Colby and Bennett

 

Swift Dance- Thank You!

Thank you chaperones and all of you who donated concessions.  The Swift House sponsored dance went smoothly Friday night thanks to your help.  We had a great showing from the 5th graders at their first dance of the year, as well.  All funds from school dances go to the Student Accounts fund for our field trips; it's a great source of revenue each year.

Student-Led Literature Groups

Perhaps your son or daughter has been talking about leading a literature group.  Each year we provide 7th and 8th grade students the opportunity to lead a literature group if they complete the required components ahead of time.  These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• You (and your partner) must both read the entire book prior to January 23rd. Even if you have already read the book, you will need to re-read it as a refresher. Swift House teachers do this, too!
• You must have a verbal recommendation from your core teacher(s) to the other core teachers. This will be based on work quality, personal responsibility, maturity, and work habits. 
• You must have a planned schedule for the each day of the unit, including all reading assignments, class activities, and homework tasks. 
• You should also have an indication of how much time you plan to spend on each activity for each day. Make sure to plan time for Nexus on one of the last two days of class. (Each class period is one hour.) 
• You must have prepared and printed all student handouts (assignment descriptions/instructions, rubrics, checklists, etc.) for every lesson. 
• You must have a detailed written plan for every class activity, and every activity must have a clear purpose that relates to the text.
•  You must have all book discussion questions written for each section of assigned reading. 

These literature group plans are due by Friday, January 23rd.  All student-led literature groups will be supervised by a Swift House adult, as well.  We look forward to this great opportunity for student leadership and teamwork each year!

New Swift Sign

With great thanks to MC Baker and her Spark group, wonderful progress is being made on the new Swift House sign.  See the latest photos below.

Eve tries out placements

The old and the new

In progress...