Hands on and Beyond…Developing the Scientific Mind - IMMS Annette Poole

There are many experiments which are impossible to carry out in the classroom due to safety or feasibility issues. Mrs. Poole has detailed a myriad of experiments in the physical, earth and life sciences that her students will be able to carry out and participate with in a virtual, hands on experience. She will be receiving a number of items including a Smart Board with junction box, sound system and projector, along with Ladybug document camera, airline slate and Flicker camera.

The ORFF Experience Continued - IMMS Susan Styers

In an effort to even more actively engage her students in the music curriculum, Ms. Styers will be bringing the ORFF concept of music instruction to IMMS in a continuation of Ms. Martin’s outstanding work at IMS. The barred instruments she will be receiving will allow students to expand their understanding and techniques in this area and, perhaps, form an ORFF ensemble at IMMS as well as become better prepared to be part of a Concert Band or Percussion Ensemble at Seneca High School.

Trout in the Classroom - IMMS Dave Parsons

In this environmental program, students will learn about the process of raising (and then releasing) trout from eggs to fingerlings, as well as studying the importance of clean, cold water for all organisms. Studies will take place in the classroom and the aquarium setup will be in a safe area in the Media Center. Release will be on a springtime Saturday in state approved trout maintenance streams with parents providing transportation.

Connecting the Community

Children and staff impacted - approx. 100 (Entire Sixth Grade at IMMS)

Goals:

  • Conduct relevant and meaningful research projects that connects students, their families, the community and the school to a local ecosystem
  • Create a data base about native and non-native plant diversity and compare it to the white-tailed deer population, incidence of Lyme’s disease and deer-related traffic accidents
  • Make this data available to the residents of Shamong Partner with Burlington County College Science department with this project
  • Provide an opportunity for students to form collaborative teams outside of school to develop/strengthen emotional and social bonds

Related Topics :

  • How many Shamong residents lose shrubs, flowers and trees to the constant pressure of deer browsing?
  • Does plant diversity affect the travel patterns of the deer?
  • Can accidents with deer be reduced?
  • Is there a relationship between how our residents care for lawns, run-off, and the impact it has upon native aquatic species?
  • Do other non-native species, such as Canada geese, gypsy moths and phragmites have a negative impact on Shamong’s environment and health?

Research model steps:

  • Students will draw scale models of their properties
  • Students will transfer their scale models to a computer landscape program
  • Using varies resources, students will key flowers, shrubs and trees on their properties, noting which are native and which are non-native
  • Students will learn how to use a GPS receiver and make “waypoints” on their scale maps and then transfer to their computer models
  • Students will input information onto Arc View, a Geographic Information System that can show multiple layers of geographic information
  • Experts in the field of botany and from the Pinelands Preservation Alliance will teach students how to identify Pine Barrens plants and evidence of deer browsing
  • Students will conduct research with neighbors and residents about what plants have been eaten by deer and what prevention methods have been tried, along with success rates.
  • Students will research government web sites, such as Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife for deer population numbers and other relevant information
  • Students will teleconference with researchers at BCC
  • Students will present their findings to one another, their families and the community
  • In subsequent years, students will continue adding the same information, but also add information about deer diseases, patterns of traffic accidents and the study of gypsy moth populations and their consumption of oak leaves

Funds are for all materials including mobile carts and notebooks, wireless projectors, tablet PCs, wireless Switching Routers, webcam for teleconferencing, Garmin GPS unit, numerous field guides and dichotomous keys, training and site licensing.

Responsive Classrooms

Children and staff impacted - approx. 520 (Entire School Population of IMS)

This project provides for training and certification for the majority of 1st grade thru 4th grade teachers in the "Responsive Classroom Approach". Key principals of the approach:

  • The social and academic curricula are equally important
  • How children learn is as important as what they learn Social interaction facilitates cognitive growth
  • Children need to learn cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self control if they are to be successful socially and academically
  • Knowing children individually, culturally and developmentally is essential to good teaching
  • Knowing children’s families is essential to good teaching
  • The working relationships among adults in school are critically important to how well children learn

Some specific teaching practices used in the approach:

  • Hold Daily Morning Meeting to create a sense of community and provide children with opportunities academic and prosocial skills
  • Use an approach to devising and reinforcing rules that is developmentally and individually relevant to the child and teaches responsibility and self-control
  • Organize classrooms in ways that foster social interaction, independence and productive learning
  • Form home/school partnerships in which teachers invite parents to share their knowledge of their child, keep them informed about what’s happening in school, and welcome their presence in the classroom
  • Introduce classroom materials through Guided Discovery, a format that encourages children’s excitement about learning and teaches care of materials
  • Use Academic Choice, an instructional approach that motivates children and encourages autonomy

Podcasting

Children and staff impacted – approx. 950 (Entire School Population)

Video iPods are used by students and staff at both schools to further instruction in a mode that is both relevant and functional to present day students. Instruction, as well as student projects, productions and presentations are recorded and replayed at future times. If students miss events, special presentations or important instruction, it is possible to see and hear it at a later date. Community and school events are recorded as students and staff interact in a technologically advancing society.

