Encore/Department News
Career and Technical Education (CTE):
The FACTS from FACS & Mrs. Dudley
Practical Living:
Practical Living 8th grade students studied cheese production and the nutritional aspects of milk, cheese, and yogurt. To apply these facts, students performed cooking with cheese and made homemade macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese products, and homemade cheese sauces.
Technology Exploration:
Tech Explo 7th grade students began a six-week foods lab exploratory unit. Working in teams of three or four per foods lab, students learned about quick and yeast breads, microwave cooking, stove top cooking, and the basics of oven baking.
Measuring techniques and proper equipment use were emphasized. Safety and sanitation are modeled and evaluated with each foods lab conducted.
The main goal of all students in the foods laboratory is to acquire the ability to read and interpret a recipe.
Ms. Dudley
CTE Teacher
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6th Grade Exploration (FACS):
Students in Family & Consumer Sciences have mastered the following skills using the new Bernina Sewing machines:
*proper threading
*winding bobbins
*securing bobbins and bobbin cases
*creating decorative stitches
*sewing without thread, pivot turns, circles, waves and back stitch
Basic sewing skills include:
*use of the seam ripper
*reading and interpreting a sewing pattern
*pinning pattern to fabric
*understanding pattern symbols
*sewing correct seam width
Students are busy constructing locker organizers. Feel free to come in and help!
Practical Living:
Students in Practical Living are learning about the five key elements of design and the five principles of design. Hopefully, you will hear about our fashion show that the students are putting on during school. It is quite the production.
Following that unit, we will take a close look at advertising. We will study print ads, commercials, and advertising campaigns of many different products. The students will produce an advertisement for the grocery store they designed in November. In the computer labs they will develop a storyboard, tagline, and a jingle for their store. At the end of February, we will head back in to the food labs. Always a fun time!
Ms. Cuba
CTE Teacher
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Technology Exploration:
I’m proud to say the students have now learned most of the keyboard. Last week they composed an essay on the computer on what they did during Winter Break. Students had the opportunity to choose their own font, font color, and page border. The essays are now posted in the window for viewing.
In the next unit, students will learn what a personal business letter is, the parts of a letter, how to create a simple letterhead, and how to write a personal business letter.
Advanced Computer Technology:
Last week, students composed an essay on the computer on what they did during Winter Break. Students had the opportunity to choose their own font, font color, and page border. Essays are now posted in the window for viewing.
During the next week, students will be learning Microsoft Excel basics. Students will be able to identify the parts of a worksheet, navigate active cells in a worksheet, enter and edit data in a cell, find and replace data (by using the Go To command) and to select an adjacent and non-adjacent range of cells.
Ms. Purnell
CTE Teacher
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Gateway to Technology (GTT):
Rube Goldberg Crazy Contraptions are on the menu this month. Students are required to work as a team designing a Crazy Contraption that utilizes the six simple machines to perform a process that is to last for at least 6-7 seconds. It must transfer a marble from one group’s Crazy Contraption to another with no outside help.
Next month students will conquer Mount Cycloid.
Mr. Bazzell
CTE Teacher
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Technology Exploration:
Before the break, students completed their Candy Dispensers. Since then, students have been introduced to Isometric and Orthographic Drawings. Students will begin working with a computer program called Inventor. This program will allow them to draw objects in a 3-Dimensional viewing. Their final project will be to design a toy using the computer program called Inventor. We will then construct the toy in the woodshop.
Mr. Smith
CTE Teacher
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Modern and Classical Language
French A:
Beginning French students will learn how to tell time in French so that they can talk about their school schedules and when they have their classes. They will also learn about the 24-hour time system (known as military time in the U.S.) which is used in France when talking about any schedule (school, movies, airlines, etc.) In addition, 7th grade French students will learn the colors in French and the words for the school supplies so that they can talk about what they need for each of their classes.
French B:
Eighth grade French students are continuing their study of home life. They will learn about the different styles of houses in Senegal and the French names for the different rooms of the house. In addition, they will learn that the word “bathroom” in French stands for the room that only contains the bathtub, and that they will need to use the word for “toilet” in French to ask for that separate room.
Spanish A:
Beginning Spanish students will be continuing their study of Costa Rica in Central America including its geography, animal life, holidays, art, and food. Seventh grade Spanish students will also learn about a typical day in a Latin American school. In addition, they will learn to talk about their plans for after school and to invite someone to do something with them.
Spanish B:
Continuing Spanish students will learn to express themselves in the past tense for the first time. They will tell what they did in regard to their daily schedule, chores, shopping, and free time. In addition, on the shopping theme, 8th grade Spanish students will learn about the different currencies in Latin America and who or what they are named for.
Ms. Steik
French & Spanish Teacher
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Spanish A:
Students have learned about the culture of Texas, where Spanish is spoken in nearly every region of the state. In addition, they are able to talk about everyday activities, including things that they like or dislike doing in their free time. By the end of our current chapter, student will begin conjugating present-tense verbs! Wow!
Spanish B:
Students have learned about healthy living, feelings, and body parts. The eighth grade classes have participated in many different hands-on activities to learn this information, including Simón Dice-the Spanish version of Simon Says and The Bone Game. Students are able to discuss healthful living habits and also express aches and pains. OJO~Watch out! They now know how to whine and complain in Spanish!
Ms. Sutton
Spanish Teacher
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Spanish A:
Ms. Henselmeier’s Spanish A class has been hard at work learning vocabulary for free-time activities. We will begin to learn vocabulary for places around the town and other activities. Also, we will tackle the concept of regular verb conjugation. By the end of this chapter, the students should be able to say what they like to do, what they want to do, who they like to do activities with, and how often they do the activities.
Ms. Henselmeier
Spanish Teacher
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German A:
German A students have learned all about German culture, especially with the holiday season that was just upon us. These introductory students have also been busy labeling the classroom and preparing student schedules. We are talking all about school this chapter. From talking about where items are located to talking about our class schedules, students are becoming familiar with vocabulary related to school. We will wrap up the chapter and move onto the next in no time!
Ms. Wiechert
German Teacher
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Fine Arts Department News
DRAMA
6th Grade Exploration:
6th Grade Exploration is currently discussing character and story structure. They are creating their own fairy tale puppet plays. They will also be creating their own puppets. These puppet shows will be performed the last week of 2nd trimester.
7th Fine Arts Block:
The first half of the trimester is over, and the seventh graders have begun their Radio Drama Unit. Radio Drama relies on dialogue, music, and sound effects to help the listener imagine the story. Students will create their own radio drama play. The 7th Graders in Fine Arts Block also took a field trip on January 22 to the Edison Theatre to see the production of ScrapArtsMusic. This production had 5 talented musicians and 145 invented instruments crafted from industrial scraps and other found objects. This field trip allowed the students to see how art and drama combine to create a performance.
8th Grade Drama Lab
Students are currently working on their auditioning unit. They have gotten their headshots taken and have completed their acting resumes. They have worked on creating an entire character analysis for their character and have memorized two contrasting monologues to perform for the class.
8th Grade Stagecraft
The stagecraft class is currently building the set for the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. They are working with moving scenery, which is a challenge, but they have risen to the challenge. They are also working on their costuming unit. In this unit the students design and create two costumes from a specific decade that a character would wear in a show. All costumes will be made out of alternative materials and must be wearable.
Ms. Angela Hetz
Drama Teacher
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ART
6th Grade Exploration:
The next unit revolves around radial balance—one of the Principles of Art. Students create their own design that is symmetrical on all four sides. They design one section and then trace the same design on all four sides. After the design is transferred completely, students will add color with very dense colored pencils called PrismaColors. Students are to choose warm or cool colors and only use colors from that color scheme.
After students have completed their radial balance design, we will begin a painting inspired by the artist, Georgia O’Keefe. Students will apply the drawing skills they obtained earlier in the year in a drawing inspired by nature. Once they have completed their drawing, they will add color with watercolors. Students will learn how to use different brushstrokes and techniques to create different techniques with this medium.
7th Grade—Fine Arts Block
Students in drama have switched with students in the visual arts. We will begin with a piece introducing students to the Elements of Art. Students will create a design with the numbers 1-8 in block letters. These numbers can be drawn in several different ways (i.e. 1,2, or two, three, or IV, or even trios). Each number represents one of the elements of art. Students will create patterns depending on the directions for that element and add color with several different types of media.
Once that piece is completed, we will learn more about the specific element of color. Students will complete a piece inspired by the artist, Wassily Kandinsky. Students will tear paper into circles and glue them into boxes designated a specific color scheme.
8th Grade—Arts and Crafts
Students will learn to create the illusion of depth in their drawings. We will start by drawing simple 3-D objects, and then move on to complex 3-D objects and objects we see every day (such as a glue bottle). Students will create a design with 12-15 complex and simple shapes drawn to look 3-D. Students will add color and value to their piece with colored pencils, making them appear to be even more 3-dimensional.
The Arts and Crafts students have been asked by the drama teacher to help with the back drop for the spring musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. The setting for this musical is New York City. So, the backdrop is the New York Skyline. Each student will be given a block they are to draw and paint. Students must work as an entire group to make sure that the skyline fits together. Once everyone’s block is completed, I will put them all together and they will become the backdrop for the musical.
Once the drawing unit is finished, we will move on to 3-dimensional design, starting with ceramics. Students will create a functional piece of artwork. This piece is inspired by maracas. They will rattle on the inside and are designed on the outside. Students will make 3 maracas of different sizes. They will choose a theme for the surface of all three. For example, they may choose sports: one would be designed with baseballs, one with basketballs, and one with a hockey puck. Also in the ceramic unit, students will be creating their own beads that can be used as a necklace, a bracelet, or for a keychain.
Ms. Holley Waelder
Art Teacher
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BAND
Please continue to check our band website: http://www.teacherweb.com/MO/ParkwaySouthwestMiddle/DrewDavis/ for any updates.
Congratulations to Sam McCullough for representing Southwest at the 2009-2010 St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Middle School concert on January 10! On Tuesday, March 2, we will be having Southwest Jazz Band Night at Red Robin in Des Peres. The Jazz Band will play from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and we will get 10% of the profits from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Profits go toward our Branson trip.
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BEGINNING BAND had an outstanding elementary school tour. We are planning a field trip to perform at Meremac Bluffs Retirement Center with the whole band some time in the spring. Our spring concert will be on Wednesday, May 5.
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JUNIOR BAND (PLEASE NOTE THIS CHANGE FROM OUR ORIGINAL CONCERT DATE.) We will be combining on our spring concert with South Middle. The performance will be at South Middle. Date and time to be arranged. This will take the place of our original spring concert date.
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CONCERT BAND
Thanks to the Concert Band students who helped out at the Parkway Band Demonstration Night hosted at our school. It was a big success. This was a huge showcase not only for our district and the professional musicians that were demonstrating but for all of the band music dealers in St. Louis and St. Charles. ========================================
JAZZ BAND BRANSON: Permission slips for the Branson trip have been distributed. Please sign and return them as soon as possible. Money is due as stated on the form. If there are any questions or problems, please give me a call. It is going to be a great trip!
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Drew Davis
Band Teacher
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CHOIR
Choir News: This spring, we have the privilege of having Mr. Allen, a teaching intern from Truman State University, working with all choir classes. We look forward to gaining from his insights and enthusiasm. Con Brio, Variations, and Ornamentations will not be rehearsing on a regular basis until after the spring musical, but we will be meeting at least once each month to prepare for the Music in the Parks festival in Branson, April 30-May 1. Please contact Mrs. Kaibel with any questions regarding the upcoming trip. Also, seventh and eighth grade students interested in participating in the annual solo master class and recital should meet with Mrs. Kaibel ASAP to select their individual solo song.
Sixth Grade Choir:
Sixth graders are busy preparing songs for the World Music assembly we will present this upcoming month. It is impressive how quickly they are able to sing in different styles and languages. Several of the songs are in three or four parts, which is quite impressive. Students are working on the theory concepts of key signature and time signature, and continue to work on sight singing skills and solfege daily.
Seventh Grade Choir:
We are currently preparing selections to perform for a regional choir festival in March. We will thoroughly learn these songs and pay a great deal of attention to detail as we prepare to be adjudicated and sing for a large audience of regional choirs. Students are also learning how to use Finale, a music notation software, as they try their hand at basic melodic composition. They are currently sight singing in three-part harmony and working on more complex time signatures and intervals.
Eighth Grade Choir:
Eighth graders are also preparing some difficult songs to perform for the regional choir festival in March. Students are paying close attention to tone quality and color, as well as singing with expression. We will soon begin learning songs of the Civil War that will tie into the History curriculum this spring. Students are using their experience with Finale, a music notation software, to create different musical textures and unique harmonies. Students are continuing to work on sight singing with larger intervals, and are learning more about diction and vocal health this month.
Mrs. Karen Kaibel
Choir Teacher
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ORCHESTRA
I would like to congratulate your children for an excellent performance on the December concert. Concert Orchestra (eighth grade orchestra students) has a very exciting month ahead of them. They will participate in the Parkway All District Concert, held annually at Queeny Park, March 24. There will be an evening rehearsal on February 18, from 6:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. The rehearsal will be held at Central Middle. Students will need to bring their own music stands to the rehearsal. I will send an information letter home giving more details. Seventh and Eight Grade students are now focusing on preparation for the St. Louis Suburban Music Educator’s Association Large Group Festival. The Junior and Concert Orchestras will perform for a small panel of judges during the school day. These judges, in return, will provide a rating of our orchestras and give us constructive criticism. The festival is scheduled in March. More detailed information will be provided as the date approaches. Sixth Grade Orchestra is continuing to further their technique. We are focusing on learning new key signatures and performing more challenging music. Information regarding the St. Louis All-Suburban Solo and Ensemble Festival (which occurs in April) will be available to all orchestra students. Students who are interested in participating will have the opportunity to sign up in February.
Ms. Jacquie Lueken
Orchestra Teacher
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Health and Physical Education
The health department will be presenting the upcoming family life unit for parents on Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. The family life curriculum information will be presented and all health teachers will be present to answer any questions. Please mark your calendars’ to attend. If you have any questions feel free to call Vicky Stricklin, department chair at 314-415-7348.
Skyzone will be sponsoring a “Soar for $7.00” program for Parkway students on February 12. Attached is a flyer from Skyzone.
| Mr. Houchins | Mr. Ribeiro |
| Mrs. Stillwel | Ms. Stricklin |