GRAND AVENUE SPECIALS
November 2017
SPECIALS DEPARTMENTS
Music-Katie Lavigne and Glenn Schuster
Physical Education-Jacob Breunig and Eric Scheunemann
Email: contact@saukprairieschools.org
Website: www.saukprairieschools.org
Grand Avenue Art
Wish for Wisconsin is coming to Grand Ave Elementary!
Wish for Wisconsin is an exciting art experience created by Love Wisconsin, a statewide online storytelling project. Through this art program, children are invited to reflect on their lives and experiences, and develop a wish for the future. Children then illustrate a scene related to their wish in watercolor.
Grand Avenue Elementary, in collaboration with River Arts Inc. and Love Wisconsin, will be bringing a FREE art workshop, Wish for Wisconsin, to Grand Avenue on November 13 from 3:45-5:15pm. Students will meet in Mrs. Geier’s room after school and walk to River Arts on Water Studio. If the weather is bad we will hold the workshop in the art room at Grand Avenue.
If your student is interested in participating in the Wish for Wisconsin workshop, please sign and return the permission slip to Mrs. Geier no later than Thursday, November 9. Permission slips are available in the Grand Avenue office.
Please contact Mrs. Geier with questions. krista.geier@saukprairieschools.org
WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON:
Fifth Grade: During the month of October artists learned about the Ho-Chunk tribe and their traditional art of basket making. Fifth grade artists then learned how to weave their own baskets out of reed.
Fifth grade artists are transitioning from baskets into a clay project called Bits-n-Pieces. Artists will be using skills that they learned in previous clay projects to design and build clay vessels. These decorative containers will be glazed bright colors before going home.
Currently Mrs. Trachsler and Mrs. Cichanowicz classes are working on loom weaving. All third graders will have the opportunity, we rotate the looms. The children have warped their looms and have begun the basic weaving known as tabby and some have tried raya knots. This is a longer unit; however, the children really enjoy having the opportunity to create their own weaving. Several different weaving techniques are demonstrated and the children are asked to include at least three different styles in their weaving. They are given the opportunity to choose their own colors as long as they use at least two, but no more than five. This allows them to create patterns with color that show unity, or look like they belong together.
Grand Avenue Music
Music is a natural form of expression in the development of children. The elementary music program has aesthetic, creative, cultural and academic values, which enables all students to understand, experience, and enjoy music. Each student has an opportunity to develop sensitivity to music, ability for self-expression, basic musicianship skills, an understanding and appreciation of cultural heritages in music. The music program informs, challenges, directs, enhances, and provides meaningful and aesthetic musical
experiences; yet encourages socialization, positive attitudes, a feeling of well-being and
fulfillment of life. Because music influences the development of higher cognitive processes, the study of music is a contributing factor in becoming a well-educated person.
We would like to take this opportunity to share our criteria.
Achievement
Demonstrate the mastery of musical skills/concepts
The ability to sing in tune
Understanding of rhythm and theory
Effort
Level of participation
Level of cooperation
Behavior and the ability to follow rules
Assessment Scale Details
3 - Proficient; Evidence shows consistent achievement and understanding at grade level expectations.
2 – Basic: Evidence shows achievement is below level expectations with some gaps and flaw in understanding.
1 – Minimal: Evidence shows achievement is below grade level expectations with significant gaps in understand, knowledge and skills.
Also, this past month we have spent time learning several patriotic songs in all of our music classes. Then we moved on to doing several Halloween songs, playing instruments to accompany them as well as doing movement after we learned the music. We have studied music of Camille Saint-Sean, specifically Dance Macabre. The fifth grade chorus has performed for the Prediction Award Assembly singing, Strong and Better When I'm Dancing.
5th Grade Chorus Performs at Prediction Run Assembly
GRAND AVENUE PHYSICAL EDUCATION
First of all, we are very proud of the work the students did during the month of October to train for the the Prediction Run. Thank you for you support in this activity and the important message it sends to students regarding the importance of living a healthy life.
Sauk Prairie Physical Education Assessment
We consider it a privilege to assist your child in developing the skills necessary to become a skillful mover and a productive citizen. As we have worked with your child we have established an environment where your child can feel safe and experience success.
Movement Skills and Patterns - How your child moves around, which includes locomotor (skills while moving - i.e: skipping, hopping, jumping, etc) and non-locomotor skills (stationary skills - i.e: bending, twisting, balance)
Understanding Movement Concepts - How your child is able to adjust their skills to use in live situations. ( adjusting amount of force, speed, height, pathways)
Health Enhancing Levels of Fitness - How actively engaged your child is in their learning about their fitness levels - both physically (actively involved in class), and conceptually (understands age appropriate fitness principles)
Responsible Personal and Social Behavior - How your child behaves individually and with others (demonstrating positive sportsmanship and teamwork, following directions, staying on task)
Recognizes Benefits of Physical Activity - How your child challenges himself/herself during class (continues to try difficult skills, attempts to make skills more challenging)
Assessment Scale Details
When working with your child we assess them in a number of ways. In Physical Education you will see a number grade for your child’s achievement. This is a brief description of what these numbers represent to us as we are evaluating your child’s progress.
3 = Student consistently demonstrates standards
2 = Student inconsistently demonstrates standards
1 = An area of concern
Skills Covered by Standard So Far This Year in Physical Education Class:
Movement Skills and Patterns: Chasing, Dodging, Throwing, Catching, Striking,
Understanding of Movement Concepts: Chasing/Dodging Safely, Space/Body Awareness, Climbing Wall Challenges
Health Enhancing Level of Fitness: Active Class Participation Using Heart Rate Monitors
Responsible Personal and Social Behavior: Safety, Classroom Expectations and Procedures, and Self-Assessment
Recognizes Benefits of Physical Activity: Warm-up Card Leader and Follower
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!