In September, HAL students learned the difference between elementary and middle school HAL. We started to get to know one another by sharing 6 facts about ourselves. 

Our final activity involved a task to build a tower that could hold the most weight while maintaining the structure. A winner will be announced the week of September 29!

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #1 folder)

Do you enjoy learning about ocean life? Are you curious about water health and conservation? Do labs in science excite you? Then, you may be interested in the Zoology seminar on October 7th at the Henry Doorly Zoo!

During this Level 2 on Tuesday, October 7th, sixth graders will participate in rotations at the Henry Doorly Zoo with Millard North Middle students to broaden their awareness of ocean life, water health, conservation, and animal ethogram studies.

Only 6th grade students interested need to complete this Google Form  by September 19th. There are only 23 spots available. If more than 23 sign up, a lottery system for selection will be used. Anyone who completes the Google Form will be notified via email by September 24th whether or not they will be participating in this seminar. 

On August 29 and September 4, 6th grade students swabbed and observed growth of microorganisms. While we didn't test these samples under a microscope, students did learn about that process as well as careers related to microbiology.

Click here to see images from the Microbiology and Biodiversity seminar: 6th Microbiology and Biodiversity Picture Folder

During the last two weeks of May, we celebrated our cohort groups by finishing group posters, taking a group photo, playing a game of frisbee, and enjoying a popsicle!

Click here to see the celebration:

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #8 folder)

On May 9, students observed the world of horticulture and botany at Lauritzen Gardens. Students started with a Q and A with resident botanists. On the guided tour, students noticed various plants and learned ways to care for a plant, including how some can be propagated.

Click here to see students in action at Lauritzen Gardens:

• 6th horticulture and botany

On April 30, students explore the field of biomedical engineering. Led by the Nebraska 4-H Extension Office, students participated in 10 challenges mirroring the skills of a laparoscopic technician. Then, students imagined, planned, and created a coating for a "pill" to slowly dissolve within 10 minutes.

Click here to see students in action:

• 6th biomedical engineering

From April 1-3, cohorts met to finish creating their team posters! Monday (April 14) and Friday (April 18) cohorts will meet the week after spring break.

Current team names include:

• Tuesday= Food Fanum Taxers

• Wednesday= Mr. Elledge vs. Foodimus Prime

• Thursday= Dream Catchers

• Friday= Shrekmates!

Based on student feedback, I have added one last opportunity for cohorts to meet! Here are the added dates:

• Friday, May 16

• Monday, May 19

• Tuesday, May 20

• Wednesday, May 21

• Thursday, May 22

Click here to see some images from this week's cohort meeting:

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #7 folder)

On April 3rd, students learned more about weather radars! Mark, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, shared ways weather radars operate as well as what data is detected. Students analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of mobile radar and stationary radar. Students went outside to learn from more experts about the use of mobile radar trucks. 

Click here to see some images from our weather seminar:

• 6th Weather

Most cohort groups confirmed a team name and concept! Ask your student about the process taken at meeting #6 the week of February 24-28.

Take a look at the consensus and creation moments in the folder linked below:

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #6 folder)

On March 19th, students connected their strengths in math, language, and creativity to the field of architecture. During this seminar, students drafted their dream basement with a partner by hand or a dream space on the digital platform, floorplanner.

Click here to see the architecture seminar in action:

• 6th architecture

On February 5 in the library with Mrs. Dietsch, students spent the morning reviewing Punnett squares, analyzing polygenic pedigree by selecting the risk, and determining whether they were supertasters. 

• 6th Genetics picture folder

Cohort groups worked on building consensus toward a team name and mascot. While nothing has been determined, groups understood ways to build upon ideas shared to increase the likelihood of consensus at our next meeting in February!

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #5 folder)

This month, we continued being good teammates and communicating effectively by escaping the Amusement Park Mishap. Groups used clues to unlock 5 locks to escape.

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #4 folder)

With the help of Douglas-Sarpy County 4-H, students were able to dissect a frog. Students examined the various parts of the frog, including connections to their reproduction unit in science class!

• 6th Frog Dissection Picture Folder

Led by Ms. Salter from MCC, students learned how to conduct investigations using forensic science. Students swabbed samples and dusted for prints understanding how the forensic scientist on site uses this evidence in a case.

• 6th Forensics Picture Folder

This month, we continued being good teammates and communicating effectively by completing a Lego Robotics Challenge. Groups used block codes to drive a square and navigate a challenge with various-colored Lego pieces.

