The Middle School will be buzzing with excitement during the week of November 15th-19th as students embark on a collaborative interdisciplinary project. The goal of the week is to bring the first quarter of the “Weather and Water” semester to a vibrant close. Students will incorporate the understandings achieved in their different classes and investigate a specific weather event in history. They will demonstrate their learning through creating and delivering a Prezi presentation on Friday, November 19th, from 12:30-1:30. Each group will need to convince “FEMA” (a panel of faculty and selected guests) that their weather event requires the limited resources that “FEMA” has available for assisting with only one disaster.

Throughout the fall, students have studied weather and water in several different capacities. Currently, in Social Studies students are investigating the complexities of Hurricane Katrina. In Spanish, students are learning weather vocabulary. In Science, students are investigating sublimation, deposition, evaporation, condensation, and how these phase changes influence weather. In Language Arts, students are discussing weather and water while reading "Paddle-to-the-Sea." In Technology, students are creating Prezi presentations. Classes during the week of “The Weather Report” will draw on the knowledge gained throughout the quarter and class time will be devoted to working on elements of the project in each subject. Students will also be challenged to work cooperatively and effectively to create a compelling final product.

The intention of “The Weather Report” is to create a fun, creative, exciting, and challenging culminating project for the students that deviates from their normal routine. Their dedication to the project may create a high stakes environment at times, and the teachers are committed to helping students have a successful and meaningful experience. We encourage parents to ask their student the core questions we are exploring throughout the week: How do weather and water affect people in significant ways? And, what can major weather events reveal about how a place functions? Parents are invited and encouraged to attend the group presentations on Friday, November 19th, from 12:30-1:30. A slideshow of pictures from the week will be included in Friday Announcements following the project.