Seventh Grade Students Create Prosthetic Devices to Better Understand the Musculo-Skeletal System

The Prosthetic device challenge is a part of the seventh grade life science study of the musculo-skeletal system. Working in pairs, students design and construct a prosthetic device which can perform a range of activities including stacking blocks, picking up small objects such as legos and high bounce balls, and can even pour a cup of water into an empty vessel. The parameters of the project are wide and include only a few simple requirements. The devices:

• must include working parts that symbolize tendons and ligaments, as well as flexor and extensor muscle groups.
  
• must be constructed of household or recyclable materials.
  
• can only be manipulated using one hand to keep it authentic as a true prosthetic device.
  

Careful analysis went into the initial design, as student teams constructed prototypes and secondary designs. The final competition recently took place in each class section. Students were able to show off their innovations to their peers as they stacked Jenga blocks and bounced balls with their devices. Keeping an emphasis on process as well as an in-depth analysis of the final construction, students honed skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration throughout this experience.
 

Students Create Ancient-Style Greek Pottery

Long before the fifth graders knew that their class play would have an Ancient Greek theme, they were studying the Ancient Greeks. In Literature, they studied mythology, while in Art, they focused on the pottery that was produced in Athens. Students learned about the sizes, shapes, and names of pots, such as the Skyphos (a cup used for everyday purposes) or the Amphora (a two-handled pot which could range in size from 50 cm to over two meters tall). They then created their own clay pots using the coiling method and designed them referencing images of historic Greek pottery. Please enjoy the display in the Greenleaf Lobby.

Grade 5 Creates an Appreciation Tree

Fifth graders, as leaders of Greenleaf Hall and the Lower School, wanted to leave a lasting thank you to the teachers, staff, and schoolmates, who have made their K–5 experience so positive and powerful. Through their leadership work with Assistant Principal for Lower School Gretchen Larkin, the students formulated a vision: an appreciation tree. To do this, they enlisted the help of Lower School Art teacher Sandy Butler, who guided them through the many steps to making their plans a reality. That vision came to fruition last Friday, as students completed the painting of an appreciation tree mural in the hallway between Greenleaf and Thacher. 

 

 

 

 

Woods Hole Oceanographer Joins Lower School Earth Day Celebration

David Gallo, an American oceanographer and Director of Special Projects at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution joined today’s Milton Academy Lower School Earth Day celebration. Dr. Gallo is at the forefront of ocean exploration and has been part of many of the scientific discoveries that shape our view of planet earth. He has participated in expeditions to all of the world’s oceans and was one of the first scientists to use a combination of robots and submarines to explore the deep sea floor. Among Dr. Gallo’s most commonly known explorations are the remains of the Titanic.

Dr. Gallo’s presentation included information about ocean geography, the earth, water life, hydrothermal vents and astonishing animal behaviors. His overarching message focused on the relationship between humanity and the sea. Instead of taking the oceans for granted, Dr Gallo reminded students, faculty and parents that we need to recognize the oceans critical role in providing the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

Impromptu Chalkaboxen

Third Graders, having just finished Roxaboxen by Barbara Cooney, decided to create an imaginary town today at recess. In Roxaboxen, children create whole worlds out of what they find around them, including rocks, boxes, cacti & sand. The Milton Academy version, Chalkaboxen, is done all in chalk and, includes a town hall, a jail, and a bakery...they even elected a mayor!

 

In Our Family Photography Exhibit on Display in Greenleaf Hall

In Our Family, a collection of photography by Gigi Kaeser and interviews edited by Peggy Gillespie and Rebekah Boyd, is on display in Greenleaf Hall through the end of April. Inspired by the second grade Family unit, the display is available for all Milton Academy students and faculty.

In Our Family celebrates the diversity of family life in 21st century America, introducing the viewers to single-parent families, families living with physical or mental challenges, immigrant families, adoptive families, foster families, divorced families, gay and lesbian-parented families, step-families, multiracial families, multi-generational families, and many others in the family circle. Students and faculty across campus have taken in the exhibit including our own K–5 Faculty and Mr. Baker's Class II Social Awareness class.

