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= = ** Middle School Mini-Course Day - **** Friday, **** March 16, 2012 **

**__Directions__**

In space below, fill out what "mini course" you would like to teach. Think of activities that would appeal to students grades 5-8 and that are minimal in cost (we can ask students to bring in supplies (be reasonable), but do not have money set aside in the budget to purchase additional supplies ourselves).

You can teach the same session for two periods (1:45-2:30 2:30-3:15), or do a "super session" (1:45-3:15). Try to think of an activity that would involve a larger number of students and would appeal to students at different grade levels.

You are welcome to team-teach with a colleague if you wish.

Here are some ideas for possible mini courses you could offer: sports activities: (basketball related games, big bat whiffle ball, crab soccer, big ball soccer), service-related activities (make cards for soldiers, assemble supplies for a charitable organization), games (board games- Pictionary, Cranium, Risk, Scrabble, Apples to Apples; card games- spoons; Jeopardy on the SMART Board), active activities: (nature walk, Zumba, yoga, dance)


 * Please fill out your course information by Tuesday, February 14th.**

Please enter the following information about your course. Feel free to cut and paste this template to help you enter your information:

Teacher Name Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description Length of time: Supplies: Space:meet in Maximum Number of Students: 20-ish

__Mini Course Descriptions__

Students will work individually or with a partner to draft a team of Major League Baseball Players. Students will then be able to follow their players during the season to see how their team does. "Super Session" 1:45-3:15 Students should bring in a device that connects to the internet to look up player statistics during the draft. 25
 * "Fantasy Baseball"**
 * Will Piper & Tim Bartz**
 * Description:**
 * Length of time:**
 * Supplies:**
 * Maximum Number of Students:**


 * Teacher Name:** Heidi Abraham and Hannah Reimer
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** TextTwist. Kids will work together to play the online game of TextTwist, where they have to come up with as many words from a 7-letter jumble as possible.
 * Length of time:** 2 45-minute session
 * Supplies:** none
 * Space:** Abraham's and Reimer's rooms
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 24


 * Teacher Name:** Francine Eppelsheimer, Laurie Barth and Dolores Kendall
 * A Room Full of Puzzles** - There will a large selection of jigsaw and brain puzzles the students can choose from and they can work in groups
 * Length of time:** 2 45-minute session or students can stay two sessions if they choose
 * Supplies:** none
 * Space:** The Library
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 25


 * Teacher Name:** Ballentine and Jacobs
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** Food for the Fun of It. Kids will make healthy snacks and also find recipes for healthy snacks that they could make at home.
 * Length of time:** 2 45 minute sessions
 * Supplies:** none
 * Space:** Jacob's room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 24

Teacher Name Debbie Judge and Lori Vandervelde
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:**school wide scavenger hunt-using small pics, kids have to find obscure "shot" (these are given to them-may be corner of picture in US, something on wall next to soda machines) around the school and take their pic with the "bigger picture" (their pics would show what the item is-the whole picture)
 * Length of time:** 2-45 min. sessions
 * Supplies:** pics
 * Space:**meet in Jufdge room-whole school
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 20-ish


 * Teacher Name** Sarah Markwald and Kristen Csiacsek
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** ZUMBA an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, dance part!
 * Length of time:** 2 - 45 minute sessions
 * Supplies:** athletic clothing / athletic shoes
 * Space:**MS Gym
 * Maximum Number of Students:** no limit


 * Teachers:** Cheryl Vaughn and Rebecca Neuwirth
 * Course Title and Short Description:** Cross-stitch. Come, pick out a pattern and different colors of embroidery floss, and make your own cross-stitch bookmark!
 * Length of time:** Super Session 1:45 - 3:15
 * Supplies:** All supplies will be provided
 * Space:** Mrs. Neuwirth's room
 * Maximum number of students:** approx. 20


