Hoofprint

Hey, have you heard about everyone’s favorite math teacher? Ms. Sorrell teaches math on the Sharks and has been teaching here at MMS for over five years and has been doing an awesome job ever since she first came here, without further ado, I introduce you to the awesome Ms. Sorrell

1. Where were you born? Raleigh

2. Do you have any pets? Yes, a Chihuahua named Sophie.

3. Where did you go to college? Meredith, and I am currently attending ECU for my master’s degree.

4. What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian, I loved animals, but I wasn’t capable of handling the blood.

5. What is your favorite soda? Coke

6. What college team do you root for? NC State Wolfpack because when I was in college I had a lot of friends who attended State and when I was on the Manta’s Mr. Hale was a State fanatic.

7. What are your favorite sports to watch or play? I like to watch basketball and I love to swim and play boxing on my Wii.

8. What is your favorite color? Purple

9. What is your favorite movie? The Blindside. It shows a positive side of humanity and it shows that coming from a different background doesn’t matter; you can succeed no matter what.

10. Who is your favorite singer? I like Kenny Chesney, and Lady Gaga’s Poker Face and Bad Romance.

11. What classes do you teach? I teach Math Art, Financial Finesse, Healthy Living, and Math Acceleration.

12. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? I would go to South America, I have never been there before and I don’t know much about it.

13. How many years have you been teaching? I student taught with Ms. Kay.Then I got a job teaching math on the Manta’s, overall, I have been teaching for five years.

Wow! Have you ever had a really cool teacher that taught you through middle school? Well I have and his name is Mr. Priest and he is a 7th grade science teacher on the Voyager’s team.

Mr. Priest is very nice in my opinion and I think he does his job very well, so I have chosen to do an interview on him.

1. What inspired you to become a teacher? His mother inspired him to become a teacher.

2. How long have you been teaching? Where have you taught? He has been teaching here for 10 years and has only taught here.

3. How did you end up at Martin middle School? Yes and only because he has a baby on the way.

4. Do you like the job or students better? Why? He was a student teacher.

5. If you had the opportunity to teach some where else would you leave Martin Middle School? Why? He likes the students better because he like watching them learns.

6. When you came to Marti Middle school was it like you expected it to be? He had no expectations because he was a student teacher here.

Pep Rally

The pep rally was probably the best for MMS out of all 50 years. When the teachers had to do the shoot-out Mr. Hale scored two shots and Mrs. Troxell scored one of the two shots. The cheerleaders got the crowd going with all of their cheers. The band played great music and the students and staff enjoyed every bit of it. The players on both mustang basketball teams were in the two types of basketball games. The girls beat the boys in both games. Nice job girls! The pep rally made a big crowd in the big game, but sadly we lost. Daniels next year will not beat us, I have no doubt!

vs. Daniels Game

The boy’s basketball game was the most crowded. Both teams played their hardest, but there can only be one winner. Sadly that winner was Daniels. All teams showed great sportsmanship and great effort. The final score was 49-60. We may have lost, but Daniels fouled more than we did. If we had a little bit more time we could have won. Martin’s student body showed great school spirit in the game. Maybe next year we will win.

Do you like the Martin dress code? I have heard people complain and praise the policies we have with student attire. I decided to interview people for their opinions on the restrictions in the dress code.

The students mainly disliked it; they wanted things like shorter shorts and skirts, and smaller straps on tee-shirts and camisoles. Not one student that I interviewed actually appreciated the dress code. It wasn’t even that they didn’t want a dress code they just wanted a little more freedom. Many said things about not being able to express themselves in a way they enjoyed because of these regulations. I know that students don’t like it but the adults and teachers have a totally different opinion.

When I asked the adults questions about the dress code they had strong opinions about what was appropriate attire for us middle schoolers. I interviewed a parent of a 6th grader and they said “In all honesty I believe that every student should have to wear a uniform.” Obviously this person didn’t even think that the dress code was good enough and should be even less revealing. Mr. Cox the 6th grade administrator said “This is a school environment and everything should have to do with the educational atmosphere, and clothing shouldn’t distract from that. So I think it is a totally reasonable code.”

Since adults and students disagree us kids will just have to stick to the dress code.

