Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools January 2014 | Page 12

Cycling through the world of rocks
Independence students teach rock cycle to Bain students
Paige Strickland was one of 23 ninth-graders from Independence High
School who went to Bain Elementary School on Oct. 11 to teach the rock
cycle to fourth-graders. The high school students recently learned about the
rock cycle in their science class and as part of a class project were asked to
create a lesson for elementary students.
“We spent two weeks getting our presentations ready,” said Paige. “We
included information, pictures and sound effects in order to make it educational and fun.”
The high school students split up into small groups. Each group gave a
presentation in a different fourth grade class. They passed out notes and
presented a slideshow that covered how rocks are formed, how to differentiate among igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and how rocks
weather and erode. They also discussed how rocks are used in everyday life.
“This lesson is so much fun,” said Hezekiah Jackson, a fourth-grader in
teacher Becky Jordan’s class. “I really liked the ‘name that rock’ review because we got to see and touch some rocks.”
The high school students ended their presentations with a round of
jeopardy. They divided the class into two groups to test what the students
learned. Though all the students received candy, the winning team received
pet rocks in decorative shoeboxes, complete with brochures outlining their
likes, dislikes and hobbies. Each rock was individually painted and decorated.
Jason West, an Independence science teacher, has always required that
his earth and environmental science classes complete a project at the end
of their rock cycle unit. He says he tries to make it fun, interesting and
challenging for his ninth-graders. Last year, his students designed a brochure with a cartoon rock character explaining the cycle. But this year, he
decided to make it more challenging by adding the teaching component.
“I took martial arts when I was younger. One of the creeds said ‘In
order to advance in rank, you must help those below you in rank,’ so I took
that concept and applied it to the project,” said West. “It may even inspire
some students to become teachers.”
The project has inspired at least one student.
“This experience has been eye-opening for me. I really liked it more
than I thought I would. After today, I am seriously going to consider a career in teaching,” said Kim Hunter, a ninth-grader. “I am hoping that I will
have more opportunities like this one.”
Bain Principal John LeGrand understands the benefits of school-toschool partnerships. He enjoys partnering with Independence because he
feels it provides his students with good role models.
“As a former high school administrator, I know that a project like this
builds invaluable skills like listening, public speaking and time management
that high school students will need in the future,” said LeGrand.

- See more at: http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/News/Pages/
Cyclingthroughtheworldofrocks.aspx#sthash.0CCqe607.dpuf

There’s something special about Room 211
New Charlotte Church donates 100 iPads to Greenway Park Elementary
Open the door to Room 211 at Greenway Park Elementary and you’ll see
the power and the proof of a community partnership: The room is stocked
with shoes, coats and school supplies to be distributed as needed through
the year, thanks to the work of New Charlotte Church. Members of the
church and business community raised about $60,000 this year to organize
a teacher resource center in Room 211 and purchase iPads for school use.
Pastor Chris Payne and members of the church presented the gifts
to the school during a special assembly Dec. 11. Teachers and students
cheered and some cried as the prizes were announced.
“We love you and we want the best for you,” said Pastor Payne.
New Charlotte Church and Greenway Park began their partnership
in 2012. Church members help with literacy, mentoring and parent
involvement. Church volunteers visit the school weekly and read to
10 • January/February 2014 • Parent Teacher Magazine 

students, provide meals for staff and
families and assist at school events.
“I want to thank New Charlotte
Church for teaching me that giving
is better than better than receiving,”
said fifth-grader Gavin Broome.
“They gave us iPads and that makes
me want to give back to them and
others.”
The iPads will be used in all grade
levels to support instruction in various
subject areas.

ROOM
211