Intonation Innovation

24 05 2012

The purchase of a Yamaha Harmony Director makes it possible for band
students from the very beginning to hear what an in-tune chord sounds like and thus to
play much more on key and beautifully.





New Photos from Robotics Grant!

27 03 2012





Writing Workshop

1 03 2012

Alison Hart, an author of young adult fiction, presents two workshops to 8th grade students, emphasizing the importance of research in the process of writing.  Students own research following the first workshop produce well planned short stories and research papers.





Robotics Program

23 01 2012

Students are exposed to basic electronics, the impact of robotics on our society, the actual construction of robotics, and participation in the TSA/VES “Technosphere” competition every year.  This program activates interest in math, science, technology, and over-all problem-solving skills.





Hydroponics Project

21 09 2011

Seventh grade students willl research, design, and construct four hydroponics units, two for MRMS (first semester) and two for RMS (second semester).  These units will include the hydroponics containers, a plant support system, and a lighting system.  Additionally, students will explore hydroponics research conducted by NASA, including the effects of microgravity (gravitropism) to determine the benefits and/or limitations of growing plants hydroponically. 

This study will continue throughout the year in all 7th grade science classes where the units will be placed.  Students will cover SOL’s  related to scientific investigation as they design experiments to study the effects of waste water from a trout aquarium upon the growth of plants.  This experiment will be a bridge to another class project in which students raise native brook trout from the egg to Parr stage.  If all goes well, the goal is for student to be able to harvest and eat the plants grown hydroponically.





SMART Response “Clicker” Technology

4 08 2010

Maury River Middle School – 2010-2011 – Funding allows this question/answer educational tool to spark enthusiasm in responding to classroom questions.  The technology gives students and teachers instant feedback for pre-testing and review of science and math concepts.





Clay Slab Roller

3 08 2010

Maury River Middle School – 2010-2011 – Students will now have more time to be creative, as this piece of equipment allows clay to be easily pressed and rolled into sheets of various sizes and thickness, according to the needs of the students.





Musician’s Focus

3 08 2010

Maury River Middle School and Rockbridge Middle School – 2010-2011 – All MRMS and RMS band students had the opportunity to hear the Lexington Brass Quintet performance, as well as having professional musicians from the community provide MRMS band students with one-on-one instruction after school and in a master class setting. 





Youth Strings/Ensemble Initiative

3 08 2009

Violins, cellos, music stands, and music were provided for students grades K-8 in an after-school music enrichment program that revitalizes and restores a long-standing community commitment to cultural arts programming.





Palm Pilot Technology

4 08 2008

Maury River Middle School – 2008-2009 – Funds were provided to enhance instruction and learning for special education students.  Downloaded inclusion classroom instruction onto this piece of technology gives students modification and adaptation to move at their own pace, to have information given to them in smaller parts, and/or to provide repetition.  This is also a vehicle for facilitating student writing.








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