Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative

     
     Next year there will be some available spots for 8th grade students to take an on-line High School class through the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC). If they take a class and successfully complete it, they will receive an elective credit on their High School Transcript.  It is an exciting opportunity for students who are able to keep up with their studies, and want to challenge themselves a bit.  
      Next week, Claudia Larrow and Carrie Felice (PA High School Guidance Counselor) will be talking with 7th graders about this option for next year.  Most students do the work of the VTVLC during their Experts Time or at home outside of school, if they are in Band/Chorus classes.  It is something to consider.  You can look at their website here:  VTVLC.  If you have questions about this, please contact Claudia Larrow.  Students may sign up this spring, early next fall, or even later next year, if they want to take a 1/2 year class that starts in January.  Something to think about!

PAML and Vermont Public Radio

Last week PAML was featured on a Vermont Public Radio segment of a week-long series they produced about middle school and the DCF book Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  This is a fabulous book that many students at PAML have read.  Take 10 minutes and listen to this segment.  And if you like it, listen to the other segments capturing various aspects of middle school life connected with other schools around the state.

PAML and Vermont Public Radio

A Taste of Asia

Bill Fishell teaches a popular Expert Class called A Taste of Asia.  The students learn a lot about Asia, and one of their favorite things to learn is about the food.  

Nina Zheng hosted our Taste of Asia Expert yesterday at her restaurant New Fu Lin's yesterday.  Here are some pictures of the kids learning to make Chinese dumplings and crab rangoon.  What a fine opportunity for our crew.

Unbound Class - Shelter Building / Wilderness Survival

A new Unbound Class happened this season; Wilderness Survival!  The students were taught by Denise Krause about different aspects of this topic and recently completed a Shelter which they built out on the trails.  Virginia Sanford also helped with the classes.  Below are a few photos of the shelter building process.

~ Spring Concert ~

PAML will be having their Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30.  This is expected to be quite an enjoyable evening of Chorus music, Band and Jazz Band performances.  Please plan to attend, even if you don't have a student participating - it's a great event.

Vid-Chats

         

          6th graders at PAML have been having "Vid-Chat Tuesdays!"  This is a totally student led activity.  A student identifies someone they might want to talk to, anywhere in the world, and then they set up a Video Chat.  That student is the greeter and facilitator of the conversation. During the talk, 3 different students ask 3 questions: how do they use math in their job, how they use science, and how they use literacy in their job.  This vid-chat takes about 10 minutes, and the students learn a lot about academic needs of various jobs. It's been interesting for the students to learn about the real-world connections to all the subjects they are studying.

 Vid-Chat with Chris Kaiser, President

 Vermont Peanut Butter Company in Morrisville, VT

Vid-Chat with Stephanie Craig, Owner and Founder

 Embodico in Morrisville, Vermont

A local soap making business 

Teacher Appreciation Day

Tuesday, May 7th is National Teacher Appreciation Day!  How do we celebrate the thousands of men and women who commit to teaching our country's children and in doing so, work daily to touch the future?  Thanking a teacher is a simple place to start.  It is sort of like the bumper sticker says, "If you can read this, thank a teacher."

When I think about my own teachers as I went through my years of school there are many who stand out for me in terms of having made a difference in my life.  I think of Miss Crow, my 5th grade teacher, who brought her guitar with her to school and taught us songs such as Charlie and the MTA and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.  Mr. Corey, in 6th grade, encouraged us all to be authors, of "books," not just papers or assignments!  We stayed in for recess to keep on writing for him. I could go on and on, as I'm sure so could you, when you think about some meaningful teachers you encountered.  If you can help your student think about a teacher, current or in the past, and find a way to thank them, it goes a long way!

Teaching is art. 

Teaching is science. 

Teaching is joy. 

Teaching is struggle. 

Teaching is growth. 

Teaching is life.

~ Jessica Keigan

Visit to Montpelier!!

    Two PAML students had a wonderful day in Montpelier as a part of a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Day for students around the state.  Thanks to our Student Assistant Program coordinator, Peter Hathaway, these girls had the opportunity to meet a couple of famous Vermonters! Next year, Mr. Hathaway hopes to bring more students to this event!