John Marshall Students Get Trained to Use a 3D Printer



Grant Michel from 1st Maker Space trains John Marshall Students to use a 3D printer

 

Through a grant provided by the Central Indianapolis Community Foundation for entrepreneurship and financial literacy, John Marshall Community High School was able to purchase a 3D printer to start their own maker space.

Grant Michel, a liberal arts major, from http://www.1stmakerspace.com/ delivered the 3D printer, and provided the training.  Together students made a chip clip from downloading a file from http://www.thingiverse.com/.

It took about 6 minutes for the chip clip to “print.”

The next step was to create their own projects.  Using https://www.tinkercad.com/ students created a name tag.

The 3D printer incorporates elements of manufacturing and design to include: geometry, computer programming, computer hardware development, CAD software techniques.  Students learn how y=mx+b, the slope-intercept formula actually comes to life as they plot points on the y-axis, x-axis, and an additional z-axis needed for 3D printing.

The 3D printer uses .stl files, which are like .pdf files, but pdf is two dimensional and stl is three dimensional.

If you take a photo in a .jpg format and need to convert it to and SVG (scalable vector graphic, you can do so using http://picsvg.com/.

Grant written by:  Christina Shepard

Blog entry by: Christina Shepard

Using a Smartboard to Make Math Interactive in Middle School

John Marshall Community High School
Ms. Lacey Beatty is teaching math to an eager group of middle schoolers.

The community school is a philosophy of "schools as centers of community life."  At John Marshall Community High School, grades 7 through 12 are offered  classes in English, mathematics, reading, R.O.T. C., art, physical education, band, choir, and business. 

 

Students can participate in a variety of after school activities such as football, soccer, basketball, baseball, book club, rifle team, drill team, color guard, the leadership bowl, or academic bowl.

 

Ms. Lacey Beatty is teaching mathematics to an attentive group of middle school students using Smartboard Technology.

 

-Written by: Christina Shepard

Media Specialist

College Bound Reading Class Reads "The Pigman"

"The Pigman" by Paul Zindel is on the Harvard bound list for students, meaning it is a suggested book to read if you would like to attend an Ivy League school.  I used a study guide and test from Glencoe Publishers, and the discussion questions from Sparknotes to teach this book to my high achieving 7th graders.

All the elements of literature are included, and easy to teach in "The Pigman." The book takes place in 1968, but the characters John and Lorraine deal with the same issues faced by students today.  John and Lorraine are very fortunate to have a special friend like Mr. Pignati. 

-Mrs. Christina Shepard

Teaching in and Urban School Setting

To dispel a few myths of teaching in an urban school setting,  I am grateful for the opportunity to blog on the issue.

Question: How do you teach urban students?
Answer: You teach the same content, or standards, as you teach in a rural, or suburban environment. 

Some tools that have worked for me include:

Ruby K. Payne's "A Framework for Understanding Poverty"

Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. Wong's book
"How To Be An Effective Teacher:  The First Days of School"




Students living in a rural environment, or suburban environment have challenges as well.  These resources can be used in any teaching experience.

-CRMS-

 

 

John Marshall Community High School Patriot Page Turners (Book Club) Compete in the "Battle of the Books" at Ben Davis High School

Patriot Page Turners (Book Club) at the Battle of the Books competition on Ben Davis campus

For the first time, the John Marshall Community High School Patriot Page Turners (book club) competed in the Battle of the Books at Ben Davis High School in the spring of 2015.  Last year, one of the books we read was Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes" to build vocabulary.  Ironically, the Indianapolis Repertory Theatre was offering the play.  Book club was able to attend, and wants to go again this year.



Christina Shepard, MLS and book club student

Book club has their first meeting of the 2015-16 school year this Thursday in the media center.  We are planning a field trip to Barnes & Nobles, hopefully, another play at the IRT, and to compete in the Battle of the Books again this year.

John Marshall ROTC support Major Christina Shepard, their Media Specialist

John Marshall ROTC, and their citizen-soldier Media Specialist, MAJ Christina Shepard

Being included in the John Marshall Community High School Patriot family is very special to me.  Robert Wood, who is now graduated, came into the media center every day asking when I was going to become a Major. 

I had been a Captain for several years, for many reasons.  One, I have family commitments.  Two, there are not many slots available to females in the Indiana National Guard for Major because we are an infantry state.  Three, vision.

Having Robert, and the JROTC students to inspire me, I was able to earn my Major rank through changing branches.  I am now in an infantry brigade, as a public affairs officers.

Since this photo, I have begun working towards becoming a Lieutenant Colonel. 

-MAJ Christina Shepard
-Mrs. Christina Shepard, MLS
*It's the same person*