Mr. Mack's biology classes are currently studying the human body
systems. We recently measured all students' lung capacities and drew some
interesting conclusions from our graphed results. Our next project will be
to build a life-sized skeleton from wire and paper mache (the way medical
students learned anatomy in the old days). Our pet leeches and earthworms
are thriving and I'm happy to report that Oscar the hamster survived,
unscathed, when his plastic cage was destroyed by a flying excercise ball.

The physical science students started the year by building solar hot dog
cookers, learning about light, reflection and infrared radiation. The force
of magnetism was investigated and electromagnets and a simple electric motor were made. Now we are experimentally verifying some of the laws of physics and we will be constructing various energy conversion devices and measuring their efficiency.

Health students did an overview of the body with an emphasis on the
reproductive system. We've had a guest speaker from Planned Parenthood and
offer a weekly non-smoking class taught by our friend Anna from the Rice
County Public Health office. Now we are studying social and emotional
health. Students can delay the opening of the textbooks by participating in
calestenics at the beginning of class. Good nutrition is important to the
staff at Discovery Public School and we will be spending time learning more
about it.

Our physical education facilities are somewhat limited but teather ball,
hackey sack, weight lifting and running on the treadmill are popular indoor
activities. The students invented "noodle combat" as a way to work off a
few calories and a lot of stress. Whenever weather permits we go outside
for soccer, football, basketball, kickball, ultimate frisbee, snowball
fights or long hikes. Parents are reminded to send students to school
dressed for the weather and wearing appropriate footwear.

Dan Weisser - SS/Reading Teacher

Right now we are studying Latin America in my Middle School Geography
class, specifically Mexico.  It has been fun, especially since we have
some kids who are from that region in class.  We do a variety of
different activities in that class from mapping to making creative
bulletin boards of the world.

In World History we have been studying the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance, and will be starting a small research paper after we get
back from X-mas break.  The new computer lab will be a great help for my
classes.  In Civics we have been studying elections and polls, and just
completed a school wide public opinion survey.  We had fun with the
survey, and will be starting a unit on Civil Rights after X-mas break.

In Reading we have been doing a lot of different things such as journal
writing, SSR, and reading current events.  After break the middle school
class will begin reading "The Giver" , and the older reading class will
begin reading "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn".

LIFE SKILLS SECOND QUARTER Since the juniors and seniors are nearing adulthood, I let them pick what they thought they still needed to learn while in High School.  The cooking unit went over very well and I’m quite sure they learned that “you can make it at home for less”.

We touched on safe driving, car insurance etc. with the help of State Farm Insurance.

We are currently trying to get through financial planning with lots of complaining. I have also enlisted the student’s help in regard to showing their younger schoolmates appropriate and acceptable behavior.  Thank you Juniors and Seniors!  

HEALTH 10 SECOND QUARTER While picking our way through the Health book we have touched emotional and mental health, they have participated in a 10-week anti-smoking program, and we are drawn to talking about illegal drugs quite often. I feel that our classroom is a safe environment for the students to voice personal concerns. I continue to positive see growth in these tenth graders on a weekly basis.

Mr. Vourlos’s classes:

1st hour—Juniors/Seniors are reading the novel High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. We are practically half way through the novel and the students are loving the real world connections.

2nd hour—Sophomores are reading Lord of the Flies. They enjoy some the book’s grim aspects.

3rd hour—6th, 7th, and 8th graders are working on their mastery of comprehending their reading, while continuing to improve their grammar skills.

4th hour—9th and 10th grade Speech class—They just completed self-evaluations of their self-image with concern to perceptions. They are also preparing to deliver informative speeches.

6th hour—9th graders are also reading Lord of the Flies. They enjoy the book’s detailed description of the tropical locales.

7th hour—Juniors/Seniors are always at work on our school newspaper, which will be making it’s second edition shortly. Currently, they are studying historical famous news.

EMILIE PEDERSON

THE RESOURCE ROOM Lots of things are happening in the Resource Room. During most of the day, students may choose to work here if they need a quieter setting or a teacher may choose to send a student for individual help. A Reading class is taught 4th Hour and a Math class is taught 7th Hour. We have been practicing for the upcoming Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. Students who finish my assignments early may use class time to do work for other classes.

Advisor/Advisee Program

At Discovery Public School, there is a new program called Advisor/Advisee. Every other week all of our students meet with an teacher to discuss important topics. Each group will consist of 10-12 students and one adult to allow for more personal contact and academic success. As our student body continues to change due to the increased enrollment and expanding curriculum, this personal attention has become even more important. Many of our new students come into Discovery without knowing anyone. Even our current students need an adult to talk with sometimes and to act as an advocate. This program provides everyone an opportunity to identify with a small group of students and an adult and can support our students as they transition from one grade to the next and to college. Some other benefits of the program are found in the topics we discuss. These topics include the new school policies, graduation requirements, college and career planning, decision making, and learning styles. On many occasions, Advisory groups will discuss topics specific to their grade level, such as college plans for seniors or SAT preparation for our juniors. In the small group settings, each student will have the opportunity to receive closer attention and reach a better understanding of issues discussed.Advisors have basic training in the school's guidance curriculum, limits of confidentiality, referral procedures, and active listening. Advisory activities 1) help students master the guidance standards and indicators, 2) help students set goals and monitor their progress toward those goals, and 3) give students a chance to develop a guidance relationship with a caring adult. The Advisor/advisee program also provides a way for parental involvement. Each teacher is involved with their advisee’s parents, making regular communications home about wins, as well as losses. The advisory program has many benefits and will help Discovery continue to be a leader in education. Whether it is personal attention or the topics that help the individual student, this program has much to offer everyone.