Robbinsdale Middle School

Robbinsdale Middle School an International Baccalaureate World School

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IBMYP: Global Contexts in the MYP

Think back to your middle school days: Remember sitting in class and wondering to yourself – “Why do I have to know this?” Often times your teacher may have told you something like, “You need to know this because it is on the test.” Or “You need to know this for high school.” Motivating? Probably not.

In the IBMYP units of work are contextualized through the lens of a global context. Global contexts are lenses through which knowledge, skills and concepts are presented in class. Each global context helps students answer:

Why should I be engaged in this work?

Why is it important to know and (better yet) understand?

Why do I care about this topic? How does it relate to my world?

Global Contexts help students connect and construct meaning from school subject areas to real life. (We don’t live our lives in subject, do we?)

Recently in a 6th grade science class unit students were studying about Minne-sota inventions and technologies. The global context (the lens) with which the students approached the unit was ORIENTATION IN SPACE AND TIME –particularly looking at discoveries and turning points in humankind and the ef-fect these have had on Minnesotans as well as the world. Students were asked to think and reflect about how these innovations or technologies impact their present and future lives.

In a language and literature class unit on informative writing, students are learn-ing the process of informative writing through the global context of FAIRNESS AND DEVELOPOMENT. Students learn the concepts of structure and purpose in writing as well as research skills by looking at topics such as human rights. Their writing will inform audiences about rights and responsibilities we (students, as well as others) have surrounding the topic they have chosen.

Global contexts engage and empower our students in their own learning!

More info visit http://rms.rdale.org/academics/international_baccalaureate

IB Global Contexts:

Identities and Relationships

Orientation in space and time

Personal and cultural expression

Scientific and technical innovation

Globalization and sustainability

Fairness and development

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Robbinsdale Middle School

Robbinsdale Middle School an International Baccalaureate World School

Binder organization tips from 8th grade AVID student Lailah D. Start 2016 nice & clean

NO loose papers: everything is 3-hole punched, and clicked inside the binder rings (recycle old stuff you don’t need!)

All classes have a binder tab: plus make tabs for homework and extra paper

Keep extra pencils, pens, erasers, and a highlighter in a pencil bag inside

TEST IT! Hold your binder on the sides, turn it upside down and SHAKE IT: You know you’re good if nothing falls out!

Dr. Nolan’s Notes: I want to introduce Mr. Nathan Hampton as coordinator of the African American Boys (AAB) Program for the 2015 – 2016 school year here. Students were identified for the program based on their testing data and staff recommendation. The philosophy of the program is simple; we believe that each child is unique and learns in different ways. AAB supports children academically and socially so they can maximize their potential. Mr. Hampton believes in hands-on experiences, learning crea-

tively and through communication. RMS thrives on creating a commu-nity of learners who are committed to working hard and hav-ing fun to become lifelong learners. The curriculum centers around re-silience, citizenship, and life long learning. The program serves ap-proximately 45 African-American students at RMS.

Important January Dates: School resumes January 4 PTAC meeting January 12 6pm 5th grade Family Information Night January 12 6-7:30pm AVID Infor-mation Night January 13 6-7pm No School January 18 & 19 IBMYP Information Night January 21 6:30 –7:30 CHS Media Center End of Quarter 2 January 22 AVID Applications Due Jan. 27 January Student of the Month January 29 (8:00am during school day)

Help us build a MAKER SPACE in the Media Center: WHAT: a student-centered hub of exploration for project-based learning, collaboration, and interdisciplinary engagement WHY: you can extend your classroom learning and build, tinker, engineer, create, and make according to your own interests and at your own pace HOW: through your donations of Legos, gears, puzzles, computer pieces, Tinker Toys, mechanical Items, craft items, tapes, glues, tools, and more!

Donate WHERE: in the MAIN OFFICE Maker Space Box - THANK YOU!!

Featured Classroom: Stages Theatre Company (STC) is bringing Perspectives on Peace to Kathy Seipp’s 6th grade classes! Perspectives on Peace is an in-class residency providing opportunities to artfully ex-plore the complexities of peace-building and conflict-resolution. In striving to under-stand the issues facing the world, STC wants to inspire students to evolve their own personal perspective, build understanding for the perspectives and experiences of people of different cultures, backgrounds, and faiths, and to celebrate the rich diversi-ty of our community. There will be a performance of professional theatre artists around the theme of peace, artists co-teaching in the classroom, and a final showcase of the students themselves exploring peace this spring. We hope to involve all 6th graders in the years to come!

RMS Students of the Month (December; listed alphabetically): Ana R-S, Arizay A-P, Calista V, Davon J, Deshawn H, Diamonique K, Echi L, Emma Z, Ethan D, Gedeon T, Grace H, Ilse V-G, Jamila B, Jasmir T, Jordyn S, Kadeja B, Kira J, Kirk H, Kyra J.F, Lakyra M, Makalah G, Marcus T, Mychoua X, Racallis T, Ryan H, Samantha MS, Sha-harrah L, Talia S-E, Valery L, William W.

STEAM @ RMS... BRAINS! Medical Detectives is a new Gateway To Technology (GTT) course this year which engages students in analysis of genetic testing results to diagnose disease and the study of DNA evidence found at a “crime scene”. Students solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, investigate how to measure and interpret vital signs, and learn how the systems of the human body work together to maintain health.

GTT teacher Mr. Severson shared, “We are in our Mysteries of the Human Body unit. We previously studied how our body interprets and observes the world around us through our five senses. That led us to learn about which parts of our brain are responsible for interpreting each of the senses. Then, we dissected a sheep brain to actually see what "our brain" really looks like.”

To be eligible for participation in Quarter 3 Sports and After School Activities students must be passing all classes (no NCs) on their Quarter 2 report card.

Pictured: Mr. Hampton, Mr. Cress, and the “Super Six” from De-cember who were chosen to visit local STEM-based businesses to provide real-world connections and framing for future careers.