 

 

Bringing Lego Robotics to the Second Grade

Thanks to an anonymous donor, Milton Academy second graders have begun to explore the magical world of LEGO robotics that has long been a highlight of our older students.

Using the LEGO Education WeDo Construction Set, which is designed to introduce young students to robotics and WeDo software, computer teacher Bridget Sitkoff designed a combined science and technology curriculum that gives second graders the opportunity to build LEGO models with working motors and sensors. Students will build Lego designed models to learn the basics of building and programming and then design their own robotic animals.

Meeting for Parents Will Feature Author Paul Tough

Paul Tough, author of the best-selling book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character, will visit Milton on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. He will speak to faculty and parents from 4 to 5:30 p.m. that afternoon, sharing major themes from his research and writing, and answering questions.

Paul Tough challenges the common belief that intelligence, measured by test scores, is the sole indicator of children’s success. The research he cites in his book supports the argument that non-cognitive skills—or, character—are better indicators of success: curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, self-control and grit.

A contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine, Mr. Tough is also the author of Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America, which focuses on the steps necessary to improve the lives and education of underserved children. He has written extensively about education, parenting, poverty and politics. His writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, Slate and on the op-ed page of the New York Times. Visit Paul Tough's Web site to learn more.

Spring Concert features Pirates, Dragons...and...Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade Musicians

K–8 students, parents, families and friends gathered in Kellner Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night for the annual Spring Concert. The concert featured the Sixth Grade Orchestra, Fourth-Sixth Grade Orchestra, Third Grade, and the Fourth & Fifth Grade Chorus.

The Sixth Grade Orchestra, conducted by Don Dregalla, opened the concert with Afterburn, by Brian Balmages. They were joined by fourth and fifth grade musicians for four numbers including Pirates of the Caribbean and spring favorite, Take Me out to the Ballgame!

For their debut, the Third Grade, conducted by Sadiemarie Mayes and accompanied by Gingy Grimes, sang I Have a Secret Dragon. A Jack Prelutsky poem set to music by Laurie MacGregor, I have a Secret Dragon set the stage for another Prelutsky work, My Dragon’s Been Disconsolate, performed by students in third through fifth grades. Other highlights of the evening were Rhythm of the Rain, by Jerry Estes, featuring student instrumentalists, Garvin, Daisy, Sofia and Eleanor; and He Got Away, featuring Assistant Principal for Lower School Gretchen Larkin as the song’s storyteller.

At the close of the evening, Head of School Todd Bland bid the assembly farewell with a song of his own: a family lullaby.

Middle School Book Creates a Common Learning Experience

Over the last few weeks, Middle School students have been given the wonderful gift of time to read. During advisory, as the night’s only homework, even as a “mud week” activity, students are dropping everything and opening a book. That book is the Middle School’s first all school read, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. The story of Auggie Pullman, a boy born with a severe facial deformity who goes to a mainstream school for the first time in fifth grade, Wonder presents Auggie’s story – and those of his peers, family and teachers – as they all learn about empathy, compassion and acceptance.

According to Assistant Principal for Middle School, Will Crissman, “the simple act of reading together as a community forces us all to slow down; to come together; to promote expression of ideas” In choosing , Mr. Crissman and the Middle School faculty have created a common learning experience and have set the stage for discussions about how adolescents deal with differences. “Our hope is that this book will help students appreciate the spirit of kindness and respect that are core values of our program,” he explains.
 

Bold Plan Sets a Vision for the Next Decade

Meeting in late January, Milton’s board of trustees enthusiastically endorsed Milton’s Strategic Plan. Based on more than a year’s worth of intense thinking and discussion involving all Milton’s constituencies—faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni—the plan outlines clear, bold priorities as well as implementation steps. Head of School Todd Bland, announcing the board’s vote to faculty, noted a key consistency: the priorities that emerged from the broad-based planning process align with his own vision.

