Tuesday, August 25, 2015


Gumdrop Challenge

Our Quest gumdrop structure challenge was a success. Teams worked together to create a gumdrop design that would be sturdy enough to support the weight of a box. Students were only able to use 10 gumdrops and 20 toothpicks. Each team worked diligently to design a structure that would meet all of the requirements. I was super excited to see the many different designs that were a hit. 








Sunday, August 23, 2015

Take me to the Fair!

This week our Quest lass created and worked on some really cool abstract art to enter into our county fair that is coming up right around the corner. Students used painters tape, acrylic paint, and stones to express their individuality. We had a great time discussing how abstract art has endless opportunities of being able to create timeless art pieces. Can't wait to see them all displayed at the fair. Come and see them too. School Fair Holiday is Friday, September 4th. 






Friday, August 14, 2015

Mrs. Johnson’s 6th grade Quest class has been studying balances of forces involving engineering. Students learned about different types of bridge structures and how those invisible forces work together to hold substantial amounts of weight. Students were given a task to create a paper bridge by using only books and two sheets of paper.  Each group was able to create several designs and test them by the weight of many pennies. For the final challenge, each group chose to display and weight down the bridge design that they felt was the strongest. Each group did an excellent job and created a bridge that showed great architectural skills.




Syllabus
Quest 6th grade
SY:  2015-2016
Holly Johnson


Credentials: Master’s Degree in Gifted Education from William Carey University and  Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the William Carey University (K-6). This is my seventh year of teaching.
Parents wanting to know more about the qualifications may contact the Poplarville School District Central Office.

Contact Information: I can be contacted by phone or email. The phone number for the Middle School of Poplarville is (601)795-1350. My email address is hjohnson@poplarvilleschools.org.  Email is the best way to contact me. 

Class Description:

Classes meet for 72 minutes each day.  Gifted classes are not designed to practice or increase ability in the regular education curriculum, but to offer skills that can be enhanced in an environment that will allow each individual child to follow his or her own interests and strengths.  The Quest program is a differentiated program that offers a wide variety of learning skills and activities.  Each year provides the students with an array of different concepts and methods.


Class Expectations

Course Schedule
          The students meet each week for a total of 360 minutes. During this time, students will be involved in a variety of projects and individual studies of his/her interests.

Classroom Rules
          Do not do anything that inhibits your or someone else’s learning.
          Come each day prepared to give your very best.
          The more I do, the less you will do.  Be prepared to work things out for yourself.

Student Responsibilities – Each student will be expected to work and behave in a productive manner.  Discipline problems will not be tolerated.

Special Projects and Events – Possible field trips with notification in advance.

Required Materials / Supplies – This can be found on the regular classroom supply list.

Class Procedures

          Homework – None, unless the student chooses to create special projects at home.

          Quest classes are non-graded.  However, parent letters and report cards will be sent home at the end of each nine-week period. 

          Discipline
1.     Warning / Student Conference
2.     Letter of Concern to Parent
3.     Team/ Student Conference
4.     Parent Call
5.     Office Referral


*Poplarville School district does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religions, national origin, or disability and is in compliance with Title IX of the educational amendment of 1972 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Welcome to Quest @ MSP!!