Eighth grade students from Mr.
Foley’s classes participated in a Ning as a Civil Rights activist. (A
Ning is an online platform for people to create their own social
networks.) With the help of Mrs. McBride, students selected and
researched a Civil Rights activist. They used this information to create
their profiles and described themselves through their personal trials
and tribulations related to the Civil Rights Movement. Videos and photos
were uploaded and shared, and students posted comments and questions to
each other’s profiles.
The Ning invited these “activists” to special events. The events
included: Freedom Songs, Paparazzi, and Friend or Foe. “Activists”
participated in the events and shared information in a forum for others
to view. In Freedom Songs, activists listened to the top six songs from
the Civil Rights Movement and chose one of them that related to their
own historical situation. “Activists” created an additional stanza to
the song, posted their lyrics and some uploaded their own recordings. At
the Paparazzi Event, “activists” selected an historical photo of their
experiences and created a comic strip that summarized this significant
event using Make Beliefs Comix. “Activists” upload it to the Ning and
shared the significance of their political cartoon.
Linda Brown, Harvey Milk, Fred Shuttlesworth, Elizabeth Eckford, Ruby
Bridges, and Ralph Abernathy were just a few of the many activists who
participated in this Ning. The perspectives and information shared, made
for one amazing “Social” Studies class.
Terrific Tours at SOMS
Every summer, thousands of travelers visit
ancient ruins to get a taste of history with their own two eyes. One of
the wonders of technology is that it can bring the world to you instead
of you needing to find the time and money to explore the traditional
way.
Students in Mr. Freeley and Mrs. Jaquith's classes developed virtual
tours for a specific ancient ruin. With the assistance of Mrs. McBride,
they researched details of the structure, including its size, its
function, its historical importance, etc. They created skits that
highlighted these findings and filmed their tours. Using green screen
technology, sixth graders transformed their films into virtual tours. No
volcanic ash, no airline strike, nor the economy will deter these
students from experiencing the world!
Ruin Freeley
A
Ancient Ruin 104
NBC Studios Tour
On Thursday May 27th, students in Ms. Sorensen's project based class
went on a trip to tour NBC studios.
Mr. Gilbert Muro, one of our parents has worked as a technical director
at NBC for over 25 years. As our tour guide, Mr. Muro took students
behind the scenes. Students visited the set of Saturday Night Live, Dr.
Oz, and the World News desk. Students were given a rare look at what it
takes "behind the scenes" to produce a television show in the control
rooms using state of the art technology. Many of the students in project
based class have produced their own commercials and imovies, so this
tour was especially helpful to them.
SOMS
Choir Sings
More Who
Have Less
Priscilla Pena-Carney heard Saffire's song
More Who Have Less and asked to
include it in the SOM's Spring 2010 Concert.
The band shared that "it was so awesome to
be singing our song with the rest of the
concert choir, and it was just as much fun
to teach it to them. More Who Have
Less is already a powerful song, but with a
group of 35+ girls singing it...well, just
watch the video." (Saffire is a
local band
made up of students from SOMS & TZHS.)
Saffire
Supports Haiti - A Love Haiti Relationship -
read more
Taste
of Spain
On May
21, Mr. Sullivan, Dr. Solomon and Mrs. Muchoe dined with the 8th grade students at Taste of Spain
restaurant in Northvale to reinforce their restaurant unit. (Photos to
left)
On April 23, Mrs. Hackett, Dr. Solomon, Mrs. Muchoe and Mr. Sullivan dined with
the 7th grade students at Taste of Spain restaurant in
Northvale to to reinforce their Food unit. (Photos to right)
SOMS TRIP TO WASHINGTON,
DC
May 13 - 14, 2010
The 8th graders took
their annual trip to Washington D.C. on May 13th. They visited
the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, The Museum of American
History, The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument, The
Vietnam War Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. At night,
they had a dinner dance in the hotel. The next day the students
headed to Hershey Park for rides and lots of chocolate!
National History Day
"Innovation in History: Impact and Change."
