The Paw Print
September 2019
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.
Here is what is ahead of us during September:
Fifth graders will start the year with Space science! Our students are part of a NASA research project and will participate in several NASA science lessons. Fourth grade classes will be learning about the structure and function of vertebrates and invertebrates. Third graders will study the structure, function, habitat and information processing of honeybees. Second grade students will learn about different properties of matter. First grade classes will be learning how scientists do science and what tools they use. Kindergarten will focus on how our five senses help us to be scientists.
School-wide Science Event
Our first school-wide science event is “Super Slingers!” on Friday, September 20. Each student gets to make a slingshot from household materials and bring it to use during this event. Information will be sent home next week and will also be available on the McLean website. We are looking forward to this Super Slinging fun event!
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.
MacTV
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 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. 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
Art Studio News
Welcome Back! It is going to be an exciting year in art! We are starting the school year learning Art room rules and expectations. This will help us to have a successful year in the Art Studio. We have six studios. 1. Drawing Studio. 2. Collage Studio. 3. Painting Studio. 4. Engineering Studio. 5.Clay Studio. 6. Technology Studio. Students in 2nd through 5th grade will learn how to use various tools and materials from each of these art studios to create their own art. I will begin each class giving a lesson on a technique, an artist and vocabulary. We will start with the Drawing studio the month of September. During this month they will learn how to Discover and Explore the tools and techniques taught to them. next they will learn how to Make a Plan and choose what supplies are needed to create their project and last they will use their plan to make a W.O.W, project.(Wonderful Original Works of Art) that will be graded and displayed in the hallways. We will use the same method for each studio. I will guide and assess their progress as they learn to develop their artistic skills and behaviors. I will use a more guided teaching method with Kindergarten and 1st graders. I feel it is important at this age to teach and introduce the basic use of tools and vocabulary. I am looking forward to seeing all students grow in their creative process.
Contact Info: jadams1@usd259.net
Check it Out at the Library
Hello, I am Mrs. Daniels and I am so excited to be the librarian at McLean this year. I have enjoyed getting to know the students and checking books out to them. So far, we have discussed library book care, rules and procedures, some authors that the students might enjoy reading, and story elements such as main characters and story setting. 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be given the option to participate in Battle of the Books. A permission slip will be going home soon for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders that are wanting to participate in this fun program. I am looking forward to a great year filled with books! Please feel free to email me at mdaniels@usd259.net if you have any questions.
Music Notes
Greetings to everyone! I’m happy to be back at McLean for my third year! It’s been great to see both new and familiar faces in each class. We are starting the new school year reviewing our music rules and, more importantly, practicing using them.
They are:
Make Good Choices
Use Kind Words
Show Respect
Involve Yourself
Care for our Room and Instruments
FYI: Everyone, please mark the evening of October 10th on your calendar, as we present the “Harvest Hoedown”. One of our favorite activities is presenting dances we’ve learned in Music and P.E. to our families in the great outdoors. It’s a joyful and fun evening!
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 5th of September, so please check those folders carefully. I’m happy to say that enough sponsors were found that the YPC was able to keep the cost the same as last year.
Payment of $13 to attend two concerts and ride the busses is due by September 27th, 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, “Oceans of Fun” to prepare for a December 10th performance. Our school wide habitat is Oceans, so this is a perfect fit for our young singing scientists. Please save the evening of Dec. 10th on your family calendar now. We will start at 6:30 PM at Pleasant Valley Middle School!
Grades K-3 are learning new songs, procedures, instrument use and movement activities. I’m enjoying watching the students learning new skills and reviewing old ones. If you get a chance, ask them to show you “The Funky Cowboy” dance we’ve all learned! It’s going to be another great year at McLean.
Have a musical month,
Mrs. Johnson