Students Map Out Lesson In Sand
It looked like a sand castle competition but actually was a lesson in topography.
Seventh graders from Greenacres Junior High School spent two hours Monday sculpting the sand of a volleyball court outside the school into 10-by-10 foot “islands.”
The islands could take any shape the students desired, but certain geographical features, such as a fiord, bay, mountain and isthmus, had to be correctly labelled.
The culminating activity in a unit on map skills was designed by teachers Lisa Hagen, Dan Powell, Janie Hemmingway, and Chris Donaldson.
Before creating the islands in the sand, students learned about mapping, topography, latitudes and longitudes. They had to map the islands on paper before molding them in the sand.
On Calvin Island, based on the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, an explorer could trek through Funny Fiord, Hobbes Harbor and Moe Mountain, named for the bully in Calvin’s class.
“I was just hoping they wouldn’t think it was Calvin Klein,” said 12-year-old Denton Davenport, one of the island’s creators.
Another island was shaped like a giant skier and was named Skiing Slope Island. Cup-o-cocoa Canyon, Black Diamond Delta and Ski Patrol Peninsula were among this island’s features.
There was even a touch of playoff fever on Baseball Island, which featured Mariners Gulf, Rockies Mountain, and Yankees Delta.
Inna Leschinskiy, 12, who helped build Baseball Island, wrapped plastic bags around her knees “so I don’t get dirtier than I already am.”
“Word of advice,” said Inna’s friend, Jaci Thompson, “don’t drink the juice. There’s sand in it.”
Despite numerous sandfights, students said the primary lesson they learned from building their islands was teamwork. “We’re learning to cooperate,” said Katie Gotfredson, 12.
Hagen said the exercise also appealed to students who learn in different ways. “Kids don’t always have to be able to tell us or write something,” Hagen said. “There are other ways of showing you know something.”
Haunted House begins Friday
Be prepared to be scared!
West Valley High School class of 1996 will host a haunted house at Walk in the Wild Zoo beginning Friday.
The haunted house will be open 6 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It will last from Oct. 20 to 22 and from Oct. 25 to Halloween.
The haunted house will cost $3. All profits will benefit graduation activities for the senior class.
McDonald to hold fund raiser
Families can be professionally photographed at McDonald Elementary on Oct. 20 and 21. Part of the money raised will help the school purchase new computer equipment for the school. An 8-by-10 photograph will cost $5, and other photo packages will be available.
The school also will host a family fun night on Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. Families can carve pumpkins in the gym, eat donuts, drink cider and possibly win ribbons for their pumpkins. Prizes will be given for the best pumpkins in 10 categories, including funniest, best decorated, and saddest.
Students to accompany silent film
Seventy Central Valley students will play along with the first Dracula movie, “Nosferatu,” on Wednesday night.
The seventh through 12th graders composed, compiled and arranged a soundtrack to accompany the 1922 silent movie thriller, which stars Max Schreck. The soundtrack includes selections by Bach, Handel, Bartok, traditional music from Transylvania and original music composed by students.
The performance, which is free, and open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. at Evergreen Junior High School, 14221 E. 16th.
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MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the Valley Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a Valley school or about the achievements of Valley students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Write: Education Notebook, Valley Voice, E13208 Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Call: 927-2166. Fax: 927-2175.