Hands-on Learning in Our Middle Schools
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Well-designed, hands-on activities in the classroom tend to increase student engagement and make teaching and learning fun. Students remember lessons that relate to concepts in the real world and learn critical thinking and problem solving skills. Here are just two examples of recent hands-on activities in two of our middle schools!
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Seventh grade students at Fairplay Middle School are currently studying the interactions of the body's systems in science class. They have learned that although many differences exist between the anatomy of humans and chickens, one structure that shows the similarities in muscle pairing is a bird's wing.
Recently, the students were given the opportunity to explore how muscles, bones, and tendons interact to move a joint in a chicken wing by dissecting a chicken wing in class. They then compared the wing to the structures of a human arm.
"Hands-on learning, such as a dissection, really raises the level of learning," said Fairplay Science Teacher Noelle Belaski. "Studies show that we remember only 10% of what we read, but 80% of what we experience. By offering ample hands-on experiences, I am able to offer greater learning experiences for my students. This has led to a deeper understanding of how nature works."
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Sixth grade students at Factory Shoals Middle School will always remember their unique lesson in the order of operations! Their teachers led the new surgical recruits in completing math problems, using the order of operations to perform surgeries on the feet, hands, heart, and brains of their patients. As the operations progressed, the problems became more challenging.
Students worked in groups to learn the importance of precisely following steps and procedures, lessons that will benefit them across the curriculum in school as well as in everyday life situations. Sixth grade math teachers are Anissa Long, Dana Woods, and Nicholas Brownlow.
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LSHS Band Inspires Elementary Students for Testing!
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Lithia Springs High School band students and the staff at Bright Star Elementary greeted Bright Star students with exciting music, cheers, and signs as they stepped off their buses on Tuesday morning! The surprised students in grades 1-5 were encouraged to do their best on the STAR 360 test, which measures skills in literacy, math, and reading. Teachers use the data to adjust individualized instruction within the classroom.
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Success Center Students Take College Tour
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Twenty students at the Douglas County Success Center traveled to Carrollton on November 30 for a tour of the University of West Georgia. Students experienced a little of the college life and explored many areas of the campus including the dormitories, cafeteria, and gym during the two-hour tour led by a UWG senior.
"We want all students at the Success Center to participate in activities that will help them define their next step in life," said Performance Learning Center (PLC) Academic Coordinator Caroline Whitt. "Touring UWG was a wonderful glimpse into life beyond high school."
The Douglas County School System is proud to offer non-traditional routes to graduation through the Douglas County Success Center, which operates four programs: The
PLC, a full-day program where high school students learn at their own pace with teachers and an online curriculum to accelerate or catch up on credits; the
Virtual Academy, an online platform for high school students who desire to work at home;
Project Eclipse, an evening program for high school students; and the
Advantage Academy, an alternative program serving middle and high school students.
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Partners in Education Show Support for Schools
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Local businesses and organizations that support schools in Douglas County gathered at Central Baptist Church for a Partners in Education (PIE) breakfast on November 27. The event gave school administrators and the business community an opportunity to mingle and share ideas on ways the schools and businesses can mutually benefit from partnering in various ways.
Many thanks go to the following businesses that sponsored the breakfast: Central Baptist Church, GreyStone Power, Cabin Fever Roasters, Chick-fil-A Arbor Place and Thornton Road, and Bojangles'. Businesses and organizations interested in learning more about PIE may contact
Mandy Johnson.
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Mandy Johnson, Director of College and Career for the school system, on right, chats with local real estate agent Donna Middlebrooks, who made her first visit to a PIE event.
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Lesia Vick with Anchor Heating and Air connects with Mason Creek Middle School Assistant Principal Kim Smith. Anchor is one of many area businesses that provide generous support to several schools.
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Basketball Spotlight on: New Manchester High School
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Basketball season kicked off with a media day on October 24. Head coaches gave a preview of their upcoming season and introduced key players.
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Head Coach Vincent Parks is looking for strong leadership from his seven seniors that have returned for this season. He expects great performance and believes his squad can compete for a region championship.
Pictured left to right are Makaila Cange, Anaya Cone, Coach Parks, and Kyndall Golden.
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Head Coach James Bailey stressed Family/Unity as a team slogan this fall. He is counting on seniors Christopher Robinson, Niyon Ashley, and Jordan Bragg to provide the leadership needed to compete for a region championship and a state playoff berth.
Pictured left to right are Niyon Ashley, Coach Bailely, Jordan Bragg, and Chris Robinson, Jr.
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Tips and Times for Upcoming End-of-Course Exams
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High school students enrolled this semester in classes that require an End-of-Course (EOC) test will be tested on the following days.
December 7: U.S. History Sections 1 and 2
December 10: Biology Sections 1 and 2
December 11: Physical Science Sections 1 and 2
December 12, 13: Make-up Days for EOCs
The Morning of the Test:
Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? Be sure to eat breakfast on the day of your test and get to school early!
Check Your Work:
After you complete the last item on the test, go back and review your answers before you turn in your test.
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Spotlight on:
Dennim Reid, Mirror Lake Elementary!
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December 10: Application Deadline for Magnet Programs at All High Schools
December 20: Student Staff Holiday (Except 240 Day Employees)
December 21-January 1: Holidays for All
January 2: Student Holiday; Teacher Work Day; All Staff Returns
January 3: Second Semester Begins; Students Return
January 4: Report Cards, All Levels
January 21: Holiday for All
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Check out the opportunities that are listed on our Community Bulletin Board.
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