Middle School Winter Learning

Seminar Title:

Expedition Science!

Instructor(s):

Michael Thompson and Sylvia Cutchin
 

Seminar Description: We will be traveling to different areas to explore the 3 sciences of Middle School: earth, life, and physical. We will explore Tellus, Fernbank, and Zoo Atlanta.
 

Curriculum Connection: We will be exploring Earth Science at Tellus with “Expedition Earth!”, Earth and Life Science at Fernbank with “Expedition Natural History!” and Life Science at Zoo Atlanta with “Expedition Zoology!” We will explore physical science here at school on the final day.
 

Learner Goal(s):  The goal of Expedition Science is to apply what we have been learning in middle school Science to our surrounding areas and see real-world examples of both topics we have discussed in the fall semester as well as upcoming topics in the spring semester.
 

Dates of Seminar:

January 2-5

Seminar Length:

 4 days

 

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 13

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Limited to L’s and R’s 

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day  

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Additional fee(s):  $78 total for all 3 places plus gas

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Students must be willing to: Have an open mind and be interested in Science while following the 3 C’s

Students are required to have the following signed forms: Expedition Science Field Trip Permission Form      

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Other requirements: Students need to bring their lunch for all 4 days so that we can spend as much time at each location as possible.

Seminar Title:

Rocky Top Excursion

Instructor(s):

Burke Addison and Kate Norris

Seminar Description: Explore the great outdoors as we hike waterfalls, sleep in whimsical treehouses and prepare delicious food.  Our journey begins with a local three-mile hike and shopping for the ingredients to prepare our own meals at the treehouses! We continue with adventures as we head to Tennessee: hiking Amicalola Falls, building campfires, and exploring Chattanooga. Bring an adventurous spirit! The total cost for students is $250 plus money needed for 1-2 meals per day. 
 

Curriculum Connection: Geography, Life/Earth Science, Health
 

Learner Goal(s):   Students will disconnect from electronics, develop friendships and new interests through the outdoors. They will learn new skills by participating in building campfires, planning and executing meals, and learning about the geographical region they will be visiting. 
 

Dates of Seminar:

January 2-5

Seminar Length:

 4 days

 

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 10 (5 boys and 5 girls only)

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Limited to L’s and R’s 

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day  

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Additional fee(s): $250 -  Students will also need to pay for 1-2 meals a day plus souvenirs or extras.

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Students must be willing to: hike moderate trails

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Students are required to have the following signed forms: School Permission Slips and any applicable waivers for activities (parents will be notified) Rocky Top Field Trip Permission Form

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Other requirements: Students will need to bring items for staying overnight and hiking. A packing list will be provided. 

Seminar Title:

Out of the Box & into theCircle!

Instructor(s):

Dr. Tia
 

Seminar Description: Drum Circle – This engaging and interactive workshop willfocus on collaborative skills, creativity, and the fundamentals of rhythmic patterns. Studentswill work together to create original musical motifs and compositions using traditional & non- traditional percussion instruments. While sitting in a circle, we will communally build and design our own musical selections. As a circle has no beginning or end, our ensemble has no leader or subordinate. In the circle of life, we are all connected greatly with one another.

Come and get your drum on!
 

Curriculum Connection: Understand the importance of the arts in expressing andilluminating human experiences, beliefs and values. Identify representative works and recognize the characteristics of music from different historical periods and world cultures.
 

Learner Goal(s):  Create works of music that transcribe the students’ thoughts and emotions into forms of musical expression; Demonstrate awareness of and responsibility for the safe and responsible use of materials, equipment, methods, and technologies.
 

Dates of
Seminar:

January 2-5

Seminar 
Length:

4 days
 

Seminar Requirements and Details

Maximum number of students: 12

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Limited to L’s and R’s

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day

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Additional fee(s):

Students must be willing to: respectfully share/listen to thoughts & ideas & collaborate

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Students are required to have the following signed forms:

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Other requirements:

Seminar Title:

Hold the Vision - Yoga, Mindfulness & Fun

Instructor(s):

Mayuri Mulji, Talisa Slade, Brandon Barton

Curriculum Connection: Physical Education, Mindfulness, Yoga, Language Arts, Cultural Diversity

Learner Goal(s):  Communication, Confidence, Focus, Direction, Self-Care, Self-Esteem, Inspiration, Service hours.
 

Dates of
Seminar:

January 2-5

Seminar 
Length:

4 days
 

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 12

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Limited to L’s and R’s

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day

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Additional fee(s): $50 for supplies, snacks, and pizza lunch on Friday

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Students must be willing to: follow the 3 C's, represent MSA proudly, and have fun

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Students are required to have a signed permission form

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Other requirements: medication and other special requests for food allergies
Students must bring their own lunch the first 3 days. Day 4, pizza lunch will be provided. Some days we will eat lunch outside.

Seminar Title:

Equality/SEL

Instructor(s):

Tarrah Zomer and Jill Cox

Seminar Description: We will be visiting the Jimmy Carter Library and touring learning of all he did for equality. We will also be attending the APEX Museum and visit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. home. One day we will be doing a service project and be able to earn service hours. Finally, because of the heavy topics the final day we will visit the Georgia Aquarium.
 

Curriculum Connection: SEL 
 

Learner Goal(s): To learn about compassion, diversity and serving others
 

Dates of Seminar:

January 2-5

Seminar Length:

 4 days

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 12 students

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Limited to L’s and R’s 

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day  

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Additional fee(s):  Students will need to have lunch money each day as we will stop for lunch near the museums.  Additionally, the cost of all the activities will be $50 per student.

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Students must be willing to: Be open to learning about diversity and equality while maintain behavior. 

Students are required to have the following signed forms: Equality/SEL Field Trip Permission Form       

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Other requirements:      

Seminar Title:

Only in Atlanta

Instructor(s):

Kris Hawksworth, Jeff Frantel, and Daniel Mines
 

Cost: $350 per student

Seminar Description: During this seminar, we will be learning about the history and fun Atlanta has to offer us. Each day we will travel to different locations to learnmore about Atlanta's History, Arts, Sports, and Culture. Exciting trips include: Graffiti Tour, Oakland Cemetery, The Fox tour, and the Truist Park tour.
 

Curriculum Connection: Middle School Cultures and History of Atlanta. 
 

Learner Goal(s): To learn about all things unique to Atlanta.
 

Dates of Seminar:

January 2-5

Seminar Length:

 4 days

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 15 students

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Limited to L’s and R’s 

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day  

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Additional fee(s):  Lunch money $20.00+ depending on restaurant.

Students must be willing to:  

Students are required to have the following signed forms: Only in Atlanta Field Trip Permission Form      

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Other requirements:      

Seminar Title:

Meal Train Cooking Class

Instructor(s):

Sophia Lord-Ambrose
 

Seminar Description: In this seminar we will be producing meals to donate for a youth charity.
 

Curriculum Connection: Students will receive service hours for their time in helping make the meals.  They will also practice basic cooking skills and basic math skills for adapting recipes.
 

Learner Goal(s):   Learn basic cooking skills and gain service hours
 

Dates of Seminar:

January 2 - 5 

Seminar Length:

 4 days

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 10

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Limited to L’s and R’s 

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day

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Additional fee(s):  $30- for food and cooking supplies

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Students must be willing to: Adjust recipes, prepare food, keep work area clean

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Students are required to have the following signed forms:       

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Other requirements:      

Seminar Title:

Intro to Animation

Instructor(s):

Bailey Sitton
 

Seminar Description: Intro to Animation introduces your child to the basics of animation by learning physical animation practices. Students will learn not only how to animate, but will have a greater understanding of the production pipeline and the variety of artistic styles and techniques used by animators around the world. The class will cover animation principles, aesthetics (through studying cartoons), storyboarding, flipbook animation, paper cut animation/stop motion, and how to produce a short. This is an intensive program.
 

Curriculum Connection: Art Lessons / History
 

Learner Goal(s): Students will have an understanding of the fundamental principles of animation, as well as the knowledge of how to produce their own shorts.
 

Dates of Seminar:

January 2 - 5 

Seminar Length:

 4 days

Seminar Requirements and Details

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Maximum number of students: 12

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Limited to L’s and R’s

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Seminar goes beyond 8:30-3:15 school day

Additional fee(s):

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Students must be willing to: Submit a portfolio for review

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Students are required to have the following signed forms:       

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Other requirements:      

Portfolio submission link: https://forms.gle/7UWSeE5dCa33Cat79