Funds were for 22 Video iPods, 22 iPod AV Connection Kits, 22 XtremeMac Micromemo Microphones, 22 sets of speakers, 1 projector, projector speakers and projector cart.

Distance Learning Lab to IMS

Children and staff impacted – approx. 520 (Entire School Population of IMS)

The Distance Learning Lab at IMMS, previously funded by the Foundation, will be moved to IMS where it will be used more often due to current scheduling conflicts at IMMS. Use purposes will be the same as at IMMS.

Funds are for relocation and site preparation costs.

It’s Game Time

Children and staff impacted - approx. 950 (Entire School Population)

Students play game show format games to reinforce, review and learn concepts taught in class. Teachers customize games such as “Categories, Classroom Feud, Tic Tac Toe, Is That Your Final Answer, Wheel of Knowledge, Question Bowl, etc. with whatever content being taught. Students play individually or in teams while viewing questions on computers or white boards and recording answers on wireless “slammers”. Answers are tabulated so teachers can see what concepts may need reinforcing. Students have fun while learning and reinforcing concepts.

Funds are for software and licenses, and wireless slammers.

Dance, Dance Revolution

Children and staff impacted – approx. 410 (Entire School Population of IMMS)

The Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) is a unique way of showing students an alternative form of cardiovascular exercise. DDR is an interactive dance game where players physically dance on specialized dance pads. Players dance on directional dance buttons on the pads which correspond to onscreen arrows. Within the game, there is a workout mode that accurately tells the student how many calories they have burned. Students enjoy dancing to music while burning an average of 25 calories per song.

Funds are for 2 DDR Group Fitness Bundles, which include, 2 Sony Play Station 2 systems, 4 memory cards, 2 DDR Extreme 2 games, 4 energy metal dance pads, and 12 practice pads, as well as 10 extra practice pads.

Pedometers

Children and staff impacted – approx. 525 (Entire School Population 4-8)

Students in grades 4 – 8 have access to a pedometer to measure, calculate and record their physical activity during fitness units as they attempt to “Walk across the Country”. Students analyze and record their results in terms of mileage completed, caloric expenditure and distance traveled. Students also see how physical activity can be integrated into various subject curriculums such as math, science and social studies.

Funds are for 500 pedometers and incentive awards.

Clavinova

The Clavinova(R), a type of digital keyboard, is one of the newest tools for the music classroom and will used as the basis for the new 7th and 8th grade music curriculum as well as assisting with the developing choir during lab periods.

It serves as the model as students will now use the fifteen electronic synthesizers we have and learn basic piano skills, music reading and theory.

Its recording and sequencing features will allow the teacher to record lessons and exercises and then play them back while circulating the room to increase student contact time and direct one-on-one instruction.

Singers can be instructed in vocal pedagogy as one part of a choral score that can be recorded into the clavinova and played back while students sing their parts, allowing for more appropriate vocal coaching.

The Clavinova is both a stand alone musical tool and a major component of a possible future music technology lab.

Clavinova is a registered trademark of Yamaha Corporation

 

Social Studies Pilot Program Social Studies Pilot Program

Social Studies classes across all grades at IMMS have received SMART Boards(R) and Projectors as a tool to broaden and improve the delivery of instruction.

  • These interactive boards will increase student involvement, motivation and knowledge retention.
  • This dynamic, highly visual, interactive tool will assist and appeal to all learning styles.
  • These equipment packages, while primarily being used and evaluated in the Social Studies' classrooms, are mounted on portable stands so they can be "borrowed" by other classes when appropriate.

SMART Board is a trademark of SMART Technologies Inc.

 

Orff Ensemble Orff Ensemble

Through the generous support of our Donors, the Foundation purchased over 50 instruments to make a complete Orff ensemble.

ORFF is a method for moving, singing and playing instruments and these particular instruments support that method. Ms. Martin, who is trained in ORFF Theory and Use, will utilize these instruments not only in all her classes so every student will have exposure to new musical opportunities, but she also plans on developing an ORFF Ensemble. The Orff ensemble has been featured at many school events including the IMS Talent Show at Seneca High School.

 

Distance Learning Lab Distance Learning Lab

Through real time visual and voice contact, students will be able to work collaboratively with peers around the country and world.

Whole classes will be able to take virtual, interactive field trips to places otherwise impossible. Extra classes for our students will also be offered through both the Lenape High School District and a worldwide network of schools, museums, laboratories and businesses.

 

Remember the Titans

Two of the real-life coaches and two of the actual student football players portrayed in the movie "Remember the Titans" gave a truly motivational and inspiring presentation on many of life's important issues.

They presented to the faculty during a daytime teacher's in-service and in the evening at Seneca High School to students, families and the general public.

 

College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble

The renowned College of NJ Wind Ensemble, that has preformed worldwide, came about 50 members strong, dressed in formal attire and had their complete complement of instruments.

They gave an impressive and interactive performance at IMMS in the morning. Students that were part of the IMMS band we asked to sit side-by-side with the TCNJ member that played the same instrument.  In the afternoon, they practiced with participating wind ensemble students from the Seneca, Shawnee, Lenape,and Cherokee High Schools. In the evening, they gave a fabulous concert at the Lenape Center for the Performing Arts with all the Lenape District students participating in the final selections.