West Oak students focus on essays
Fifth-graders at West Oak Middle School in Mundelein worked on several writing projects this past school year under the direction of teacher and Literary Coach Katherine Crawford, including the Writers Conference Day.
In one exercise, students were divided into groups and asked to interview an adult who worked at the school.
The students had to come up with their own questions, which was difficult, said Gabe Martinez, a 10-year-old from Mundelein.
"It was hard making the questions," said 11-year-old Katelyn Schreck. "It's like you don't know what to ask about."
Schreck, of Long Grove, also said she was nervous when she interviewed her subject, Diamond Lake Elementary District 76 Superintendent Roger Prosise.
"He's in charge of a lot of things," she said.
In the end, the students ended up learning new things about the people they see every day.
Martinez, for example, interviewed a cafeteria worker, and learned that not many students chose hot dogs for lunch. Ten-year-old Monica Celaya of Mundelein found out that one of the school's sixth-grade teachers is a volunteer at Save-A-Pet.
After the interviews, students wrote essays about their subjects. Some of them are included below.
How to be a Police Officer
Do you know what it takes to be a police officer? Officer S. does. She has been a police officer for 12 years. When she decided to become a police officer she had to do many things. She had to do a physical fitness test, a written test, interviews, and a background check. Then she spent 2 years training before she could work alone. First she worked in investigations, then patrols, and now she works teaching DARE. In the 3 years she has taught DARE her favorite part is hearing students' opinions.
Being a police officer is a hard job. She has to communicate well with people in town, the victims, and the offenders. When she is not working, Officer S. likes to plant her garden, go to the zoo, read a book, or go on vacation. Now that you know what is necessary to be a police officer, do you have what it takes?
By Miss Lynch's fifth-grade class
Learning with Mr. Szotech
Mr. Szotech is District 76's Technology Director. During our interview with Mr. Szotech, we learned that he loves searching for educational games and educational Web sites.
Some of Mr. Szotech recommendations were pbskids.org, thatquiz.org and funbrain.com. Games and other activities can be found at these locations. These Web sites are usually for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. They allow students to practice facts while playing a game.
Mr. Szotech searches for these Web sites and activities by going on the Internet, searching Google and also by looking at school magazines.
Mr. Szotech highly recommends trying out these Web sites and activities in your free time!
By Lizbeth Maganda
McKenna Wardrop
Jerry Sparks
Jose Diaz
Restaurant Reviews
Mrs. Lozano had a great experience at Lost Picosas, which means, "The Spicy Ones" in English. She thought it was very delicious and the service was great. The waitress was nice and kept coming back to ask if they needed anything. She thought it was best for grown-ups, but if children like spicy food they would enjoy it. Mrs. Lozano had the tortas ahogadas, it's a type of sandwich with pork dipped in salsa. Overall, it was a great experience and very fun.
By Kelly Fanning
Art Portales
Jackie Heredia
Mrs. Carmichael
Mrs. Carmichael is a science teacher and a track coach at West Oak Middle School. Mrs. Carmichael's track team won sectionals three years in a row.
In high school, Toni's (Mrs. Carmichael's) coach encouraged her to be a track coach. At 16 or 17 she decided to be a track coach. Toni's track team is very successful. Her coach was tough, fair, and motivating to the point where she wanted to work for him. For Mrs. Carmichael, the most challenging meet is the sectional.
By Aidan Fedyniak
Tyler Jackson
Kiana Perez
Jessica Rath
Matt Xi
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=300695">DARE about making the right choices <span class="date">[06/17/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>