Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 4, 1994 TAG: 9405040116
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Melissa DeVaughn
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Throughout the year, the seventh-graders and primary school children have met to read and write together.
They have shared storybooks, big books, student-made books and other types of stories. They also have written letters, greeting cards, invitations and thank-you notes.
"[Whole language] has worked really well, and its made it real for them with their interactions with each other," Jordan said. "It gives them a purpose in using language."
The latest part of this yearlong project was a spring party the seventh-graders held for the Claremont pupils. The focus of the day was storytelling, and a local storyteller, Freda Hubble, visited the pupils and told stories that required whole-language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing.
The seventh-graders also held an egg hunt in which each egg contained a message to the smaller pupils. After following the directions on each message, the pupils received treats.
"It was great fun, I think for both groups," Jordan said. "The younger children were very impressed with the activities and with their big buddies."
The program has been a success so far, and McFarland and Jordan are both eager to see it continue. Using writing skills for real purposes is more meaningful than drill and practice, they said, and the program is good for both groups of pupils.
"My students enjoy the respect that their reading and writing skills inspire," McFarland said of her seventh-graders. "And all of the students value the visits and the interaction through written communication."
If you drive through downtown Blacksburg this week, look for the big banner hanging at the National Bank of Blacksburg on Main Street for TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. The sign was made by the Parent-Teacher Associations from Margaret Beeks, Harding Avenue and Gilbert Linkous Elementary Schools, and Blacksburg Middle and Blacksburg High School. Also, teachers from these schools can expect little surprises each day, compliments of the PTAs.
Christiansburg Elementary School is sponsoring a SPRING BOOK FAIR from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day through Friday, featuring popular titles for children of all ages. Also, value packs, gift books, posters, pencils, erasers and bookmarks will be on sale. Some of the proceeds of this week's book fair will go to the school library.
The pupils at Belview Elementary School will present their ANNUAL MAY DAY FESTIVITIES Friday at 1:30 p.m. Each classroom will be represented by two pupils, and the May Day king and queen will be selected from the fifth grade.
The Christiansburg High School AFTER-PROM PARTY COMMITTEE will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the New River Valley Mall meeting room. For further information, call 382-3283 or 381-0059.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for Pulaski County pupils will be held Thursday through May 12 at all county elementary schools. Registration should be done at the school where your child will attend. The dates and times for registration are:
May 5: 4-7 p.m. at Critzer Elementary School.
May 10: 4-7 p.m. at Dublin Elementary School.
May 12: 4-7 p.m. at Riverlawn and Draper Elementary Schools.
Northwood, Newbern and Snowville Elementary schools held registration Monday and Claremont held registration Tuesday. Call the principal at the school where your child will attend for further information.
The Shawsville High School Drama department will present the play, "ROOMERS," Friday and Saturday at 8 each night. The play is a farce, written by Jerome McDonough. Tickets are $1 for students and $2 for adults.
For further information, call the school at 268-2262.
Need to RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOL? The "Tour de Tech," a science and technology exposition, will be held Sunday through May 10 at Squires Commonwealth Ballroom on the Virginia Tech campus.
Craig Rogers, "Tour de Tech" organizer, is inviting any civic groups, schools or similar organizations to set up fund-raising dinners on the campus lawn the evening of May 9.
This will give exposition participants a chance to eat nearby and meet community members at the same time. If interested, call Rogers at 231-2900. Also, the event will be open to all Montgomery County school students and their teachers, and would make a good science field trip. Rogers can give further information on that, too.
It's that time again..The new SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TESTS will be given for the first time Saturday. The Kaplan Educational Center offers this advice to those who are preparing to take the grueling college entrance exam:
Become familiar with the new types of questions that will be asked. It will save you time on the test.
Calculators will be permitted for the first time, and students using them in trial tests score 10 to 20 points higher than those who do not.
"Grid-ins," a new type of question, will appear on the math section. This requires the test-taker to come up with his or her own answer.
The new reading passages are long. Try not to memorize the story, but think in terms of larger questions such as: "What is the author's point?"
The new SAT gives penalties for guessing. It takes one-third or one-fourth of a point off for incorrect answers, but there are no penalties for guessing at the grid-in questions.
Questions in the reading section range from easy to difficult. If the answers seem obvious in the first few questions, they probably are. If they seem obvious at the end, they probably are a trap.
Dress in layers. It may be warm or cold at the test site, and be prepared for either condition.
Get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast and bring a snack.
In the four months since fund-raising efforts began, almost $9,500 has been contributed to the RUDY HADEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND for students in Floyd County. About $3,000 more is needed to establish a perpetual account that will provide a $500 scholarship in Haden's name. A dance will be held Saturday at the Floyd County Coon Hunters' Club to raise more money for the scholarship. Tickets will be $20 a couple.
Haden, an educator in Smyth, Montgomery and Floyd counties for 21 years, died last June of cancer. If you would like to donate money to the scholarship fund, send checks to The Rudy Haden Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 377, Floyd, Va. 24091-0377.
Christiansburg High School will hold an evening ORIENTATION for upcoming freshmen and their parents Monday from 7-10 p.m. A rotating schedule format will allow parents to see the different opportunities available to students at the high school.
Teachers and staff members will be on hand to answer questions. For further information, call 382-5178.
Christiansburg High School will hold its INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC PHYSICALS May 10 from 6-8 p.m. for upcoming freshmen and sophomores. Physicals for upcoming juniors and seniors will be held May 18 from 3-5 p.m. The fee is $10 for each physical. Any student wishing to compete in high school sports must have a physical.
For further information, call the school at 382-5178.
Students in GILES COUNTY will be released from school two hours early May 10 because of the Tour duPont competition. All highways in the eastern district of the county will be blocked off for the race, and buses will need to make their runs prior to the competition.
Here are the newsmakers at BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL:
Jane Carr, June Wang and Danny Huffman were listed in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1994."
Abigail Murrmann was chosen as the student of the month for March. She is the daughter of Kent and Suzanne Murrmann. Abi has played on the girls basketball team, has served on the yearbook staff and the school newspaper. She is a member of the French club, the National Honor Society and she does volunteer work in the community.
Hannah Storrie has been granted a scholarship by the Congress-Bundestah Youth Exchange Program to spend a year in Germany. Colleen Shea was awarded a scholarship to spend the summer in Japan.
Julie Grady was named Educator of the Year for Montgomery County by the Christiansburg-Montgomery County and Greater Blacksburg Chambers of Commerce.
Margie Hendricks and Michael Ogburn were chosen as the seniors of the month for April. Margie is the daughter of Bill and Mary Lee Hendricks. She is a member of the track team, Science Olympiad and other school organizations.
Michael is the son of John and Amy Ogburn. He is a member of the National Honor Society, symphonic jazz and marching bands, French club and the Forensics team.
Karen Finch was selected as the Phi Delta Kappa Innovative Teacher of the Year.
If you have an interesting school-related item for the paper, send it to Melissa DeVaughn at the Roanoke Times & World News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va., 24073.
by CNB