Woooah! I just came up with the best idea ever! I think we should be able to listen to our iPod`s while the teachers are not teaching and we as students are working. Why? Because in my opinion, most students listen to music to concentrate and their work gets done faster. There would also be less talking in the classroom! Therefore it could also be a big help to the teachers to get their work done when needed. To conclude, the music also gets the kids awake, which can help them be quiet. So when its time to learn, the students will be ready for the lesson to be taught. Of course I have gone above and beyond on this, because I think it should really be required. I interviewed students and teachers of MMS about if they think iPods should be allowed in classrooms:

- Corey (student): Yes because some like to listen to music because it is consternating.

- Kayla (student): Yes because students can concentrate better when they listen and it helps them get there mind off things.

-Justus (student): Yes and No because when the teachers are not teaching we should be able to listen to our iPods but no because when teacher is teaching we are not going to be paying attention and we are going to be failing all our classes.

- Gibson (8th grade science teacher) : Yes “but” you would have to have very strict orders like when the teacher is teaching and your listening to the iPod it has to get taken away.

- Zimmerman (8th math teacher): No because it is going to be too much distraction.

- Haran (BD teacher): No, because it can cause more trouble then its worth.

Have your ever been slammed with loads of homework? Do you ever have trouble getting everything done? Just follow these simple tips, and you’ll soon be stress free!

• Tip #1: Dealing with Overloads

If you’re having trouble managing all that homework, try dividing up the time spent. Work on one assignment for a little bit, then take a break. If you keep alternating this strategy, I promise you will feel more organized and less rushed.

• Tip #2: Focusing Your Mind

Now, I know some people, including myself, can have trouble concentrating on homework. I personally find it easier to stay focused when homework is done in a more middle-school friendly style. By this, I mean you could try to think about the results of finishing your homework and the benefits of completing your assignments. This way, you will feel motivated to get everything done. You could also try to get into the mind of whatever subject your trying to focus on, by reading a textbook or article on the information.

• Tip #3: SOS

I understand, that especially in middle school, many students have trouble understanding homework problems. If you’re having trouble with this, first ask your parents if they can help you. If not, call up a peer or friend that you know will benefit you. If these two suggestions do not work to your advantage, try scheduling a time with your teacher to try to straighten things out and understand more.

• Tip #4: Personal Life Struggles

As a middle school student, I realize that many of us have after-school activities. The problem, being, many students are over-worked with other things such as sports outside of school, so when they have to do their homework, they are too tired to finish. The easiest solution to accomplish homework after dealing with after-school activities is simply to try your best. You could also try to get your homework done before your afternoon is filled up.

Study Tips

There’s not just homework us middle school students have to worry about, but also quizzes and tests. I myself get pretty nervous when studying for a big test and what makes it worse is when the teachers make a big deal about it. So, to make your life a little easier, I have a few study tips for you.

• Tip #5: (Study Tip- Group Work)

When studying, I find it most helpful to study in a group or just one person. This way, you will be able to engage yourself in the material that will be on the test and not just re-read notes.

• Tip #6: (Study Tip-Fun Learning)

Like homework, I tend to get distracted when studying. I bet many of you too have this problem, so I propose you find a fun way to study. You could created your notes into a game, think of songs to help remember information, make flashcards for specific subjects, or use objects to help understand something better. Remember to use the tools that are best for you and try to find a way to help you get that A+ on your next test!

Have you ever wondered why backpacks aren’t allowed in some classrooms? Well, we interviewed teachers to find the answer. Some answers were surprising and others were just common sense.

We asked Mr. Lembo if backpacks were allowed in his core classes and he said they are allowed but he asks for them to be put under the table in the front of his room. We also asked if little bags (purses or sling bags) were allowed and he said he did not find little bags to be a problem.

We asked Mrs. Sage when the students on her team were allowed to go to their lockers and she said anytime they can between classes. Mrs. Sage was asked if she has ever allowed backpacks or if it was new this year. She said that backpacks have never been allowed in core classes as long as she has been teaching. She also said that backpacks are allowed in electives because there are less people and more room. They are not allowed in cores because people could trip and fall and stealing is also a problem. Also, electives are farther away from their lockers so it is harder to put their stuff away.

Mrs. Townsend said that she is clumsy and needs to be able to walk around her own classroom safely when we asked why she did not allow backpacks. We also asked when the students on her team were allowed to go to lockers and she said anytime between classes.

We asked Mrs. Simerly if she allowed backpacks and she said no because there is not enough space and someone might trip. We also asked if we have a lot of stuff and not enough time to go to our lockers how to bring it. Her answer was to just get used to carrying it around with you.

