Battle of the Bands
07/04/09 10:50
by Evelyn
In 7th grade we are learning about light and sound in science class. Our two 7th grade science teachers came up with a really cool idea to teach us about light & sound, they called it “The Battle of the Bands”. Students had to make their own instrument, and make up their own song in order to participate in this event. The student performed their song in front of the whole school.
We interviewed Mr. Clark, the reason why he thought this was a good Idea was because “students got to work together and it dealt with sound and light”. We then asked how he came up with the battle of the bands, he replied, “I was watching a movie called School of Rock with my kids, ages 8 and 10, and they asked me if 7th graders would like to do something like that”.
Did Mr. Clark ever doubt that the students would be able to do this?
“Well no, goal for them to get was 80% because it is hard to get 100%, 80% is great for I student to get, There will always be knuckle heads, but we all make mistakes.”
What would Mr. Clark do different to make this a better project?
“I would have had a deadline of one week; second I would have the students download a song to a CD I will only present this project to the 7th grade. Of course more people will have to play their instruments.”
Our last question we asked Mr. Clark was if he thought that the students would have done better if they had more time. He said:
“No that was the best we could have done, we as teachers need to comfortable being at uncomfortable. We learn from our mistakes that makes us better teachers.”
We also interviewed Mr. Schoonover; he said the day of the battle of the bands he used two palm full’s of hair gel. What would Mr.Schoonover do different? He said:
”I would make the students audition and they would have to make the instruments first.”
Did he ever doubt that the students would be able to do this? He said,
”No, it was something they would be engaged in.”
Mr. Schoonover was then asked why he thought this was a good project? Mr. Schoonover said, “Students would work together and be creative with their instruments.” I was dying to find out what Mr. Schoonover’s favorite songs were; he told me that they were “Corazon and the gummy bear song, even though they didn’t have any music.”
We decided to interview some students to see how they felt about the battle of the bands. All the students said, “They learned a lot of different things. Some said,”They learned: how to sing, about light and sound, and to make instruments. I asked four different students question these: did you learn anything from this assignment; did you think it was hard to make an instrument out of recycled items; or what would you do different? Cristina thought “it was hard since she didn’t know how to make an instrument.” Bailey thought “it was easy to make the instrument.” Ayme said, that she thinks “that the teachers should give more time to prepare.” Lynndon said that “she would actually play her instrument on stage instead of just getting on the stage to make the experience better.”As you can see every student felt the battle of the bands was a great learning experience.
In 7th grade we are learning about light and sound in science class. Our two 7th grade science teachers came up with a really cool idea to teach us about light & sound, they called it “The Battle of the Bands”. Students had to make their own instrument, and make up their own song in order to participate in this event. The student performed their song in front of the whole school.
We interviewed Mr. Clark, the reason why he thought this was a good Idea was because “students got to work together and it dealt with sound and light”. We then asked how he came up with the battle of the bands, he replied, “I was watching a movie called School of Rock with my kids, ages 8 and 10, and they asked me if 7th graders would like to do something like that”.
Did Mr. Clark ever doubt that the students would be able to do this?
“Well no, goal for them to get was 80% because it is hard to get 100%, 80% is great for I student to get, There will always be knuckle heads, but we all make mistakes.”
What would Mr. Clark do different to make this a better project?
“I would have had a deadline of one week; second I would have the students download a song to a CD I will only present this project to the 7th grade. Of course more people will have to play their instruments.”
Our last question we asked Mr. Clark was if he thought that the students would have done better if they had more time. He said:
“No that was the best we could have done, we as teachers need to comfortable being at uncomfortable. We learn from our mistakes that makes us better teachers.”
We also interviewed Mr. Schoonover; he said the day of the battle of the bands he used two palm full’s of hair gel. What would Mr.Schoonover do different? He said:
”I would make the students audition and they would have to make the instruments first.”
Did he ever doubt that the students would be able to do this? He said,
”No, it was something they would be engaged in.”
Mr. Schoonover was then asked why he thought this was a good project? Mr. Schoonover said, “Students would work together and be creative with their instruments.” I was dying to find out what Mr. Schoonover’s favorite songs were; he told me that they were “Corazon and the gummy bear song, even though they didn’t have any music.”
We decided to interview some students to see how they felt about the battle of the bands. All the students said, “They learned a lot of different things. Some said,”They learned: how to sing, about light and sound, and to make instruments. I asked four different students question these: did you learn anything from this assignment; did you think it was hard to make an instrument out of recycled items; or what would you do different? Cristina thought “it was hard since she didn’t know how to make an instrument.” Bailey thought “it was easy to make the instrument.” Ayme said, that she thinks “that the teachers should give more time to prepare.” Lynndon said that “she would actually play her instrument on stage instead of just getting on the stage to make the experience better.”As you can see every student felt the battle of the bands was a great learning experience.
