CLASSES IN ACTION
Language Arts
In 9th grade Honors English, to supplement the study of Oedipus the King, Dr. Prentiss’ students teamed with Ms. Wittner in the art room to produce their own versions of classical masks. In Greek theater, the actors wore masks over their faces, allowing for a more stylized performance that emphasized language and movement over facial expression. In a tragedy, the actor’s mask might wear a fixed, painful expression; in a comedy, the mask would display a permanent smile. Our students imaginatively worked with a facial mold, plaster, paints, and decorative accessories to express their interpretations of different characters from the play. For example, we had two different masks for Oedipus—one before the blinding, and one after. Five students made masks for the play’s chorus, all different but with a common theme. One student made a mask for the mythical Sphinx—important in the events preceding the play. As students continued to study the play in class, they assumed the characters of their masks, which they could hold up during their dramatic readings, or wear when they staged frozen tableaux of specific scenes.
Dr. Norman Prentiss
 
Mathematics
With personal debt continuing to be a serious national problem, the unit on credit cards is perhaps the most important topic for our Applied Math class. Over the past two weeks, students closely examined the small print contained in credit card offers and defined terms such as: credit limit, finance charge, default rate, cash advance, late payment, and minimum payment due. They learned how finance charges are computed, the importance of responsible credit spending, what a credit report reveals, and how to protect against identity theft. We discussed several current newspaper articles on related topics. Two Cardin faculty members visited the class to share their own personal stories of prior credit card woes. Hopefully, as our students graduate and become more independent, this classroom learning will assist them in making informed decisions about credit card spending and debt.
Mrs. Jan Schein
Science
There have been many exciting hands-on laboratory experiments taking place in our science classes in the past few weeks.
In AP Biology, students looked at the rates of respiration for crickets using a closed chamber and a gravity fed indicator. The lab work enhanced their study of metabolism and cellular respiration.
AP Biology
The Honors Physics students studied the thrust produced from a rubber-powered air plane as they measured the acceleration of the plane during take off. Students altered the experiment variables of mass, friction, and rubber band size, which culminated in differing results.
Our Chemistry classes are looking at Single Replacement Reactions and other reaction types, such as combustion, double replacement, synthesis, etc. In the lab pictured, students were comparing the reactivity of various metals in metal salt solutions to determine relative electronegativity.
Mr. Dean Whitfield
Honors Physics |
Chemistry |
Social Studies
Western Civilization II students will be learning the fundamentals of researching a term paper this trimester. To continue Jewish integration in the course, the students will write term papers on the early Zionist Movement. General topics of interest will be the First and Second Aliyah, Herzl, Arab responses, Labor and Socialist Zionism, early organization of the World Zionist Organization, and many others.
Western Civilization I students will be researching and creating how-to books for the Middle Ages. Students will investigate how society in Western Europe was structured after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The students will then use this information to create how-to books that focus on the people who hold various positions and functions in society, with emphasis on their goals, problems, relationship to the church, standards, and daily life. The how-to book roles will be: The Perfect Pope, The Village Priest, An Ideal Monk, The Powerful Ruler, A Successful Lord, The Perfect Knight, and A Peasant Farmer. These books will enable the class to go back in time and recreate the culture of medieval Europe.
Mr. Bob Cantor
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
The Arts
Twice during lunch last week, the art room became a crowded temporary gallery for four talented student artists: Ben Jacobson ‘09, Michelle Cassel ‘10, Sophie Solomon ‘09, and Lynn Bachman ‘09. Each student spoke to an audience of faculty members and fellow students about his/her exciting art projects. Ben completed several large scale trompe l’oeil still lifes; Sophie created beautiful pastel landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes; Michelle displayed a variety of work, including clay pieces; and Lynn spoke about her anime-inspired work, as well as her still life and landscape drawings.
Ms. Diane Wittner
 
Admissions Update
The last few weeks have been busy with many incoming phone calls to the Admissions office, prospective family and student visits to the school, and recruiting events at a variety of synagogues in Baltimore and Columbia.
We look forward to middle school students from Baltimore Hebrew Congregation Day School sharing Shabbat minyanim and programming with us on February 8 and joining us for a tzedakah project in March.
Looking toward spring, plans are underway for our annual Pesach program where Krieger Schechter and BHCDS families are invited to join Cardin families to learn more about the Passover holiday. In addition, with the support of a generous grant from the Avi Chai Foundation, the Amazing Race scavenger hunt activity is scheduled for Lag B’Omer in May. Middle school students from feeder schools will receive invitations for both of these programs.
Mrs. Margi Hoffman
Young Engineers and Scientist Seminars (YESS) Competition
On Thursday, Jan. 10, Matthew Marcus ’09, participated in an engineering competition as part of the Young Engineers and Scientist Seminars (YESS) sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corporation. Matt’s team, the "Gibbs Free Energy Team," engineered a hemodialysis system for the event. The goal of the competition was to build the most cost effective and efficient system for completing the task of removing impurities from 500 ml of simulated blood during a five minute operation. The contest was a rewarding and worthwhile experience for Matt and his teammates.
Faculty vs. Students Basketball Game
The faculty team pulled off a nail biter against the girls’ basketball team, but was not able to hold off the deep threat of the boys’ team. The boys’ team shot 2-for-3 from behind the arch to give them the lead and triumph over the Cardin faculty. Mr. Blumenfeld, Srta. Frumin, and Rabbi Chaitovsky provided the halftime entertainment. Thanks to all of the faculty, students, and fans who came out on Tuesday for this fun event!
Social Action Minyanim
During the month of January, Cardin students have been participating in social action committees as part of the school’s minyanim program. Students were able to choose a committee from a wide variety of social action topics such as elder care, animal welfare, and supporting our troops. Details regarding some of the charitable endeavors that have sprung from this project are noted below.
In the Talmud Torah social action committee, Nadav Klein ’08 and Alex Hershon ’11 are collecting new and gently used books to donate to the Baltimore Reads Book Bank, an organization that distributes books to children and adults who do not have the resources to purchase their own books. Please bring books to school and put them in the collection box any day between Monday, Jan. 28 and Friday, Feb. 8. Since this is a sweet book drive, Nadav and Alex will be handing out chocolate to anyone who drops off books. Please help us sweeten the lives of children in need. Donate your books today!
The eight students in the Tza’ar Ba’alei Hayyim committee are collecting items to donate to The Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The “wish list” includes items that are used to help maintain the animals’ mental and physical health while they await adoption. The cat and dog toys, for example, are used as enrichment for the animals to give them exercise, comfort, and to keep them mentally challenged and content. As with any organization, office supplies are also needed. Donations can be placed in the appropriate box near the Cardin main office through Friday, Feb. 8. Your support is truly appreciated!
CONTESTS
PANIM is partnering with Moment magazine to sponsor an essay contest open to high school students focused on what teenagers can do to prevent global warming – one of the most pressing issues facing our country today. Contest winners will receive a free trip to Washington, DC to participate on a Panim el Panim seminar from March 9-12. During that seminar, there will be a special reception on Capitol Hill where the award will be presented and the three winners will have a chance to speak. For guidelines and essay submission, please check out the contest online on Moment’s website at http://www.momentmag.com/events/HScontest.html. The deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 1.
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