Hatch Specials
Trimester 1 & 2 Newsletter
Hatch Specials
Welcome to our Trimester 1/Trimester 2 Newsletter!
The Hatch specials team loves teaching your kid(s)!
Nefret Stringham, Library, nstringham@op97.org
Molly Bruno, Spanish, mbruno@op97.org
Evan Jacobson, Music, ejacobson@op97.org
Michaela Ruff, Art, mruff@op97.org
Michael Cruz, mcruz@op97.org
KINDERGARTEN
ART
All K-5 students have art once a week, for 60 minutes. Below are just a few of our favorite pieces we created during Trimester 1 & 2. You can see more on your child's Artsonia page. I do not upload all pieces, so you will have a few surprises masterpieces when your artist brings home their portfolio (a collection of work from the entire year showing incredible growth) at the end of May.
Monarch Butterflies
Leading up to Dia de Muertos, Kindergarten Artists were learning about the incredible journey Monarch butterflies make to Mexico every fall. Artists focused on the word SYMMETRY with this lesson as they cut out a symmetrical butterfly, painted and pressed one side and to create a symmetrical design, and finally they used oil pastels to add symmetrical details. The butterflies have been flying by our main entrance.
Jasper Johns Inspired Alphabet
After learning about artist Jasper Johns, artists focused on his Alphabet painting. We used 2 of his techniques in this project... Texture & overlapping colors. We first used texture plates to rub various textures with various colored crayons. The following week, artists used watercolors to paint overlapping colors in each space. Finally the last week, we used ink markers to draw our alphabet.
Winter Polar Bears
Artists began learning about polar bears before we drew one of our own. We used a chalk pastel to create a warm fuzzy texture to make our painted winter sky background pop.
Ceramic Penguins
Our Kindergarten clay unit was focused on penguins!!! Artists created an adorable penguin with a pinch pot home for it to live in. After we glazed our pieces, we used paint pens to add final touches. These penguins will be displayed on your child’s desk during conferences. We hope you can enjoy a mini classroom art show before bringing your child’s clay home safely that night :)
LIBRARY
In Kindergarten, we love the library. We have been reading, discussing, and completing activities around the Illinois State's Monarch book nominees! Many of these books include beautiful illustrations and have fun, enriching corresponding STEM activities. We will be reading all 20 of the Monarch nominations before March, so we can vote in the all-state election for the 2024 Monarch book winner.
At this point, students know and understand the library routines, have learned how to take care of their library books, and know how to search for a Just Right book during library check-out.
MUSIC
Kindergarten and 1st grade students have been working on the ability to sing in tune and keep a steady beat. Class typically begins with a series of hello songs sung as a group, followed by the chance to sing a short 2-note melody individually. As we start music class, students are asked to repeat several 4-beat rhythm patterns. Kindergarten and 1st grade students can read rhythms using quarter notes and 8th notes, and quarter rests. Students learn to speak rhythms using the syllables “ta” and “ti-ti.” We practice speaking rhythms before playing them - “If you can say it, you can play it!”
Music class often involves instrument activities as well. Kindergarten and 1st grade students have played a variety of percussion instruments including hand drums, bucket drums, rhythm sticks, shakers, and boomwhackers.
Many of the songs that we learn are seasonal. During the month of January, we sing songs centered around the idea of being peaceful as we celebrate Martin Luther King. Moving forward into the spring, students will be playing xylophones and also a bit of steel pans.
All students in 1st grade will be able to participate in a spring performance called the “Spring Arts Fiesta” on the evening of Wednesday, May 8th. Kindergarten parents will be invited to school during the day toward the end of the year for an “informance” which provides an opportunity to see what music class is all about!
