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THE LION'S ROAR
JUNE 2022
MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC FAIR
Each year our middle school students display their research and writing skills via a Middle School Academic Fair for authentic audience members: parents, students, and teachers/staff. This year's academic fair took place on Friday, May 20, during the school day. Elementary classes were assigned specific times to go the McLain building gym to listen to the middle school students' presentations, to view their tri-fold boards, to often taste international foods, and to ask questions to learn more information.
The academic fair is the culminating activity for the middle school's annual writing benchmarks, which is a practice that continues through high school. Grade 6 students use the writing and technology skills that they have been learning all year and incorportate them into writing benchmarks that require student mastery before being able to advance to the next grade level.
Grade 6 students research and write about people who have had a positive impact on the world as a follower of Christ. These might be athletes, doctors, writers, etc. Grade 7 students choose an animal to research, and Grade 8 students specialize in a country of choice. They learn how to properly use Microsoft Word to format for APA-style publishing, and they specialize in their content material.
It has become tradition, every three years, that the middle school plans a trip to Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. We were unsure if we would be able to carry on the tradition amidst the pandemic, but the Lord worked out all of the details. From May 5-6, the middle school students traveled to Sight & Sound Theater. Known for bringing Bible stories to life with special effects, stunning sets, and live animals, we were excited to watch their presentation of “David." We piled into seven cars and headed for the theater early Thursday morning. Everyone enjoyed a great time of fellowship together along the five hours and 20 minutes drive.
Once we arrived at the theater, we had the chance to visit the gift shop and the concession stands as we eagerly anticipated the start of the show. The show was an incredibly memorable experience.
After the show, we headed to a local Lancaster church. We were able to enjoy a pizza dinner before enjoying in some outside play. After we settled in, we had a time of worship led by former middle school teacher Brian Sullivan. We sang about God’s faithfulness to us and shared the ways God has provided for us. We then split into small groups to discuss what we learned and to delve deeper into the story of David. The students also had some free time when they played ping-pong, hide-and-seek, and other games.
On Friday morning, after a quick breakfast, we cleaned up, packed up, and headed back to the Cornerstone Christian School. The Lord allowed this trip to come together, and it was a blessing to all who attended!
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIP TO SIGHT & SOUND