Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993 TAG: 9308100014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Margaret Beeks Elementary School instructor won one of 23 awards to the NASA Educational Workshop for Elementary School Teachers.
"It was a fantastic experience," said Ney.
"And it's going to be really exciting to bring more science and space technology into my young classroom."
According to Ney, a third of third-graders have reported that science is hard, and Ney believes that with an early introduction and creative methods for children to experience scientific principles, students will be better prepared to pursue education and careers in scientific and technical fields.
"We were presented with the principles of flight, such as lift and drag. Then we designed airplanes based on what we learned. Similarly, Newton's laws of motion were applied to rocket science, and we built model rockets," Ney explained.
"It's the hands-on experience that brings the principles to reality."
Ney plans to convert these exercises to second-grade level and to have all second-graders at the school solve problems:
"We shouldn't just tell children how things are; we need to let them analyze and solve simple problems that illustrate fundamental principles in technology."
In addition to a six-week unit in aeronautics and space in the classroom, Ney will be sharing her knowledge and experience with other teachers through workshops and strategies for converting technology into meaningful classroom material.
Other teachers in the news include Christiansburg High School's\ BETH MOODY and\ PAM TAYLOR, who participated in "Through Film and Video: The Practice of Seeing," a 12-day residential seminar sponsored by several Virginia organizations including the Commission for the Arts and Foundation for the Humanities.
Ten guest filmmakers showed examples of their work and explained details of production and editing.
Each participant ended the seminar by creating a short film using production equipment at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton.
Basketball tryouts at CHRISTIANSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL for eighth-grade girls will be held at the gym on Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Each player must bring a completed Virginia High School League physical form.
For further information, please call 382-5168.
Eighth-grade boys who are interested in managing or playing football at BLACKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL should attend today's meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the health room at the school.
Physical examination forms are available in the school office, and must be completed before the first practice on Monday.
\ FALLING BRANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL will be open Aug. 30 and 31, Sept. 1 and 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., for parents to pay the book-rental fee of $26 per pupil for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Kindergarten pupils and parents may visit teachers on Sept. 1, 6-7:30 p.m.
Pupils in first through fifth grades, along with their parents, may visit teachers Sept. 2, 6-8 p.m.
The book-rental fee also may be paid during the teacher visits.
For the third year, the NEW VOYAGE PROGRAM is being conducted in Giles County.
The elementary remedial summer school provides reading, writing and computer skills and improving self-image experiences for approximately 75 third- to sixth-graders.
The pupils have been identified as children who can most benefit from the nine-day program.
Students are given recognition for their efforts and respect, trust and motivation are emphasized.
Participants learn computer skills, write parts for a play, keep journals, read stories and participate in a drama.
Each pupil is responsible for creating one character for the play and describing emotions and clarifying feelings through actions, appearance and voice quality.
"The program has proven to be an outstanding success, not only with students, but also with parents," said James Wheeler of Giles County Public Schools.
What would second-graders do if they were principal for a day?
Second-grade teacher Peggy Gray at PRICES FORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was curious enough to have her pupils participate in a state essay contest sponsored by Central Fidelity Bank.
Elementary school principals, take note:
"I would put troublesome kids in the office and talk to them," wrote Ryan Jones.
Kyndra Woolwine wrote that she "would help children with their work."
"I would have a day for cleaning up the school and have a time for reading each day. And I would talk to the kids and calm them down," noted Lee Fain.
Linda Robinson would give the kids "a longer recess and more playground equipment."
"I would help kids clean up the playground," wrote Christina Whitlock, while Michael Stevers said he would "go around to each room and see what the classes were doing."
Joanne Anderson is filling in for Melissa DeVaughn, who is hiking the Appalachian Trail. If you have an interesting news item from your school, please write to Classnotes at the New River Current in care of the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River Valley Bureau, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073.
by CNB