PE
Hello,
At this point of the year, we are rocking and rolling! Procedures and routines are solidified and we are building on skills introduced during the first trimester of school. Typically, after winter break endurance and strength takes a slight dip. So currently our focus is working towards getting back into form
Soon we will transition into our jump rope unit and along with it, our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This is where we partner up with the American Heart Association to raise money for children who have heart complications and need medical assistance. It’s a unique time of year because the students get an opportunity to feel empowered by helping other children through the American Heart Association. It’s also unique because multiple classes get to team up during P.E. The kindergarten,1st, and 2nd grade students get to pair up with their older Book Buddies classes during their P.E. time. This takes place the week of Valentines Day. During this week, 3rd-5th graders work in small groups taking turns jumping and turning the ropes for their peers. Their goal is to accumulate as many jumps as they can. The older students also get invited to visit their younger book buddy’s P.E. classes. They assist them in calculating jumps, turning ropes and modeling positive ways to have goal focused fun!
To put it simply, we are having good times here at Hatch Elementary
~Mr. Cruz ~ Hatch P.E.~
...
SPANISH
Kindergarten and 1st grade students come to Spanish class 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
So far this year…
Kinder and first grade students have developed routines in Spanish for entering and leaving the room in line-order, singing our greeting song, and how to participate safely and respectfully in Spanish class. Students rotate through class jobs and earn class points and “tiger heads” each day. Through games, movement, songs, and stories students are developing vocabulary. Spiraling class vocabulary includes basic verbs, feelings, colors, numbers, body parts, animals, and family. Cultural and seasonal topic vocabulary students have had exposure to so far this year include Halloween, Día de Muertos, Hispanic food, music, and people like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Celia Cruz.
1ST GRADE
Art
Dia de Muertos Calaveras
Students are leaning about Dia de Muertos in Spanish & Art. For this lesson, students drew and painted a large calavera (skull). The next week, artists used oil pastels and paint sticks to add beautiful & bright details. The final week of this lesson, artists cut out their calavera, glued it to a framed paper, and added tissue paper flowers around their creation.
Watercolor Galaxy
1st grade artists started learning about what a galaxy is and brainstormed how to design their own. Each student drew at least 2 planets before learning how to blend overlapping colors with watercolors. The last week, artists framed their galaxy and got to use black glue to draw details on each planet to pop them off the page.
Winter Penguins
Artists began learning about the MANY types of penguins that live all over the world. Next, they used a black ink marker to draw a penguin of their own.. No pencil! The following week we used our imagination to paint a colorful background for our penguin to live in. The last week of this lesson, students used a blue chalk pastel to add a winter shadow on their penguin. They also used tempera cakes to paint their penguin’s hat, scarf, beak, and feet. Finally we cut out our penguins and framed them on our favorite colored paper.
Pinch Pot Animals
Our 1st Grade clay unit was a double unit. You should have already received their cupcakes, but they did so amazing that we decided to do a second clay project… Animal Pinch Pots! After our cupcakes, artists were experts at creating a pinch pot, so they brainstormed how to add a head, legs, tail, etc to turn their pinch pot into an adorable animal. After we glazed our pieces, we used paint pens to add final touches. These pinch pot animals will be displayed on your child’s desk during conferences. We hope you can enjoy a mini classroom art show before bringing your child’s clay home safely that night :)
LIBRARY
At this point, 1st graders have learned all the library routines, know how to find their just right book during check-out time, know how to take care of their books, and have spent some time exploring the magic of the library.
MUSIC
...Kindergarten and 1st grade students have been working on the ability to sing in tune and keep a steady beat. Class typically begins with a series of hello songs sung as a group, followed by the chance to sing a short 2-note melody individually. As we start music class, students are asked to repeat several 4-beat rhythm patterns. Kindergarten and 1st grade students can read rhythms using quarter notes and 8th notes, and quarter rests. Students learn to speak rhythms using the syllables “ta” and “ti-ti.” We practice speaking rhythms before playing them - “If you can say it, you can play it!”
Music class often involves instrument activities as well. Kindergarten and 1st grade students have played a variety of percussion instruments including hand drums, bucket drums, rhythm sticks, shakers, and boomwhackers.
Many of the songs that we learn are seasonal. During the month of January, we sing songs centered around the idea of being peaceful as we celebrate Martin Luther King. Moving forward into the spring, students will be playing xylophones and also a bit of steel pans.
All students in 1st grade will be able to participate in a spring performance called the “Spring Arts Fiesta” on the evening of Wednesday, May 8th. Kindergarten parents will be invited to school during the day toward the end of the year for an “informance” which provides an opportunity to see what music class is all about!
PE
...Hello,
At this point of the year, we are rocking and rolling! Procedures and routines are solidified and we are building on skills introduced during the first trimester of school. Typically, after winter break endurance and strength takes a slight dip. So currently our focus is working towards getting back into form
Soon we will transition into our jump rope unit and along with it, our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This is where we partner up with the American Heart Association to raise money for children who have heart complications and need medical assistance. It’s a unique time of year because the students get an opportunity to feel empowered by helping other children through the American Heart Association. It’s also unique because multiple classes get to team up during P.E. The kindergarten , 1st and 2nd grade students get to pair up with their older Book Buddies classes during their P.E. time. This takes place the week of Valentines Day. During this week, 3rd-5th graders work in small groups taking turns jumping and turning the ropes for their peers. Their goal is to accumulate as many jumps as they can. The older students also get invited to visit their younger book buddy’s P.E. classes. They assist them in calculating jumps, turning ropes and modeling positive ways to have goal focused fun!
To put it simply, we are having good times here at Hatch Elementary
~Mr. Cruz ~ Hatch P.E.~
SPANISH
Kindergarten and 1st grade students come to Spanish class 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
So far this year…
Kinder and first grade students have developed routines in Spanish for entering and leaving the room in line-order, singing our greeting song, and how to participate safely and respectfully in Spanish class. Students rotate through class jobs and earn class points and “tiger heads” each day. Through games, movement, songs, and stories students are developing vocabulary. Spiraling class vocabulary includes basic verbs, feelings, colors, numbers, body parts, animals, and family. Cultural and seasonal topic vocabulary students have had exposure to so far this year include Halloween, Día de Muertos, Hispanic food, music, and people like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Celia Cruz. ...
2ND GRADE
ART
Amate
During Hispanic Heritage Month, artists learned about a traditional Folk Art style known as Amate. Amate is usually created on repurposed bark, but our students used brown paper bags as our drawing surface. Each artist was asked to draw their favorite animal and use oil pastels & beeswax crayons to color their piece. Once framed, they really came to life!
Frida Kahlo
2nd grade artists have been fascinated with Frida Kahlo and her life. After learning even more about her and truly understanding why she is so famous for her self-portraits (because of a tragic accident she was in, leaving her bedridden for months at a time. Her father put a mirror above her bed and she began studying herself closely as she started painting self-portraits, using her imagination for a background). Each artist drew Frida and colored her in as realistic as possible. We finished this project by writing her famous last words (from her famous last painting) VIVA LA VIDA... THE SWEET LIFE.
Winter Snowflakes
With the winter weather quickly approaching, we decided to focus on snowflakes and how beautifully unique they are. Each artist designed their own 6 pointed snowflake which they filled with white paint. The following week, we used oil pastels and glitter to bring our snowflakes to life before cutting them out. These were on display during the holiday sing and really brought a festive spirit to our school.
Loving Hand
Our 2nd grade clay unit was called ‘Loving Hands.’ Artists first had to think of a special loving message they wanted to share with their family. After rolling out a slab of clay, each artist traced their hand. Once they smoothed out their clay, they used alphabet noodles to press a loving message into the palm of their clay hand. The following week, the noodles burned out of the clay, leaving the message stamped into our piece. After we glazed our loving hands, we used paint pens to add final touches. These creations will be displayed on your child’s desk during conferences. We hope you can enjoy a mini classroom art show before bringing your child’s clay home safely that night :)
LIBRARY
2nd graders have been having a fabulous time in the library. We have been reading, discussing, and completing activities around the Illinois State's Monarch book nominees! Many of these books include beautiful illustrations and have fun, enriching corresponding STEM activities. We will be reading all 20 of the Monarch nominations before March, so we can vote in the all-state election for the 2024 Monarch book winner.
2nd graders are also beginning to use their ipads more and more in library! Students are becoming more comfortable with ipad use, learning about how to use ipads correctly, and budding into responsible digital citizens. Throughout trimester 2, students will learn some basic research skills and continue to develop a love of books and reading!
MUSIC
...2nd and 3rd grade students sing a variety of songs while focusing on the ability to produce a nice sound and sing in tune. Students are encouraged to practice singing using their head (higher) voice and chest (lower) voice. Class usually begins with clapping and speaking 4-beat rhythm patterns. 2nd graders perform and read rhythms using quarter notes, 8th notes, half notes, half rests, and quarter rests. 3rd grade students are also learning about 16th notes, whole notes, and reading longer rhythm patterns. Students practice reading rhythms using play along videos (mostly available on youtube) while playing bucket drums. We practice speaking rhythms before playing them - “If you can say it, you can play it!”
Music classes usually involve instrument activities as well. 2nd and 3rd grade students play a variety of instruments including hand drums, bucket drums, xylophones, ukuleles, steel pans and boomwhackers. 2nd learn to develop proper technique with mallets (pinch and wrap) and strum songs using two chords (F and C7.)
Many of the songs that we learn are seasonal. During the month of January, we sing songs centered around the idea of being peaceful as we celebrate Martin Luther King. Moving forward into the spring, 2nd grade students will be focusing more on xylophones and steel pans. 3rd graders will be starting on the recorder during the month of February.
All students in 2nd-3rd grade will be able to participate in a spring performance called the “Spring Arts Fiesta” on the evening of Wednesday, May 8th.
PE
Hello,
At this point of the year, we are rocking and rolling! Procedures and routines are solidified and we are building on skills introduced during the first trimester of school. Typically, after winter break endurance and strength takes a slight dip. So currently our focus is working towards getting back into form
Soon we will transition into our jump rope unit and along with it, our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This is where we partner up with the American Heart Association to raise money for children who have heart complications and need medical assistance. It’s a unique time of year because the students get an opportunity to feel empowered by helping other children through the American Heart Association. It’s also unique because multiple classes get to team up during P.E. The kindergarten , 1st and 2nd grade students get to pair up with their older Book Buddies classes during their P.E. time. This takes place the week of Valentines Day. During this week, 3rd-5th graders work in small groups taking turns jumping and turning the ropes for their peers. Their goal is to accumulate as many jumps as they can. The older students also get invited to visit their younger book buddy’s P.E. classes. They assist them in calculating jumps, turning ropes and modeling positive ways to have goal focused fun!
To put it simply, we are having good times here at Hatch Elementary
~Mr. Cruz ~ Hatch P.E.~
..
SPANISH
2nd grade students come to the Spanish classroom 3 times a week for 30 minutes, while 3rd grade students come 2 times a week for 30 minutes.
So far this year…
2nd and 3rd graders are focusing on having fun while developing Spanish literacy. Our monthly “mini maestras” start our daily routine leading the class in our warm-up and class mantra while other students begin their class jobs as well. We are currently reading a novella called Raton Pablito. We act it out and answer questions with games to demonstrate comprehension. Students have also developed story characters in writing using Roll-a-Story and practice speaking with our Question of the Day as well as through class discussion of our story. Hispanic cultural topics are interwoven in lessons and classroom texts, some of which include Día de Muertos, Celia Cruz, Frida Kahlo, the games Lotería, Pirinolas, and hand game Ma-ri-po-sa.
Games with Ratón Pablito
Games with Ratón Pablito
Salón de clase
3RD GRADE
ART
Alebrijes
During Hispanic Heritage Month, 3rd grade artists learned about artist Pedro Linares and his mythical creatures, Alebrijes. Each artist used a think sheet to combine 3-4 animals to create their own. After drawing their own Alebrije, each student used bright colors to paint the back of their creation. The following week, artists used oil pastels to outline and add additional details to their Alebrije. Next, we cut out their animal, traced it, and used chalk pastels to create a 'glow' behind our creation.
Symmetry Paper Sculptures
Watercolor Iceberg
As winter was quickly approaching, 3rd grade artists began to learn about icebergs and how magically powerful they are. We watched a few videos of icebergs breaking, being discovered, and learning about a really cool artist named Zaria Forman. She paints the most realistic icebergs you have ever seen! This inspired us to first use pencil to draw a unique iceberg of our own before outlining it with a sharpie. The following week, artists used watercolors to discover various tints of blue by using variations of water and blue paint only. Next, we created a stunning sunset background by blending watercolors and even experimented with overlapping colors to make a realistic ocean. Some artists used salt to create a special texture on their ocean. Each artist was amazed with how their project turned out!!!!
Melting Clocks
Our 3rd grade clay unit focused on one of Salvador Dali’s most famous paintings… The Persistence of Memory (aka Melting Clocks). Mrs. Ruff has a melted clock on her desk and all students have been obsessed with it, so we decided to create one of our own. After rolling a slab of clay, artists cut out a clock design that was ‘normal’ on top and ‘melting’ below. We created coils for the time hands as well as a reinforced border around our clock. When we left our clay to dry, each artist could choose if they wanted their clay to dry down a table or up the wall. After we glazed our pieces, we used paint pens to add the numbers and final details on our clocks. These amazing creations will be displayed on your child’s desk during conferences. We hope you can enjoy a mini classroom art show before bringing your child’s clay home safely that night :)
LIBRARY
3rd grade is a big year in the library! Not only do 3rd graders now get to spend a whole hour in the library, they also can check out 3 books instead of 2. This is very exciting and allows us to tackle bigger projects throughout the year.
So far students have learned how to use the library catalog and travel around the library in search of a specific book. They continue to build their library, and it has been incredible to watch them build independence in the Hatch library space. Students have also completed multiple projects on their ipad, including a green screen project which gave them an opportunity to learn how to use a new app.
We also started our coding unit! 3rd graders are introduced to the basics of coding with multiple opportunities to practice and grow.
MUSIC
2nd and 3rd grade students sing a variety of songs while focusing on the ability to produce a nice sound and sing in tune. Students are encouraged to practice singing using their head (higher) voice and chest (lower) voice. Class usually begins with clapping and speaking 4-beat rhythm patterns. 2nd graders perform and read rhythms using quarter notes, 8th notes, half notes, half rests, and quarter rests. 3rd grade students are also learning about 16th notes, whole notes, and reading longer rhythm patterns. Students practice reading rhythms using play along videos (mostly available on youtube) while playing bucket drums. We practice speaking rhythms before playing them - “If you can say it, you can play it!”
Music classes usually involve instrument activities as well. 2nd and 3rd grade students play a variety of instruments including hand drums, bucket drums, xylophones, ukuleles, steel pans and boomwhackers. 2nd learn to develop proper technique with mallets (pinch and wrap) and strum songs using two chords (F and C7.)
Many of the songs that we learn are seasonal. During the month of January, we sing songs centered around the idea of being peaceful as we celebrate Martin Luther King. Moving forward into the spring, 2nd grade students will be focusing more on xylophones and steel pans. 3rd graders will be starting on the recorder during the month of February.
All students in 2nd-3rd grade will be able to participate in a spring performance called the “Spring Arts Fiesta” on the evening of Wednesday, May 8th.
PE
.Hello,
At this point of the year, we are rocking and rolling! Procedures and routines are solidified and we are building on skills introduced during the first trimester of school. Typically, after winter break endurance and strength takes a slight dip. So currently our focus is working towards getting back into form
Soon we will transition into our jump rope unit and along with it, our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This is where we partner up with the American Heart Association to raise money for children who have heart complications and need medical assistance. It’s a unique time of year because the students get an opportunity to feel empowered by helping other children through the American Heart Association. It’s also unique because multiple classes get to team up during P.E. The kindergarten , 1st and 2nd grade students get to pair up with their older Book Buddies classes during their P.E. time. This takes place the week of Valentines Day. During this week, 3rd-5th graders work in small groups taking turns jumping and turning the ropes for their peers. Their goal is to accumulate as many jumps as they can. The older students also get invited to visit their younger book buddy’s P.E. classes. They assist them in calculating jumps, turning ropes and modeling positive ways to have goal focused fun!
To put it simply, we are having good times here at Hatch Elementary
~Mr. Cruz ~ Hatch P.E.~
..
SPANISH
3rd grade students come to Spanish 2 times a week for 30 minutes.
So far this year…
3rd graders are focusing on having fun while developing Spanish literacy. Our monthly “mini maestras” start our daily routine reading the class in our warm-up and class mantra while other students begin their class jobs as well. We are currently reading a novella called Raton Pablito. We act it out and answer questions with games to demonstrate comprehension. Students have also developed story characters in writing using Roll a Story and practice speaking with our question of the day as well as through class discussion of our story. Hispanic cultural topics are interwoven in lessons and classroom texts, some of which include Día de Muertos, Celia Cruz, Frida Kahlo, the games Lotería, Pirinolas, and hand game Ma-ri-po-sa.
4TH GRADE
ART
Dia de Muertos Calaveras
Leading up to Dia de Muertos, students were learning about this special cultural celebration in Spanish & Art. Each student was given air dry clay to sculpt their own calavera (skull). Once our clay was dry, artists used sharpies to add detail and color, to bring their calavera to life. Finally, we decorated a frame which each student glued their calavera to.
Messages of Positivity
After learning about the 'You Are Beautiful' campaign, we decided we had our own messages of positivity that we think the world needs to hear. Artists first glued popsicle sticks together to create a 'fence' which they painted a background color on. The next 2 classes, artists uniquely wrote their message of positivity with paint pens. They were really excited to see their piece come together once we outlined and framed our art.
Snowy Mountainscape
Artists learned about artist Jen Aranyi and the amazing winter mountainscapes she draws. This inspired us to create a scene of our own. Students were able to first cut out a shape they wanted from their watercolor paper. Next, with guided instruction, we used sharpies to draw a fun mountainscape that had organic shadows which made them seem more realistic. Below the mountains, artists drew various land lines with different sized trees to show foreground, middle ground, and background. The next week we used watercolors to paint a bright sky behind our mountains and artists got really excited when they added salt on top of their watercolors to see a fun and unique reaction.
Stained Glass Windows
Our 4th grade clay unit is one of my favorites! Soon, 4th graders will be learning about world famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. After a brief introduction of his numerous structures, we focused on his obsession with incorporating nature, symmetry, and geometric shapes into his designs. We specifically focused on his stained glass windows. This inspired each student to draw a unique design for a window that is symmetrical and only used connected geometric shapes. The following week, each artist used clay to roll out coils which they layered on top of their drawn design. Once our clay ‘iron’ coils were fired in the kiln, we glazed them black. The next 2 weeks were dedicated to creating the ‘window’ to go behind our clay. Artists used a piece of transparency paper, tissue paper, and mod podge to fill the window with beautiful symmetrical colors! These amazing creations will be displayed on your child’s desk during conferences. We hope you can enjoy a mini classroom art show before bringing your child’s clay home safely that night :)
LIBRARY
4th graders have really had an opportunity to build and develop their library skills this year. They are proficient at using the library catalog, maneuvering around the library and finding books they need.
They completed a complex green screen project together in groups, creating their own balloon for a Macy's Day Parade. Many of their projects were featured in the Hatch Newsroom.
4th graders have also continued to learn and practice research skills through our Greek Mythology unit. During this unit students have a chance to use Britannica and other research websites to collect information for a project. We have been able to read many Greek myths aloud, and students have been shocked by all the allusions to Greek mythology they see out in the world!
MUSIC
...4th and 5th grade students learn to sing songs in unison and also in harmony. Class usually begins with clapping and speaking rhythm patterns. 4th and 5th graders perform and read rhythms using quarter notes, 8th notes, half notes, half rests, and quarter rests, 16 notes, and various dotted rhythms. Students practice reading rhythms using play along videos (mostly available on youtube) while playing bucket drums. We practice speaking rhythms before playing them - “If you can say it, you can play it!”
4th and 5th graders play hand drums, bucket drums, boomwhackers, ukuleles, xylophones and steel pans.