Wichita's New Superintendant Visits Marshall
03/04/09 08:53
Mr. Allison visits with seventh graders during his visit to JMMS
Mr. Dunn returns from Bangladesh
25/03/09 10:24
Mr. Dunn came back to Kansas on March 2nd from Bangladesh. He stayed in Bangladesh for two weeks. While he was there he experienced the cultural difference between the United States and Bangladesh. He tried all the different kinds of food they have, saw how different out clothing is, an explored the towns.
Q.What was the best part about going to Bangladesh?
A.“The experience to see different cultures and people.”
Q. How long did it take you to get to Bangladesh?
A.“It took over 28 hours including the time in the airports.”
Q. What was your favorite food there?
A.”Curry ,rice, vegetables, but everything was really good.”
Q. Did you meet a lot of people there?
A.”I met a ton of people there.”
Q.Which do you like better Kansas or Bangladesh?
A.”I liked Bangladesh a lot but i know more about Kansas.”
Q.How did you communicate with the people who couldn’t speak english?
A.”We had to do a bunch of pointing and using signs.”
Q.How were you chosen to go to Bangladesh?
A.”I was contacted by Relief International and then I filled out an application, then they chose from the applicants. And I was chosen.”
Q.Did they have any American restaurants there?
A.”Yes they had all the popular American restaurants there.”
Q.Was the food affordable over there?
A.”Yes the food was affordable for our budget.”
Q.What was the first difference you saw in Bangladesh than in America?
A.”The atmosphere was very different, the way the people were dressed, and the way they acted.”
Q.What do you remember most about your trip?
A.”I remember all the people I met and the students I taught.”
Q.What was the funniest thing you witnessed or experienced while you were in Bangladesh?
A.”When people in Bangladesh have a conversation they say something like ‘ha,ha’ that means something like yes when we talk. So the other teacher I was with asked why they were laughing when they had a conversation and nothing was funny. They didn’t know what he was talking about . Then he found out that they said that because they were agreeing to what that person is saying.”
Q.What was the best part about going to Bangladesh?
A.“The experience to see different cultures and people.”
Q. How long did it take you to get to Bangladesh?
A.“It took over 28 hours including the time in the airports.”
Q. What was your favorite food there?
A.”Curry ,rice, vegetables, but everything was really good.”
Q. Did you meet a lot of people there?
A.”I met a ton of people there.”
Q.Which do you like better Kansas or Bangladesh?
A.”I liked Bangladesh a lot but i know more about Kansas.”
Q.How did you communicate with the people who couldn’t speak english?
A.”We had to do a bunch of pointing and using signs.”
Q.How were you chosen to go to Bangladesh?
A.”I was contacted by Relief International and then I filled out an application, then they chose from the applicants. And I was chosen.”
Q.Did they have any American restaurants there?
A.”Yes they had all the popular American restaurants there.”
Q.Was the food affordable over there?
A.”Yes the food was affordable for our budget.”
Q.What was the first difference you saw in Bangladesh than in America?
A.”The atmosphere was very different, the way the people were dressed, and the way they acted.”
Q.What do you remember most about your trip?
A.”I remember all the people I met and the students I taught.”
Q.What was the funniest thing you witnessed or experienced while you were in Bangladesh?
A.”When people in Bangladesh have a conversation they say something like ‘ha,ha’ that means something like yes when we talk. So the other teacher I was with asked why they were laughing when they had a conversation and nothing was funny. They didn’t know what he was talking about . Then he found out that they said that because they were agreeing to what that person is saying.”
Standard of Excellence
24/03/09 10:54
Marshall has received the Standard of Excellence award for seventh grade reading based upon last year’s state assessment scores. This is the top honor given out by the State of Kansas for academic achievement. Marshall is one of only five middle schools in Wichita Public Schools to receive this prestigious honor. There are a total of eighteen middles schools in Wichita. To earn this honor a school must have a significant amount of students performing in the highest two categories of the state assessment. Plus, the school must have minimal students scoring in the lower two areas of the test.
The entire school needs to be congratulated for this award but more specifically we need to thank the seventh grade teaching staff and students for all their hard work. This award along with Marshall making Adequate Yearly Progress or AYP shows that all involved are doing the right things to help our students learn. Marshall made roughly a 17% jump in reading scores last year. In math, Marshall has made a 23% jump over the past three years.
This is fantastic growth and continues to represent the educational programs being delivered at Marshall. As always I want to encourage all parents and community members to visit our great school. The students want and need to see you in our building. Plus, we want to show off all the wonderful teaching and learning that is occurring.
Go Thunderbirds!
Mr. Jolliffe
The entire school needs to be congratulated for this award but more specifically we need to thank the seventh grade teaching staff and students for all their hard work. This award along with Marshall making Adequate Yearly Progress or AYP shows that all involved are doing the right things to help our students learn. Marshall made roughly a 17% jump in reading scores last year. In math, Marshall has made a 23% jump over the past three years.
This is fantastic growth and continues to represent the educational programs being delivered at Marshall. As always I want to encourage all parents and community members to visit our great school. The students want and need to see you in our building. Plus, we want to show off all the wonderful teaching and learning that is occurring.
Go Thunderbirds!