“We’ll build the highest quality and strongest faculty, including recruiting a diverse faculty,” Todd said. “We’ll consistently and rigorously renew our curriculum. We’ll continue to enroll diverse, multi-dimensional students, help them develop their passion for learning, and explicitly cultivate mutual caring, respect and understanding.”

Once trustees accepted the plan’s central priorities at their October meeting, a team of administrators and faculty met during the fall. They planned the implementation, and pinpointed the resources that will be needed to achieve the plan’s objectives. When the board convened in January, the trustees discussed a plan distinguished not only by how much it expresses Milton’s character, but also by implementation detail, timeline and financial implications.

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Marble Runs Provide Hands On Physics Insights

Fourth graders, marbles, and a host of recycled materials make for as winning a physics combination as kinetic and potential energy. Marble runs, long a tradition in Lower School science have the great advantage of being familiar, while being able to exhibit the physical principals discovered by Isaac Newton.

Students, working in teams (and sometimes in consultation with Mr. Shrager), create ramps and tubes so that a marble will roll one down one length, drop to another, and continue until it lands in some form of cup at the bottom. In their first attempts, students often build small-scale runs, content to see the marble make it through one or two connections and into the cup. As the project continues, however, the runs become more sophisticated, and students test and re-test to correct angles and positioning as they work to perfect their layouts. The energy in the air is exciting as each team stands up, holds a marble over the starting point to watch the construction succeed. As the marble rattles through re-claimed water bottles, loops around made-to-order funnels and races to its final stop in the cup at the bottom, the reward is clear: I made it work! For Mr. Shrager, that energy, excitement, and early fascination is just the right stage for teaching and exploring principles of physics and engineering.

Kliptown Gumboots Dance Group Visits Middle School

Middle School students were treated to a special performance by the Gumboots Dance Group from the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP). Founded in early 2007 by a small group of inspired and passionate young people from Kliptown, South Africa, the Kliptown Youth Program is dedicated to making a difference in their community by providing educational support and after school activities for the disadvantaged children of this township.

Through the Performing Arts and Culture after school program, young people have the opportunity to express themselves through various types of cultural dances and drumming. The Gumboots Dance Group has traveled to China to perform and has participated in festivals throughout South Africa. This is the groups's first visit to the United States.

Following the performance, students had the opportunity to speak with the dancers to hear about life in Kliptown. For eighth grade students, who recently completed their study of Africa, this was an opportunity to connect their knowledge with the experiences of the Kliptown youth.

Thulani Madondo, a founder and executive director of KYP, and a member of the Gumboots Dance Group, was recently celebrated as one of CNN's top ten heroes in 2012. 

K–8 Crowns Fourth Geography Bee Champion

In the largest field of contestants since K–8 Principal Marshall Carter brought the National Geographic Geography Bee to Milton Academy four years ago, Jack R. earned highest honors. Can you answer the winning question? The Yaghan were a nomadic tribe indigenous to Tierra Del Fuego, an island group that is divided between Argentina and what other country?  

Twenty-five students across grades 4-8 competed on a variety of questions about world climates, religions, maps, economies, history, etc. Having just completed their unit on Mesopotamia, fourth grade contestants were delighted to hear the question about the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Our top three finishers were Jack R., Charlie P., and Sam G. The next step for Jack is to take a written test to qualify for the state-wide competition.

The National Geographic Bee, sponsored by Google, is part of a nationwide contest that supports and encourages knowledge of world geography.

If you’re still thinking about the Tierra Del Fuego, it is an island group that is divided between Argentina and Chile.
 

Milton Speech Team Competes at Natick High School Holly Tournament

The Middle and Upper School Speech Teams competed as one Milton Academy Speech Team at last week’s high school tournament at Natick High School. The “Holly” is a day-long, state-qualifying tournament for the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League. Students competed in one or more of 22 events as well as a special “pentathlon” event open to only one student from each school. Harry Wood, one of the Upper School captains, won this event for the third time!

Eighteen eighth graders attended this special tournament as part of the Milton Academy Upper School Speech Team. This collaboration, the first in the history of the speech team, was made possible through the vision of Upper School coaches, Ms. Patrice Jean-Baptiste and Mr. LaJuan Foust. Middle School coaches, Sra. MaryJo Ramos and Ms. Debbie Simon were overjoyed to have the Middle School students learn first-hand from their Upper School mentors.

The 56-member Middle School Speech Team practices every Wednesday during the activity period. A hallmark of the Milton speech program is the time and commitment of Upper School students, who regularly give up their lunch period to coach and teach the members of the Middle School speech team.

Congratulations to the following eighth grade students, who placed in their speech events:

Novice Reading: Second Place, Christina, Coached by Olivia
Play Reading: Fifth Place, Eshani, Coached by Olivia
Novice Extemporaneous Speaking: Fourth Place, Marshall, Coached by Evan
Duo Interpretation: Honorable Mention and top novices, Allana and Hana, Coached by Nina
Impromptu Speaking: Honorable Mention and top novice, Marshall, Coached by Evan

Fifth Grade Studies the Civil Rights Movement and the Music of Social Change

Across some of the most turbulent periods in American history, a few daring, innovative musicians stood at the crossroads of a revolution in music and culture. They brought music, medium and message together, composing a soundtrack of social change. Fifth grade teacher Jennifer Katsoulis and K–5 music teacher Sadie Mayes teamed together to create a fifth grade unit about this time and its message.

This multi-disciplinary unit is underpinned by an understanding of the United Nations’ International Declaration of Human Rights. According to Ms. Katsoulis, “discussion of the Declaration not only gave students concrete understanding of the rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled, but also a working knowledge and a foundation to comprehend the more complex issues of our Civil Rights Movement.”

In Music, students will watch Let Freedom Sing: How Music Inspired the Civil Rights Movement, a documentary about the artists and the music that is identified with civil rights. Their study is "spanning the many styles of African American music from original African songs through slave and work songs, to rhythm and blues, to gospel, soul and hip hop," explains Ms. Mayes. In Literature, they are reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham, by Christopher Paul Curtis, a story that blends the fictional account of an African American family with the factual events of the violent summer of 1963. Throughout their study, students are researching thematic topics and analyzing the lyrics of protest songs and poems. In the coming weeks, they will integrate what they have learned with their own sense of social justice to write their own poems and songs of social change.

Recently, the class took a walking tour of Boston’s Black Heritage Trail, exploring the history of Boston’s 19th century African American community and visiting the homes, schools and meeting places of Boston’s famed abolitionists.

Athletic Recognition Ceremony Celebrates Sportsmanship

This week, the Middle School held its fall athletic recognition ceremony. Each coach addressed his team and summed up the season for the assembled students and faculty. The message above the win-loss record of each team was that of teamwork, camaraderie and character. To that end, each coach selected one player to recognize for his or her sportsmanship.

Boys Soccer Blue – Sam
Football – Thomas
Cross Country – Jerome
Boys Soccer Orange – Ryan
Girls Soccer Blue – Elina
Field Hockey – Michelle
Girls Soccer Orange – Cianna
Girls Soccer Blue B – Anne

Middle School Fall Play Opens Thursday Night

What happens when spies and superheroes both try to rule the school? Come see this original story of superpowers, spies, and unlikely friendships created by six seventh graders, and directed by Ms. Deborah Kronenberg.

Unlike the winter musical and the spring play which are both scripted and for which rehearsals are scheduled during the athletic period, the fall play is an after school activity, and is traditionally a “devised play.” A devised play is a play that is conceived and brought to theatrical fruition by the equal collaboration of a group of people. Sometimes devised plays are created around a theme. In this case, the starting point was a group interest in fantasy literature. The students worked with Ms. Kronenberg, who gave theatrical direction and helped the students shape their ideas and develop their acting.

Super Spy Hero High opens on Thursday, November 15 at 7 p.m. in Thacher. The play is created and performed by Kalaria, Dorsey, Matty, Nick, Carson & Jonathan. A second performance will be held on Friday, November 16 at 2:15 p.m.

Persan Symphonic Orchestra Presents Concert Series

The Middle School welcomed 31 musicians from the regional music school in Persan, France. The school, which draws from a number of communities in the Val d'Oise area north of Paris, is unique in that its students are both adults and teens. For their nine-day stay, the music student are hosted by Milton Academy families, in their homes.

During their visit, the Persan orchestra performed for students in K–5, played for the Middle and Upper School orchestras as well as at Milton High School and the Rivers Conservatory. The Persan Orchestra, Milton Academy Chamber Orchestra and Rivers Conservatory Orchestra hosted a combined concert at Rivers Conservatory.

Swap-It is Here!

A team of parent volunteers, led by Rachel Wohanka and Kathy Butler, are hard at work preparing for this month's annual Swap-It.

A fall tradition for 62 years, Swap-It was started by a faculty spouse (Mrs. H. Adams Carter) and a team of Lower School parent volunteers, to finance the furnishing of a new Junior Building. Over the years, Swap-It grew to a K–8 event. It is now held in the ice rink of the Athletic and Convocation Center and the proceeds largely support special projects in curriculum and faculty professional development.

Swap-It donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day from now until next Tuesday, October 23.

Swap-It is open to the public:

• Friday, October 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 to 5 p.m. (Items will be 50% off from 2 to 5 p.m.)
• There will be no sale on Sunday, October 28. All remaining goods at the close of Saturday's sale will be donated to local charities.
  

Grade 3 Shares the Magical Moment of Monarch Flight

On September 15, nearly two dozen, ⅛-inch caterpillars arrived at Greenleaf Hall, where third graders—primed with knowledge of the life cycle of the monarch butterfly—were waiting to nurture and prepare them for their flight to Mexico. Over the last month, students nurtured and fed the caterpillars milk weed leaves to prepare them for their transformation. Each day, students observed and noted the changes taking place in their tanks. For 16 days, they watched the subtle changes as each chrysalis transitioned from bright green to black. The magical moment arrived when the butterflies emerged, pumped their wings with fluid, and prepared to take flight. This week, the Lower School gathered near the Community Garden to bid the monarchs a good flight. Much to the delight of students and faculty, the butterflies immediately took off to the south. 

K–8 Faculty Celebrate Creativity

In the wise words of Albert Einstein, "CREATIVITY is contagious. Pass it on." This fall, our K–8 Faculty have embraced Einstein’s spirit in sharing their own creative outlets. Over the summer, just as our students enjoyed summer reading, so did our K–8 faculty. The Creativity display, inspired by Jonah Lehrer’s, Imagine; How Creativity Works, was the brainchild of K–5 art teacher, Sandy Butler. Her charge to faculty: model our adult creativity, “not in a ‘talent show’ or even an ‘art exhibit,’ but rather an opportunity to share something about your creative self—about what interests you outside of school—about what you enjoy doing.”

The display, to which 29 K–8 faculty contributed, included handmade dresses for a beloved granddaughter, a photo collage of a home garden, stained glass, a mathematically symmetrical circle hole punch design, paintings, sculptures, fiber arts, woodworking, baking, photography, poetry, jewelry, collages, block prints, knitting, sewing, gardening, pottery and stained glass (to name just a few). Taking to hear the words of Jonah Lehrer, the work displayed clearly that “...creativity shouldn’t be seen as something otherworldly. It shouldn’t be thought of as a process reserved for artists and inventors and other ‘creative types.’  The human mind, after all, has the creative impulse built into its operating system, hard-wired into its most essential programming code.”

Author and Illustrator Gareth Hinds Visits Eighth Grade

Gareth Hinds, author and illustrator of a graphic novel interpretation of Homer’s The Odyssey visited with our eighth grade. Students read Mr. Hinds’ book over the summer in preparation for reading the Fitzgerald translation of The Odyssey this fall.