SOMS Middle school students
taught by Ms. Arlene Sorensen participated in the annual National
History Day Contest at St. Thomas Aquinas College.
The topic of this year's
theme was "Innovation in History: Impact and Change."
Rachael M. and Brianna Y.
created an outstanding exhibit about the Knickerbocker Ice Company
founded here in Rockland County.
Lucy T. and John C. created an exhibit entitled "Through the Lens of
Mathew Brady: How his Innovation Captured History.
Lizzi G. and Zoe M. created a documentary film on "The Navajo Code".
New York vs. New Jersey in Classroom Math Competition
Mrs. Moore's 7th grade math class competed against a class in Jersey
City via Skype. Each student from SOMS was matched with a student from
Jersey City and given a mathematical equation to solve. The student who
answered the question accurately earned points for their class. The game
was tied up until the end and Jersey City won by a point.
SPIRIT DAY & ELA RESEARCH
COLLIDE
On April
30th, South Orangetown Middle School Cafeteria went back in time to the
20th Century while using 21st Century technology. Every year, SOMS
student government sponsors a spirit day in which each grade level
dresses up as a different decade. Meanwhile, students in Ms. Murphy’s
8th grade ELA classes recently completed research papers based on a
specific aspect of a decade. As a culminating project, students were
asked to create decade’s videos similar to Billy Joel’s famous MTV
video, “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Interest and passion was evident
throughout their research and as a result amazing videos were created.
Student Government and eighth graders teamed up and made Decades Day
even more festive. Four stellar videos were chosen and showcased during
all lunch periods. Students were asked to bring their cell phones to
lunch in order to have a school wide vote. History unfolded at SOMS with
great enthusiasm and support.
Technology
used to come to the aid of people...
On April 20, 2010, Mrs. Biggs’
Design Drawing for Production classes (otherwise known as the Advanced
Technology classes) at South Orangetown Middle School visited Helen
Hayes Hospital. This trip gave students first hand experience on how
technology is used to rehabilitate people with physical disabilities and
also how technology is used to help people communicate using
Augmentative / Alternative Communication.
The tours of the hospital were lead by Mr. Thomas McCorry, C.O.,
Certified Prosthesis’ trainer, and Debra Zeitlin, Director of the Center
for Rehabilitation Technology / Augmentative/Alternative Communication.
Each specialist guided students through their respective departments and
described the different ways people can be treated in this facility. The
students were shown how prosthetics and orthotics are fitted to the
patients and how the tools that are used to do the building of these
devices are very similar to the tools they use in school.
The communications department fascinated everyone. A computer was made
sensitive enough to read subtle eye movement to get instructions from
persons otherwise unable to speak. Students tried the machine and were
able to manipulate the machine after a brief demonstration. They
communicated with peers without moving or speaking. They used their eyes
to command the computer to speak, type, play, etc.
All in all a great learning experience was had by students and faculty
of SOMS. We extend a sincere thank you and deep appreciation to the
staff of Helen Hayes for making this happen.
Earth Day Around the World
Mrs. Moore’s 3rd period
class decided to skip the textbooks and worksheets and chose to try
something new on Earth Day. We went into the library and thanks to Ms.
Eyer and Mr. Brady we did a video chat with different classes around the
country. Some places were California, Texas, Yonkers, and even Canada!
We talked about going green around the nation. For example, we talked
about packing a reusable lunch. We could use reusable containers instead
of bringing brown bags. This whole video chat was to tryout a new tool,
which was the polycam.
It was cool to speak to
students in different areas about going green. We discussed the prices
of lunch at our schools and Yonkers was the most at $6-7 and Canada was
the lowest at $0.50. We did this to open the doors to share with others
around the world and maybe one day work on a math project together.
By Jenna W.
SOMS Art Students Participate in
Studio in Art Exhibition
During
the month of May, forty Studio in Art students from the South
Orangetown Middle School will be exhibiting their art work at the Dennis
P. McHugh Piermont Library in Piermont, New York. Studio in Art,
an advanced high school level course, is offered to eighth grade
students under the guidance of art teachers Karen Garguilo and Beth
Dougherty.