 * Teachers:** Janet Yearous and Joe Georgeson
 * Course Title and Short Description:** Care Cards and Origami: Make spring-themed cards or an origami box for those in nursing homes and care centers.
 * Length of time:** 2- 45 minute sessions
 * Supplies:** paper, scissors, markers, glue, etc. will be provided
 * Space:** Mr. Georgeson's room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 24


 * Teacher Name** Brian Markwald, Michael Matera and Tom Mussoline
 * Course Title and Short** (2-3 sentence) Description: Badminton - We will instruct the kids on how to play and proceed to set up a tournament for all players involved.
 * Length of time:** 1 - 1.5 Session
 * Supplies:** Badminton Equipment from the PE Department
 * Space**:meet in MS Gym
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 24


 * Teacher Name:** Nicola De Torre and Kamie Fultz
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** Building Solar Racer: Build and decorate small solar powered race cars from a kit.
 * Length of time:** 2-45 minute sessions
 * Supplies:** All kit supplies provided. Bring extra stickers and paint to decorate if so desired.
 * Space:** Mrs. De Torre's room.
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 20-ish


 * Teacher Name:** Altman
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** Rock Drumming: This isn't your ordinary African drum circle! Come and play great-sounding hip-hop and rock grooves with your friends. No experience necessary.
 * Length of time:** 2-45 minute sessions
 * Supplies:** None
 * Space:** Ms. Altman's room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 25


 * Teacher Name:** Moreno
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** Hunger Games Playwrighting - Have you read the Hunger Games? Are you excited for the movie to be in the theaters? Do you think it would be awesome to see it live onstage? Come be part of the creative process, turning this amazing story into an actual play. Help brainstorm ideas, pick out the most important events, create interesting dialogue and deep internal monologues, dive into the characters, scenery, and conflict. This promises to be a lot of fun...and who knows...maybe a future Middle School Play!
 * Length of time:** 1 - 90 minute session
 * Supplies:** All the copies of the Hunger Games we can get!
 * Space:** Mr. Moreno's room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 20

Join us as we build competitively. Race to see if your team can construct the John Hancock Building before theirs can build the Sears Tower. Play a buildable labyrinth board game whose paths change as they get rebuilt and blocked. Or, compete in an interactive game combining real LEGO bricks, building tasks, and an iPad app.
 * Teacher Name:** Dunning
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** Architecture, Board Games, iPads, and LEGOS
 * Length of time:** 2 - 45 minute sessions
 * Supplies:** None
 * Space:** Mr. Dunning's room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 14

Take on the USM masters of trivial knowledge in a marathon game of the 25th anniversary version of the game that started it all! Do you call the pieces "wedges," "cheese," or "pies?" The winners get to call them whatever they want. Prizes to be awarded.
 * Teacher Name:** Shuler
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** Ultimate Trivial Pursuit Challenge
 * Length of time:** 1 - 90 minute session
 * Supplies:** Provided
 * Space:** The cool band room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 18 - six teams of 3

Teacher Name: Sue Baker and Brian Sommers Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description: Fitness Center Open Fitness Enjoy a session to work out and enhance your fitness with Mrs. Baker and Mr. Sommers

Length of time: 2- 45 minute sessions Supplies: none Space:meet in: Fitness Center Maximum Number of Students: Unlimited


 * Teacher Name: Schwieters and Taft**


 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description: Take me out to the ballgame:** Using Wii and baseball gaming software, students will keep baseball book on

a simulated game between Taft's Titans and Schwieters' Sluggers. Snacks provided.
 * ength of time:** 1 - 90 minute session
 * Supplies:** Provided
 * Space:** Mr. Taft's room
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 20


 * Teacher Name:** **Ms. Uttech and Ms. Fritz**
 * Course Title and Short (2-3 sentence) Description:** **//The Amazing Race - USM//**: Work with a team to solve riddles, accomplish tasks, and earn points as you move towards the finish.
 * Length of time:** 1 - 90 minute session
 * Supplies:** Come dressed and ready to be outside for the whole 90 minutes! Hats, gloves, old sneakers, etc.
 * Space:** Meet outside Ms. Uttech's office
 * Maximum Number of Students:** 20