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #3 folder)

This month, we focused on how to be a good teammate and communicate effectively.

Our collaborative activities included solving a logic puzzle and participating in a Halloween-themed quiz bowl.

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #2 folder)

This month, we learned the HAL system for communicating seminar experiences. We started to get to know one another by sharing 6 facts about ourselves. 

Our final activity involved a task to build a tower that could hold the most weight while maintaining the structure. Check out the winner's design which held 125 mg in the picture to the left!

• Cohort Picture Folder (see Meeting #1 folder)

6th grade students visited the zoo to broaden their awareness of ocean life, water health, conservation, and animal ethogram studies. 

Click here to see images from our zoo seminar:

• 6th Zoo

Students sampled, plated, and analyzed different colonies and species of microorganisms present at RMS! Students got a crash course in microbiology and learned about different types of salmonella’s and E coli’s that are present in the environment and on your food. Many are harmless but many can make you very sick. Additionally, the seminar focued on good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food that we eat! 

Click here to see images from our microbiology mini-seminar.

• 6th Microbiology

Click here to see images from our frog dissection.

• Frog Dissection

Click here to see images from our mini-weather seminar with UNL.

• Weather Seminar

Click here to see images from the district's Extreme Math competition on February 23rd.

• Extreme Math

Albert Gwon tied for 4th in the individual competition and was awarded top Russell student honors.

See their collaboration in the Team Name Development folder:

Cohort Folder

Click here to see images from the art seminar on February 22nd.

• Art Seminar

(Art by Ravenna Rodriguez)

Click here to see images from the microbiology seminar on January 17 and 23. 

• Microbiology Seminar

Students participated in a STEM challenge that asked them to create a pop up greeting card using paper only.

See their collaboration in the Meeting #4: December folder for each cohort day:

Cohort Folder

Click here to see images from the forensics seminar on December 8, 2023.

• Forensics Seminar

In November, HAL 6th graders built and coded Lego Robots to complete Challenge #1: Drive a square.

See their collaboration in the Meeting #3: November folder for each cohort day:

Cohort Folder

In October, HAL 6th graders worked on two tasks in small groups: Traffic Jam puzzle and Electricity.

See their collaboration in the Meeting #2: October folder for each cohort day:

Cohort Folder

Click here to see images from the zoo seminar on October 18, 2023.

• Zoo Seminar

In September, HAL 6th graders go to know one another and completed a team Bucket Challenge.

Friday's group held the most weight at over 300 grams! See their collaboration in the Meeting #1: September folder for each cohort day:

Cohort Folder

Click here to see images from the crayfish extension in science class.

• Crayfish Dissection

In April, each team member participated in the process to creating the tallest, free-standing balloon tower in the shortest amount of time. 

Congrats to the Hoop'n Happy Meals! This group will receive their reward at our final meeting in May!

See all of the pictures of this activity:

• Meeting #5: Balloon Structures

Students participated in March Madness of the poetry variety! Students analyzed various poems for poetic devices like figurative language, rhyme, repetition, and rhythm. They used these features to persuade their audience to vote for their poem to move on in our Poetry Madness bracket.

Students spent a period with Mrs. Taylor analyzing the theme of their poem to further persuade their audience.

Click here to see images from this extension:

• Poet vs. Poet: March Madness

Click here to see images from our forensics mini-seminar on March 21st.

• Forensics images

Team names have been selected and poster creations have begun! 

Individuals will have the opportunity to come in to finish their team posters the week of February 21-24.

In December, teams met to complete the Lava Pit challenge with the fastest time. The winners will be announced at our next meeting!

Most teams were able to settle their team names at this meeting. At our next meeting, we will use our visual/spatial strengths to develop our team poster that will hang for all three years at RMS!

Check out images and videos of this activity here. 

In October, teams met to solve the Traffic Jam puzzle. All teams successfully communicated and completed this puzzle.

Teams also developed ideas for a team name. The goal is to have consensus on a team name, so we are still in the process of refining potential team names. 

In October, students read the book Dar and the Spearthrower. During this extension, students researched elements of the Magdalenian time period. They discussed questions they generated while reading, and they analyzed literary techniques like point of view, imagery, and figurative language in a collaborative environment.

The video shows a team's opportunity to shoot baskets for correct answers to figurative language identification questions. Winning teams received a treat!

In September, HAL 6th graders go to know one another and completed a team Bucket Challenge.

Thursday's Group 2 held the most weight at $10.50 in quarters. See all of the designs in the Google Slides!