Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Architecture Expo




Architecture Expo has become a tradition for the 7th grade at Garrison Forest Middle School.  Architecture Expo is when the whole seventh grade goes to downtown Baltimore and study Roman architecture.  We started off by playing some team building games to get to know our group more.  Then, when we went to downtown we studied our how our assigned building were built and their columns.  For example, Doric and Corinthian columns are a couple columns that we learned about. After the field trip we did a project in our Latin classes.  In the years before the seventh grade hand-drew the building, but this year to enhance more technology, we started to use Google SketchUp.  Google SketchUp is an application where you can construct 3D buildings, houses, etc.  Mrs. Kelland taught us how to use Google SketchUp.  

This is a perspective of a 7th grade student who went on the field trip named Emma S.:  

1) How did you like the trip? I enjoyed all of the different types of architecture, however I felt it was very tiring walking around.  

2) What did you learn?  I learned all the different names of the columns.

3) What was the most interesting thing that you learned on this trip?  There were a lot of Latin words on the buildings that we looked at.  

4) What was the best part of the trip? Being able to talk about all of the architecture with my peers.

5) Are you excited to start using Google Sketch Up and why?  Yes, because I like how our school is trying new ways to enhance technology further and it is cool to work with something that people use in the real world.

Written by: Heloise G. & Milan S.

Thanksgiving Traditions

It’s November, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for everything you have. During Thanksgiving, there are many traditions have passed around. For example, people celebrate Thanksgiving with a turkey in the center of the table. Other main foods served during special occasion is cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Many people around the world have different ways to celebrate Thanksgiving like in America there is a Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. This parade is broadcasted in the morning on Thanksgiving at 9:00 a.m. Another tradition, is called the “wishbone.” This wishbone is found connected to the breast meat on the turkey. After the family have eaten the meat off the turkey, the wishbone would have had the time to dry. Two people get the end of the wishbone, make a wish, then break it into two. We would like to hear from you about any family traditions that you do on Thanksgiving  or around Thanksgiving like recipies, places you go, people you see, etc.  

Please leave us a message about your thought so that you can encourage other people to do it too.  Like Camryn C. from the 7th grade said: “Well, we pick Secret Santa names from a bag with my family. My grandmother makes sweet potato pie.”

There are so many other traditions, but one tradition is making your own food. We have a delicious recipe for Southern Cornbread and below you can find more recipies at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/thanksgiving/index.html


Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4-6 servings
Level: Easy

Ingredients
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup yellow cornmeal
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk (shake before measuring)
2 large eggs

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and position a rack in the middle. Butter an 8-inch-square baking pan. Melt the butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish in three 15-second intervals on high or in a small pan on the stove. Set it aside to cool. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the eggs. Add the melted butter. Add the flour-cornmeal mixture and stir just until combined. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until the cornbread just begins to brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 23 minutes . cool for about 10 minutes before serving.


Written by:  Semira N. and Madison W.

How Spirited Are You?

This quiz is to see how much school spirit you have!
To take the quiz click Here

Created by: Cara Z. and Emma S.

Teacher Interview with Mr. O!

In this video we are interviewing Mr. O, who is a 7th grade math and history teacher.  We asked him about his personal life and teaching.  Hope you enjoy and get to know Mr. O!


Created by: Hannah R. and Ella G.

Halloween at Garrison Forest













What were you for Halloween? Once a year, Halloween comes to Garrison Forest and we love it! Garrison Forest allows everyone be out of uniform, in their costumes whether it’s your favorite character from a movie or you're just chillin’ in your pajamas. Halloween is always fun for everyone and GFS makes it special for the students. When you come to school on Halloween day you are greeted by a teacher in their spooky costume. Then we all come together for a Halloween themed morning meeting with fun games and lots of yummy treats. After morning meeting the whole middle school heads outside even in the cold weather for the yearly Halloween Contest! All students walk around when other students judge upon their costume. When the judging is over one middle school student from various categories wins.

The Winners:
Best Homemade and Most Creative Costume - Emmie B., 7th Grade - Cop/Crime Scene
Scariest Costume - Sam R., 6th Grade - Spooky Grandpa
Best Pair - Ali S. and Ashley K., 7th Grade - Mario and Luigi
Cutest Costume - Blair P., 6th grade - Baby.
Best Group - 6th Grade Barbies
Judging the contest was Ati - 7th grade, Emerson D. - 6th Grade, Alexis A. - 7th Grade and Johanne - 6th Grade.

Then we resume to our daily schedule with the exception of that morning. Overall we love the tradition of  Halloween day at the Middle School. It’s so much fun to see everyone’s costume and what they decided to be this year. Happy Halloween!

Written by: Molly C. & Ashley K.

Ten Thousand Villages Fundraiser


Ten Thousand Villages and Garrison Forest are partnering up to have a fundraiser in support of Ponheary Ly Foundation. If you’ve never heard about Ten Thousand Villages, it is an amazing store with many unique, handmade creations from all over the world.  15% of the proceeds will go towards the Ponheary Ly foundation. Ponheary Ly Foundation raises money to buy uniforms and school supplies for students in Cambodia. Sometimes, these students aren’t able to go to school, just because they don’t have a uniform, or school supplies. You can help by going to the store, and purchasing some of their amazing products. The fundraiser will be held on November 17, from 10am to 8pm, and their location is:
Fells Point, 1621 Thames St, Baltimore, MD, 21231
So feel free to stop by, it’s a great cause!

Written By: Charlotte N. and Angela M.