February 2023

This newsletter is to provide an insight to what is happening in our High School classes each month. To introduce staff and to provide their background as well in hopes to become more familiar with everyone in our Panther Family!

*Any/All Athletic Information can be found at https://www.mndcty.k12.mo.us/documents/athletics/257158

or on our APP under Athletic Newsletter

Spare time? What’s that? My family is always on the go, so we have very little “spare time”. So where am I or what am I doing when I am not at school? Both of my children are very active in numerous extra-curricular activities and I am usually chauffeuring them around to practices, competitions, or Scouts. We are a Scouting family, active in Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts. I am super proud of both my children earning the rank of Eagle Scout. During the summer of 2021, we took a 10-day camping trip, with 60 Scouts and 13 adults, to the Black Hills and Yellowstone. We camp in all kinds of weather, hot or cold, rain, snow, sleet, or shine. If we are not out and about on some Scouting adventure or participating in community service projects, my husband and I are probably cheering on Joslin at a gymnastics competition, or Jathan at a FFA Trap Shooting competition. Every now and then, I have the opportunity to just sit and read, but not often. This past summer, I was fortunate enough to join Mrs. Wilmes and her students, Jathan and Joslin included, that qualified to compete at FCCLA STAR events in San Diego. I grew up in Big Bear Lake, the ski resort of southern California, and attended Big Bear High School. After graduation, I came to Missouri and earned my Bachelor of Science- Biology and Health Sciences at Stephens College in Columbia, then moved to northwest Missouri and began working in a lab. Seven years later, and lots of unwanted overtime, I decided I needed something different. Through Northwest Missouri State University, I earned my Alternative Teaching Certification, and began my teaching career in 2006. In 2010, I earned my Master’s in Education Leadership: Secondary Administration. During the month of February, my Biology students will be learning about the cell cycle, working on their Mitosis and Meiosis project, and starting our genetics unit. Integrated Science students will be learning about work and power. In addition, they will be racing their mousetrap race cars on February 17. Chemistry students will be learning how to name ionic compounds and covalent compounds. Anatomy students will be working on a joint project and then begin some of our dissections. I look forward to another month of learning alongside my students.

Forensic Science: We are currently finishing up our CSI Unit. We have learned about the Chain of Custody and even collected and recorded evidence. We will move on to Physical Evidence after we finish up our CSI Unit.

Attached is a picture of the evidence we collected.

Algebra 1 - We are learning how to factor quadratic expressions. We will then apply that to equations and graphs.

Algebra 2 - We are learning about trigonometric functions and how to apply them to find lengths and angles.

Geometry - We are learning about parallelograms and trapezoids and the properties that go along with each one.

Pre-Calc/Trig - We are learning about vectors and how to do operations with vectors. We will also explore how vectors can be used to solve cross wind problems with planes and boats. We will use vectors to solve some physics problems with work and force applied to objects.

Kindergarten is learning about cave art and will soon be learning about a printing process that relates to Valentines Day. First grade is learning about wax resist with crayons, textures, and watercolors. Third grade is learning about the difference between a shape and a form with a Valentine's Day project. Second grade and fourth grade are creating weaving projects with paper. Fifth grade is learning about 1 point perspective from artists like Grant Haffner. Sixth grade has been creating art based on cultures from around the world. They have already created faux stained glass windows from the Renaissance era along with sun stone relief prints from the Aztec Culture. They are currently making Chinese scroll landscapes. 8th grade is finishing a project that involves still lifes and cubism. The 8th graders will soon move on to learning more about Optical Illusion art (OP art). Art Design and Visual Design (High School Classes) have recently finished vision boards for 2023 and a parody piece in which they took a famous artwork and changed something about it to make it funny. They will be moving on shortly to creating an artwork that involves surrealism which is a form of art in which artists create almost dream-like or fantasy worlds that make no sense.

Business Skills:
Students are working with Excel Spreadsheets. They have been working on a variety of projects learning how to create formulas, create If functions, using the fill handle. The If function allows the students to make logical comparisons between a value and what is expected. Students will also learn how to create different charts using data in excel.

Dual Credit Computers and Information Systems:

Students are learning how digital media represents the real world. We are discussing 2D and 3D animation software and how it is used in gaming systems. They are also learning different types of speech and voice recognition software.

Personal Finance:

Students are learning budgeting basics. They are learning how to make a monthly budget. Budgeting is a key to taking control of your money and can be a plan for how you spend your money overtime.

Mass Media:

Students are working on yearbook pages.

English Presentations - Sophomores have begun working on videos for "Panther News," a school video feed

Composition - Seniors are researching works of literature for a 6-8 page Analytical Research Paper

Stats/Research - Juniors are currently learning how to apply the scientific method to research and ethical principles involved with research

Freshmen :

We have just finished our selected readings in The Best of O. Henry.

1. Students are working on a "Theme Park" project for the third quarter. The first part is their diorama that must include a one scene (ride) representation from the story they've chosen. The scene must clearly illustrate the thematic statement of the short story they've chosen. The title of their diorama must show that they understand the irony of the story.

2. They must also work together as a class to complete a hexagonal map (Theme Park Map) to facilitate deeper critical thinking and debate between the students.

3. As with any good theme park, there are food options. The students will individually "create" a dish that connects in some way to their chosen story. They will create a group (with all students who've chosen the same story) menu categorizing the different dishes. The descriptions of each dish must include examples of the seven figures of speech.

4. We are continuing to work on the Rhetorical Triangle. We are going beyond identifying the rhetorical elements in commercials and creating our own commercials to looking more closely at printed texts to determine rhetorical devices used: speeches, non-fiction articles,.... They will finish with their own persuasive paper.

5. We have covered themes, but haven't even started with motifs and archetypes. I'm not sure at this point if we will get there in February or not. If not, it is in the plans before the quarter is over.

Sophomores:

Continuing to work on the plans for this quarter:

Theme/motif/archetypes

Anchor Text - To Kill a Mockingbird (Mondays and Tuesdays)

Rhetorical Triangle next steps (Wednesdays and Thursdays)

We will start reading printed text (fiction and nonfiction) and watching famous speeches to identify rhetorical elements used.

Persuasive Paper and Argumentative Paper

Major Projects- Students will work in pairs to create a movie poster synthesizing the anchor text, theme, motif, archetypes, and the rhetorical triangle.

EOC Practice Tests/analysis

Strunk and White Grammar Rules

Juniors:

Reinforcing previous standards:

We have finished reading our anchor text: A Raisin in the Sun. We have completed our Socratic seminar over the text. We still have to finish some of the assignments.

1. -Write a business/block format letter as one of the characters in A Raisin in the Sun.

2. -Socratic 2 over theme/motif/archetypes in our anchor text.

3. Continue working on the Rhetorical Triangle

4. Persuasive Paper

5. Major Project - work in pairs to modernize the anchor text. Students will use a different "issue" while still addressing the core issues (generalizations, differences, and misunderstandings) presented in the anchor text. They will create a "one pager" that presents their modernized story. They must show evidence of synthesizing the anchor text, theme, motif, archetypes, and the rhetorical triangle.

6. Poem - Haiku that must in some way merge the original text with their revised version.

Seniors:

Continuing the plans for quarter 3:

Thematic Unit - Conformity vs Individuality

Rhetorical Triangle/Persuasive

Major Project - Students will work to create plans for starting their own businesses from start to launch. They will submit plans and write a business block-style letter to their "banker" to discuss potential funding.

8th Grade is currently in their animal science unit learning about livestock terminology along with the lifespans on livestock

Ag Science 1 is currently learning about cattle breeds of both beef and dairy cattle and will move into swine breeds. They also will be learning how to select/judge these livestock

Ag Science 2 is currently writing speeches over Agricultural Topics and then shortly after will move into Shop Safety and the proper use of tools.

Greenhouse will be working on the last 2/3 of Plant Identification.

Ag Construction is still working on individual shop projects along with them learning how to use the computerized plasma cutter (PlasmaCam)

Wildlife Management is currently learning about the history of Wildlife Conservation and why it is important to the United States and Missouri.

This month in P.E. the elementary will begin their yoga unit, working on improving their balance, strength, flexibility, and concentration. Both the middle school and high school classes will begin a hockey unit. During this unit they will primarily be working on cardiovascular strength, communication skills, sportsmanship, and working with others.

Food Science is making recipes that they have never made before that they would like to know how to make when they are out of school.

7th grade is getting ready to start cooking! Their first lab will be cookies.

Child Development will be starting observing classes in the lower elementary and planning activities and snacks.

Health is learning about alcohol, medications and drugs

FCS is about to start breads unit where we will make leavened and unleavened breads

Housing will be learning about designs within houses and what flows well

FCCLA will have their FCCLA week February 13th-17th. We will have dress up days along with teacher appreciation and member breakfast. FCCLA STAR Event qualifiers are also getting ready for State STAR Events by practicing their speeches and putting final touches on their projects.

As our first month back comes to a close, we are wrapping up first units in the Social Studies Department. World History is finishing up World War I and will soon begin learning about the Inter-War period. Government has gained an understanding of foundational government terms and concepts and we are now beginning to apply those to the development of government in the American Colonies. Finally, Econ is finishing its unit over money and banking, and we will begin discussing the history of the American economy and how the Economic concepts we have learned so far have played out over time.

Good Afternoon! The High School is very busy in the month of February. Each full week we have an organization celebrating a week of dress up days and activities. February 6th-10th is FBLA week. February 13th-17th is FCCLA week. February 20th-24th is FFA week. Mrs. Wilmes and her Star Event students are preparing for their State Competition (March 12th-14th). Mrs. Hux has students competing in District FBLA contests this week and next. Mr. Dignan is preparing State Degrees. We also have picture day coming up Tomorrow, February 2nd starting at 8:30 am. We are asking students to wear Field Trip Attire due to all pictures going into the Yearbook. During this day we will be taking pictures of students for all our organizations (FBLA, NHS, FCCLA, FFA, TrapShoot, Band, Class Groups, STUCO, Scholar Bowl, Art Club, Class Officers). We have alot of very cool things going on in our classrooms. I encourage you to reach out to our teachers if you have any questions as this is the time to intervene with students grades as we are close to halfway through 3rd quarter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out to me through email or you can call the office as well. Go Panthers!

Opening Minds, Educating Lifelong Learners!

Email: jake.shipman@mndcty.org
Website: https://www.mndcty.k12.mo.us/
Location: 708 Nebraska Street, Mound City, MO, USA
Phone: (660)442-5429
Facebook: facebook.com/MoundCityR-2
Twitter: @MC_Panthers