One question we asked Ms. El Shafie was when students on her team were allowed to go to their lockers and she said anytime between classes they could fit it into their schedule. She also said to be strategic and plan when you go to your lockers to fit in with your schedule so you wont have to carry around a lot.

Mr. Lembo, Mrs. El Shafie, Mrs. Sage, Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Simerly all gave us great answers. They all have their own policies and reasons for allowing backpacks in class.

There are many new movies that have come out into our movie theatres here in Raleigh! Dear John is a romantic film starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. It is about a soldier at home on leave that falls in love with a conservative college student during her spring break. They plan to keep in touch by romantic love letters when he is deployed, and hold a strong relationship. For people who love a good romance movie, I would recommend this one!

If you are planning for something more exciting, go out and watch The Spy Next Door. Also starring in all of the Rush Hour movies, Jackie Chan plays Bob Ho, a man who gives up his job as a spy to like a so-called life with his girlfriend. When an emergency causes his girlfriend to travel to Denver, this former spy has to look after her three kids, who haven’t really warmed up to him. This movie is considered a bad remake of the Pacifier, but one will only know if he or she watches it!

For something that will make you laugh until your sides hurt, go and watch the Tooth Fairy. This movie stars Dwayne Johnson, a star hockey player. When he discourages a top fan, he is punished and made the new tooth fairy for one week.

For just the right mix of comedy and romance, When in Rome will be just the right movie. It stars Kristen Bell, an ambitious New Yorker who has had many mishaps when looking for love. With years of waiting for the right guy, she takes many coins from the reputed fountain of love, not knowing the owners of those coins will fall in love with her.

These new movies are all in theatres right now. Don’t mope around at home doing nothing, go watch a movie!

Do you like the Martin dress code? I have heard people complain and praise the policies we have with student attire. I decided to interview people for their opinions on the restrictions in the dress code.

The students mainly disliked it; they wanted things like shorter shorts and skirts, and smaller straps on tee-shirts and camisoles. Not one student that I interviewed actually appreciated the dress code. It wasn’t even that they didn’t want a dress code they just wanted a little more freedom. Many said things about not being able to express themselves in a way they enjoyed because of these regulations. I know that students don’t like it but the adults and teachers have a totally different opinion.

When I asked the adults questions about the dress code they had strong opinions about what was appropriate attire for us middle schoolers. I interviewed a parent of a 6th grader and they said “In all honesty I believe that every student should have to wear a uniform.” Obviously this person didn’t even think that the dress code was good enough and should be even less revealing. Mr. Cox the 6th grade administrator said “This is a school environment and everything should have to do with the educational atmosphere, and clothing shouldn’t distract from that. So I think it is a totally reasonable code.”

Since adults and students disagree us kids will just have to stick to the dress code.

As you may (or may not) know, MMS has an extensive selection of great teachers in varying fields of education. They are all so wonderful, that we had to find a new way to get the real top three teachers. We interviewed 3 random students at Martin about their favorite teachers. They all gave good responses. Here is what they said.

William had a pretty good reason in mind as to why you should look out for Mr. Hale. Mr. Hale is well known for his “world famous” Ghost Stories. Who doesn’t want to hear Ghost Stories that are better than R.L. Stine’s every Friday! If you are interested in great Ghost Stories about North Carolina then check out his elective Tarheel Ghosts. This is why Mr. Hale is our top MMS teachers.

Corey had a somewhat persuasive reason of his own to choose Mrs.Townsend for a favorite teacher. She is known for her easy-going teaching style as well as her kind nature. If you want a teacher who takes your opinion under consideration then Mrs.Townsend is the teacher for you. She also tries to give less homework to her math students. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find a MATH teacher with a near-empty homework board on any given day. Those are the factors (pun intended) that make Mrs.Townsend a qualified member of the MMS top teachers with Mr.Hale.

When asked about her favorite teacher, Abby had a quick response that most MMS students would agree with. At least the ones who have had Mrs. Brannon anyway. She is known for being three things, fun, cool, and nice. She is normally in an upbeat mood, making her student’s days at MMS more pleasurable. She is always thinking about her student’s best interest. She is truly worthy of being on the list of the top three teachers at MMS.

That concludes Martin’s Top three. With luck you’ll have a class with one of these great teachers.