Many of the songs that we learn are seasonal. During the month of January, we celebrate Martin Luther King. 5th graders are writing rap verses about MLK and both grades are learning about how music has been used as a form of peaceful protest. Moving forward into the spring, students will be focusing on xylophones and steel pans. All students in 4th-5th grade will be able to participate in a spring performance called the “Spring Arts Fiesta” on the evening of Thursday,, May 9th.
PE
Hello,
At this point of the year, we are rocking and rolling! Procedures and routines are solidified and we are building on skills introduced during the first trimester of school. Typically, after winter break endurance and strength takes a slight dip. So currently our focus is working towards getting back into form
Soon we will transition into our jump rope unit and along with it, our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This is where we partner up with the American Heart Association to raise money for children who have heart complications and need medical assistance. It’s a unique time of year because the students get an opportunity to feel empowered by helping other children through the American Heart Association. It’s also unique because multiple classes get to team up during P.E. The kindergarten , 1st and 2nd grade students get to pair up with their older Book Buddies classes during their P.E. time. This takes place the week of Valentines Day. During this week, 3rd-5th graders work in small groups taking turns jumping and turning the ropes for their peers. Their goal is to accumulate as many jumps as they can. The older students also get invited to visit their younger book buddy’s P.E. classes. They assist them in calculating jumps, turning ropes and modeling positive ways to have goal focused fun!
To put it simply, we are having good times here at Hatch Elementary
~Mr. Cruz ~ Hatch P.E.~
...
SPANISH
4th and 5th grade students come to Spanish class 2 times a week for 30 minutes.
4th grade Spanish students continue to develop Spanish literacy skills through writing activities that we start class with each day. We are currently reading a novella called La familia de Federico Rico. We will be acting it out, studying story vocabulary, and answering questions with various activities to demonstrate comprehension. Hispanic cultural topics are interwoven in lessons and classroom texts, some of which include Día de Muertos, the game Lotería, cultural aspects of the country of Spain, Hispanic countries and capitals, and introduction of various popular latin music. 4th and 5th graders also have Sr. Wooly accounts that they can use outside of class!
Student written class norms
Tiger-opoly
Classroom Community Connections
5TH GRADE
ART
ASL Names
Our Hatch Tigers are fascinated with sign language, so we decided to write our own names in ASL (American Sign Language). Each artist drew all letters of their name with a pencil and sharpie before cutting them out and gluing them onto a background they uniquely painted. Students & staff have been having a lot of fun trying to read each artist's name.
Dia de Muertos Calaveras
Leading up to Dia de Muertos, students were learning about this special cultural celebration in both Spanish & Art. After looking at various calaveras (skulls), artists were asked to design their own. Once they cam up with a design they liked, artists transferred their design to styrofoam. The following week, we used printing ink and printmaking skills to create 4 different colored prints of their original design. Each artist chose 1 of the 4 prints to frame, add details with oil pastels, and add tissue paper details if they wanted.
Musical Snowflakes
Our 5th graders took scratch art to a whole new level with their Musical CDs. Each artist used black acrylic paint to cover the back of a CD. The following week, we examined snowflakes and the unique crystal formations they create. Each artist first used a pencil to draw a unique design and once they were happy with their drawing, they used a special scratch art tool to skillfully scratch away the paint, exposing the iridescent back of their CD. After 2 weeks of scratching, our Musical CDs were complete. To take this project a little further, we used 2 pieces of construction paper to cut and glue a unique paper snowflake frame for our CD to be applied to. These are stunning from afar, but when you get close, you’ll be amazed at the amount of detail each artist put forth!
Tic Tac Toe
Our 5th grade clay unit was a really fun and functional one. Each artist was asked to create their own Tic Tac Toe board. We spent 1 week creating a board out of clay and the following week was dedicated to creating 10 game pieces out of clay… 5 for one player and 5 for the other. Next, artists used glaze to paint their game boards. The 4th week of this project was for students to use watercolors to paint their game pieces. The following 2 weeks were spent using paint pens to add details to their board and pieces as well as learning how to sew a really fun felt pouch, to hold their game pieces. The students LOVED this lesson and even though it took many weeks to create, watching them play with their art was amazing! Each Tic Tac Toe game will be displayed on your child’s desk during conferences. We hope you can enjoy a mini classroom art show before bringing your child’s clay home safely that night :)
LIBRARY
5th graders are the leaders of the Hatch library! With special opportunities to participate in Reading Olympics and Hatch Newsroom, 5th graders have a chance to be a leader at Hatch School.
