Currently in The Art Lab!

There are only a few art projects I repeat. This may change. I have only been teaching art, officially, for 7 years. With approximately 5 projects each semester, and 2 semesters each year, and 3 different levels, that makes 210 different opportunities to teach a new lesson. Block Printing is unique though, and I include it EVERY semester. Of all the mediums, it requires the most planning, much critical thinking/problem solving, and also the most courage.

However, my first year I wrote up this lesson for block printed portraits, and it works so well, I keep doing it. And I always teach it to my 6^th graders. It plugs into the Visual Arts SOLs for their level well, and it just seems to WORK. Print making is the medium I enjoy teaching them the most, at all levels. But this project takes the cake. I have adjusted it in little ways depending on the group of students, and also on an individual basis. Some students do not want to embark on a self-portrait. This semester I suggested they exchange photos with a classmate. A few chose to do so. Some want to honor someone else in their life. Last year, I had a student insist on basing her block carving on a portrait of her and her mother. Possibly I like this project so much because it provides the opportunity to really MEET the new students. Part of this project incorporates choosing words that describe the subject’s personality. It is fun to hear them talk about these with each other. I have them make a list on their own and then switch with a partner and have them add words that describe each other’s personality traits, from a different perspective. 

The students LOVE carving the blocks, at all levels. I find it to be the most all-inclusively engaging medium.  Most all the students become entranced while working on their blocks. I have to snap them out of it when it is clean-up time, and its not always easy!

The 7^th graders are working on digital collages as the material for their blocks. They each created their own digital collage, with a minimum of 3 different images tied together with a specific theme or narrative. This is very challenging for some, but there are always a few that blow me away. One of my 7^th graders this semester combined an image of a businessman, an airplane, and a pedestal, all in a landscape. When I asked him about the theme he described how it was a twist on the way infants are sometimes fed by a pretend game of the spoon being an airplane, flying into an open mouth. Brilliant and witty! 

The 8^th graders our carving two-sided blocks in which they are designing their own playing card, Tarot style card, or “affirmation” card.  The 8^th grade art class is a very eclectic group of students. It is my largest class, and one of my more challenging ones. It’s been a slow going project! I will post an update with images of their blocks as they make more progress.  Their ideas range from intricate design based traditional playing card styles, to designs reflecting the love of sports (replacing the usual spades, hearts, clubs etc.…with softballs or lacrosse sticks) to interesting symbolism inspired by the Tarot tradition (which, by the way, originated as an Italian Card game…so it was not always “ fortune telling”).

It is such a gratifying and rewarding experience to observe my students connecting with their own creativity. Especially when they came into the class claiming they are not artists! Watching them come in and get right to their projects, enthusiastic and focused, is a wonderful thing to see. I am grateful to be their teacher and guide in Walton’s “ Art Lab”.

Get Ready for Walton's Friday Night Bash on Friday, November 14th! All students from Walton's feeder pattern in grades k-8 are invited.

Walton's Book Fair will also be open!

This event is free to the Walton Community and refreshments and dinner items will be sold.

Click on the link below to reserve your spot today!

https://docs.google.com/a/k12albemarle.org/document/d/1G6FLiTVPoNBvk1bjOlZXf7fea3xX6ZjdY_c4sZzfnPs/edit?usp=sharing

Locker Rumors

LOCKER RUMORS

Here’s what’s happening in the world of Health and Physical Education.

We have a new face in our department (at least until December 12):   Phil Vargas joins us as a student teacher from the University of Virginia.  Mr. Vargas completed his elementary training at Broadus Wood and now brings his skills to bear on our middle school students.

Our guidance department shared some valuable information with our 6^th and 8^th graders.  6^th graders enjoyed conflict resolution activities, while our 8^th graders participated in stress management techniques.  Special thanks to Ms. Crawford and Mr. Bloor.

Our 7^th graders completed their body system presentations.  We were treated to several entertaining methods of presenting this material:  Power Point; skits; posters; and models to name several.

Walton’s World Series continues this week. Students will be tested on softball skills, rules, player positions, and game strategy.

Get outside and enjoy the cool autumn air!

Diane Archer, Health & P.E. Teacher

6th Grade Natural Bridge Field Trip by Ms. Tabasso

Today, the sixth grade students of Walton Middle School traveled 90 miles southwest to Rockbridge County to visit Natural Bridge.  This was a culminating trip for the current social studies students, who have completed two projects about Native American tribes in North America.  The second semester social studies students have established some great background knowledge by attending this trip that they will be able to use during their studies in January.

You may be asking yourself, What exactly is Natural Bridge?  Well, Natural Bridge is just that a natural bridge that was carved out by Cedar Creek, a tributary of the James River, thousands of years ago.  The Native American Monacan tribe considered it to be a scared place after a victorious battle over the rival Powhatan tribe on the site.  White settlers discovered Natural Bridge in March of 1749, and it is also believed that George Washington may have even traveled to Natural Bridge while surveying the area.  The initials GW can be seen about 23 feet from the top of the bridge giving proof that he was there.  George Washington is not the only president who is tied to Natural Bridge--the land Natural Bridge is located on was acquired by Thomas Jefferson in 1774.  It served as one of the first tourist attractions to visiting Europeans in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  Fast forward to modern day, it is still a place of mystic and wonder, especially to our sixth graders today!

We choose a perfect autumn day to visit.  The temperature was quite comfortable—not too hot and not too cold.  Although the sky seemed rather ominous, the rain held off and we were able to stay dry!  As soon as we arrived, students hopped off the bus and stretched their legs—an hour and forty five minutes was a long time for those little legs to be cramped up!  We made our way down 137 stairs to the base of Natural Bridge.  We experienced breath-taking views, and many students pulled out their phones and cameras to document the nature beauty.  We continued to make our way along a trial next to the creek and under the amazing bridge.  There were mini-traffic jams as students “ooh-ed” and “aahh-ed” with open mouths as they gazed all the way up!  

We rounded under and past the bridge and a little bit farther up the path, we came upon a Monacan village.  There were two guides who were able to provide the students with a tour of the village.  They were very helpful along the way and taught the students new things specifically about the Monacan tribe.  They even got to say a few Monacan words.  The first stop was a traditional Monacan house.  Then the students checked out the “kitchen”.  Most were really excited about seeing the kitchen, given that fact that it was just about lunchtime!  They learned about the top three foods cooked by the Monacan—deer, turkey, and turtles.  Turtles were the best because they had their very own serving bowl.  They also were shown steel knives and a copper pot acquired by the tribe by trading.  They also saw the predecessor to the steel knifes—rock knives that you had to be extremely careful not to break.

We made our way to a longhouse where the Monacans would hold important meetings.  They even had a fire going inside of the longhouse, which made it a tad bit smoky, but mostly cozy.  They also saw a trading post and learned more about the tools and communication Monacans used.  At one point, the guide blow on a conch shell, and the students learned it was used to signal an upcoming battle.  Macy commented, “#Shellphone!”  We ended our visit eating lunch just outside of the Monacan village.  All in all, the students learned a lot and got to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors experiences a bit history and natural beauty!

Book Fair in Time for Holiday Shopping!

Walton's Book Fair will be in the library from Monday, November 10 to Friday, November 14th. Students will visit during their language arts classes to create wish lists and receive further information.

A Friday night special event will be taking place, so feel free to shop without your kids while they participate in other activities that night. Books can also be purchased on-line. Be on the look out for more information.

For more information or to volunteer contact the librarian at mproffitt@k12albemarle.org.

Our Living Constitution - By Mr. Plumb

Our 8th grade Civics & Economics class has been hard at work so far this year mastering the intricacies of our Constitution.  On September 17th, we celebrated the 227 anniversary of our Constitution with the Walton Constitutional Choir singing the classic School House Rock Preamble to the Constitution. Click for video of our WLHW performance (FF to 4:33 for our segment)

Before studying the structure and powers of our government, we spent time exploring what it meant to be a U.S. citizen, as well as the rights and privileges we enjoy because of our citizenship.  Students used free form poetry called Acrostics and poetry loosely based on the Japanese haiku style to express their understanding of the Bill of Rights. Acrostics included lines such as:

Believe what you believe, you can say as you please, with the freedom of RSPAP you don’t have to worry about that.

It’s your right to bear arms just don’t cause any harm just maintain your militia and you may keep going on.

Let no solider in peace have to answer to war, otherwise what would domestic tranquility be for?

Legally with a warrant you may search my house, but if you don’t have anything get the heck out!

Only may you take me if guilty I am, I want to have my Due process or you can get off my land!

First off if I’m charged a trial I’ll expect, give me a witness and a jury before you people have to hurt me.

Really if it’s civil this amendments what you’ll need, get a Civil Jury’s trial in order to succeed.

I believe my bail won’t cost an arm and a leg, all I know is if I’m punished please don’t cut off my head.

Good thing this was made so I can sleep at night, I’ll have my justice even if it isn’t in the Bill of Rights.

The power we possess is the best especially how we and the states are equal.  This right explains the saying “We the People”

Summarizing Unit 5 Lesson 3, the Bill of Rights earns us our Liberty. 

  While haikus included:

1st Amendment:	2nd Amendment
Speech, press, assembly.	Bearing arms, to start
Rights of the first Amendment.	a militia is fine. Thanks
Protects our freedoms.	second amendment.
Amendment 2:	3rd Amendment
I’ll protect myself.	Soldiers, in my house?
I have the right to bear arms.	I don't think so! Not without
This can’t be taken away.	my consent. Get out right now.
Amendment 3:	4th amendment
Soldiers cannot stay.	Search warrants are cool,
Unless welcomed by myself.	Why don't you have one? Stop it
Protects privacy.	you can't search my house.
Amendment 4:	8th amendment
You can’t search my house.	No High fines for my
You must have a search warrant.	bail, or cruel punishment.
This law keeps me safe.	Government in check.
Amendment 6:
If I’m in trouble,
I’ve the right to speedy trials,
And a lawyer too.

The final piece in our study of the Constitution is our October 16th visit to Washington, D.C..  Every student will be given the chance to see the real Constitution as well as many of the important documents that inspired our founding fathers to write this amazing document.  Even after 40 years of visits, I still get goosebumps when I see the real deal.