The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 7, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 March 1983 — Page 11

School news

Wawasee teacher joins two poles

By GAIL WIDMOYER Most colleges offer two general categories of study: the arts and science. However, who's to say that “never the twain shall meet?” Joel Robbins is an English teacher at Wawasee High School who has found away for the two poles to meet. While he holds a college degree in English he has developed a hobby centered around his home computer system. Robbins bought the system in December 1981 and used it as a source of entertainment on week

MODERN COMMUNICATION — Joel Robbins, English teacher at Wawasee High School, sees computer systems as the new way for people to communicate. As a hobby, the English teacher has developed several computer programs for personal use and two for sale. (Photo by Gail Widmover >

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FIFTH GRADE SPELLERS — Christa Marie Sincroft. left, is the elementary spelling bee champion at North Webster. The winning word for Christa, in the contest held Monday, Feb. 21, was “ponderous.” Chi the right is Kimberlee Carmichael, runner-up. These girls will compete against the North Webster junior high spelling bee winners on March 7 and the overall winner will represent the school at the county spelling bee on April 16. (Photo by Sharon Stuckman>

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MAKING MATH MORE FUN — Students in Lera Reinholt’s fourth grade class at Syracuse Elementary are shown working with calculators. Mrs. Reinholt is currently teaching a week-long class to all three sections of fourth grade in a team teaching project with Larry Pletcher and Paula Markley. Calculators are being used to improve problem solving techniques. Students must make decisions and think about what is being done before they push the buttons. While reinforcing basic mathematical skills, student response indicates that the activities make math more fun. Calculators used in the project were donated to the school. Shown around the table are Celia Impey, Brandy Bartman, Galena Stocklin, Mrs. Reinholt. Becky Hay. Bobby Livermore, Tim Craig and Alecia Hewitt. (Photo by Deb Fox)

ends when the Lakeland area was snowed in. Since that time, he has designed several programs and games for his system and sold another two to cassette magazines. Before selling two programs, one to Chromassette in California and the other to Coco Cassette in Michigan, Robbins designed educational programs for his two children. The programs teach the children to read, follow directions and solve problems before moving on to another, more difficult program. “Most games are basically mazes,” explained Robbins who

also uses some programs in his English class. “Some kids learn visually better than orally,” he continued. The computer tapes are especially helpful in his poetry classes. With his tapes he can illustrate rhythm patterns such as iambic pentameter and English concepts such as alliteration. The computer is also useful in his media class since it is “the library of the future.” Robbins believes in 10 years or less, the majority of people will be able to hook up home computer systems to libraries across the nation and

subscribe to a variety of news channels. Robbins agreed the computer age will eventually replace reading, or at least some people will read less, but he has no regrets. “We can’t hold back, we re in a technological age. The computer replacing reading will have the same effect as the printing press had on oral story telling. I'm sure some people were remorseful when the printing press began to operate, but now we see that the process is all for the better. ” Training Learning to use the computer is fairly easy according to Robbins. He has no formal training and believes if the computer has a good manual, most people can teach themselves how to operate the system. However, Robbins is able to teach computer concepts to other people. He is in charge of three adult continuing education classes in computer literacy which he classifies as “so easy.” Robbins has also (tone demonstrations at the Milford elementary school and his church. He and his wife. Sara, an art teacher at Warsaw Freshman High School, use the computer to average their grades while his children, Kristin and Mason, enjoy the game programs. Crying baby? turn radio on According to a new report from the Better Sleep Council, radio static is better than a lullaby to lull a baby to sleep. University of Florida research psychologist Dr. Michael Levy says repetitious noise at a moderately intense volume has a calming effort on infants. The louder the hoise is the more quieting it is on the very young child. The “white noise” of static is music to an infant's ears and relaxes a tired tot the same way the sound of a car engine traveling at high speed or a room fan does. Electric Fuzz Mix one part liquid fabric softener with five parts water in a spray bottle. Mist the carpet very lightly, then let it (fry. Afterwards, you'll have no more clinging pet hairs or unwanted carpet fuzz on clothing.