Mr. Jolliffe
Marshall teacher to teach global lessons by visiting Bangladesh in teacher exchange program
24/03/09 10:53
Joseph Dunn, social studies teacher at Marshall Middle School, will give his students some long-distance lessons on the culture of Bangladesh for two weeks. Dunn is one of two teachers in the U.S. selected to be part of a teacher exchange program through Relief International Schools Online. He will leave for Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 14. While overseas, he will communicate with his students using blogs, videos and polycom presentations.
Media is invited to visit with Dunn on Wednesday, February 11, 9:45-11 a.m. at Marshall Middle School, 1510 Payne.
“This will give our students the opportunity to learn more about Bangladesh than they could by just looking at books,” Dunn said.
Dunn’s students have been involved in a cultural exchange with a school in Bangladesh since the beginning of the school year. The students have communicated via the internet and mailed items to each other items to explain what life and customs are like in their countries.
“The students are already buzzing about this event,” said Mark Joliffe, principal at Marshall. “This opportunity ties directly into our vision of connecting our students to the world.”
While in Bangladesh, Dunn will visit several schools to share about life in the U.S. and in Kansas, and help the schools set up technology to do more cultural exchanges with other schools across the world.
Dunn isn’t the only teacher at Marshall who will create lessons tied to the trip. Language arts and math teachers will use Dunn’s trip to inspire creative student projects upon his arrival at the end of the month.
For more information, contact Marshall Middle School at 973-9000.
Media is invited to visit with Dunn on Wednesday, February 11, 9:45-11 a.m. at Marshall Middle School, 1510 Payne.
“This will give our students the opportunity to learn more about Bangladesh than they could by just looking at books,” Dunn said.
Dunn’s students have been involved in a cultural exchange with a school in Bangladesh since the beginning of the school year. The students have communicated via the internet and mailed items to each other items to explain what life and customs are like in their countries.
“The students are already buzzing about this event,” said Mark Joliffe, principal at Marshall. “This opportunity ties directly into our vision of connecting our students to the world.”
While in Bangladesh, Dunn will visit several schools to share about life in the U.S. and in Kansas, and help the schools set up technology to do more cultural exchanges with other schools across the world.
Dunn isn’t the only teacher at Marshall who will create lessons tied to the trip. Language arts and math teachers will use Dunn’s trip to inspire creative student projects upon his arrival at the end of the month.
For more information, contact Marshall Middle School at 973-9000.
Yearbook
09/03/09 10:55
With the school year well under way, students, teachers, and parents have the opportunity to contribute to Marshall’s 2009 yearbook. Use the link on this page to go to a special site where you can upload your own photos of Marshall events (concerts, sporting events, etc.) You will be taken to a special page where you can upload your photo and provide additional information where we can contact you if we have any questions.
Please note that not all pictures will necessarily be able to be used in the yearbook.
Note to students: Please remember that digital cameras are still not allowed in class during the school day unless directed by a teacher. Do NOT bring cameras to class!
Rev Up to Reading Campaign
01/03/09 10:55
Students have been on track with the 25 Book Campaign; Reading well known favorites like Harry Potter, or about new and exciting things! We had a great day for our Launch on September 25th, the weather cooperated and the students and faculty were excited about the events planned for this day.
The theme for our launch was “Rev Up To Reading”, and with the help of local businesses the students got revved up for reading. Big Dog brought out their motorcycles, Rusty Eck brought out cool Mustangs and we even had Sherman Padgett, North High principal, bring out his awesome looking Harley Davidson. Dirt bikes, antiques cars, Mark Christian, retired Heights principal brought out his Harley also, and these crazy looking scooters that the kids could ride added to the fun and excitement of the day! With an agenda planned and questions in hand the kids connected fun and learning throughout the morning. During a box lunch in their classrooms they worked on ideas for their Dreams book class activity; Principal’s Book of the Month.
After lunch the teachers & the students went outside where the teachers passed out brand new books to each and every student! Wow! Marshall you are definitely on track with reading and learning!! Thank you Marshall parents for supporting your student in making sure they read every night for 25 minutes. We invite you to come to room 103 and read the Principal’s book of the month or just check out a book to read along with your student.
The theme for our launch was “Rev Up To Reading”, and with the help of local businesses the students got revved up for reading. Big Dog brought out their motorcycles, Rusty Eck brought out cool Mustangs and we even had Sherman Padgett, North High principal, bring out his awesome looking Harley Davidson. Dirt bikes, antiques cars, Mark Christian, retired Heights principal brought out his Harley also, and these crazy looking scooters that the kids could ride added to the fun and excitement of the day! With an agenda planned and questions in hand the kids connected fun and learning throughout the morning. During a box lunch in their classrooms they worked on ideas for their Dreams book class activity; Principal’s Book of the Month.
After lunch the teachers & the students went outside where the teachers passed out brand new books to each and every student! Wow! Marshall you are definitely on track with reading and learning!! Thank you Marshall parents for supporting your student in making sure they read every night for 25 minutes. We invite you to come to room 103 and read the Principal’s book of the month or just check out a book to read along with your student.