Tag: middle school

Categories
Back-to-School

Writers’ Wishes

By Kaye Hauschild
Lakehill Preparatory School, Middle School Coordinator 

I challenged my seventh and eighth grade Blogging class members to write a post describing their hopes and wishes for this new school year.  Here are a few of their thoughts:

“…I am really excited for basketball season…This school year I hope I get really good grades and achieve all the goals I can.  This school year is going to be incredible.” Varun Iyer

“I think that this school year is going to be the best school year that I have had in a long time.  This year we are the oldest in middle school.  I like all of my classes and my teachers.  I hope to make good grades this year…so far…I have all A’s.” Dunny Bock

“This year, I really hope to make good grades and be successful.  I also want to make new friends with the new kids…Robotics has been a lot of fun so far and I’m excited to build my robot.” Andrew Witcher

“ …Middle School Blog is fun because writing about stuff you like is awesome…I hope the Middle School Basketball team has a successful season.  This school year will be great!”  Deven Pokhrel

“…I am really excited about the athletics this year.  I am trying football for the first time, and so far it is great, and I am learning new things.  I also plan to play basketball and baseball…which I am looking forward to.  I am also looking forward to life science and Latin.” Tucker Freeman

“This school year I hope to make new friends, and have fun in classes…I also wish that I will overcome many challenges in sports and school…”  Griffin Burt

I know that I have my own list of hopes and wishes and they are not very different from those of my students.  I want to work hard, do my best, and feel that achievement is recognized and appreciated.  I want to learn new things, be a part of a successful team, and play well with old friends and new.  Most of all, I want to do my part to help my students’ hopes and wishes come true.

Categories
Spirit

True Confessions of a Cheer Lover

By Kaye Hauschild
Middle School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School 

Time for true confessions: I have been a cheer lover forever.  It is not a well-known fact, but I never achieved the rank of cheerleader as a student.  Oh, I tried out and have some very funny stories for my family to retell of my trials and errors.  Not being on the cheer squad did not lessen my cheer.  Instead, I became a member of the pep squad, drill team, spirit sign painting club, ribbon seller, and anything else that let my love of spirit shine.

One normally leaves cheer behind when formal education ends, but I was a lucky cheerer.  I got to cheer at work.  In my first school, I quickly joined the ranks of the cheer people, coaching a squad of ninth graders in my hometown.  When life moved me to Dallas and Lakehill, I followed the stomps, claps, and chants to my colleagues, Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Durbin, and asked for the chance to share the Lakehill love.  I have lived happily ever after since then.

Cheer has changed a lot since I first hit a megaphone on the ground while yelling, “Lakehill….Warriors!”  We used to have super strict try-outs for our squads that left other cheer lovers off the field.  When we realized that every other sport at Lakehill allowed every student to participate without try-outs, we happily joined in the fun.  Our squads have ranged in size from five to twenty-five in my twenty-something cheerful years at Lakehill.

For a cheer lover like me, life could not be better!  Whether Varsity or Middle School, Lakehill cheer brings me the joy and spirit that we share with our fans.

Along the way, I have been lucky enough to find others like me, those who love Lakehill and cheer alike.  And beginning this spring, I am passing the opportunity to lead our Varsity squad to the amazing and awesome Mrs. Becker and Mrs. Burt.  I will continue my stomp, clap, and cheer with the Middle School cheerleaders and look forward to those amazing times when we get together, two squads as one.  “Lakehill……Warriors!”

Categories
Learning and Leading

A Creative Spirit

By Victoria John
Latin Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School 

HOPE
All hope is gone
Not as long as we have Latin,
Latin is a dead language, my friend,
Not for Hogwarts, it isn’t!

A student recently showed me these lines written on a wadded-up piece of notebook paper. In the center was the outline of a large red heart encircling the word, “HOPE.” Under that was written, “All hope is gone.” By the time I reached the fourth line I realized that five different students contributed to the above graffiti. It made me laugh.

While Latin has been a constant at Lakehill for 40 years, it was J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter that revved up the spirit of the language for a new generation of students. The creative stories combined the enchanting world of wizardry with myth. Given my love for the classics, the students’ excitement upon learning that the spells and other ancient references were written in Latin, recharged my own creative spirit.

I love teaching Latin at Lakehill. Since I teach all 7th and 8th grade students for two years, in 2002, I decided to jazz it up a bit toward the end of the 8th grade experience. I wanted to challenge students to study the lessons in new ways and to give them more ownership of the material. From this sprang the Latin Teaching Projects, whereby small groups of students would each teach one of the remaining five chapters to the class. When I announced this, they responded with shock.

Following several weeks of preparation and paperwork, the students began teaching by the end of February. I was amazed. Each student’s individual presentation plus the group work went beyond what I envisioned. They met the original requirement of approaching the material in a different way. As one student wrote in her evaluation, “When you learn something for yourself, it is one thing. But when you teach it, you have to learn it differently. You are not just doing it for yourself, you have to be able to explain and demonstrate it to others.”

Their presentations showed incredible enthusiasm and respectful treatment of their classmates. Words of praise for their peers like, “good job,” and “thank you for your great comments,” rang throughout the room. Their lessons were organized, taught with clarity and motivated the students. Everybody won. I witnessed qualities I had not previously observed. Some emerged as group leaders. Some showed creativity and variety in their lessons.  Some wowed the class with their own Latin web sites, power point lessons and review games. Others went above and beyond requirements by developing translation and grammar handouts as well as detailed study guides. They worked together, encouraged one another, and learned the Latin.

I learned from them. I know we are all teachers and learners, but this project really brought that to my attention.

Since that first experiment, the assignment has grown in its scope and in technological sophistication and has taken on a life of its own. Each year I tweak the requirements based on my evaluations and feedback from students.

It is April and nearing the end of my 12th class of 8th grade Latin students at Lakehill. With two more chapters, they remain engaged and excited. What started as a way to spice up the end of the year has morphed into an incredible teaching and learning experience.

Hope – all is not gone! Not as long as there are Lakehill students with a creative spirit.

Categories
Middle School Traditions

On The Road Again

By Kaye Hauschild
Middle School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School 

On the road again…I am humming an iconic tune that goes with those lyrics as I write to you from the hallway of a lovely hotel where I have stayed for the past three days surrounded by my super sixth grade students and my stalwart fellow chaperones.  As you have likely guessed, I am enjoying Middle School Adventure Week 2012.  It amazes me that our time on the road has passed so quickly!

We have traveled to seven different cities where we have seen a lengthy list of historically significant things (which is very good).  But I also rank high in importance the expansion of confidence, the growth of friendships, the sense of self-reliance, the appreciation for all things, both new and familiar, that my students have gained.

As tomorrow brings us to the end of this year’s adventure, we will all go home tired and grateful for the comforts of home.  But I also know that the end of the week does not mean the end of the experience.  Friendships will remain, confidence with continue to grow, new interests will be explored and memories will be the stuff of many a reminiscence.  Thank you, Lakehill, for allowing us to learn through experiences collected in our annual trips.  My students and I are already looking forward to Adventure Week 2013!

 

Categories
Technology

The Evolution of Dinosaurs

By Kaye Hauschild
Middle School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School

Among the wealth of things I have not yet discussed in this blog, there is a category entitled “nicknames.” It is a common experience of middle school that continues on throughout our lives.  Just like everyone else, I have a pile of them, from the sweet (sunshine) to the inexplicable (Jethro Bodine).

One of my favorite current nicknames is dinosaur.  I can imagine that you might initially consider that a negative connotation, but I am proud to have earned the appellation.

First of all, the name reflects the many years that I have been a proud member of the Lakehill faculty.  It is a lot!  It also speaks to the fact that my life experiences include rotary phones and the typewriter.  But most importantly, this name is a challenge (from those with life experiences beginning with mobile phones) to grow and change or else become a museum exhibit.

So, wearing my retro No Fear T-shirt, I have accepted the challenge!  In the course of this school year alone, I have learned how to use QR codes instead of traditional papers as a way to present research. I am able use on-line sites to share my work with my colleagues so that we can co-author and edit. I have become more adept at recognizing and responding to the misuse of technology.  I have been tutored in the appropriate classroom use of podcasts, pencasts, Kinect chat, and RPGs.   I have also discovered that I am at least as smart as my phone.

So now, if there is a museum exhibit in my future, it most likely will be a virtual tour that we can do from our classroom!

Categories
Service Learning

It’s a Wonderful Life, Lakehill

By Victoria John
Middle School Latin Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School 

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” There are children in Africa whose lives are forever changed because of Lakehill students. Charlie Pippen’s desire to help the African students at the Kayengona School in Namibia has altered their future. It touches the same chord as Frank Kapra’s heart-felt classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which tells how one man’s far-reaching impact on a community forever changed the future of each individual whose life he touched.

In 2009 the present 7th grade class sent 11 boxes of school supplies and easy readers to Africa. In addition, Charlie and a classmate asked that in lieu of birthday gifts friends give money for the children in this village. When Charlie and his mother, Patti Pippen, visited the children in the Kayengona School in the summer, 2010, they distributed the supplies and $1100 from Lakehill fundraisers.

At a recent homeroom meeting Mrs. Pippen read excerpts from thank-you letters written by the children. “We are really, really appreciative for what you give. We remember the year you came here and visited and played with us. It was a surprise. We didn’t think that you were going to give us something that we did not see in our lives.”

Another student expressed his appreciation with a poem:

Learn when others are playing,
Prepare when others are laughing,
Dream when others are still working.

Following the trip to Africa, Charlie was so moved by the students’ plight in the school that he wanted to continue to make a difference. Last spring, the 6th grade class sold bracelets and native teas made by the Namibian tribes and wired $1200 to the school for uniforms, school fees, and testing fees for orphans and students who could not afford to attend school. In addition, the Parent Faculty Club collected and donated Lakehill t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other clothing and sent 15 boxes to the school.

For these gifts an appreciative Namibian student wrote, “I am fifteen years old. I live in a poor family but now you help me pay school fees and buy for me my school uniform.” Another said, “I am an orphan and I am very, very appreciative that you gave us the money and clothes.”

Hearing such gratefulness in the thank-you letters touched the 7th grade Lakehill students. Olivia Wagner comments, “When Mrs. Pippen read us those letters, I felt incredibly proud. It is so amazing to know that you, a 7th grader, could change someone’s life and make them smile out of kindness and caring. They were so thankful. It made me want to help out others who are less fortunate than I and smile in the same way the students in Namibia did!”

“If it makes other people happy, then I’m happy,” says Claire Crow.

Tillie McCoskey writes, “It is so, so, so super important that all children get what books and clothes they need for school and for everyday life.”

The story continues. In February, the 7th grade class plans to continue their support of the African children by selling bracelets, hand-carved wooden animals, gemstones, pendants, and tea. They also will collect gently-used soccer clothing and equipment, as the Kayengona School wants to start a soccer team.

About this project Charlie Pippen writes, “It made me feel good because I know I’m impacting greatly on many children’s lives.” A determined student feels Charlie’s impact. “When I grow up I want to be a doctor because I want to help people who get sick. I give thanks to you. We will not fail you.”

He has even influenced them to follow his example. “When I finish my school I want to help someone else and my parents. I am so very happy to see you buying these gifts.” This letter is signed, “Your friend, Sitekota Egidius.”

The message revealed at the end of the holiday film is that friendship is the most valuable gift of all. Lakehill’s 7th grade class has many new friends in the Kayengona School.

“It’s a Wonderful Life, Lakehill.”

Categories
Family and Community

Humbled by Service

By Kaye Hauschild
Middle School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School 

My daddy was in the Navy in World War II.  When I was growing up, all that his service meant to me was that I could borrow a real sailor’s hat for my Halloween costume.  When I got to college and majored in History, I thought myself an expert in World War II military history and his service became a footnote in my knowledge.  When life had taught me that war is not something even remotely communicated in textbooks, his service humbled me.

I celebrate Veteran’s Day in his memory and share my celebration with my students each year, encouraging them to remember their friends and loved ones who served our country.

This year, I took the seventh grade, Mrs. John, and Mrs. Ekstrom down the road to C.C. Young Retirement Center where we volunteered to go and talk with the World War II veterans and help them get from where they live to where the Veteran’s Day flag ceremony was taking place.

In the days before our visit, we had four of our scouts volunteer to perform the flag ceremony and four girls volunteer to lead the entire group in the pledge of allegiance.  We practiced appropriate questions and conversation starters.  We reviewed procedures and dress code.

And then, on November 11, 2011, our seventh grade went to C.C. Young.  It was a beautiful flag ceremony, a rousing recitation of the pledge, and no one was lost in transit from home to ceremony or back.  The students did everything they were asked to do, but at the end of the morning, it was so much more.

There was a kind of magic that morning between the veterans and our students.  Maybe everyone was a little awkward at first, but minutes into our time together, that awkwardness turned to sincere mutual interest.  We learned about their experiences and they wanted to know about ours.  We were fascinated by their pasts and they were excited for our futures. (One of our veterans tried to recommend Texas A&M to everyone!)  Even after the lovely ceremony, one resident’s comment was “It means so much that you just came to talk to us.”  And our students felt the same way.

Everyone wants to plan another visit to our new friends.  Seventh graders are still talking about their experiences.  And there is talk of making our Veteran’s Day visit an annual event.

Once again, I am humbled.