The course explores a wide range of methods and materials involved in
drawing and painting, graphic design, and printmaking. The elements of
art and the principles of design are emphasized.
The exhibit offers a variety of art media, pen and ink, scratchboard,
watercolor, acrylic paintings, and pencil drawings. Students
participating in the event are:
Mikayla A., Rachel A., Christa B., Julia B., Dana C., Nicholas C.
Matthew C., Christine C., Monica D., Besnik D., Ravina G., Elizabeth G.,
Madison G., Paulina G., Olivia J., Alberto K., Jeanne K., Katie K.,
Soohyun K., Ellie K., Katie K., Shannin L., Savannah L., Mara M., Brigid
M., Kristen M., Zoe M., Maureen N., Siobhan N., Molly O., Connie P.,
Akta P., Kathleen P., Carolyn Q., Michael R., Erin S., Michael T., Clara
W., Graham W., and Brianna Y.,
There will be an opening reception on Sunday May 2nd from 2:00 – 4:00
pm. at the library.
Hidden
Letters Authors Visit SOMS Students
As part of an ongoing goal to reinforce the importance for students to
identify, evaluate, and reflect on their own learning in order to
develop an empathetic understanding of other people and other cultures
in the school and global community, SOMS Library Media Specialist, Patty
Eyer recently arranged for a visit by authors Deborah Slier and her
husband Ian Shine who researched & annotated the book, Hidden Letters.
The book was made possible
through letters found in 1997 during the demolition of a small family
house in Amsterdam, when the foreman found two bundles of papers hidden
in a ceiling. The papers consisted of 86 letters, postcards, and a
telegram sent from an 18 1/2 year-old Dutch boy, Philip “Flip” Slier, to
his parents while he was imprisoned in a forced labor camp in Holland
during the Holocaust.
The foreman, realizing the
importance of the letters, took them to the Dutch National Institute of
War Documentation under the condition that he be told what happened to
the boy and his family, and whether there were any survivors. The
letters found their way to Deborah (first cousin to "Flip") and Ian
Shine in 1999.
The Shines spent the better
part of the next 7 years traveling back and forth to Europe in search of
relatives, friends, stories and pictures in an effort to unravel the
conditions, fears, and courage that underlined Flip's letters to his
family, during his brief life in the work camp.
Since Hidden Letters was
published, the authors have graciously visited with students and
different organizations to share with them the complex, multifaceted,
difficult, sometimes delightful and sometimes heartbreaking discoveries
that came of their research into Flip's short life. "It is our hope",
commented Mr. Shine, "that after hearing us talk and learning about
Flip, at least one child will step up to the plate when they see someone
being bullied or ridiculed, and rather than thinking, "Thank goodness
they're not picking on me," will speak up and say, "Quit it!" After all,
it usually only takes one brave person to speak up for others to follow.
"
Motivational Posters to Express
Well Intentions
Students in Mrs. Tarasco and Mrs. Goldrick's classes, along with the
students in Mrs. Sherman and Ms. McInerney's classes were given the
challenge of creating motivational posters about issues that were
important to them on Glogster.edu. With the help of Mrs. McBride,
students had to brainstorm a real world topic that people might need to
be encouraged to learn more about, or take an active role in. They
created a Glog, or an online, interactive poster that would inspire
others to become a better member of society. Students created the
posters in school, and were given the opportunity to "unveil" their
posters to their peers, who commented and gave them feedback on how they
were motivated by each topic. Topics ranged from Autism Awareness,
recycling, supporting the troops, being more physically active, helping
the victims of Haiti, and drunk driving awareness. "This project was
more fun than making a regular poster because if you are not an artist,
you still could make a great poster using facts, images, movies, music
and other things from the Internet," said Cordellia and Emma, students
in the class. Teachers agreed that this project kept students engaged,
motivated, and allowed for them to learn more about topics that they
otherwise may not have researched on their own.
Rockland
County Black Achievement Awards
The Rockland County Black
Achievement Awards Ceremony was held March 17th after two snow delays.
Three of our students were honored at the ceremony. Mrs. Karen Martin,
School Counselor and Mrs. Karen Tesik, Principal joined in the
celebration and proudly announced each student who proceeded across the
stage to be congratulated by Dr. Cliff Wood, President of Rockland
Community College. The keynote speaker for the evening was Colonel
Ricanthony Ashley, M.D. from the United States Military Academy at West
Point. His words were motivational and inspiring to all present.
Immediately following the ceremony, students gathered with their
families and enjoyed a treat to celebrate their success.
Congratulations Sienna, Patrick and John. We are very proud of you.
Doodle
4 Google
Have you ever heard of a Google Doodle? Google Doodles are the
modified Google logos that appear on Google’s website to commemorate
specific holidays and events. Every year Google holds a Doodle 4
Google competition where students are encouraged to exercise their
creativity and design a Google Doodle based on a specific theme.
This year’s theme was “If I could do anything I would…” About 25
SOMS students drew Google Doodles for this year’s competition.
Students drew pictures that focused on environmental issues, racial
issues and personal dreams and aspirations. Six students were
selected as SOMS winners and their doodles are going on to be judged
at the state level of competition.
Ultimately, the top 4
doodles in the country will be judged and the winning doodle will be
shown on Google’s US Homepage. Good luck to our SOMS doodlers!
Mac
Music Lab in Action
Eighth grade students from Mr. Yassky's
Music Explore class recently completed a "Sound Design" project. The
assignment was to compose an original poem, story or narration that
would then be punctuated and underscored using the Apple program Garage
Band. The following example is one of the final projects.
Listen now!
A,
Bee, C, D, E, F, Geography
Congratulations go to Lukas P., in Mrs. Jaquith’s social studies
class for winning the Geography Bee in January. Lukas competed
alongside his classmates and won! He then went on to the
school wide competition and came out the winner once again!
The National Geography Bee is an educational program of the National
Geographic Society and is open to grades four through eight in all
schools. It is designed to encourage the teaching and study of
geography. Visit the website for more information:
www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/study_corner.html
Three Cups of Tea
Got
Pennies? Students in Mrs. Stehly and Mrs. McBride's 6th grade class
will gladly accept them. When you think of pennies, you don’t think
that they can make much of an impact. But, that’s not actually the
case. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, a penny could buy a pencil. And
with enough pennies, you could build a school. Pennies can make a
huge difference! Students learned this lesson, as well as many
others, while reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.
Using Google Earth Lit Trips, students were able to track
Mortenson’s journey from the summit of K2 to the first school built
by Mr. Mortenson. They discussed the book using a Cafe Protocol and
developed questions, which were posted on the district wide wiki for
others to comment on as well. In addition, students watched video
clips in order to analyze cultural differences and similarities.
These experiences afforded students the opportunity to think
globally, and as a direct result, spring into action.
While reading the book, Mrs. Stehly's class decided to become
official members of the Pennies for Peace organization. Students
divided into groups to organize a fundraiser. They filmed
commercials, printed signs, wrote letters, designed t-shirts,
distributed containers, and built a penny field. They are asking
fellow students to look in their sofas, on the sidewalk or the floor
and toss those unwanted pennies into their homeroom bucket or the
SOMS Penny Field in the main lobby. By participating in Pennies for
Peace, they know they can make a positive impact on a global scale,
and make sure their "change" will make a change.
This important lesson of changing the world through spare change
builds skills and values for a lifetime. It also shows the rest of
us the civic, caring, capable powers of a new generation. They
invite all members of the SOCSD to participate in their Pennies for
Peace program to give lasting hope to children half a world away.
21st Century Skills in Action
8th
graders were all "fired" up to research the 20th Century! Billy
Joel's hit song, "We Didn't Start the Fire" sparked interest,
creativity, and inquiries in Miss. Murphy's class. Students embraced
the challenge by using 21st century technology (from Google Search
Engines to Google Documents to music videos) to reviving the 20th
Century. Citing resources and using reference materials reached an
all new excitement level because all research is based on students'
passions and interests. Stay "tuned" to see what will be featured in
your favorite decade!
