Specials Update
Kindergarten, First & Second Grade Fall 2019
First Grade worked on listening, focusing attention, and using self-talk to remember things at the start of the year. They are currently working on identifying their and others' emotions and some easy strategies for regaining control when they are upset. They will bring home a small coloring book about their feelings before Winter Break.
Second Graders practiced listening skills and focusing attention at the beginning of the year. We also discussed respectful behavior in class and how it helps us and our classmates learn. We are beginning our work on the "Zones", ways to talk about our feelings, and strategies for handling our strong emotions.
First Grade: We have been singing several two pitched songs. We began by calling them high and low, then we learned their music names of so and mi. We also added the pith la and we practiced writing music notes on a 3 line staff. We move and play instruments often! One of our favorite recent songs to sing was "Autumn Leaves are Falling". Recently, we have started to learn about quarter note and quarter rest. Please join us on Friday, February at 8:15 a.m. for the First Grade Music Sharing in the school gym.
Second Grade: We began the year singing and moving! We reviewed 2 pitched songs using so and mi and 3 pitched songs using so, la and mi. We have also been reviewing the rhythms of ta (quarter note), ti-ti (2 eighth notes) and ta rest (quarter rest). We are now preparing to introduce the half note. We recently sang the song "Bats". We blew up balloons and let each student take a turn to slowly squeeze air out of the balloon to make squeaky bat sounds. At the end of the song, we let the balloon lose and watched it fly (like a bat) around the music room. We hope you can join us for the Second Grade Music Sharing on Friday, March 13 at 2:00 p.m.
First Grade students demonstrate great enthusiasm and readiness to participate in P.E. class. They put forth a good effort and work hard to stay active. The activities that each class focuses on are fun for students and are developed to improve each student’s individual skills, as well as improve their fitness levels. Recent units have included body management and space awareness, fundamental movement skills, manipulatives (like tossing and catching), as well as football and volleyball. Students also reviewed fire safety by participating in fun station activities. Mr. Hines was their student teacher for many of these activities. As the weather changes please remind your child to always bring his/her P.E. shoes (tennis shoes)
2nd Grade students demonstrate great enthusiasm and readiness to participate in P.E. class. They put forth a good effort and work hard to stay active. The activities that each class focuses on are fun for students and are developed to improve each student’s individual skills, as well as improve their fitness levels. Recent units have included body management and space awareness, fundamental movement skills, manipulatives (like tossing and catching), as well as football and volleyball. Students also reviewed fire safety by participating in fun station activities. Mr. Hines was their student teacher for many of these activities. As the weather changes please remind your child to always bring his/her P.E. shoes (tennis shoes)
First grade started the year learning about the infamous Patience and Fortitude, the lion statues that sit outside the New York City Public Library. We took a virtual tour of the library as well. We did a short author study on Jon Klassen reading all of of his "hat" books and also read Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. We did two activities using chromebooks and google apps to compliment these stories. Students were able to create their own digital hat using Google slides and also bury some "treasure" using shapes in Google Slides as well. All students also had the opportunity to participate in virtual reality using Google Expeditions and VR headsets.We have also had a makerspace day and will be focusing on computer science and coding to round out 2019!
Second grade started the year learning about The Biblioburro and how different libraries can look around the world. We also also read a new book titles If I Built a School and students worked in groups to design their own schools. They then had a chance to talk about their imaginary schools using Flipgrid. We followed up this activity by reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School which the students love! All students also had the opportunity to participate in virtual reality using Google Expeditions and VR headsets.We have also had a makerspace day and will be focusing on computer science and coding to round out 2019!