MIDDLEBURY — Eighth-grader Jared Bushey’s ram, Moon, recently visited Middlebury Union Middle School to take part in a geometry lesson. Bushey demonstrated his understanding of geometry concepts using shearing tools and strategies for shearing and showing his ram.
Challenged by teacher Pam Quinn to find examples of geometry in their individual areas of interest, math students in her eighth-grade class found geometry lessons in everything from hunting to baking, architecture to photography. Demonstrations ranged from Prezis, a technology-based presentation, to poster boards and models, to martial arts.
MUMS student Ryan Quenneville talked about students choosing their own topics. “Having your own choice lets you express yourself and learn in your own way. Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses.”
 “If it was assigned by the teacher, I probably wouldn’t be interested in the topic,” eighth-grader Meilena Sanchez said. “Picking my topic made it more fun. I liked having the power to choose.”