Test Test Baby!

http://youtu.be/RcT_ovElwGw

This coming week our students will begin taking the Maryland School Assessment.

As you can see, the WLMS staff really ROCKS!

Infographics: the new soil

 “By visualizing information, we turn it into a landscape that you can explore with your eyes, a sort of information map. And when you’re lost in information, an information map is kind of useful.” David McCandless

Here is an example of an infographic: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/06/weekinreview/20110306-happiness.html  How can these be used by students?

Addictions

 

I don't have this particular addiction, but I know people who do!  

My problem is not being able to find a post-it when I need one.  ; )

The Maryland School Assessment is Coming!

Fueling Up for MSA!

Our staff is working very hard to prepare our students to be successful on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) this month. Here are some of the ways we are helping our students prepare: math and reading teachers have been meeting with all students to share their 2011 scores, Ms. Kelley and Ms. Warner have created “MSA Gauges” to help students visualize their performance from last year on the MSA, students are setting goals for their MSA achievement this year, and during extended homeroom time we have provided specific test taking strategies for students to consider.

This coming week, we will conduct MSA assemblies for each grade level to encourage all students to try hard and to do their very best when taking the tests on March 13, 14, 20 and 21.

You might be asking, how can I help my child be ready to perform to the best of their ability? Well, here are some simple things that will have a huge impact. Please keep the testing dates in mind when scheduling appointments. We will begin to administer the tests promptly at 8:10 a.m. and they will continue until 11:00 a.m. each day. It would be extremely helpful if parents do everything they can to see that their child is in school on time on these days since it is very difficult for students to have to make up these tests during other class times. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast are the best ways to help ensure your child’s success on these exams. Also, it is important to take time to talk with your child and reinforce the importance of doing their very best on the MSA.

Your support and interest mean a lot.

Lego Man in Space!

Of course, this is not the first weather balloon trip to "space", but this is a pretty cool video none the less. It's important to remember that this is edited footage, the ascent alone probably took an hour. I also appreciate that you can hear and see the bursting of the weather balloon at the end of the video. Finally, as a huge Lego fan, I loved the use of the figurine to put this flight into perspective.

An Interesting Commercial...Intelligent, Multi-Layered!

The power of the wind! 

This commercial really blew me away! ; )

Mankind is no island!

UCLA Squirrels Demonstate Perseverance!

A Lost Generation? No Way! Not on my Watch!

Which Square is Shaded Lighter?

An Optical Illusion Revealed from Richard Anderson on Vimeo.

Understanding the New World Langauge Options

The Howard County Public School System will be offering information sessions for 5th grade parents about the new World Language program that will be implemented next year.

School Sign Is Installed

This past weekend, our long awaited school sign was hung proudly on the front of our school. We are so excited to finally have a real school sign!

The new LED sign is already providing opportunities for our staff to communicate with our school community in a new and exciting way.  We can program the sign to welcome visitors and highlight school events.

Two years ago, during the school's 40th Anniversary Celebration, I shared that we did not have a school sign and I believed we deserved to have one. That evening, we set a goal to raise enough money to purchase a school sign that would proudly display our school's name for everyone to see.

Thanks to the support of our PTSA, we were able to meet our goal in just 18 months. We collected donations from students, staff, parents, community members and local businesses. 

I would like to extend a huge Thank You to everyone who contributed to making the WLMS sign possible! Also, I want to thank Andrew Peterson and the other talented people at Stewart Signs for creating such a beautiful sign and making the entire purchasing process so easy. I would recommend them to anyone who might be in the market for a similar product.