In Ms. Barlev’s eighth grade science class, students are taking a hands-on approach to the solar system. She has provided students with an activity pack including foam balls, toothpicks and a flashlight to gain a better understanding of aspects of the solar system. This week students worked in groups to discuss how to use these materials to present the solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, moon phases, transition between day and night, and solar year using props to demonstrate how these natural events occur. Students used Zoom to meet and discuss these topics during the asynchronous class, and they will be presenting their demonstrations during synchronous time in class. Ms. Barlev, and our science teachers know that a hands-on approach to learning natural phenomena helps kids wrap their bodies and brains around the ideas and commit them to memory. The social interaction of group work is important during distance learning because it allows students to connect and build on each other’s ideas.
In Ancient Civilizations class with Mr. Wills, seventh graders are currently learning about archaeology and the early discoveries of human fossils and artifacts in Africa. This weekend students will start to collect interesting artifacts in their homes, and share them with the class. Their class presentations in the coming weeks will be like a game show, or like the PBS show, Antique Roadshow. Mr. Wills likes to keep history fresh and modern, by helping students connect themes from ancient times to discussions about modern day life. This includes conversations in class about politics and his work as the advisor for Model UN.
In the flower beds near the parking lot, Director of Facilities Mr. Figueroa has cultivated new life with his world renowned green thumb. In the flower boxes, which once were largely barren, new life has appeared, in the form of numerous blossoms and butterflies. Mr. Figueroa has previously taught a gardening elective at Latin, and helped build the tremendous garden at the school’s front, which includes multiple edible plants like basil. He also cultivates hydroponic tower gardens that grow greens in the school and maintains Latin’s bee hive, helping gather our school’s own collection of honey.
On Friday, the science department took a trip to outer space during lunch. Chris Kennedy of NASA, an astronaut aboard the Expedition 65 to the International Space Station, answered questions from high school students about the growth of bacteria on the outside of the International Space Station and possibility for the intergalactic survival and spread of microorganisms by humans. Students considered whether bacteria originated elsewhere then float through space and land on Earth? Latin’s Science Department hosted the viewing in a classroom Zoom link to the event, organized by the Society for Science & the Public’s educators and students and live streamed on NASA TV.
The middle school gathered Wednesday for the first assembly of the year. The event was coordinated by middle school director Mr. Kelly and assistant director Ms. Bradley. Eighth grader Lucia Claire served as the MC, with special speeches from eighth graders MyKia Plummer and Oscar Murray touching on themes of connection and togetherness while apart. This was also a chance for teachers and students to honor each other. Students honored sixth grade English teacher Ms. Reed and seventh grade science teacher Ms. Goldstein with Faculty of the month awards. In a new award this year, students were able to nominate their classmates who show positive citizenship. Tiya Demessa won in fifth grade, Christopher Amaya-Camacho won in sixth, Musa Abbas won in seventh, and Hugh Bakel won in eighth due to their peers’ votes. Teachers also awarded merits to students who set positive examples in their classrooms for hard work, patience, persistence, and kindness. Fifth graders Francisco Blanco and Nora Paxson, sixth graders Kayode Elion and Avis Weeden, seventh graders Maisie Sommer and Lola Orlove-Rodriguez, and eighth grades Wyatt Mitchell and Eamon Price all earned merits. If you missed the assembly and would like to watch, here is a link to the recording.
