WGOM: Loy Norrix Concert Band treats Milwood Magnet School to a Holiday Concert!

Students were able to enjoy the music of Loy Norrix's concert band on Thursday, December 18, 2008. The band came over during 6th hour and performed several holiday-themed songs for students' enjoyment.

(Due to technical difficulties uploading the video to our viddler account, we are unable to share the video! We apologize for the inconvenience.)

We are enjoying our holiday break! See you back again on Monday, January 5th, 2009!

Q&A: Biotechnology Across the Core Curriculum

Ms. Cook's 7th grade English class recently sent persuasive letters out to local stores urging managers to invest in Fair Trade coffee. Preparation included watching the powerful documentary, Black Gold, which was filmed in Ethiopia. It showed the plight of coffee farmers fighting to get a fair price for their crops.

Planning for the letter included a Persuasion Map Planning Sheet where students developed a thesis statement, main reasons to support their claim, and examples to validate the argument.

Black Gold:

Tech Tuesday: Using the Drawing Toolbar in MS Word

Did you know that you can use the drawing toolbar in MS Word to do many things? You can also use this toolbar in other Microsoft Office programs, such as PowerPoint, but this slideshow focuses on MS Word for consistency.

WGOM: Holiday Concert

Did you miss the concert on Tuesday, December 9 at LNHS Kasdorf Auditorium? Our orchestra, choir, and concert band performed for parents, staff, students, and community members who were in attendance. If you were not able to make it, you're in luck, because we recorded the performance for your viewing pleasure!

Q&A: More about Global Food Chain

7th Grade Science Classes raise salmon from egg to release!

See where they are at on their project as of this week and stay tuned for further updates!

Why salmon in the classroom?

In our state, we face many challenges in the management of our Great Lakes fishery. Salmon in the Classroom can be a great educational tool and some Michigan educators have participated for many years. Yet, the ecology of the Great Lakes is changing at an astounding rate. We all remember when water pollution was on the news every day. Today, a new pollution, biological pollution, may prove to be our greatest challenge.

- Excerpt from Salmon in the Classroom Introduction, MDNR Publication 

Students will continually monitor, care for, and maintain the salmon's environment. When the salmon are big enough, they will be released into the wild and will help contribute to the food chain, which ultimately ties in with our Unit 2 Curriculum this school year.

Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Photo Story 3

This week's Tech Tuesday was a recap on the original session that taught Photo Story 3. Due to popular request, the class was offered once again. Please view the slideshow for a closer look at what was taught.

WGOM: Milwood Magnet School Contributes to the Global Food Chain!

Milwood Magnet School Contributes to the Global Food Chain

MMS will meet the immediate food needs of our community by collecting can and dry goods for the Greater Kalamazoo Food Drive.  We will meet the long-term needs of hunger by contributing money to Heifer International.

The Greater Kalamazoo Area Holiday Food Drive is West Michigan's largest holiday food distribution program. 1,500 families will receive food for a week!  The Student Advisory Council will use a friendly Canned Good/Non-perishable food item competition to get students and staff to contribute to the GK Food Drive.  Grade levels will compete against each other.  The competition will begin on December 1st and run through December 18th. 

Heifer International:  Ending Hunger, Caring for the Earth

Heifer's Mission to end World Hunger (http://www.heifer.org)

A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.  

To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.  

To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others - along with their knowledge, resources, and skills - an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.

The Student Advisory Council will use a friendly penny war as a fundraiser for Heifer International.  The End Hunger & Care for the Earth Penny War will take place during each lunch hour.  Grade levels will compete against each other. The competition will being on December 5th and run through December 19th.  Morning Announcements and the December 4th Advisory will be used to help introduce Heifer International and the Penny War. 

Rules of the Penny War

The GOAL of the Penny War is to collect as many PENNIES as possible in your jar and put as many NON-PENNIES in everyone else’s jar. Each team (grade level) will have its own labeled container jar in the cafeteria during lunch. Money is worth “points” based on its monetary value.

Pennies = +1 point 

Nickels = -5 points 

Dimes = -10 points 

Quarters = -25 points

Pennies give your team positive points while nickels, dimes, quarters, and any dollar bills take points AWAY from the team’s total. Therefore, you want to put PENNIES in YOUR TEAM’S jar (positive points) & nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills (negative points) in the jars of OTHER TEAMS. Whichever team has THE MOST POINTS at the end of the Penny Drive, wins!

Also be on the lookout! The December edition of the mailed Lancer Letter should be making it to your mailboxes in the next few days!