Tag Archives: middle school

A Spotlight on Science

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At North View Middle School we believe that teaching and learning approaches should accommodate the diverse skills, abilities, and prior knowledge of young adolescents, cultivate multiple intelligences, draw upon students’ individual learning styles, and utilize digital tools. When learning experiences capitalize on students’ cultural, experiential, and personal backgrounds, new concepts are built on knowledge students already possess. To ensure this happens, we use the nature of young adolescents to guide our instructional decision making.

Because of this belief, our teachers spend a considerable creating engaging learning opportunities. These opportunities occur in all classes and today I would like to use this post to highlight science. The first unit of instruction I would like you to learn more about is from our sixth grade Science classrooms.

 

 Our students are in the fifth week of a five week unit covering “How do scientists conduct experiments?”. The key concepts studied are:

  • The Scientific Method is a way of conducting experiments?
  • How to measure using International System of Units?
  • How to collect and share data?

Our seventh grade students are in the second week of a three week unit covering “The Characteristics of Life”. The key concepts being studied are:

  • Explaining the six characteristics organisms must have to be considered “living” and determining if an organism is living based off of those characteristics.
  • Determining how scientists group all living things. What are the 5 kingdoms all living things fit into?
  • Comparing and contrasting living things. What characteristics do they share? What makes them different?

 

Lastly, our eighth grade students are in the third week of a four week unit covering, “Engineering and the Design process”. The key concepts being studied are:

  • How engineering and technology impact the changing world we live in.
  • What the design process is and how we use it.
  • How patterns and predictions impact the design process.
  • How our culture impacts our ideas.

I hope you enjoyed this spotlight. If you have any questions about this or anything else related to North View Middle School please connect with me here or follow me at @NVMSPrincipal. 

Pic of the Day!

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AVID students presenting at Edinbrook.

In case you missed it!

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At North View Middle School(NVMS) we believe that students and teachers should be engaged in active, purposeful learning. Because of this belief, our educators strive to ensure that culturally responsive practices and learning opportunities are present in every student’s daily experience.

One example of this, is the work Ms. Farrow, NVMS AVID Teacher, does to fosters a safe, open & college going culture in her classroom. Recently her students took college visists to Metropolitan State University and the University of Minnesota. Included below is a short video of our students getting the “411” on what it is like to be a student at Metro state.

Another example of students being involved in active and purposeful learning was the opportunity students were given last week to be the jury, judge and witness in the Dred Scott case.

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In addition to engaging in active and purposeful learning, we also like to have a little fun. One example of this are our assemblies. Our assemblies help develop school spirit; feelings of community and unity among students. It enables students to share stories and performances, as well as their abilities/talents. Assemblies also provide an opportunity to remind students of building wide expectations and recognize students who contribute to a positive school community through recognitions.

 

Our hope is that through this work we will make real connections within our school community to develop a positive school climate and culture that is supportive of all its members. Students taking part also have a chance to work with students they may otherwise not usually choose to; opening minds, broadening horizons. Included below is a video of our recent staff versus student competition during our assembly. The kids didn’t stand a chance!

If you have any questions about this event or anything related to North View Middle School please contact me here. or follow me at @NVMSPrincipal.