The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 19, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 May 1985 — Page 12
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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., May 8,1985
School news
First hand experience makes learning fun
u Relating school work to the ‘real world” has often been a difficult task for teachers. With students constantly asking why they need to know the material when they are never going to use it, answering often becomes difficult for the teacher, as the teacher is not always sure how a particular lesson will benefit a particular student. At Syracuse Junior High, however, Mr. Russell Sonafrank of the Language Arts department along with the asssitance of Mrs. Jan Lant, also of the Language Arts department; and Mrs. Denise Garner of the Art department have devised a method in which students may experience first hand what they have been studying in their books. Focusing primarily upon Mr. Sonafrank’s advanced eighth grade Language Arts class, and several other students who showed a keen interest in art, the students began to learn about art appreciation. To give the students a taste of what they were learning in the books, the program had a trip planned to Chicago to view the different pieces of art work that ,the “windy city” has to offer. Many of the different works of art studied in class were on display in Chicago’s museums. The program entitled “New Persepctives on the Windy City” was scheduled for Saturday, April 20. Leaving from South Bend at 6 am., the group of 54 was bound for Chicago on the South Shore train. Returning in the same manner, the group arrived back in South Bend at 10:30 p.m. that same evening. The trip may have been long and tiring, but their adrenalin kept motivating them on. It wasn’t until the next day that the fatigue finally set in. One of the purposes of the class was to combine the two department’s studies, art and literature, in an effort to help c the students make the correlation between them. “When I went through public school.” Mr. Sonafrank mentioned, “I never remember any of my English teachers taking the time to talk about the different pieces of art work that were at the beginning of each section inside of our books. I always wondered why they were in there.” Through this class, the students not only learned why the pictures were in the literature books, they also learned why and how the artists created them. The class, however, involved more than just the handful of artists found in their literature books, it covered a vast number of other artists too. Many of the differernt genres in art were, also, reviewed, such as Impressionism, Surrealism, and Cubism. As a main objective of the trip, the students were to practice recognizing these genres as well as the various artists of pieces that they have studied. Remembering the paintings they had studied in class was relatively easy for them, but moving into unfamiliar territory was more of a challenge. “It is fun,” one student said, “being able to look at a painting and tell who it was by. Although their adeptness has not been fully cultivated in that area, most of the students were, at least able to decipher which genre a particular painting belonged to. “A lot of the artists’ work, who all do Impressionism or whatever, really look the same,” another student remarked.
One of the benefits the students attained from the class was the ability to choose a «preference in art work. “When I used to look at
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J* 1 ■ ■ll F "" ■ -■ : ■■■ i el i i ® fa"* 5 * M . I. , 1 IW®£' J fl ■w j ; - WU A DAY IN CHICAGO — Combining the studies of the Art and Language Arts departments, the students in Mr. Sonafrank’s advanced eighth grade Language Arts class at Syracuse Junior High were taught about art appreciation. Finishing their studies with a trip to Chicago’s museums, the students were able to view first hand several of the paintings that were in their school books. Pictured are the three teachers who instructed the students throughout their studies as well as several of the students who participated in the course. From left to right are: Mr. Russell Sonafrank, Mrs. Denise Garner, Mary Haffner, Mrs. Jan Lant, Angie Gorman, and Judd Storey. I i WWB t Mr PSt* .I HEV ySW .A*’’- >,.•> “ > * « " fv-: . tn * WSWoB/Eq 1 - i ’ lIH fIW v/’aW Jr J >4 BIGGER THAN LIFE — The students who participated in the art appreciation class at Syracuse Junior High not only got to see art work from inside the museums in Chicago, they got to see what art ’ work could be found outside in Chicago’s downtown area. Pictured outside the Art Institute with the “bigger than life” lion are Mr. Sonafrank’s advanced eighth grade Language Arts students as well as several other students who showed a strong interest in art.
a painting,” one student said, “I could only tell if I liked it or not. Now, when I look at one, I wonder what the artist was feeling and thinking when he was painting it.” Even though the student may Shoes for spring will be very colorful. There’s a color or combination of colors to blend with every outfit. Shops are showing cool cutout styles in glittery rrietallics, strains and pastels with a pearlized luster. Soften glue If your glue becomes hardened in the bottle, just add a little vinegar to soften it.
not be fond of the painting, he is able to appreciate its unique characteristics, which is the purpose of art appreciation. The students noticed that the “texture, color, and details” of the paintings were greatly amplified as compared to the pictures of the same paintings in their books. One girl was so overcome by the difference, that all she could say was, “You just had
I I -I i I I WByEßgr ' ! jnm I »L<& ■ -<■■■■ ■ ■'.. — I^B—' * ... ' ■■■■ kfM' ‘(©WJ&W'SWsW —IST ’£ f- 5 1 ■ ■I HMRuw • WARRIOR OF THE MONTH — Jeanette Keim has been chosen as Warrior of the Month. She has successfully completed a long career as cheerleader sponsor, cheerblock sponsor, and pep session organizer for Wawasee High School. Donn Kesler, vice principal, is handing Mrs. Keim her certificate. (Photo by Deb Patterson)
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to be there to see it.” Another, in awe of a painting that covered an entire wall at the museum, said, “It just about knocked me out!” While preparing for the trip, the students wondered, "Is this really worth while learning?” But, after having gone and seen the wonders of art, they “never realized before how important it can be.