The average American eater

Being called “average” may not be a compliment to those who see themselves as “individuals.” But those in industry and government would prefer to know all there is to know about the “average” American. During any given year, any number of research organizations and government agencies stay busy taking pulses of the average American. Kraft, Inc , publisher of a monthly newsletter, “The Consumer’s Right To Know,” did two surveys in 1977-1978 revealing food consumption trends. One of these surveys was the National Household Menu Census by the Market Research Corporation of American. The Household Menu Census was a year-long study made among 4,000 American families once in five years. Those participating keep food diaries and recorded the place, time and every item eaten in 14 days. What We're Eating Food we eat at home is on the decline because weight and time conscious cooks are serving smaller meals with fewer dishes. A decrease in household size is also responsible for the trend. The Census Bureau has the average house as 2.8 people compared to 3.4 in 1980. Eating out increased by 50 percent between 1963-1978, but recently restaurant traffic is on the decline and is being blamed on rising fuel prices and inflation. The young and older people eat more at home than anyone else. Children under six years and adults over 65 eat 80 per cent of all meals at home. Contrasting with those erf the 18-24 age group, who eat 61 per cent of their meals at home. The age group also misses about 18 per cent of their meals. With the incresing number of working women, only 52 per cent of those surveyed ate their lunches at home, 22 per cent ate at restaurants and 11 per cent brown bagged it. The evening meal was the least likely one to

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TOP SPELLERS — Finalists in the spelling competition at Milford Junior High School will vie for the championship position this week. Finalists in the front row from the left are Alex Lozano and Jerrod Stoller. In row two are Janette Cone, Chayo Garza, Dawn Speicher and Holly Jodry. Shown in row three are Kendall Galegor. Darla Moore. Donna Miller. Diane Hoover and .Amy Beer. In row four are Mary Pearl. English teacher: John Mills. Shelly Avery. Biß Fulp. C.J. Harwood. Ben Beer and Cyndi Thornburg, English teacher. (Photo by Gail Widmoyer >

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FAREWELL TO THE 4*77TH — The fifth graders at Syracuse Elementary School joined Americans across the nation tn saluting one of the most popular television series. MASH. The last show of the series aired Monday and the students dressed in MASH garb on Tuesday as part of their spirit week. Pictured in the front row from the left are Shadow Newcomer. Heather Ritchie. Joe Hetchings. Brian Gabbard, Duane Wells. Stuart Ough and Tony Hostetter. Shown in row two are Lisa Donley, Teresa West. Lisa Neises, Amy Hoene. Santha Cripe. Mark Neibert. Tyler Crum David Hilker. Richard Harman and Carrie Donat. (Photo by Gail Widmoyer)

be skipped and 80 per cent were eaten at home. Snacking is on the decline, mainly in the afternoon and bedtime. Snacking is related to the amount of time spent at home, and since that is decreased, so is snacking. As for main dishes, people prefer dishes that combine meats with starches or vegetables. Pizza, homemade soups, meat salads and ethnic main dishes are being eaten more as are casseroles, spaghetti with meatballs, macaroni and cheese and pot pies. There has been a decline in the use of white bread and rolls at meals. The consumption of other breads has increased. Sandwich consumption is down because the total food consumption is lower and for those who eat sandwiches opt for nonsweet fillings. Non-sweetened, ready-to-eat cereals have increased with the decline of pre-sweetened and hot cereal consumption. With desserts people generally eat less candy, cakes, cookies and ice cream replacing it with yogurts, nuts, popcorn and fruit. The at-home consumption of wine and soft drinks is on the rise while the consumption of milk and coffee has gone down considerably. What It Means The Menu census and other surveys say that today’s consumers are more educated, demanding and interested in quality. The consumers ask more questions and want substantive answers. With inflation they have less loyalty to a single brand and are purchasing a variety of brands instead. Because of inflation buyers are watching for sales, redeeming coupons, buying generic products and using leftovers. Grocery lists, less impulse buying and more home gardening and canning are also among modern weapons.

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AWARENESS WEEK — Students in Joan Folk s resource room at Milford Junior High School joined the nation in a salute to newspapers by reading and examining various area papers. The students learned how to find information in the paper and discovered the meaning of “newspaper jargon.” Examining papers in the front row from the left are John Selles and Todd Baker. In row two are Jim Charter, Dan Manges, Lisa Corl and Cindy Elliott. (Photo by Gad Wid mover*

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NEW WAWASEE WORD PROCESSOR — Lakeland school board member Marguerite Hoerr. business department chairman Pat Huber and Business Advisory Committee president Jeanne Gardiner attended a special demonstration by the Van Ausdall and Farrar. Inc., of the new Lanier EZ-1 word processor recently purchased by the school. School board members, school administrators and various businesses in the area were invited to the demonstration. The Wawasee word processor was purchased for the high school due to the donations of the Business Advisory Committee. (Photoby Gary Lewis*

Wet, March 2.1583— THE MAIL-JOURNAL

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