MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS
2010-11 Student-Friendly Morgan Park Middle School Handbook Teacher: Alexandra Austin - Grades 6-8 English & Resource Studies Special Ed Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award The traditional Morgan Park Middle School was not readily-utilized by incoming students. Through interviews and writings, students developed a new “kid-friendly” handbook, including: insight on school culture, students’ perspectives, frequently asked questions, cartoons and school maps in addition to the school rules and code of conduct. After publication, students presented their work to elementary students and addressed questions and concerns about transitioning to middle school. Books for Honduras (Libros para Honduras) Teacher: Karen Isensee - Spanish I (Woodland) Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award Spanish students partnered with the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Arrowhead Reading Council, Scholastic Books, Barnes and Noble, and the school community to provide books for Juan Lindo School in La Ermita, Honduras. Juan Lindo is located next to an orphanage and has a shortage of elementary-level Spanish books. The students at Woodland exchanged letters with students at Juan Lindo over the course of the semester to develop their Spanish language skills. Members of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd personally delivered books to Juan Lindo School.
Ready to Read Teacher: Deb Porter - Family and Consumer Science (Woodland and Morgan Park) Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award Students in FACS selected and purchased children's books as part of their Child Care and Diversity, Tolerance, and Restorative Practices units. They screened the books for age-appropriateness and content and read their selected literature to children in the community. At the end of the unit, students donated the books to United Way's Big Red Bookshelf project. Animal Socialization and Public Affairs project with Animal Allies Teacher: Rick Lindberg - Setting III Emotional & Behavioral Disorders (Morgan Park) Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award An initial trip to Animal Allies demonstrated the significant emotional impact on students when working with cats and dogs. The students made an informational video about Animal Allies. They will now work to develp a year-long program with students visiting the shelter every three to four weeks. Students track specific animals on the Animal Allies website. They will look for ways to share their learning with other elementary and middle school students. Bringing Back the Art of Handwritten Correspondence Teacher: Christine Valento - 6th Grade Art (Morgan Park) Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award Sixth grade art students built relationships with seniors at the Benedictine Health Center by creating artwork and writing letters to exchange with the residents.
2009-10 Heat for the Homeless Teacher: Peter Froehlingsdorf – 6th Grade, Morgan Park Middle School Funding: Service Learning Northland Award After reading The Leaves of October, sixth grade students turned their ideas into action to help local people who are homeless. Students made fleece blankets and donated them to the Human Development Center of Duluth. Operation- Birthday Box Teacher: Deb Porter- 6th Grade, Morgan Park Middle School Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award Family and Consumer Science classes took their study in child development to a new level when they helped local homeless youth. Sixth graders learned about homelessness and put together packages with age-appropriate toys and books for children who normally would not receive anything while learning about homelessness. Duluth Soup for the Soul Teachers: Jeanne Tonkin and Sherrie Carlson- 7th Grade, Morgan Park and Woodland Middle School Funding: Service-Learning Northland Award Seventh grade Family and Consumer Sciences classes partnered with CHUM to provide families living on the margin with healthy soup mixes and tools for cooking. Students learned about nutrition, poverty, acceptance of diversity, and how to approach businesses and politicians.
Promoting Local Farming Through Art Teacher: Terry Norton- 8th Grade Art, Woodland Middle School Funding: Service Learning Northland Award Eighth grade students at Woodland Middle School analyzed their diets and food sources while learning painting and rendering techniques. Students combined these disciplines to paint murals for the large doors at the Duluth Farmer’s Market on 3rd street to welcome new and old visitors. Wetlands Revitalization Project Teachers: David Bartell, Susan Deetz- Woodland Middle School Special Education Funding: Service Learning Northland Award After researching the connection between local habitats, local birds, and human impact on these habitats, students at Woodland Middle School built wood duck houses for Tallas Island. They also created informational brochures for the public. 2008-09 Improve Lincoln Park
Teacher: Annette Petersmeyer- Grades 7-9 Alternative Ed. Program, Lincoln Park
Funding: Service Learning Northland Award
Students in the FOCUS PLUS and ARCH programs improved Lincoln Park by repainting picnic tables and improving the basketball court. Younger students at Lincoln Park School were included in making hand prints on the tables. Students also repainted backboards, hung new nets, repainted lines in pavement, painted the building next to the courts and picked up trash.
Quilts for CHUM: Lesson on Homelessness
Teachers: Susan Deetz and David Bartel- Special Education (DCD), Woodland Middle School
Funding: Service Learning Northland Award
Special Education students partnered with CHUM to learn about homelessness. Students developed quilts for donation to CHUM and worked with their own families on addressing homelessness in the community.
Healthy Snacks and Nutrition
Teacher: Deb Porter- Family and Consumer Science, Morgan Park Middle School
Funding: Service Learning Northland Award
Eighth grade students in 'Intro to Foods' researched nutrition information and healthy snacks. Students presented the information to other students and community members at "The Spirit of Health" Festival at Denfeld High School. Students also created samples of healthy snacks that were served at the festival.
2007-08
Paper Mache Sculptures for Lake Superior Zoo
Teacher:Terry Norton - Art, Woodland Middle School
Funding: Service Learning Northland Award
Middle school students studied basic animal structures to create paper mache scuptures of animals. Students painted the sculptures with designs from the animal's country of origin or with the animal's natural colors. The animals were displayed as part of a district-wide zoo festival. The animals are a permanent part of the zoo. |
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