January 2018
‘Whoa!’ Landslides and volcanoes at Zeman Elementary School Kelly Frankenberg’s fifth-grade science class at Zeman Elementary School recently witnessed a series of landslides that caused mass destruction, topped off by a volcanic eruption near the end of class. These events were simulated, of course, and small enough to fit on a paper plate - but Frankenberg used them to teach her students about how events such as these can alter the earth’s surface, part of a larger science unit about rocks and minerals. Frankenberg explained there are earth-altering events that cause fast-moving processes, such as landslides, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Then there are the events that work more slowly on the earth’s surface, such as erosion through wind, water and ice. “There’s cause and effect with everything,” she told her class. The students were able to recreate landslides through a simple activity involving paper plates, markers, sand and water. First, in groups of four, they drew trees, landscaping, houses and people around the edge of a paper plate. Next, Frankenberg gave each group a small plastic cup packed with sand. The students carefully flipped the cups on to their plates, creating miniature mountains. Finally, the landslides: They first dripped water onto the sand, which had little effect, then used a plastic bottle to stream water onto the sand - causing a full-fledged landslide and “destroying” everything in its path. Near the end of class, Frankenberg simulated a volcanic eruption by using baking soda and vinegar. She used clay to show how lava can form the surfaces in its path. “This is how the Hawaiian islands were formed.” Many of the students had the same reaction to the volcano, projected onto a screen at the front of the class: “Whoa!” The goal of the Lincoln Public Schools science program is to help all students develop an understanding of the natural world and how humans utilize and impact the environment. The curriculum is based on the Nebraska State Science Standards and the National Science Standards. The four themes studied in elementary schools are living things, the physical world, space/earth and STS (science, technology, and society)/environment. Students experiment and do handson-activities to learn to value curiosity, openness, inquiry and critical thinking skills in science as a part of everyday living.
High school open houses scheduled for eighth-grade students High school enrollment is right around the comer for eighth-grade students. We want to provide information to help your family make a successful transition into ninth grade. An important component in the transition process are the informational meetings at the six Lincoln Public Schools high schools* in January. These meetings are designed to welcome you and your student into the high school and meet with counselors and instructional staff to learn about the opportunities available at that school. Since students entering the ninth grade may choose the high school they want to attend in LPS, these meetings have been scheduled to give you the opportunity to attend more than one high school meeting before the Jan. 31 deadline for submitting the “High School Choice” form. East High School: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 6:30 p.m. Southwest High School: Thursday, January 11, 2018 6:30 p.m. Southeast High School: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 6:30 p.m. North Star High School: Thursday, January 18, 2018 6:30 p.m. Northeast High School: Monday, January 22, 2018 6:30 p.m. Lincoln High School: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 6:30 p.m. *Some students choose to participate in one of the specialty programs offered in LPS: Science Focus Program; Arts & Humanities Focus Program; Bryan Focus Program; International Baccalaureate (IB) and The Career Academy. Students enrolled in a specialty program are also enrolled as a student at one of the six comprehensive LPS high schools.
What’s Inside Section A: • TCA Student Creates App. . . . . . A2 • Curtain Call at LHS . . . . . . . . . . . A3 • His Day with MLK. . . . . . . . . . . . A6 • Meet Our Board of Education. . . A7 • Yankee Hill Graduation. . . . . . . . A8 • Senators Applaud Curriculum. . A9 • Wellness: Keeping it Simple . . A11 • LHS Student Makes History. . . A11 What’s Inside Section B: • Unified Bowling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 • Kindness at Lefler . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 • Author Channy Laux Returns. . . B2 • Language Teachers Honored . . . B3 • Thank You Lincoln. . . . . . . . . . . . B4 • November Learning Lunch. . . . . B5 • Scottish Rite Winner. . . . . . . . . . B5 • December Learning Lunch. . . . . B6 • LNE Junior ROTC . . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9 • TeamMates of the Month . . . . . B10 • Backstage at the Ballet . . . . . . . B11