O'Neill Public Schools
O'Neill Public Schools |
Enrichment clusters are opportunities for kids in 4th grade- 6th grade in mixed-age groups to study something that they enjoy in non-traditional subjects. These six week mini-courses are offered by teachers and community members. The experience is culminated with a Cluster Fair where students demonstrate skills learned and share projects created.Enrichment Clusters Photo GalleryClick on any image to see it enlarged.2004-2005Cluster Fair 2003-2004Below are the following clusters that were offered in 2003. The
Knights and Castles Society Mrs.
Braun Have
you ever wondered what it was like to live in Medieval Times?
Have you ever been curious about the way knights and other characters
from the middle ages lived? The
Middle Ages was a time of knights in shining armor, kings and queens, lords and
ladies, glorious feasts and tournaments, wandering minstrels and court jesters. To research this magical time in history, we need historians,
mapmakers, fashion designers, scientists, authors, cooks, architects, and
genealogists. If you join us on
this trip to the past, you will share your findings with your peers at a
Medieval Feast the last day of clusters.
Mr.
Walters Do
you like to create things on the computer?
If you join this cluster, you will have the opportunity to develop slide
shows using Power Point and Hyperstudio. You
will also be able to develop a short play using Opening Night.
Mrs.
Morrow You
will experience movie making from start to finish. From storyboarding and scriptwriting to rehearsing and
filming, to editing and producing. Hollywood…here
we come!
Mrs.
Young & Mrs. Hilker Have
you ever thought about working with animals when you grow up?
In this cluster you will have the opportunity to explore jobs that relate
to animals and animal care. We will
visit with individuals who work with animals everyday.
You will even have the chance to explore some of those amazing animals
that interest you.
Mrs.
Kloppenborg Do
you enjoy creating things? Come
experience the satisfaction of creating your own work of art with
cross-stitching. Cross-stitch is a
relaxing and fun activity. You’ll
have hours of fun constructing your project and years of enjoyment just looking
at your finished masterpiece. Better
yet, spread the joy, give your creation away!
Ms.
Atkins Have
you considered being an actor? Have
you ever wondered what it would be like to direct a play? Would you enjoy choosing costumes and doing make-up for a
Broadway production? Would you like
to design the set for a play? In
this cluster you will act out humorous takes on favorite tales.
Spiderello, The Emperor’s New Hair, Little Late Riding Hood or
Goldilocks, and The Three Frogs are just a few.
This cluster calls for actors, hair and make-up artists, set designers,
and directors.
Mr.
Poese Do
you like to perform for others? Do
you believe in magic? Have you ever
wondered how magicians fool your mind and eyes? This cluster will teach you the tricks real magicians use.
In addition, you will learn the art of juggling.
Come with tricks up your sleeve.
Mrs.
Sanderson Do
you enjoy creating tasty treats? Would
you like to learn how to cook from scratch?
If so, bring your chef’s hat and roll up your sleeves for this cluster.
Ms.
Kennedy Do
you create your own stories? Do you
enjoy writing poetry? Are you
interested in publishing your writing? Would
you like to illustrate your own book? In this cluster, you will be given the opportunity to write
and illustrate about a subject of your own choice.
This could be anything from a short story to a school newsletter to a
collection of poetry. The creative
writing opportunities are endless. Come
with an imagination!
Mr.
Wiekamp Do
you enjoy watching the history channel? Are
you interested in the history of American wars?
After learning about some of the wars in American history, you will have
the chance to do your own research on a war of your choice.
Then you could create anything from political cartoons to a newspaper
article. You could write a short
story from the point of view of a soldier, nurse, or doctor involved in the war
you choose. Start a peace campaign
or debate. Write about “what
if” this or that had or hadn’t happened, would we have still had the Civil
War? Create a newscast about a
particle war. The possibilities are
endless. Join this cluster if you
enjoy historical research.
Mr.
Hilker Who
invented the kite and why? What
have kites been used for? Kites
have a long history, not only in the United States, but the rest of the world.
