Health & Fitness
Parents Viewed an Impressive Display of Student Work at the BMS Curriculum Expo 2013
A feast for the eyes, ears and palate awaited parents as they sampled international foods and viewed student work in music and art filled hallways during the Bethel Middle School Curriculum Expo 2013.
Story and Photography by Paula Antolini
View more photos and video here: picturesbypaula.com
It was a lively night as Bethel Middle School (BMS) held its Curriculum Expo 2013 on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Parents filled the building and music filled the air. The Bethel String Orchestra performed near the Bethel cafeteria where the "International Food Extravaganza" was taking place and parents could sample delicious food from around the world. The eighth grade world language students shared their favorite and traditional recipes. The choir performed near the media center and the band performed in the rear hallway.
The musical atmosphere complimented the beautiful and colorful artwork that was on display in the center hallway. Classrooms were filled with excellent exhibits of the work that the 6-7-8th grade students have done all year.
The sixth grade Reading/Language Arts classes displayed the Heritage Project and Mystery Board Games using technology to enhance learning. In the sixth Grade Math classroom parents could test their sixth grade math skills to see if they "are smarter than a sixth grader" and also learn to use a Senteo. In the sixth grade science classroom parents could try a stick bug survival activity, take part in the frog pond population game, and use scientific tools to measure or test their scientific knowledge. The sixth grade social studies students have been exploring the ancient world, making modern connections, and learning how to debate. Parents could participate in trivia, watch their child's music video from the Bethel Music Awards, and take a tour of King Tut's exhibit.
The seventh grade Reading/Language Arts classes displayed a video of Perseverance projects, a Prezi Theme Park presentation, a video of a Reader's Theater Performance, and Survival Quality arguments, all shown in the BMS auditorium. In seventh grade Math classes parents could learn about inquiry, investigation, problem solving, and more. The seventh grade Science classes had microscopes arranged throughout the classroom showcasing various specimens that students observed throughout the cells unit, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, insect body parts and much more. In the 7th grade social studies classes parents could view what the U.N. is doing about human rights violations and what BMS seventh graders propose to assure every human on earth full human rights.
Seventh grade Digital Student classrooms showed what students accomplished in 9 weeks of intensive study regarding digital citizenship, copyright and web 2.0 tools, collaboration to create a video on future technology designed to improve their technical and research expertise, and game challenges in Scratch.
Eighth grade Reading/Language Arts classes curriculum focused on the development of twenty-first century literacy skills, shown in the BMS auditorium. In the eighth grade Math classes parents could get a glimpse of how eighth graders developed a park. Parents could also observe the math in Origami and Optical Illusions and view tutorials about geometric concepts. Eighth grade Science students explored the earth from the inside core all the way to far reechoing galaxies, with many exciting stops along the way.
The eighth grade STEM class showed how students were given the opportunity to explore the relationship between science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on design challenges. Students learned about the engineer's design process and used this process to solve problems. For example, students created a balloon car and learned how to create 3-D models using AutoDesk Inventor. Robotics was also explored as students created the "squarebot" to complete a maze challenge. The activities are meant to improve critical thinking, collaboration, commutation and creativity.
The Pupil Services department (PPS), including school counselors, a social worker, psychologists and a speech/language pathologist, welcomed parents. They displayed student goals from the Student Success Plan program and also showcased photos from the annual Career Day. This year Career Day is on May 23rd.
The Physical Education Department gave parents the opportunity to experience the eighth grade Project Adventure elements. Teachers urged parents to take on the same physical challenges in the gymnasium and asked, "Can you handle what a 13 year old does?"
The Art Exhibit in the center hallway showed a range of two and three dimensional artwork. Sixth graders displayed their "framed" line drawings, Mythical Creatures and Extinct Animals in their natural environments, paper and fiber weavings, ceramic sculptures, winter landscapes, notan line designs and paper flips. Seventh graders studied and created pastel enlargements of their favorite animal faces, positive and negative paper flips, and cardboard relief mask sculptures. Also included were observational drawings and ceramic fruits and vegetables. Eighth graders produced black and white collages with accents of color. They also created Personality Swirls, mixed media art in the style of Wayne Thiebaud's cake and pastry goodies, and larger-than-life sculptures of everyday items.
The Concert Choir, which includes the BMS after-school chorus of seventh and eighth graders, sung a medley of songs from the musical "Newsies" by Jack Feldman and Alan Menken. Songs included were "Carrying the Banner," "Santa Fe," and "King of New York." Students performed this same medley at the BMS Premier Concert recently, before seeing Newsies on Broadway.
Band students from all three grade levels performed in the rear BMS hallway as parents gathered to hear a lively performance. Music teacher Mr. Doble performed with his students.
Select members of the BMS String Orchestra performed selections from the upcoming concert, which will take place on June 4, 2013. The repertoire included classics by master composers, as well as modern pop music, video game and movie scores, and original compositions for the school orchestra. Music teacher Mr. Baumer accompanied the orchestra on stand-up bass.
BMS Piano students performed in the keyboard lab located in the music wing, under the guidance of Music Connections teacher Mr. Rombilus. Musical pieces ranged from Bach to Rock, on Yamaha keyboards. Sounds were created by individuals as well as ensemble performers. Sample student videos were available to view from guitar students. At the conclusion of their ten-week course, students submitted a YouTube-style video tutorial in which they perform and teach the class how to play a song.
The evening was a chance for teachers and administrators to showcase student's achievements and for parents to experience fun, discovery, joy and pride.