As a video game designer, Mr. Hinds spent many years perfecting his craft before becoming an author and illustrator. Mr. Hinds has also published graphic novel interpretations of Beowulf, Merchant of Venice and King Lear.

How many seeds do you think this flower has?

The sunflower will be displayed in each of our K–8 Buildings for the next two weeks. At last Friday’s opening K–8 assembly, Mr. Carter shared a story of the resilience of a sunflower in his garden at home. At the close of the assembly, Mr. Carter announced a contest for the K–8 community. Can you guess how many seeds this sunflower, clipped from the Community Garden, will yield? Seeds will be counted by students in Grade 3. All are welcome to take a guess! The sunflower is currently in Greenleaf.

At today’s K–5 Assembly, students in Fifth Grade shared skits that demonstrated playground rules.

Grade 5 Presents Poem about Continents
On Wednesday morning, the students and faculty of Greenleaf Hall gathered for their first Community Meeting of the new year. Mr. Bland, Mr. Carter and Mrs. Larkin offered welcoming remarks, and Fifth Grade leaders introduced new students and faculty. Following the meeting, the Fifth Grade took the stage for their first group performance of the year: a recitation of the continents of the world.

The fifth grade has had a long-standing tradition of hosting weekly poetry recitations in homeroom classrooms. Over the years, students have enjoyed reciting Halloween poems, the Gettysburg Address, and poems cherished by their parents and grandparents. Learning poetry encourages students to become comfortable public speakers, develops fluency in oral delivery, nurtures a love for the rhythm of language, and provides students an opportunity to explore a variety of poets and themes. In the process, students hone their oral interpretation skills, and learn strategies for memorizing long works. The weekly recitation prepares students for learning lines, speaking with expression, and projecting their voices -- skills that fifth graders need each spring as they take prepare and present the annual spring rite of passage, the Fifth Grade Play.

From Marshall Carter, K–8 Principal

Dear K–8 Parents,

I look forward to welcoming your children on the first day of school, only two weeks away! Between now and September 7, I know you will be making all the preparations necessary for a new and successful school year for your children. Be sure to leave them time for one last dive off the dock, that final soft-serve ice cream, the last late-morning wake up.

Click here for important information for the start of school. You'll find information about buses, After School Program, attire for Lower School PE, Middle School supplies, as well as arrival and dismissal routines. You'll also find news from the K–8 Parents' Association, introductions to new faculty members, and information about sibling Kindergarten applications. Along with the mailings you received earlier this summer, this update should fully prepare you for the coming year.

Speech Team Competes in Indianapolis Nationals

Last week, sixteen members of the Milton Academy Middle School Speech Team traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the Junior Forensic League National Tournament. In preparation for the trip, each student prepared two speech events among those offered including: Dramatic Interpretation, Declamation, Original Oratory, Impromptu, Duo Interpretation, Prose, Poetry, Humorous Interpretation, and Storytelling. The Indianapolis tournament also offered competition in Debate, which is not offered by our state-wide middle school league.

In Indianapolis, Milton Academy students found competition from across the United States and as far away as Saipan. A team from Taipei was also represented. Nearly 1000 students competed at the middle school level.

Eight students earned quarter-finals honors in their events:

• Declamation – Jeremy
• Duo – Maddie & Maddie
• Oratory – Marshall
• Poetry – Nick, Grace
• Prose – Lily, Sophie
  

Three students advanced to the semi-finals:

• Dramatic Interpretation – Maddie L.
• Oratory – Jeremy
• Prose – Maddie D.
  

Four students advanced to the final round. Among this group,

• Marshall was crowned national champion in Impromptu Speaking,
• Mack was a triple finalist in Duo Interpretation (4th place with Jacob), Prose (3rd place), and Humorous Interpretation (4th place),
• Tara was a double finalist in Prose (4th place) and Poetry (3rd place), and
• Jacob earned 4th place with Mack in their Duo Interpretation.
  

Congratulation to all our students, their faculty coaches, Ms. Simon, Sra. Ramos and Mrs. Starks, and their upper school student coaches.

Picture courtesy of Cathy Sakellaris.