Orientation program for sixth graders This Tuesday, May 14, the Syracuse Junior High School staff will present an Orientation Program for all new sixth graders and their parents. The program will be held in the girls’ gymnasium beginning at 7 p.m. The program will include presentations from several of the teachers as well as many interesting facts about the school’s programs and facilities. Each student will receive a student folder packed with helpful information. The information section will be explained during the meeting and parents will be asked to check any of the activities in which they are interested in assisting with. FFA team wins area contest Wawasee Future Farmers of America Crop Judging Team has won the Area Crop Judging Contest for the third consecutive year. Rich Karst and Tim Troup also participated in the contest in the area of Dairy Judging. The area level contests were recently conducted at the Porter County Fairgrounds and Expo Center located near Valparaiso. Team members of the Crop Judging Team and individual placings are Debra Schafer, second overall; Scott Barker, sixth; Marty Brown, 10th; Todd Roberts and Steve Carson combined to take place in the 1985 Area X Contest. The team will now advance to the State Crops Contest in early June at Purdue University, West Lafayette. Karst and Troup had qualified for the area contest by placing in the top five individuals in the county level contest in early April. Test Plot Planted Other activities include the FFA chapter planting its corn test plot on April 29. This is located on Kern Road, west of Wawasee High School Chapter members are comparing eight varieties which were donated by Terry Hollar, Rodney Hollar, Greg Kaiser and Nelson Been Anyone desiring information should contact the vo-ag department. \ Students presented awards at IUSB Awards for outstanding achievement were presented Sunday, April 19, to Indiana University at South Bend students during the annual Honors Day ceremony in Northside Auditorium. Cheryll Lynne Martin and Julie M. Taubert, both from Syracuse, were recognized for superior academic achievement during one or both semesters of the 1984-85 academic year. Speaker for the ceremony was Keith D. Knauss, coordinator and associate professor of labor studies at IUSB. Emptied jars To store emptied jars, wash and drain. Then put crumpled paper inside and replace lid. When canning day comes, paper has kept jars clean-smelling Storing with lids on keeps jars clean and avoids rim nicks. Stop chimney fire To stop a fire in a chimney, close all windows and doors, shuting off ventilation, and hold a wet blanket in front of the fireplace to prevent draft from going up the chimney.
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■KM • JHMMI ■ fl ■hl - ii ’ 'IB H'.iOl Mt ■ «' v i ■BBflWfltaHiiiiT. Jj? jll fl ?= .v«. ■ I ■ ... CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS — On Friday morning, April 19, the second grade class at Syracuse Elementary attended a performance of Camille Saint-Saens’ orchestral fantasy “Carnival of the Animals” at the Morris Civic Auditorium in South Bend. The production was presented by a cast of 20 members and apprentices of the Southold Dance Theater in four performances before thousands of area school children. A study guide was provided ahead of time to provide the children with background information regarding the music, choreography, narrative, and scenic and costume design in the production. Mrs. Sherry Lantz, Elementary Music teacher, assisted by preparing the children for the music they were to hear. Following the performance, the second graders visited the “real” animals at Potowatami Park Zoo and enjoyed a picnic lunch together before returning to school at the end of the day. Second grade teachers included Mrs. Karel Neff, Mrs. Ruth Robinson, Mrs. Eloyce Van Lue, and Mrs. Sharon Wright. The following day, students were instructed to draw a picture representing one of the events from the previous day. Pictured are several of the second grade students displaying their pictures. Kneeling are Amy Rehling, Darcey Coy, and Susie Ritenour. Standing are Ben Lotter, Larry Firestone, and Sam Gibbs. ■ Bl il J J ■ \ Vi jMi ■_ 7 tax- 1 -■ 1 V Sk X' 1 MY.' SB ||||fl| fl _ SUMMER MUSIC BOOKS — Mrs. Lantz’s second graders at Syracuse Elementary have prepared music books to depict their learning experiences throughout the school year. Pictured in the front row are Jamie Jones, Chandra Kelly, Darcey Coy, and Andrew Bartlett. In the second row are Mrs. Sherry Lantz, Beth Avery, Cory Young, Pat Tracey, and Derek Halsey. Music wrap up at Syracuse
The second graders at Syracuse Elementary are wrapping-up a big year in music by preparing one of the 14 pages which will make up their “Summer Music Book.” Mrs. Lantz, music teacher at Syracuse Elementary, comments, “This is a project, which takes about a month, that I do with the second grade because second grade is such an important year in music!” Mrs. Lantz mentioned that in addition to learning to sing a variety of songs, including memorizing the National Anthem as well as six more patriotic songs, the students have memorized the treble clef lines and spaces. They can identify and draw 39 musical notes and symbols without any help.
“By the end of the second grade,” Mrs. Lantz continued, “our students can follow musical notes on the staffs of songs. They can correctly read simple two measure rhythmic patterns, involving whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes. This represents a lot of effort and learning on the kids’ part.” The “Summer Music Book”, according to Mrs. Lantz, is a fun way to review and put down on paper most of what the students
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have learned throughout the year. “The kids take a lot of pride in this project and most actually use it! Older students tell me it’s something moms and dads save. That really pleases me!” Mrs. Lantz concluded. She has already lamindated the covers, which the students decorated, with a plastic coating. The books are scheduled to be completed during the last week of school.