Sediments
in the Classroom
Students in Mr. Stephen Cohn’s Earth Science class work together to
simulate what happens when sediments are dumped into a still body of
water. While this happens naturally, such as when rocks from a land
slide fall into a lake, it was able to be re-created in a lab
setting. The students scooped up a sample of mixed size sediments
and dumped them into a tube of water. They noticed how the largest
particles settled the fastest, and the smallest particles took the
longest time to settle. This gave them a personal vision for the
definition of “vertical sorting.” They then repeated this process
two more times to see what happens. They noticed a pattern referred
to as “graded bedding.” A key component of the lab was to draw their
observations before they poured the sediments into the column. They
also drew what they saw after each time they added sediments to the
water and compared these visuals. Class discussions reviewed what
else would affect the rate at which particles settle, which includes
the density and shape of the particle.
SOMS
Teachers Integrate 21st Century Tools at Tech Expo 2010
On March 5th, SOMS
8th grade technology teacher, Peter Olsen and 8th grade ELA teacher,
Maureen Carroll presented a workshop at TECH EXPO 2010. The
presentation focused on infusing media into literature using Google
Lit trips which take students on virtual journeys based on
curriculum.
Partnering 21st Century technology skills with challenging
literature, Carroll and Olsen worked collaboratively to bring the
classroom alive by creating a virtual trip across America and Canada
retracing and exploring the route of Buck’s arduous journey, using
the model they created from Jack London’s notorious novel of
adventure and survival from California to the Yukon and beyond.
Utilizing Google Earth’s ability to give a bird’s eye view, students
can visit and experience life during the Yukon Gold Rush by viewing
purposely positioned historical photos and documents, photos of
actual mining camp remains still standing today, and relevant
excerpts and quotes from the novel that will collectively bring the
student through Buck’s transformation from domesticated pet to
dominant primordial beast.
Also presenting at the Tech Expo were SOMS teachers, Kerri McBride,
Luke Freeley and Patty Eyer who gave workshops on integrating 21st
century skills into curriculum.
SOMS
Heeds the Call of the Wild
Students in the 8th grade
of the South Orangetown Middle School had the opportunity to learn
about the plight of the North American Wolf. Representatives from
the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY, came to the
assembly, accompanied by Atka, a grey wolf, to attempt to clear up
common misconceptions regarding wolves. "It is our job", said
Maggie, who was leading the lecture, "to make sure wolves will be
around for a long time. Wild wolves are elusive and will stay away
from humans," she continued. "It is the mission of the Wolf
Conservation Center to promote wolf conservation through education,
and to convey the fact that wolves in the wild are not dangerous to
people, but are, in fact, afraid of them. Wolves will run if they
see humans," she added. After asking the students to remain seated,
Atka was brought in by his handler, Becky. He walked all around the
auditorium giving everyone the opportunity to see him at close range
while he observed his surroundings. As he continued his observation,
students were given the chance to pose any questions they had. When
the assembly was over, Maggie invited students to visit the Wolf
Conservation Center in South Salem, NY, to see some of the wolf pups
and to be able to study the wolves in their natural habitat.
Social
Networking with Civil Rights Activists
Taste
of Spain
National History Day 
Technology
used to come to the aid of people...
During
the month of May, forty Studio in Art students from the South
Orangetown Middle School will be exhibiting their art work at the Dennis
P. McHugh Piermont Library in Piermont, New York. Studio in Art,
an advanced high school level course, is offered to eighth grade
students under the guidance of art teachers Karen Garguilo and Beth
Dougherty.
Hidden
Letters Authors Visit SOMS Students
Rockland
County Black Achievement Awards
Doodle
4 Google
Mac
Music Lab in Action
A,
Bee, C, D, E, F, Geography
Three Cups of Tea
Sediments
in the Classroom
SOMS
Teachers Integrate 21st Century Tools at Tech Expo 2010
SOMS
Heeds the Call of the Wild