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Show and tell (with a twist)

At Fox Chapel Middle School, students' presentations include their parents.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE, Times Correspondent
Published November 1, 2007

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Math teacher Vivian Sweeney, center, talks about the recycling program with a parent during the Manatee Team's "Show What You Know" night at Fox Chapel Middle School last week. Teachers want the events to open doors of communication between students and their parents.
	[Keri Wiginton | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Keri Wiginton | Times] Parents and students viewed projects on how to save the Everglades as well as others on recycling, endangered species and global warming. The theme was "Think Globally, Act Locally."

SPRING HILL -- Once a month, a bridge forms that links Fox Chapel Middle School students and their parents. It is called "Show What You Know" night and it is an opportunity for students to answer the age-old question: "So, what did you do in school today?"

The school has eight academic teams and one electives team, and each has its own "Show What You Know" night.

The students and teachers on an academic team work together so that students study math, reading, writing, social studies and science in an interdisciplinary approach within a single theme.

"They integrate their Sunshine State Standards with each unit of study," said Title I lead teacher Rachelle Yungmann. "It's very, very educational and the kids get very excited about their projects."

When the night of the presentation arrives, the students and parents are not just thrown together to take a look around. The teachers want the events to be more than displays of student work. They want to see meaningful interaction between the students and their parents, a kind of student-led conference.

The teachers provide tips to parents to help them know what kinds of questions to ask the students. The students are also prepared and provided with speaking skills to help them have a successful dialogue with their parents.

Students are encouraged to share their goals and discuss what they did and how they did it. Some do skits with their presentations.

The most recent "Show What You Know" event was presented by the Manatee Team and called "Think Globally, Act Locally."

The Manatee Team teachers are Shirley Rutter, language arts; Vivian Sweeney, math; Equix Ramos, science; Lori Aleo, social studies, and Sara Kelty, reading.

[Last modified October 31, 2007, 18:59:44]