Welcome!


 * Welcome to the second semester of AIG for the 2010-2011 school year. So far this year we have untied many knots and found our way through some crazy mazes! We studied Alexander the Great, Theseus, and Maniac McGee and learned about their different personalities and approach to problems. We read Jigsaw Man and decided that the laws today aren't so bad and that science fiction is mostly just that, fiction. Then, we delved into Frankenstein! Wow! Who is crazier, Mary Shelley for writing it, or Viktor for creating the monster??? There are some definate psychological issues going on in that book! As we left the monster wandering off into the arctic somewhere, we flew off to Germany for a mini virtual vacation! We learned some German, went skiing, shopped, tried some of the native food, and learned a bit about the culture. We even tore down the Berlin Wall! Now that was cool! We know that the exchange rate has hovered about $1.36 Euro's to $1.00 US dollar for our trip duration. Alas though, all good things must come to an end and we board our planes and return home again. **


 * We got to use the iPods and iPads throughout various parts of the lessons to enhance our classroom, and parents, please know that there are a lot of educational apps on these devices! We would love the opportunity to share some of them with you. Please ask your students what they have been doing in class, what they have learned and what sorts of technology they may have added to their technology tool boxes so far this year. Some of the students have loved making the Prezi's, which are like power points on steroids! **


 * We have also made what we believe is a successful transition to the A/B schedule with the band, orchestra, and chorus students. We follow the same A/B schedule as the 7th and 8th grade students follow daily and after a little confusion in the begining, it seems like it is going very smoothly. If your child is still confused or having questions please do not hesitate to call, email, or show up at the door with your questions. Our goal is for the experience to be a good one and for the students to not have to make the difficult decision of choosing between classes. That time will come when they get to high school, for now we would like them to experience as much of the wonder of middle school as possible. **