In It to Learn

What is the right time to start your own business? For 6th grade student, Inaya, 11 years old is the correct answer! In this episode we get to know how Inaya's passion for beauty and cosmetics has already turned into a successful business venture. You do not want to miss this episode. Links to Webpages Mentioned in this Episode: Inaya Addict Cosmetics

Mr. Curtis Donohue, WMS Band Teacher and Music Department Chair, joins the In It to Learn podcast to talk about what it has been like to teach music while adapting to physical distancing policies to keep learners safe and the new experience of teaching music to online learners. Listeners will also learn more about Mr. Donohue as a middle school student in Germany, where his musical journey began! Links to Items mentioned in this episode: Bell Covers and Face Masks for Musicians

One of the opportunities that add to the uniqueness of WMS are Student Led Conferences. Mrs. Tyler, the current Coordinator for Student Led Conferences (SLC) joins the In It to Learn podcast to tell us all about these conferences in which students and parents intentionally engage in meaningful conversations about learning. We also get to know a little bit more about one of our amazing WMS teachers!

Nurse Mikkelsen is our featured guest for this episode of In It to Learn. Listen now to learn about how she made her way to being a school nurse one science class at a time. Nurse Mikkelsen also shares best practices for in-person learners for our current school year. Books Discussed During this Episode: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Since we are all surely engaged in future historic events, it is the perfect moment to enjoy a visit with longstanding WMS Social Studies teacher, Mr. Tim Morrish. The conversation also includes what online teaching has been like for Mr. Morrish and we share our excitement at having students and staff safely returning to our school building. Mentioned in this Episode: Books by author Alan Gratz: Allies and Refugee Books by author Ruta Septys: Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea Your WMS Librarians highly recommend these amazing stories!

Is a career in STEAM part of your future? In this episode, Ms. Kristin Rojas from the Prince William County Schools Office of Professional Development shares how a student's interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and/or math can lead to a career they love, it has for her! Ms. Rojas tells us about one PWCS event to help students explore possible career paths and where to find more events and programs from PWCS. Mentioned in this episode: PWCS Sponsored Events PWCS Specialty Programs

Focusing on books whose authors have won Coretta Scott King Book Awards, this episode features recommendations for some of these great stories that can be found in any library and include a canvas of voices that will resonate with everyone. List of Coretta Scott King Award Recipients 1970 - 2021

The In It to Learn podcast is delighted to spend time with National Ranger Chris Alford. Ranger Alford shared information with Mrs. van Kan and Mrs. Peel about the history of the Prince William Forest Park, including stories from the park's mysterious past. Would you be surprised to learn that coyotes and bobcats are our neighbors? We were! Listen now. Resources on information talked about in this podcast: Prince William Forest Park Manassas National Battlefield Park Office of Strategic Services: Spies in the Park Youth Conservation Corps

Alexander and LJ first join Mrs. Peel and Mrs. van Kan to talk about being online learners, and then they takeover! Listen as 7th grade Woodbridge Middle School students discuss technology in their lives and what they do when it is time to take a break.

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 Create a routine. Measure your outcome. Find an activity you enjoy! What is Mr. Scott reading? The Knightsbridge Series by Ken Follett The Pillars of the Earth (1989) World Without End (2007) A Column of Fire (2017) The Evening and the Morning (2020)

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

Woodbridge Middle School parent, Ms. Valerie Tolan, joins Mrs. van Kan and Mrs. Peel to discuss why this parent thinks parent involvement is important and how she has found ways to be an active part of her children's' school communities. Ms. Tolan also shares some of her family's experiences, so far, with online learning talking about both the good aspects and the challenges.

Listen to a conversation with Mr. Madison about his time as a student at Woodbridge Middle School and what is was like then compared to what it is like now. You will also hear the voices of current WMS teacher Mrs. Meredith Zell, Ms Vatrice Gibbs, Mrs. Brianna Barker, sharing the number of years they have been working at WMS, as well as a memory from Ms. Molly Schwoppe from her time as a student at WMS.

Library podcast co-hosts Mrs. van Kan and Mrs. Peel talk about the history of Woodbridge Middle School with alumni and current WMS Safety and Security Specialist, Mr. Steve Madison. In Part 1 of 2 episodes, Mr. Madison shares the history of Woodbridge Middle School. The episode includes a memory from former student and now teacher, Ms. Brianna Barker, as well as the voices of current staff member contributors: Mrs. Burnham, Mr. Trout, Ms. Mendoza, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. Schaller, Ms. Issa, Justin Salmeto, Ms. Conner, and Ms. Hallman. Resources Used to Produce this Podcast include; Anchor App GarageBand YouTube Audio Library

This first podcast episode shares the catalyst for starting a school community podcast. The three hosts of the podcast are introduced and the podcast format is explained along with future possible topics and when the podcasts will be aired. Resources used to create the Season 1 Episode 1 podcast: Episode Image: created with Adobe Spark and Canva Recorded Audio: GarageBand Music: YouTube Audio Library