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THE GEE FORCE EXPLORES

PENNSYLVANIA’S BIOMES

As part of our science curriculum on animals and the environment, Mrs. Gee’s third-grade class participated in this year’s Palmer Science Fair by conducting research on various Pennsylvania biomes-freshwater, deciduous forests, and city/suburb.  The student-scientists were grouped into three groups and carried out their research on the animal habitats in each biome.  We researched PA animals using books and Internet websites and completed graphic organizers that helped us compose an informational paragraph about each animal, its habitat, place on the food chain, and its connection to humans.  Each student typed their research on the computer and attached pictures of their animals.  We categorized living and non-living components of the ecosystems and learned about lentic and lotic water systems.

The students used a rubric to self-evaluate their individual work, contribution to the group, as well as their group’s cooperative learning.

We would like to thank Mrs. Pawlowski for her expert assistance during our research project and for including our science fair projects in the Technology Expo

Easton Area High School clubs come together for Cops N’ Kids

Easton, Pennsylvania April 28, 2009 – The Easton Area High School is joining up with the Cops N’ Kids program of Bethlehem PA.  After school clubs from the school, including the FBLA, the NAACP Youth Council, the Gifted Students, FEA, French Club, and Student Government have joined up for a book drive, with the collections going to children in the neighboring area.

The participants saw an initial introduction of the program by Beverly Bradley, the President of the local Bethlehem chapter of the Cops N Kids program. FBLA advisor Beverly Klein then offered to host the book drive and the other clubs joined the venture as well. We welcome additional clubs and students that wish to help out.

The collections of books will be coming by announcement at the high school in the coming days. Our goal is to collect 7,000 books. Please consider donating gently used or new children’s books.

On Monday, May 4, 2009, over 325 parents, students, teachers, and principals gathered at Easton Area Middle School for the Annual Technology Expo & Film Festival! Doors opened
at 5 PM to a cafeteria overflowing with
exceptional student projects from every grade
level and curricular area. Parents and students explored boards and tables filled with printed projects, stopped to listen to podcasts and
musical compositions, and watched student created movies. Featured areas included information on the new E-TV show created and produced by EAHS high school students, iPod learning demonstrated by Tracy students, and a hands-on graphing activity led by Forks Apple
Core members.

In addition to the student projects on display, tables were also filled with literature regarding
our EASD website, EASD Internet sites, EASD Student Software, and Internet Safety resources and recommendations for parents. Laptop
stations were provided for parents to try Study Island, Math 24, Atomic Learning, BrainPOP, and more.

The portion of the Expo that had the EASD Technology Department most bursting with
pride however was the student demonstrations given from 5 to 7 PM. Students from every school
in our district became the technology teacher for
a moment and not only presented a technology integrated project to parents and other students, but also demonstrated the skills they developed
in the creation of that project. Palmer students created their own Jeopardy game using the Promethean board. Norman from EAA gave a weather report using iMovie. EAHS students
taught the difference between UDP and PCP networks. Each school demonstration was simply amazing.

The evening continued with a presentation from Apple Education Representative Dave Marra on
the features of iLife and how they fit into the classroom. He impressed the full auditorium with the power and ease of iLife ‘09 including face detection, music composition, and instant slideshows. We like to thank Mr. Marra for volunteering his time, energy, and excitement
to our district.

Following the Apple presentation, parents got a taste of what our students have already been
doing with iLife in the classroom. The First Annual Film Festival was a tremendous success. Again every school in our district contributed to the 30 minute collection of movies. Examples include Elementary Claymations and Science Films, EAMS Sign Language Story Telling, EAA Silent Movies,
and EAHS Commercials and Public Service Announcements. It is clear that our 21st Century Visual Learners are transformed by learning through film-making.

The Technology Expo ended with a raffle filled
with donations from Atomic Learning,
Promethean, NetTrekker, and Apple. Two very
lucky students from Cheston and Forks each
took home a 32 Gig iPod Touch!

One of the blatant results of the technology explosion in Easton has been the realization
that students need more than the traditional classroom experience. Through the integration
of laptops, iPods, cameras, Interactive
Whiteboards and more into our classroom curriculum, EASD students are being prepared
with the skills they need to succeed in their
future.

2nd Annual Technology Expo & Film Festival

“Plan for the future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.”    - Mark Twain

Freddy Nominees from EAHS

The directors of 42nd Street would like to congratulate the students who worked on the spring musical for their eight Freddy Nominations.  The students were nominated for Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Stage Crew, and Outstanding Production Number for “We’re in the Money.”  Junior Kristen was nominated for Best Featured Dancer and Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role as Peggy Sawyer.  Junior Laurene was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Maggie Jones.  Senior Brendan was nominated for the Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocalist for his rendition of “42nd Street.”  Kristen, Laurene, senior Rachel, junior Alexis, junior Chelsea and senior Alex were all nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Small Ensemble for the song, “Go Into Your Dance.”  The Freddy Awards will be held on Thursday, May 21, at the State Theatre and will be televised at 7pm on WFMZ Channel 69.  Congratulations for an excellent job done by all who participated in 42nd Street!