In the Science Lab

Our 6-7 team spent a couple of days in the science lab analyzing soil to determine whether or not it was capable of growing plants for our Global Food Chain unit this marking period. See for yourselves what they discovered!

Crime Scene Investigators

Our 7th grade classes participated in a crime scene investigation project for their Unit 1 assessments. An actual crime scene was created in the school for students to analyze and compile data. They were to take their analysis and investigative work to decide who committed the crime and compile the evidence together. Take a look at some of their work!

Visit to the Dairy Farm

Our 6th grade classes visited, VDS Farms, LLC, a local dairy farm to start off their Unit 2 stories for their ELA classes. Students were given a list of questions to ask the farmer who conducted the tour and also took notes along the way. They had quite an experience!

Earth Day 2009

In honor of Earth Day 2009, we have compiled a few resources to better help you and your students help the environment.

What is the importance of Earth Day and what does it mean to us?

Did you know...

38% of kids feel that the U.S. needs to improve what they're doing to protect the environment.
53% of kids feel that the global climate change is the most important environmental issue facing the world today.
47% of kids most admire a world leader who makes the environment a priority.
51% feel that their communities could better help the environment by using solar panels on new public buildings.
66% feel that it is the environment is their responsibility.

Source: Scholastic's 2009 Environmental Report Card

A few websites with fun environmental activities for you and your family:
Earthdaytv.net: lots of videos and information on Earth Day.
Waste Management's ThinkGreen.com for students grades 6 - 8.

How much energy do your appliances consume when they're not being used, but still plugged in?
Standby Power will show you the watt usage for many common appliances.

Opening today in theaters:
Disney's Earth follows three animal families around the planet and shows just how fragile our life and our planet really is.

Earth day 2009 from Zoltan Ladanyi on Vimeo.

Upcoming events: Wii Game Night

Milwood Magnet School Parent Advisory is organizing the first Wii Game Night. More details to come!




Today is the last day of school before Spring Break. We will return on Monday, April 13.

WGOM: Check in on the Salmon!

Have you checked in on the salmon lately?



We're happy to be back in action again on The Lancer Letter and bring you more updates in the coming weeks.

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:

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: Digital Media & Content

Do you have a digital camera or one of the newer Flip Mino cameras and would like to know how to use it? Check out this short video about how to transfer digital content to your PC from digital media such as a digital camera or a digital video recorder.

If you're interested in the presentation, you can view it without the voice-over:

Here are a few images to help you navigate around Picasa and Windows Movie Maker, which are both programs we discuss in the lesson: