Atangle of news and notes reported by Town of Webb School students

8th Graders cover topics from AC/DC to Z

Last October, Town of Webb School junior high English teacher Shannon Hoffmann began working with her 8th grade class on an Identity Project.

The purpose of the project was for students to complete various written pieces throughout the year that would be put in book form and document their identities.

Students addressed the following aspects of identity: interests, personality, people, places and culture.

The most recent installation to their Identity Projects was a research project, whereby their focus was gathering and documenting data—the bones of research.

Instead of traditional research papers, students created research projects, like ABC fact books, photo essays, and children’s books.

Following are examples of what the students learned. As you will see, the 8th grade class has had a busy few weeks researching a wide-range of topics—from AC/DC to zebras!

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John Gaffney: Photo Essay. What I learned about baseball is that every four years many countries in the world come together for a baseball tournament, like the World Cup of soccer. I also learned that Abner Doubleday was one of three people who created the game of baseball.

Kalyn Olney: ABC Book. What I learned about basketball is that it is a very popular sport all around the world and many people enjoy watching and playing it, even here at our school. Basketball is frankly my most treasured sport, henceforth I love to play it very much!

Robin Yuckel: Photo Essay. What I learned about barn owls. Barn owls are able to live anywhere that is not extremely cold. If you’re looking for a barn owl, they have heart-shaped faces, long legs, and are usually brown with a white underside. You will only see a barn owl awake at night because they are nocturnal; at night, they go out to hunt for food. During the day they sleep in their homes. I find barn owls extremely cute and I wish I owned one.

Connor Glasser: Photo Essay. What I learned about McCauley Mountain was that it’s not only the staff that keeps it running—it’s the ski team, parents, and the everyday skiers that keep it alive.

Tyler McGough: Photo Essay. What I learned about the Baseball Hall of Fame. I learned that Fenway Park is the oldest baseball stadium and Target Field is the newest. The second newest stadium is Yankee Stadium, which is home to what I believe to be the best team in the American League. (Everyone knows that!)

Lindsay Payne: ABC Book. What I learned about zebras was their lifestyles. They are known for their stripes. These animals are kind wild or captive animals. Zebras call Kenya and Africa their home. There are three types of zebras: Grevy, Plains, and Mountain. Each one has a signature habitat. Grevy live in dry desert areas, Plains live in grassy areas with hills, and Mountain zebras live in rocky areas with grass around for grazing. Zebras are unique animals with a special way of life.

Matthew Finnerty: Photo Essay. What I learned about Falkirk Estate and Country Club was that it opened in 1908; it has had three owners, and it is rated as the 7th nicest golf course in New York State.

Alex Waterbury: Photo Essay. What I learned about was Italy and the places to go while you’re there. I learned about the rulers of the past and actually realized Italy is shaped like a boot! (But you probably already knew that.)

Cameron Lenci: Photo Essay. What I learned about is Los Angeles. I learned that Staples Center has concerts as well as games. I also learned that the Hollywood sign is on Mt. Lee.

Alexis Dolan: Photo Essay. What I learned about sea turtles. I learned that due to the BP oil spill, garbage and contaminants in the ocean and on land, some sea turtles die or end up getting really sick and washing up on shore.

Adam Levi: Photo Essay. What I learned about Moto-cross. I learned that the first races were in the 1920s, and they were called scrambles. In the 1930s, France shortened the courses and put obstacles in the way. Over the years the sport and the dirt bikes evolved and freestyle was invented. I learned a lot about Motocross!

Autumn Townsend: Photo Essay. What I learned about AC/DC is that they were a couple of everyday people who tried to be a rock band, to follow their dreams, and they succeeded. They are a group of people who have brought joy to thousands with their music since 1975 and, according to them, they’re going to Rock ’n’ Roll until they can’t Rock ’n’ Roll anymore!

Emily Hoffman: Children’s Book. What I learned about the Bahamas is there are around 700 islands that make up the Bahamas. Paradise Island is one of the islands and it is very romantic. There is nice, sunny weather year-round. One more fun fact is that there is 90,000 square miles of sunny ocean!

Alexcia LaFountain: Children’s Book. What I learned about dogs. I learned that dogs bark because they are communicating with other dogs.

Briana Brownsell: Photo Essay. What I learned about chocolate was that there are three main kinds and that most of the chocolate grown in the world grows in Mexico, Central America, South America and Africa. I also learned just how long it has taken chocolate to evolve to what it is now. Furthermore, I really enjoy chocolate and I enjoyed learning more about it! Especially since chocolate is also very good for you. So, for all of you chocolate lovers out there, you can now not worry as much!

Mackenzie Kelly: Children’s Book. I chose a mythological topic so I did have some difficulty finding truthful facts. I learned that there is more to the leprechaun story than little people wearing green, trying to trick you on St. Paddy’s Day. I learned that leprechauns are really shoemakers and most do live alone. In addition, their treasure really isn’t gold, their treasure is hidden in a pot of gold, or at least that’s what the myth states!

Mercedes Rice: Mixed Media. What I learned about dogs is that they need a lot of care. Some shots can kill your dog, like the Rabies vaccine, but who wants to hear that? Not me! Anyways, dogs are just like you and me; they need love, care and hope. Do you want to hear a cool fact? Well, here it goes. A dog’s tongue is the cleanest place ever, cleaner than my mouth or your mouth. I know, weird, right? I hope you enjoyed the interesting and funny facts. So, love and care for that amazing dog of yours!

Allyson Brosemer: ABC Book. I learned that llamas originated from the Andes Mountains in South America. I also learned that llamas are a member of the camelids family. This family includes llamas, Alpacas, Vicuña, Bactrian camel, Dromedary, and Guanaco.

Shelby McGill: Photo Essay. What I learned about Bill Moseley made me laugh. All the funny and interesting interviews I read gave me something to giggle about through the next class. I learned how he got his role in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (my favorite movie) was by making a short film called The Texas Chainsaw Manicure, in which he licked a piece of headcheese. By sending this into Tobe Hooper, he got the part. It makes me feel hopeful about becoming part of a movie cast as well!

Nick Russell: ABC Book. What I learned about pool is that it used to be a gentleman’s game. Pool, also called billiards, has been around for hundreds of years. When I first started my project it was, still is, and always will be my favorite sport. Learning more information about pool is just great.

Tom Cooper: Photo Essay. What I learned about the Welsh land is that it has a dramatic landscape and is a rural country with lots of farms. Also, it was once affected by an oil spill.

Daniel Stefanko: Photo Essay. What I learned about the NFL is that it has a lot of history. For instance, the Lombardi Trophy was named after the coach who won the first Super Bowl, Vince Lombardi. The NFL system is extremely long when it comes to pretty much everything. The NFL we know today was created in 1970 when the AFL and NFL merged. Overall, I found out a lot about the NFL, its history and set up.