Beginning during the 2000-2001 school year, fifth
graders at Collegiate were immersed in a Mars Space Simulation. The purpose of
the Mars unit was to give a real-life experience of what it would be like to
travel to the red planet. All students participated as either astronauts or
members of Mission Control, and they were assigned jobs used by NASA in real
space missions, such as Flight Commander, Pilot, Mars Terrain Specialist
Geologist, Biologist, as well as Mission Control positions such as Public
Affairs Officer or CAPCOM. All students played a critical role in the overall
experience and spent weeks preparing through various assignments related to
their position. Over the years, the Mission to Mars unit has grown to include a
scuba diving activity (to help simulate the weightlessness that astronauts
would experience). The Mars Simulation “launch” day started with a traditional
astronauts’ breakfast for the students and their parents, followed by four
one-hour missions to Mars (one for each science class), attended by parents.
Each mission consisted of a successful launch and landing in the Orion Space
Capsule simulator, followed by a simulated space walk and presentation by the
students. The Mission to Mars has become a fifth grade tradition and is a
much-anticipated highlight of the school year.
Battle of the Books, by Leslie Prechtel
About
20 years ago Suzanne Reed, Head Librarian at the time, proclaimed February
“Read For Your Life” month. Several events were planned for students from
Pre-School through 8th grade. They included Turn Off the television,
Turn On to reading (TOTO)
week and Guest Reader Day. Ten years ago
we changed Guest Reader Day to Battle of the Books. Battle of the Books is a
national program in which students answer questions relating to a given list of
books. The national program is run similarly to a spelling bee. Our Battle of
the Books pits each Middle School advising group against other advising groups
in their grade level, so students compete in a group rather than individually. In
May, right before the end of the school year, students receive a Summer Reading
list created by the Head Librarian. This list represents the beginning of the
Battle of the Books list. In January, the Head Librarian compiles the final
list by adding titles that students read as part of the curriculum, most popular
Accelerated Reader books, and books from the Summer Reading list for a total of
55 books. On the day of the “Battle,” groups earn points by providing the
correct title and author to specific questions about the books on the list. The
victorious group earns a trophy and a bagel or donut party.
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