The Paw Print
September 2018
Art Studio News
Art Club
We started our Clubs in Specials classes last week for 4th and 5th graders. The art club will be installing a new painted stain glass picture in our school hallway. We will be painting a Rainforest Theme. Each student is helping with the design plan, next they will take turns painting their idea on the window. I’m sure it will be a wonderful art piece for our school!
Science News
We are off to a great start in the science lab. Students have been learning the expectations and procedures for the science lab during the first few weeks of school. We have several “silent signals” to help our classroom run smoothly.
We begin the year studying Life Science. In the lab we are observing several Monarch caterpillars making their chrysalides. All students are learning the key words and science skills observe and inquire. Fifth graders will learn the biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. Fourth grade classes will learn the difference between qualitative and quantitative data and will be gathering data in the OWL Site. Third graders will become proficient at identifying science properties and understand how properties make a difference for scientists. Second grade students will studying the similarities and differences of butterflies and moths. First grade classes will learn about animals and how their body parts help them survive. Kindergarteners will focus on how our five senses help us to be scientists.
Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site
Scientists are excellent observers and fall is a great time for us to go outdoors and practice observation skills in the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWL Site) on the back of our building. Students have been observing lots of insect activity there (especially on the giant Sunflower leaves, Milkweed leaves and our raised bed Herb garden). If you have not toured the OWL Site, you are invited to have your student take you on a tour. Our McLean students planted all the plants in the OWL Site last September and thanks to several of our parents & staff, these plants survived the hot summer and are thriving as wildlife hosts this year! Ask your favorite McLean student if they know the meaning of “observe”.
Recycling
Recycling is going strong at McLean! We are able to recycle paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and both aluminum and tin cans. Families are welcome to drop off their recyclables in the bins with the orange lids in the north parking lot by the gym/latchkey entrance. Please make sure plastic bottles and cans are rinsed clean before placing them in the recycling bins. If you have boxes to recycle, the large green dumpster is for corrugated cardboard only. Everything else can go in the bins with the orange lids and does not need to be separated. Please note: we do not recycle glass or plastic bags of any type here at McLean.
Music Notes
Greetings to everyone! I’m happy to be back at McLean this year. It’s been great to see so many familiar faces and to get started on building our music skills. We have some new rules we are working on in the music classroom with every grade level. We even made up a chant. J So ask your student if they can share it with you and explain the rules to you.
Make Good Choices
Use Kind Words
Show Respect
Involve Yourself
Care for our Room and Instruments
For grades 3 thru 5, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra Young People’s Concerts are scheduled for mid November and mid January. Details and permission forms can be found in the Thursday Note folder that is coming home with your student on the 6th of September, so please check those folders carefully. Payment of $13 to attend two concerts and ride the busses is due by September 25th, so please have your 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student give the completed envelope to their classroom teacher. Cash or Checks made out to “McLean.”
Grades 4 and 5 are starting their musical, “Singin’ in the Rainforest” for a December performance. So far, their favorite song is “Snakes can Slither.” (Of course!) Grades K – 3 are learning procedures, drumming and movement activities. I’m very pleased at their levels of teamwork, as we learn new skills and review old ones. It’s going to be another great year at McLean.
Have a musical month,
Mrs. Johnson
P.E. Shorts
This first quarter I will be assessing the kids on standard 1, 4 and 5. Standard #1 is motor skills which I will be assessing Locomotor skills and throwing. Standard 5 I will be over active life style and values activity this will be a paper pencil assessment. Standard #4 is their personal and social behavior; this standard is graded every quarter. In order to get the most out of Physical Education class, as well as providing safe conditions for physical activity; I recommend your child wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Shoes that are designed for physical activity and provide good foot support are required. Athletic shoes are a good example of proper footwear. Some students bring a pair of shoes and change before PE class. Examples of improper footwear would be cowboy boots, sandals, flip flops, high heels, and dress shoes. If they are not wearing proper shoes they will not be able to participate in PE that day. Girls that wear dresses should wear shorts under the dress. The kids will have a chance to earn up to 5pts each class period depending on how their class is working together. Once the class reaches 30pts they earn a choice day. If you have any questions about PE, please feel free to contact me. My office number is 973-8263 and my e-mail is jdoornbos1@usd259.net.
Jack Doornbos
Check it Out at the Library
Keep on Reading!
Ramah Coffman, Library Teacher
There are so many ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the Best of all. -- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis