The Area Learning Center theater productions class performed the play &8220;Mystery at Shady Acres&8221; by Michelle Davis on May 11 at Brookside. It was a great opportunity to learn about theater and participate in a schoolwide project.

Students use technology in a fun, new way

Students at Halverson Elementary School are using technology in a fun, new way to learn and review concepts.

Brain Pop is an educational Web site that offers curriculum-based content spanning seven main subjects including: science, math, English, social studies, health, arts and music and technology.

Fifth-graders learn about pollution

On May 15, Emily Bartusek from the Shell Rock River Watershed District spoke to fifth-graders at Hawthorne Elementary about pollution and our lakes. She showed the effects of oil and other toxins going into city drainage system. It is part of the science curriculum on the environment and the effects people have on it through pollution.

Students drop eggs

Eighth-grade science students did an egg drop May 17 and 18 atthe wall near the tennis courts at Southwest Middle School. Students applied the knowledge they have learned about motion and energy to a contraption that carried an egg through a fall. Students created a contraption from a half-gallon milk carton and put &8220;stuff&8221; inside and/or outside the carton to prevent an egg from breaking when it fell about 15 feet to concrete.

Preschoolers graduate

Community Education&8217;s Building Blocks preschool graduation is this Wednesday and Thursday at Brookside Education Center. It&8217;s for children who have completed their one-year preschool experience learning important skills that will help them have success in kindergarten.

They can name letters, count, and have a desire for discovering new things and learning every day. Parents are invited to come to the last hour of class to watch the children perform a couple of songs and receive their graduation from preschool diploma, followed by cake and milk for all.

First-graders visit fire department

On Wednesday, Sibley first-graders will visit the Albert Lea Fire Department and Public Library.

At the fire department, students will see the areas where the firefighters live, as well as the fire trucks, fire equipment, etc.

This will be a review of the first-grade fire safety unit. In addition, first-graders will tour the Albert Lea Public Library where the children&8217;s librarian will inform the students about checking out books and summer library programs.

They&8217;re with the band

Seventh-graders in Mandra Peterson&8217;s music tech class at Southwest Middle School get to be in a band for a week. They make up a band name and plan its U.S. tour. As well as figuring out mileage and gas costs, they

also design their own bus, bumper sticker, T-shirt, and CD jacket. Of course a band isn&8217;t a band without their pictures, so they also get to

do a photo shoot. Check out the latest pictures at her Web site (swa1.albertlea.k12.mn.us/mandrap).

Music contest Wednesday

Albert Lea High School singers will sing in a small solo and ensemble contest here from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Guest judges are Mike Ellingsen from Blue Earth, Richard Jokumsen from St. James, and Brian Johnson from Austin.

About 40 singers will compete for ratings using the MSHSL format.

Parents are welcome to come and hear their students sing.

Baby classes Thursdays

The Early Childhood Family Education department of Community Education hosts a baby class every Thursday morning from 11 a.m. to noon through May 31 at Brookside Education Center, Room 204. Parents learn important parenting information, spend focused time with their baby and meet other parents. It includes a babies&8217; handprint flower activity for Mother&8217;s day labeled &8220;Our Love Grows Everyday.&8221;

Do you know what a first-grader knows?

(Submitted by Dara Gjersvik&8217;s first-grade class.)

What kind of fish comes out of water and makes a sound like a pig?

Answer: Humuhumunukunukuapua&8217;a (from Hawaii)