In 5th grade, we celebrated Banned Books Week by honoring the freedom to read! 5th graders learned a number of their most beloved books are banned in places around the US ,and we discussed why it is so important to always have the freedom to read.
5th graders also completed a digital literacy unit- as they did research projects for their teachers, they learned how to filter fact from fiction on the internet, find reliable websites, and identify unreliable ones; these are skills they will continue to develop in the library.
Finally, 5th graders had the incredible opportunity to code with Lego Mindstorms (lego robots!) borrowed from the Oak Park Education Foundation. They are learning more complex codes for their Lego Mindstorms as they work in groups to do a variety of tasks with them!
MUSIC
4th and 5th grade students learn to sing songs in unison and also in harmony. Class usually begins with clapping and speaking rhythm patterns. 4th and 5th graders perform and read rhythms using quarter notes, 8th notes, half notes, half rests, and quarter rests, 16 notes, and various dotted rhythms. Students practice reading rhythms using play along videos (mostly available on youtube) while playing bucket drums. We practice speaking rhythms before playing them - “If you can say it, you can play it!”
4th and 5th graders play hand drums, bucket drums, boomwhackers, ukuleles, xylophones and steel pans.
Many of the songs that we learn are seasonal. During the month of January, we celebrate Martin Luther King. 5th graders are writing rap verses about MLK and both grades are learning about how music has been used as a form of peaceful protest. Moving forward into the spring, students will be focusing on xylophones and steel pans. All students in 4th-5th grade will be able to participate in a spring performance called the “Spring Arts Fiesta” on the evening of Thursday,, May 9th.
PE
.Hello,
At this point of the year, we are rocking and rolling! Procedures and routines are solidified and we are building on skills introduced during the first trimester of school. Typically, after winter break endurance and strength takes a slight dip. So currently our focus is working towards getting back into form
Soon we will transition into our jump rope unit and along with it, our Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This is where we partner up with the American Heart Association to raise money for children who have heart complications and need medical assistance. It’s a unique time of year because the students get an opportunity to feel empowered by helping other children through the American Heart Association. It’s also unique because multiple classes get to team up during P.E. The kindergarten , 1st and 2nd grade students get to pair up with their older Book Buddies classes during their P.E. time. This takes place the week of Valentines Day. During this week, 3rd-5th graders work in small groups taking turns jumping and turning the ropes for their peers. Their goal is to accumulate as many jumps as they can. The older students also get invited to visit their younger book buddy’s P.E. classes. They assist them in calculating jumps, turning ropes and modeling positive ways to have goal focused fun!
To put it simply, we are having good times here at Hatch Elementary
~Mr. Cruz ~ Hatch P.E.~
..
SPANISH
4th and 5th grade students come to Spanish class 2 times a week for 30 minutes.
4th grade Spanish students continue to develop Spanish literacy skills through writing activities that we start class with each day. We are currently reading a novella called La familia de Federico Rico. We will be acting it out, studying story vocabulary, and answering questions with various activities to demonstrate comprehension. Hispanic cultural topics are interwoven in lessons and classroom texts, some of which include Día de Muertos, the game Lotería, cultural aspects of the country of Spain, Hispanic countries and capitals, and introduction of various popular latin music. 4th and 5th graders also have Sr. Wooly accounts that they can use outside of class!
Class comunity connections
Student written class norms
Tiger-opoly
Art - Mrs. Ruff - mruff@op97.org
Enrichment - Mrs. Nikolakakis - cnikolakakis@op97.org
Library - Mrs. Stringham - nstringham@op97.org
Music - Mr. Jacobson - ejacobson@op97.org
PE - Mr. Cruz - mcruz@op97.org
Spanish - Señora Bruno - mbruno@op97.org