Mar Lee students become digital animators

Five iPods have temporarily transformed the Mar Lee art classroom into an animation studio. Working in teams, 7th-grade students assemble hand-drawn sets populated by old toys, cutouts, and other found objects. Their digital magic turns these humble materials into amusing stop frame animated commercials.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Calhoun County Arts Council, art teacher Michele MacInnes was able to purchase the iPods and animation software in late January. “I’m always trying to find new ways to improve the art program,” said MacInnes. “iPods are a tool that kids are familiar with and find fun to use, and animation teaches many neglected aspects of art such as sound, motion, and lighting.”

Students have enjoyed the project. “The most fun part was being able to make the set,” said student Erika Martinez. Her group’s drama is about the adventures of “Ducc Tape,” a colorful bird made of scraps of duct tape.

Another commerical is about a construction worker and a hobo named “Little Bill.” “His old home gets destroyed, and then a new one appears,” said student Colten Persons. The hardest part? “Keeping everything you don’t want out of the frame,” said Persons.

Students have also learned how difficult the animator’s job is. “It’s tedious work,” said student Maria Ruedisueli. “I don’t know if I could take it all day!”

MacInnes looks forward to using animation more frequently. “Projects like this connect with so many important language skills,” she said. “Students are reading, writing while thinking about a story line, characters, narrative, and dialog. It’s an amazing and complex creative event.”

Here is one of the commercials the students created.

Chemistry students put Mar Lee School on the world map

Students in Chiquita Hamilton’s and Tina Rocco’s third-grade class put Mar Lee School on the world map – the Global Water Experiment Map.  

As part of the International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC), so designated by the United Nations, Hamilton’s and Rocco’s students measured acidity of the Kalamazoo River and posted the data to the IYC global water map with assistance from Albion College faculty Lisa Lewis and Craig Bieler and Albion College chemistry student, Preston Arquette. Organizers, including the American Chemical Society (ACS), hope this will become the world’s biggest chemistry experiment ever, as students, scouts, and community groups from many nations study their local water sources and post the data to the interactive, global map.

“This was a wonderful experience for these students,” said Lewis. “They really enjoyed applying chemistry to a real world situation and learning about the importance of clean water for people throughout the world.”  Along the way, Mar Lee students learned about acids and bases. “The best part was figuring out that vinegar is an acid,” said Daniel Walkinhood, Mar Lee student. Third-grade teacher Chiquita Hamilton agreed. “The students really got engaged in asking questions about acidity in food and having hands-on experiences with test tubes.” 

MarLee School will soon receive a certificate from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization for its participation in the Global Experiment and commitment to the goals of the International Year of Chemistry.  The IYC is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind, which includes providing safe drinking water to a thirsty world.

NOTE TO READERS: to view the data, click on the map link above, then choose Experiment 1, and hover over Michigan until Marshall appears. Click there and you will see the name of MarLee School, Lisa Lewis, and their pH measurements of the Kalamazoo River.

Eat Breakfast at Mar Lee!

Mornings can be really crazy…the alarm doesn’t go off…the kids don’t want to get up…there’s no time to eat breakfast before the bus comes…or they’re just not ready to eat. Or maybe your teenager grabs a can of soda and a candy bar on the way to school. If this sounds like your house, we have good news for you. Breakfast is served at school! School breakfast will give your child a healthy start to the day. A nutritious breakfast helps students be more alert so they can learn more in class. Breakfast has vitamins and nutrients for a strong and healthy body. Breakfast at school is affordable, too. If you qualify for free and reduced price meals, you also qualify for the breakfast program, with no additional paperwork. You can’t find a healthy breakfast at such a low cost anywhere else. Help your child start the day right with school breakfast!

Mar Lee float captures award for third consecutive year in Marshall holiday parade

Mar Lee upheld its reputation for creativity and parent involvement this year as the school float, sponsored by the PTO, captured a first place in the non-commercial category for the third consecutive year in Marshall's holiday parade on Monday. This year's theme was "It's a Wonderful Life." Mar Lee's float featured a representation of the Bailey household from the movie, surrounded by clouds bearing the words "When an angel gets its wings."

Mar Lee students to aid Audubon Society open house at Voorhees Sanctuary.

The students in Rockne Finley's science class at Mar Lee will join Michigan Audubon staff and other volunteers to host an open house at the nearby Voorhees Sanctuary on Saturday, October 16th. Mar-Lee has "adopted" the sanctuary, and students have been sprucing up the once-neglected 40-acre Audubon refuge as part of an after-school project. They have created trails, installed boardwalk where needed, installed birdhouses, and created interpretive signs. At the open house this Saturday they will lead intepretive hikes and highlight the refuge. The open house runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The Voorhees Sanctuary is located on 24 Mile Rd. in northwest Calhoun county. It lies at the intersection of 24 Mile Rd. with O Dr. North, approximately six miles northeast of Marshall. To get there from I-94, take the 26 Mile Rd. exit north three miles to L Dr. North. Turn west on L Dr. North and take it approximately two miles to 24 Mile Rd. Take 24 Mile north approximately 1.5 miles to the sanctuary, which is located on the west side of the road.

MCCU Employees donate money again to Mar Lee School

According to a recent story in the Battle Creek Enquirer, the Marshall Community Credit Union has again donated to six schools in the Marshall area, including Mar Lee School. This year the donations added up to $1,200. The donations were raised by MCCU staff members to thank schools for participating in the Credit Union's "CU In School" program.

Mar Lee pancake tent earns over $7,200 at Calhoun County Fair

The numbers are in, and the Mar Lee sponsored pancake tent at the Calhoun County Fair once again raised a significant contribution to the school. This year the tent was staffed in the morning by the 7th grade class to raise money for their upcoming trip to Washington, DC. "12 out of 27 seventh-graders were able to earn enough to pay for their trip in full," said Chris Henke, Mar Lee social studies teacher and pancake tent organizer, "Another 11 students earned enough to pay a significant portion of their trip." In the afternoon and evening the Mar Lee teachers took over with the goal of raising money for technology improvements for the school. The technology fundraiser netted over $2,500 of the total, Henke said. Many Mar Lee teachers enjoyed volunteering during the week. "I loved being the griller at the pancake tent," said Stacy Tucker, Mar Lee English Language Arts teacher. "I enjoyed working with students & staff for a wonderful cause. I think it is vital we can keep our technology updated for the benefit of our students. I plan on updating my grilling tools for next year too!!" Tucker said. In the end, some less well known denizens of the Fair found a home at the pancake tent as well. At the end of the week, as the tent was being disassembled, a baby skunk was found living under the floor.