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Show Vernal Express Wednesday, August 23, 1995 13 k1 ' ' v i L H Teachers at Lapoint participate in hands-on math program to learn how to help students achieve higher math skills. "We know it works," said Principal Errol Merkley. "We have the proof." Matilh) ipirogirainn) acfldls tap ti success odd LapoBuDti Teachers from Todd and Lapoint Elementary traded in their chalkboards chalk-boards for geoboards during a three-day three-day "Opening Eyes to Mathematics" workshop presented at Lapoint Elementary last week. Working with an assortment of hands-on manipulatives, teachers learned to visualize math concepts, an approach they are anxious to take back to their classrooms. "We know it works," said Principal Errol Merkley. "We have the proof." Lapoint Elementary is one of five schools statewide working on a new approach to teaching math, and according ac-cording to Merkley, recent second grade CORE test results confirm that "the change in our approach is one of the best things to happen in decades." Last year, second grade teachers, Dixie Hartle and Linda Vanderhoop, expressed concern that students were not grasping the curriculum. After evaluating teaching strategies, Merkley suggested the teachers form a team with math specialist Mary Ellen Kettle and reading specialist spe-cialist Sandy Bertola to explore different dif-ferent approaches. Incorporating more hands-on techniques into the curriculum, the team felt they were making a difference. However, they were concerned as to what test results re-sults would show. "When the scores came back this summer the results were phenomenal," phenome-nal," said Merkley. Results showed only three percent of second grade students scoring below basic math skill competency, 18 percent at basic ba-sic skill level, 55 percent at proficient profi-cient skill le els, and 23 percent scoring within the advanced skill levels. Merkley said the school's direction di-rection will now be for all teachers to work as teams with the math and reading specialists. Getting Lapoint's math program to this point has not been an overnight occurrence noted math specialist Kettle. Four years ago, Lapoint was among 15 schools chosen cho-sen to pilot the new math program. A year later the state narrowed the Chill Out With Cookies N' Ice Cream 'i&M When the temperature climbs, a frosty treat offers welcome relief. And an ice cream and cookie sandwich is a summertime favorite. Soft and chewy oatmeal cookies chock-full of raisins or semisweet chocolate completely and pack in an airtight container.) Then when it's time to cool off, spread one cookie with a spoonful of your favorite ice cream and top with another cookie. It's that easy! Polar Ice Cream Sandwiches " i i 12 2 1 12 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened cup firmly packed brown sugar cup granulated sugar eggs teaspoon vanilla cups all-purpose flour 1-12 cups all-purpose flour Heat oven to 350F. Beat together margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs volunteer group could continue the and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix reconstruction work. All they have well. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well. Drop by rounded tablespponfuls onto to do is contact us. We always wel-ungreased wel-ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool comc lhc 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. Spread softened ice cream on bottom side of one cookie; top with Thc Dfy Fofk Nature Trail gives second cookie. Serve immediately or wrap airtight and freeze. 24Sjmdwiches Forcst visilors m opportunity to en-Nutrition en-Nutrition Information (2 cookies without ice cream): Calories 210, Fat 9g. joy and better understand their natu-Sodiuml45mg. natu-Sodiuml45mg. ral environment. field to only five schools. Lapoint again made the cut. It was no accident. "We've been persistently writing grants for over five years to keep this momentum going," Kettle said. The impact is not only being felt at Lapoint. This year, Todd Elementary will also have the resources re-sources of a math specialist. Marilyn Martin, specialist at Todd, said she will be working with teachers teach-ers and students in the classroom. According to Martin, Todd will be modeling their Title One program after Lapoint's program. "Some primary pri-mary teachers at Todd are already using a lot of hands-on manipulatives manipula-tives in their classrooms," said Martin. "This workshop has only increased in-creased their enthusiasm." According to Merkley, one of the difficulties in teaching and learning math is "most people don't understand under-stand the number system. We crank out an answer. This new approach bridges the gap to understanding math. It helps students and teachers see relevance and application to daily dai-ly life." Workshop trainer Laura Merrill echoed Merrill's appraisal of the f M ; tt vt It v ft m i ! h 4 Participating in Eagle Scout project are Frank Imber, Justin Crow, Daniel Munford, Chris Dingman, Brent Hanchett, Virgil Imber, Tim Crow, Charles Crow, Chad Bigler, TC Hemstreet, Derrick Crow, Lucas Massey, Brant Edrington and Jesse Walton. Scouts build bridge Justin Crow completed his Eagle Project by working with the Vernal Ranger District on the construction 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 12 teaspoon salt (optional) 3 cups Quaker oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked) 1 cup raisins or semisweet chocolate pieces 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) Ice