New countries invade WHMS as part of Literature Night
By Dave Mast
February 11, 2010
586
West Holmes Middle School (WHMS) was almost like a United Nations gathering Tuesday, Feb. 2, but the cast of nations involved werent Russia, England, Brazil and the United States, but rather Neptune, Taunga, Arulen and the McClain Tribe. The nations were from the minds of middle school students and their families, who were on hand to participate in the WHMS Literature Night, in which creating their very own country was a prerequisite.
According to Edith Swank, who helped coordinate the event, Literature Night was created to spur creativity in both language arts and social studies. The challenge of the students and their families was to create a country of their own, which would include the nations name, its climate, money, food, holidays, what kind of homes it would have, as well as toys, clothing and jewelry.
We tried to incorporate everything that they would need to create their own country, said Swank. But most importantly, we wanted them to work together in groups, preferably as families. The project also entailed both literature and social studies aspects. She added that this is the second of two events created from grant funding, with the first being the science and math night which took place this fall.
There was plenty of laughter, as well as some focused creativity, as families turned their attention to their nations. Genesis Martin and Pat Dutton worked on Taunga, a hot, flat country which produced corn, flowers, fish, peaches and mangoes. Ive never done anything like this before, and its been fun, said Martin. I like being able to use my imagination to create things.
West Holmes eighth-graders Preston Staley and Doug Miller, along with Prestons parents, Doug and Lisa Miller, took a cue from the book Rangers Apprentice, and went for a country called Arulen, which was full of stone cottages, bows and arrows and shields and symbols. We wanted to make something we both enjoyed, and still use our creativity and individuality to make the country, which is about the size of Ohio, said Staley.
Josh, Joy and Makala Neptune, who had the advantage of a wonderful country name with their own surname, utilized the artistic ability of Josh to create additions to their nation, which included palm trees and a tiny native. With a nation featuring a South American flavor, complete with a tropical rain forest surrounding an island, the family created their own hieroglyphics as part of the culture of Planet Neptune.
Makala wanted to come tonight, and we are glad we did, said Joy Neptune. Its a great family activity, and between Josh and Makala, they can be pretty creative with their ideas in something like this. They both get a real kick out of making things up.
One table away, Riley Wilcox and her father, Rance, were busy making The Wiland Tribe of Dolphin Island. I think the most enjoyable thing was making the toys, but I knew I wanted to do something with dolphins, because I love dolphins, said Riley Wilcox. Obviously there was no shortage on imagination throughout the evening.
The posters created by the participants of Literature Night were then hung in the main hallway, where they were on view for the entire week. The kids had a lot of fun, and they took great pride in making their countries special, said Jennifer McCluggage, language arts and Title I teacher, who orchestrated the evening. Whats more, they got to do them with family members, and that makes them even more special. One of the main reasons we promote events like this is to create an opportunity for parents and children to enjoy time together in a noncompetitive situation. Families need to realize that they can enjoy academics together, and its helps strengthen the bond of family.
McCluggage said that the other aspect of the evening that made it worthwhile was to see the variety of students participating, and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment.
Once completed, the students could turn in their posters, along with some of their homemade currency, and head to the reading table, where they could choose a book, from mystery and fantasy to nonfiction or romance.
Its all about creating a joy for reading and learning, said Swank. Giving out a free book helps promote that.
The evening may be a lot of work, and require a great deal of volunteering by everyone from the teachers to the guidance counselor and principal, but it is all worth it to see families working together and having fun using their imaginations in the name of education.