After reviewing this information, you will have the opportunity to
research how kites are actually made. After
choosing a model you will construct your own kite.
Creative designers and model makers welcome!
Let’s go fly a kite!
Mrs.
Dean Do you like to create original routines? What about routines using a parachute? In this cluster, you will perform fitness activities while using a parachute. You will work as a team to perform a program with selected music.
Mrs.
Griffin Do
you enjoy creating works of art? In
this cluster you will use a variety of clay and other materials to sculpt,
design and create an assortment of individual and group projects.
Mrs.
Sobotka & Mrs. Mitchell Are
you interested in uncovering secrets of the past? In this cluster you will acquire skills a true paleontologist
would use to examine fossils from millions of years ago.
After gathering this information you could create an original book,
brochure, or display about creatures from the past.
You may even do some true excavating and search for fossils!
Enrichment Clusters for students in grades 4-6 are up and running. Clusters allow groups of students who share a common interest to come together each week during specially designated time blocks. Our clusters meet on Fridays from 1:00-2:30. During this time students produce a product, performance, or targeted service based on their common interest. We are offering many more exciting clusters this year! For example, Mrs. Braun is facilitating The Knights and Castles Society Cluster. In this cluster, students become historians, mapmakers, fashion designers, scientists, authors, cooks, architects, and genealogists of Medieval Times. Others enrichment clusters have students producing movies using computer technology, others students are learning about animals, magic, cooking, kite design, and cross-stitching. Mr. Walter’s is facilitating a cluster about power point, while Ms. Kennedy is working with the young author’s guild, and Mr. Poese is teaching magic and juggling skills to other students.
Senator
Cunningham at O’Neill Public’s Enrichment Cluster Fair! On
May 8th, O’Neill Public Elementary held their annual Cluster fair.
It was a success! We are
thrilled that Senator Doug Cunningham joined us for the fair.
It means a lot to us that he cares about what we learn and do at our
school.
Students are grouped in Enrichment Clusters by their choice of interest.
The reason we have clusters is to allow children to learn about things
and develop talents that normally wouldn’t happen during school.
They also allow kids to have some control over their learning and
products. They can take it as far
as they want to go, and it kid driven! That’s
the point!
The displays this year were in the Commons area, with the performances
held in the Gymnasium. This year
the performance section was new. Kristin
Gotschall hosted the event. Some of
the performances were from The Big Show Society that included power point
presentations, The Fabulously Funny Fairy Tale Guild, The Institute for the
Study of Parachute Recreation, and The Abracadabra and Jester Company, along
with many others. Emily Sallach was
asked how she felt about performing at the fair replied, “It was exciting to
perform in front of other people.” Shaylee
Thompson added, “I liked going out in front of people and acting.” Other kids who participated in the Enrichment Clusters share
what they liked best about them. Taylor
Lind said, “I liked learning how to make slide shows and all the different
effects you can put in it. I also
liked presenting it.” Dalton
Devall said, “I learned about the history of the kite.”
“I liked making movies with friends,” said Kelsie Niederklein.
We would like to give a special thanks to all teachers and staff members
who facilitated the Enrichment Clusters. Also,
a big thank you to community members Scott Poese, Nicole Kennedy, and Lynn
Sobotka who facilitated clusters, as well.
High school students were a big help too, and they are Ashleigh Lewis,
Holli Stolcpart, Maris Hoke, Jon Carlson, Matt Dennis, William Baker, and
Michael Stepp. Also, thank you to
guest speakers Harold Pierce, John VanBrocklin, Matt Bauer, Doc Owens, Elroy
Lieb, and Ann Sitz who shared their knowledge and talents with us.
HUGE thanks to Mrs. Shane and Mrs. Bauer for supporting the
clusters and making them possible!
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Questions or comments, please contact Jennifer Selting Bauer at jbauer@esu8.org . Pages last updated on: 12/16/2005
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Cluster.
Mr.
Wiekamp is facilitating The War Research Association.