In It to Learn

Radhika Bajaj grew up in a military family in India with a love of books that has followed her all the way to Manassas, Virginia. Her commitment to exposing children to diverse genres, authors, and illustrators, has culminated in Bookworm Central a local and beloved book distributorship. Listen in and learn more about Mrs. Bajaj’s journey.

Mentioned in this episode:

Bookworm Central

Educated: a Memoir by Tara Westover

Hillbilly Elegy: a Memoir by J.D. Vance

The Man in My Basement by Walter Mosley

Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn, and Survive Outside the Lines by Jonathan Mooney

Take time to check in with friends and get away from "stress" and "anxiety." These two words might describe how many of us are often feeling these days. Tune in and spend time with our School Social Worker, Mrs. Burnham. Mrs. Burnham shares ideas about how to make time to care for yourself. Just listening to this episode will be a stress and anxiety relieving 12-minutes!

Ideas from this Episode:

Online-Coloring - print out or color pages online

10 Mindful Activities for Teens

Mindfulness Exercises

Want more? Contact WMS School Social Worker, Mrs. Burnham, through the WMS School Website.

How do we keep in touch with our school community during online learning? We all know those social connections are important, providing support and levity during challenging times. Ms. Shawnta Jackson, social entrepreneur and author, joins the In It to Learn podcast to discuss this topic and share ideas.

To learn more about Ms. Jackson, visit her website: shawntajackson.com

In this episode, you will hear about Mr. Scott's unique legacy at Woodbridge Middle School, and tips for three easy ways to stay fit or increase your fitness level and why it is important.

Episode Resources:

Mr. Scott's Fitness Tips

What is Mr. Scott reading?

The Knightsbridge Series by Ken Follett

Spend some time learning about another WMS treasure, SIGNET Teacher, Mrs. Schaller. In this episode, you will learn a little about Mrs. Schaller and her myriad of interest while also benefiting from her advice on three simple things students can do to be successful online learners.

Tips from Mrs. Schaller include:

1. Proper workspace

no class while on your bed

organize

neat

2. Checklist

calendar of all due dates

homework

physically check them off for accountability and satisfaction

3. Breaks

movement

snacks

keep up energy level to be able to face challenges

Mrs. Barker, former WMS 6th Grade Language Arts teacher and current Business and Information Technology teacher, spends time with the In It to Learn team of Mrs. Peel and Mrs. van Kan. Mrs. Barker shares her path to becoming a teacher, why she loves her job, and some important things students should be learning about technology.

Resources for Things Talked about in this Episode:

Keyboarding or Typing Practice: Typing.com

Author Brandon Sanderson: A Beginner's Guide to Brandon Sanderson

Cybersecurity: PBS NOVA Cybersecurity Lab

Mrs. van Kan and Mrs. Peel share the newly voted Virginia Readers' Choice Award (VRCA) winning book! They also discuss how the VRCA process works and the 10 titles nominated for this school year. These titles are listed below, along with their availability on Hoopla at the Prince William County Library.

Episode Resource List:

2019 - 20 VRCA Middle School Award Winning Book: Restart by Gordon Korman

2020 - 2021 VRCA Nominees

New Kid by Jerry Craft (available as an audiobook and eBook at the PWC Library)

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden (available as an audiobook and eBook at the PWC Library)

It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) by Trevor Noah

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart (available as an audiobook at the PWC Library)

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Deep Water by Watt Key

Breakout by Kate Messner

Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald (available as an audiobook and eBook at the PWC Library)

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers

Vice Chair of the Prince William County School Board and Woodbridge Middle School Representative, Loree Williams, joins Mrs. van Kan and Mrs. Peel for a conversation about being a community activist. As a School Board Members serving her in her 7th year, Vice Chair Williams shares with us what her middle school time was like as well as why and how she became involved in public service.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Introducing T-Rextra! by David Alan

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

A suggested middle school book about race is: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award Book by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

There is a fun song titled She Blinded Me With Science recorded by Thomas Dolby released in 1982. And, it is perfect once again as WMS rolls into Science Fair season and 6th grade Science Teacher and WMS Science Fair Coordinator, Mrs. McAuley joins Mrs. Peel and Mrs. van Kan to talk about all things Science Fair. Or as Mrs. McAuley EPIC Science Fair!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

WMS Library's Science Fair Webpage

8th Woodbridge Middle School Student, Satin, shares her "learning from home" journey with our In It to Learn listeners. Listen to how one student has adjusted to the fast changing circumstances of her school and social life. 

Books talked about and recommended in this episode include:

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon