Radio Dramas was an introductory podcasting unit for 7th graders at Hanes Middle School. Following guidelines first published by Chicago’s WBEZ radio for their 2006 Third Coast Festival, students created a story that began with the sentence, “To begin with, they never got along.”

In this first podcasting project students learned to write a script, record on portable iRiver mp3 players, edit their sound file on classroom PCs, create a multi-track sound file MIX using background music and various sound effects, and finally, export the MIX as a finished mp3 music file that could be played on iTunes.

There are four enhanced podcasts in the series.

In March all seventh grade students at Hanes Middle School as well as across the state of North Carolina take a one hour test to evaluate their writing skills.

A prompt is given at the beginning of the session and students are asked to create a two-page persuasive essay based on the topic.

Students in Ms. Dell’s seventh grade English class created posters to show their understanding of the process.

In this enhanced podcast, you will see pictures of the posters (focusing on different essay paragraphs) as well as hear students’ tips for writing the “Ultimate Persuasive Essay.”

Barbara Butryn, Hanes Middle School art teacher, introduces an 8th grade art class project entitled, “Illusions.”

Lines, patterns, squares, and shapes are used to create the illusion of movement.

Using only a pencil to sketch the design and any medium to draw with, students created original designs.

At the Winter Concert the Hanes Orchestra performed 5 selections: “Jingle Bells,” “Pachelbels Kanon,” “St. Nick’s Canon on the Housetop,” “Ukrainian Carol,” and finally, “Trepak” from the Nutcracker.

Hanes chorus sings “Charlotte Town,” Gloria Hallejulah,” and “My Heart Sings a Melody” at the winter concert in December, 2006.

8th grade band students at Hanes perform “Felis Navidad” and the “Nutcracker” at the winter band concert in December, 2006.

7th grade band students perform “Winter Wonderland” and “Hannakah Holiday” during the December, 2006 winter band concert.

Sixth Grade Band performs “Saint Nick Salsa” and “Quantas Celebrations” during the Winter, 2006 Band Concert.

Several sixth and seventh grade students at Hanes Middle School gather around the microphone to share their thoughts on the qualities needed in an ideal teacher. By their seventh grade year in school they have had over twenty different teachers, so they are savvy consumers and have definite opinions about teacher behavior and ways of handling classes.

In early October, Matt Talbert, band director at Hanes Middle School, led two sixth grade beginning band classes in a series of musical selections. Keep in mind that these students have never had band before. They have only been playing for a little over one month! Learning fingering positions, learning to read music, learning to play with a group and keep up the pace — it’s overwhelming! Check back with us around December for the “Winter Concert” and you’ll be amazed at their growth as musicians!