MCMS Voyagers News Letter
4th Quarter
With the beginning of fourth quarter, the sixth and seventh grade Voyagers are all working on projects of interest. They have designed these to relate to their individual goals. It is wonderful to see such a variety of interest topics, such as:
- the Brain and how it learns
- Blindness and how it can be prevented
- how Mark Twain’s life experiences influenced his writing
- the leadership style of John F. Kennedy
- designing a tornado resistant home in Kansas
- steps to take to become a doctor
and many more…
Eighth graders will be developing their individual goals as well—some through their own projects and some through their science independent studies. We will spend time working on how to write analytical thesis statements and the actual analysis of the research they are doing, rather than just providing factual research information.
Mock Trial
4th Quarter Seminar
The Voyagers have all applied for parts in the two upcoming mock trials which we will put on May 7th for our fourth quarter seminar. Both trials are capital murder trials this year. One is called the Apartment House Murder and the other is an historical trial based on the killing of Lincoln. What if John Wilkes Booth had been captured alive and tried for killing the President, as well as for treason and conspiracy? Would he have used an insanity defense? The trial is based on actual events and people who were also accused at the time. Both are very interesting cases whose lawyers will have their work cut out for them! Be sure to ask your child what part he or she will be playing! The attorneys will have the largest roles as they need to read all of the testimonies, determine their strategies for dealing with certain witnesses, and create tough, critically thought-out questions. The judges will have to study the rules of evidence so that they can make good rulings on objections. We encourage the witnesses to create a persona for their characters. We hope they will be creative and have fun with this, but, at the same time, make their depiction of the character true to the spirit of the case. It is a wonderful learning experience!
Joann Dunham
Email: jdunham@usd232.org
Website: http://MCMSVoyagers.weebly.com
Location: 8001 Mize Road, Lenexa, KS, United States
Phone: 913-667-3512