English with Jill Sugg
Seventh graders read "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams and wrote essays on either symbolism or the characters in various states of denial throughout the play. They viewed the film starring Joanne Woodward as Amanda Wingfield. Eighth and ninth graders, as well as some 10th, 11th, and 12th graders read the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers and put themselves in the position of jurors who must decide the fate of a young man. Advanced Placement students read Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".
Math with Annie Tally
The math students are progressing well with their work. Most remember to turn in the weekly review sheets that keep their basic skills sharp. I will begin posting an SAT math problem of the day and expect at least the upperclassmen to attempt it. I-Pod use is now allowed in all classes and seems to be helping everyone to settle into their routines.
Upper School Sciences with Lori Hilliard
Chemistry
Chemistry students have completed their study of the gas laws. They did very well on the exam and participated in several laboratory activities. Pancakes, hydrogen generators and blowing up eggs were enjoyed by all.
Biology
The Biology class has completed its study of reproduction, growth and development. Students are now looking forward to becoming microbiologists.
Anatomy
Students of Anatomy/Physiology are working on their major laboratory assignment for this semester. Students also hold grand rounds weekly and present case studies in their ongoing study of clinical diagnostics.
Environmental Science
Classification of minerals and rocks has been the topic of discussion in Earth/Environmental Science. Students completed some great tri-fold flyers that would make anyone want to buy their assigned mineral.
Physical Science with Dan Hill
This module we finished looking at some introductory techniques and concepts like graphing and significant figures, and have moved on to looking at the physical properties of matter. We have begun with the most basic: mass, weight, volume, and density.
Social Studies with Matt Wilhelm
World History is speeding towards the 20th century, encountering nationalism, industrialization, and imperialism along the way. US History is in the depths of the Great Depression. Psychology is exploring personality development, learning, and motivation. Current Events has been building upon its observations of the presidential race with studies of the legislative and judicial branches, while Civics has been examining the role of the federal government in the economy.
Spanish with Celia Battle
Spanish I students have finished a chapter about nutrition and health. They made posters of the food pyramid and presented these to the class. We have introduced contemporary readings to increase vocabulary and improve communication, both orally and in writing.
Spanish II students have finished a chapter about chores, direct object pronouns and irregular verbs in the preterite tense. We are introducing cultural and contemporary readings to increase vocabulary and improve both oral and written communication in Spanish.
Spanish III has covered the future tense of regular and irregular verbs. Students completed their study of nutrition and healthy lifestyles. We have introduced cultural readings and are learning about prehispanic Mexico.
Physical Education with Paige Passavant
We spent Module 7 finishing our unit in Gymnastics. After taping our routines, the students will watch and evaluate their performances. This process enables the students to see what they did/didn't do and how they will modify their performance next time.
Jazz with Glenn Mehrbach
Having begun with the class on the last day of January, we are just starting to make music. I have introduced many styles of jazz, beginning with the blues, and moving on to some standards of the jazz repertoire, including: Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," Benny Goodman's "Stompin' at the Savoy," Neal Hefti's "Cute," and Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I Love Him So." We have also improvised 12 bar blues in various tempos and keys, with Rita Glynn either supplying on-the-spot lyrics, or trying her hand at scat (making up her own melody lines with nonsense syllables - "shoo-be-do-wah" is a classic). I have been writing minimal musical charts and notes to get the music started, while encouraging the students to embellish and augment with their own improvisations.
Art with Heather Cramer
My first two weeks at Camelot as the new art teacher were delightful. We are spending these first weeks getting to know each other with several projects. Our first was "Freeing Our Creative Spirit." I asked the 7th and 8th graders what they felt "creativity" is - and where that comes from. We talked about all of the different ways we absorb our life experiences - eyes, ears, touch - and then to our hearts. In our hearts, we create our own unique response - and our hands become the "tools" we use to create an image expressing this experience. To honor these tools, we drew around our hands to make an image on paper, then tissue-collaged them for a burst of color, and the following week painted black around the background to make the colors pop! The variety of images and ideas was exciting! Each student gave their image a name and told us how it represented their creative spirit. These are on display with the other grades beside the first floor staircase.
We have already begun our next project called, "What's In a Name?" This will be their "graffiti" name done with white pencil on black paper. We will explore shading with the white and colored pencils. (This also helps me learn their names.)
The 7th and 8th grades have expressed an interest in more traditional art training, so we will begin with drawing and move through several processes to painting after completing the three introductory lessons.
Drama with Susie Kless
The students will be writing short skits in small groups. This will give everyone a chance to do something special, and more importantly something they are interested in. They had many wonderful ideas. It was difficult to choose just one. We are also aware of the time period we have, and decided to save a big production for another time.
Guidance Update from Thelma Glynn
The seniors are in "wait and see" mode with their college applications and so the juniors have been the focus. We have met a few times to interpret PSAT scores and to explore the tools available at the College Board website. All juniors had a family conference in which transcripts were reviewed and plans were drawn for the path to graduation.
Meanwhile, there is a genuine push to see that students of all ages make meaningful summer plans that expand their interests and talents. Whether it be summer camps, volunteer work, employment or classes our office has an ever expanding collection of opportunities kept on file for families to explore.
