Huron Middle School
In sixth grade keyboarding class, students continue to practice keyboarding skills. The goal for the nine weeks is to improve speed and accuracy, as well as complete the lessons in the Keyboarding Without Tears program.

Writing is the focus in seventh grade. We are excited that each student has the opportunity to complete a published children’s book. We are working on becoming better writers by not overusing simple words and being more descriptive in our writing.

The eighth grade class is participating in a career-exploration online program called The Real Game. The students assume and explore the realities of adult life. They have randomly chosen an occupation, which they are learning about education, daily experiences, budgeting and other real-life situations that go along with their job. They also learn many life skills to guide them in making great choices as they leave middle school and go to the high school.

The career class students also have the opportunity to listen to speakers throughout the nine weeks that may help them decide on a career path.

Submitted by Tammy Barnes, grades six-eight Exploratory Teacher

Washington 4-5 Center
Greetings from the Washington 4-5 Center band room, home of the Tiger Cub Band. Since their debut performance in December, the Tiger Cubs have been very busy learning many new skills before their next public performance in April. This is a very exciting time for budding instrumentalists as they are learning several new notes and expanding their ranges on their instruments.

The clarinetists have begun the arduous task of adding the register key to produce a whole new range of notes. When they have successfully completed this, they will have extended their range into notes that are over an octave higher than before. This skill takes practice and persistence, and they will be working on it through the end of the year. The percussionists are continuing their study of drumming after spending most of the first semester honing their mallet percussion skills. They have begun the study of the rudiments, which are different sticking patterns that give variety to drumming, and they also will be tackling some of the smaller percussion instruments between now and the concert.

The Tiger Cubs have now played in three different time signatures and two different key signatures and are adding new skills every week. If you know a Tiger Cub, ask them to show you something they can do on their instrument.

Your involvement helps our program to grow! We look forward to seeing everyone at our next concert at Huron Arena on April 23.

Submitted by Laura Beck, band director