cream, any flavor " program, "Learning math is a social activity. We learn when we question and explain things. With this approach ap-proach everyone has access to understanding un-derstanding math." Opening Eyes to Mathematics encourages en-courages students to work together and actively engage in constructing their own mathematical understanding understand-ing by forming unique visual images. im-ages. Students then share their thinking. "It provides insight into the how and why," said Merrill. A teacher for the past ten years of third and fourth grade students in Portland, Ore., Merrill said the biggest difference she has noticed since incorporating visual thinking techniques in her classrooms is in her students' level of confidence. "They're willing to tackle the difficult diffi-cult problems now." Last year, parents had an opportunity opportu-nity to use some of the hands-on techniques during Lapoint Elementarys' Family Math Night. This year, parents are encouraged to explore the program at Back to School Night on Aug. 23 from 6-8 p.m. and during SEP conferences to be held throughout the last week of August. of a trail foot bridge in Dry Fork Canyon. "Justin contacted us earlier this year about a project on the Forest," said Michael Bergfeld, Vernal District Recreation Forester. "I asked if he could handle construction construc-tion of a foot bridge and he said Yes! He later acquired a trackhoe for equipment and the support of TC Landscaping of Vernal, Crow's Dad." They joined forces with a dozen Boy Scouts, leaders, and parents par-ents at the Trailhead on Saturday morning, Aug. 5. Chris Dingman, Forest representative representa-tive on the project said, 'The project came off beautifully, with full support sup-port from all who participated." The bridge materials and hand tools were supplied by the Forest Service. The scouts also worked on two other segments of the trail which needed reconstruction. One was re- pairing a stream bed crossing that washed out and the other required , ti ahont 50 fc.t of people, particularly those who are disabled. "We arc trying to work on the toughest parts of the trail first and keep gradients under five per- cent so all people can enjoy the trail," said Mr. Bergfeld. "This makes it possible for morc people with mobility chal- , K , j u & 10 fnJoy We do morc wont uiai is neeucu, m anom- er tagie acoui canaiaate or otner Uintah High School cheerleaders have great plans for the coming year. Front row, Varsity, I. to r. Ashley Stewart, Mandy Shipman, Krista Johnson, Sam Dalton.Amy Bigelow, Mandie Rowell, Kelly Kebert, Shaun Siddoway, Sheri Stringham. 2nd row I. to.r., Brenda Martin, mgr., Jamie Vernon, Jamie Murray, Stacey Mahler, Sara Goodrich, Amanda Batty, Bri Anna Bertola, Kim Goodrich, mgr. 3rd row, Jr. Varsity, I. to r., Annette Karren, Misti Mortensen, Marcie Belcher, Keradee Lance, Amy Richardsen. Top row, l.to r., Chantel Woods, Jenny Dalton, Amy Rinderknecht. UDDDttaDD CDneeirDeadleirs aire Dootiuoug iFoirwairdl Early morning practices, hard work, dedication and determination paid off as the Uintah High School Varsity and Junior Varsity cheer-leading cheer-leading squads qualified to compete as finalists at the National Cheerleaders Association National Championship Competition in December in Dallas, Texas. To receive this bid, the squads not only performed a perfect routine, but the routine had to contain a high level of difficulty involving jumps and intricate choreography. The cheerleading squares from UHS attended camp at the University of Utah, where they were trained on cheerleading technique, fe n V , fyU ft jb :iJt b. i 5. tW V lr J I Daniel Munford TC. Hemstreet, Jesse Walton and Virgil .mler help build foot bndge in Dry Fork Canyon as part of an Eagle Scout project. The first 10 NEW Subscribers to the Vernal Express will receive one full day pass to Lagoon offer ends Sept. 2, 1995 So hurry $19 $30 $33 Stop at 54 cheers, chants, jumps, partner stunts and pyramids, as well as a leadership leader-ship program for sportsmanship, crowd participation, responsibilities, organization and dedication. The Senior Varsity and the Junior Varsity squads were honored in the circle of winners for receiving all superior ratings. They also received a Safety Award and two Spirit Sticks, one of which the girls got to bring home. UHS cheerleader coaches Diane Bigelow and Ann Stewart are pleased with their squads' progress. "The most exciting thing about this experience is winning the bid to compete in the NCA National and All-Star Championships," said in area outside shopping area out of state Not valid for Renewals the Vernal Express Office N. Vernal Ave. - 789-3511 Limit One Per Customer AH Subscriptions paid In advance Anne Stewart. Another highlight of camp was Amy Bigelow being honored as a two-year All-American Cheerleader. To receive this title, Bigelow tried-out tried-out at camp in two divisions, Ability and Leadership. She had to exhibit her cheerleading abilities in a routine of tumbling, jumps and cheering. Bigelow also had to demonstrate leadership and true spirit during the week of camp. She will be able to join one of the trips offered by the NCA and be highlighted high-lighted at one of either the Brach's Holiday Parade, Chicago, 111., St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin, Ireland, or in the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii. Austin Wallace Congratulations Congratulations to the following baby for passing his first milestone: Asotin Tn irn11na onn of i: .SwSSSiZ 22, 1994. JJ |