The Paw Print
April 2019
Science News
This month we are exploring Earth & Space science in the lab. Fifth grade is learning more about the hydrosphere and next will focus on the atmosphere and beyond! Fourth grade will study weathering and erosion and devise ways to prevent these problems. Third grade is finishing a unit on matter and will soon study weather. Second grade is learning about Earth’s atmosphere and weather, including some fun experiments with air pressure. First grade will be studying rocks and pebbles as we learn about the geosphere. Kindergarten is continuing with their weather unit.
School-Wide Science Event
Our final school-wide science event for the year is the Wind Racer Rally on Friday, May 3rd. Students will design and build a wind-powered, land racing vehicle. Vehicles should be constructed from common household items or recycled materials. Completed projects will be brought to school Friday, May 3. This is a school wide event for kindergarten through fifth grade. Watch for details to come home next week!
Art Studio News
Kindergarten thru Third Grade made artwork about the Circus. Kindergarteners used stripes and polka dots to decorate their circus tent and then then added some circus pictures. First grade also used stripes and polka dot patterns to make a clown’s face out of a paper plate and construction paper. Second grade used their class picture and turned it into a clown’s face using oil pastels and Third Graders listened to the story, If I ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss. and drew something they would want to have in their circus tent. Fourth and Fifth Grade made ceramic bowls. They used a variety of tools to add texture and design inside their bowl, next they will apply glaze.
Congratulations to the following students: Spencer, Presley and Landon’s artwork was chosen for the cover of this year’s yearbook and MacKenzie, Isabel and Riley’s artwork will represent our school at this year’s Student Art Exhibit. All are welcome to visit the art show held at Century ll (foyer) through the month of April. Nice Work McLean Student’s!
Music Notes
March was a busy month for music students. We presented our annual McLean Talent Show, and the acts did a great job. We were very excited to receive two new classroom instrument sets as well! Our outstanding McLean PTA purchased a set of 24 ukuleles for the music room! We are loving it. Second, Mrs. Graves helped us acquire 12 ‘bucket drum’ heads that turn a standard contractor’s bucket into a nice sized drum. All grades are exploring these instruments in April.
Coming up on April 25th, at 6:30 PM in the auditorium at Pleasant Valley Middle School, the final music program of the year will be presented by the Grades 2 and 3 classes. They are performing “All That I Can Be”, which combines singing and short skits illustrating some of the most important life skills to learn. Parents will be pleased to learn that one of our songs is “Tidy Up Your Room!” Be sure to ask them to sing it for you. I’m very pleased with their efforts, this is going to be a good show!
By 6:15 PM, our 2nd and 3rd grade students should be in the PVMS Choir Room, directly across from the auditorium doors. They should wear their nice outfits, as we are going to ‘dress up’ a bit for this performance. Please, no heels for the ladies. Safety first on those choral risers! They will be sitting on the floor or risers as well, so please keep that in mind as you choose your student’s concert attire.
At the end of this month, one of the USD 259 piano labs returns to McLean. This year, all students will have their own piano/book/headset to use. I’m looking forward to revisiting this activity. Hope everyone has a great month at McLean!
Cheers,
Mrs. Johnson
P.E. Shorts
This month we will be working on striking skills using tennis racquets and we will finish fitness testing. 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