Houses of Wood and Straw

Houses of Wood and Straw

My 8th grade Engineer/Build class got to build doghouses for needy dogs this semester. This was bigger than any wood project that I've ever done in my life. I split the class into 5 groups and each group got a small, medium, or large house to build. We planned, designed, and wrote on plywood. We used T-squares, rulers, measured and measured again. I cut the wood on the table saw, but the kids did every other part. My students drilled, screwed in screws, marked angles with pencils, caulked, and waterproofed. They problem-solved when there was a mistake, they stayed late, and they came down during wrapup at the end of the day.

 

 

I'm proud to say that each group used critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity and successfully and proudly came up with a structure for each needy canine.

 

The icing on the cake was when local TV stations came in and reported on this project.  My class was on Cloud 9. I look forward to helping my kids help out their community in the future!

The HOWS Project is run by an animal-loving, tree-hugging, peace-wishing vegan named Stacey Norris. If you need a doghouse, you can contact her through this contact form or by calling this number and leaving a voicemail at this number (434)882-1847.

There are SO many needy dogs out there ... please consider helping ... you can donate your time or your money .... you can donate materials or educate others .... you can report needy dogs .... you can write to your legislature.

NBC29 Story on the Web "Albemarle Students Build, Distribute Free Doghouses"

CBS19 Story on the Web "Walton Students Build Dog Houses For Service Project"

-Jon Barber
CTE Teacher Walton Middle School
hoosjon@blogspot.com
twitter.com/hoosjon

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The month of January will be a busy one for sixth graders at Walton! Language Arts classes, along with Walton's librarian, Ms. Proffitt, will begin individual research projects. Students will be able to select a topic of their own and follow correct research procedures in order to create a finished product. Students will especially make use of all that their 1:1 computers have to offer: websites and databases. Over the next two weeks, sixth graders will learn how to safely and accurately search on the web, how to select the best site and how to cite their sources. They will also become familiar with Walton's databases and ebooks and will use these sources to find reliable information. Be sure to ask your child what all they have learned about how to be smart searchers!

Many activities taking place at Walton these days!  Parks & Rec Volleyball league reg ends Fri, Jan. 17th with the season starting at the end of Jan.  Spirit Week: Jan 13-16 (PJ's, Look Alike, Neon, Sweater, and Back to the Future Days).

Care and Share Update

 

Care and Share Update

Our Walton Middle School family once again came through to help those in need in our community. Through our non-perishable and monetary donations we were able to provide food (and grocery) packages to over 40 families.  A school-wide project of this size needs so many folks to help:

·         WMS Math team for their friendly competition in class to help remind kids to bring in cans

·         Ms. Collier for sending out and collecting sign-up forms …. and so much more

·         Ms. Haluska, the WMS drum line and Mr. Hansell for getting us started at the Care and Share Kick-Off

·         Staff/ Admin  and parents volunteering their time at the Care and Share Dance

·         Mr. Barber and his students for packing

·         Front office staff

·         Staff who helped deliver packages, as well as, pick up food

·         WMS PTO for sending out the Care and Share message to parents

·         Any and all of us who brought in any amount of cans, non-perishables items or gave a monetary donation

Thanks to all who helped make this year’s Care and Share project a success!

 

Paula Hoffman

8th grade Teacher

Lead Special Education Teacher

Top Ten Reasons Why Walton Students Love Winter Break

Greetings and Happy Holidays to Everyone,

As we go forth to this two week break there should be time for reflection and planning. It is a good time to look back on one's school year so far. Consider what has worked for you or your child and what has not and plan accordingly into the new year. It is also a good time to plan for the future. All students and parents (if you have received access codes from the guidance office) have access to signing up for classes for next year. Take a look at the Walton website for registration information. And please contact your guidance counselor if you have any questions about the registration process.

Though all of the above is true, let's be honest: most of us are looking forward to sleeping in, eating good food, seeing family etc. So here is a Top Ten List of reasons that the winter break is good.

Top Ten Reasons Walton Kids Love the Winter Break

10: You'll hear "Deck the Halls" instead of "No running in the halls."
9:   You will have more than 4 minutes to get from one place to another.
8:   Can text at free will (parents permitting of course).
7:   No LBD.
6:   Don't have to wake up to an alarm.
5:   No cheese pizza for lunch (unless of course you like cheese pizza).
4:   2 Weeks of no long, bumpy rides in a big yellow box.
3:   No homework until next year!!!!
2:   You get to wear a Hat!!!! Yea!
1:   Time with family and friends.

Happy Holidays everyone! Have fun and be safe.

Doug Bloor
School Counselor

Smartphones & Math

As a middle school math teacher, I was initially hesitant to incorporate technology into the classroom.  I taught in the Mississippi Delta during my first two years and our school finally received class sets of calculators late into my first year of teaching.  A class set of calculators were an invaluable tool, as students were allowed to use them on the MCT2 (state test).  Before I came to the school they were already on the cusp of being taken over by the state for low test scores so the introduction of calculators was greatly needed.

Fast forward to my first year in Albemarle County Public Schools and I was amazed (and intimidated) by the incredible uses of technology in the classroom to enhance student learning.  One of the more interesting initiatives in the division has been the use of student's handheld devices in the classroom.  Initially I was hesitant to adopt this philosophy although recently my heart has changed.

Earlier this week, my students were working on solving 1 step inequalities and were completing a partner puzzle where they had to match questions with corresponding solutions.  I announced that if they had smartphones or ipods they were allowed to use them as a calculator.  To my surprise the students were excited to use their personal hand held devices as a calculator and even tweeted me pictures of their work.  One of my favorite pictures from Tuesday was a picture of Elijah and Savannah working together and sharing an iPhone as a calculator.  With proper structures and expectations in place, this practice will certainly continue.

Good morning Walton Middle School.  This has been a crazy week of school.   We were delayed for two hours on Monday, missed Tuesday completely and have activity day schedule today. 

Yesterday we asked all students to leave their computers in homeroom for the night.  We are trying to update all programs for SOL testing that will begin when we return from the Winter Holidays.

As we look ahead to next week, we have multiple activities that are occurring.  The  Parent/Student portal is open to register for classes next year.  WMS Guidance Office will be hosting an informational meeting on Thursday at 5:00pm to go over the scheduling process.  The ACPD (SRO Ron Davis) will be directing an Internet Safety meeting to our student body on Thursday.  The Winter Band Concert will be held Thursday night at 6:15pm and then again for the student body on Friday at 9:30am.

We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Mr. Rick Vrhovac