Norterra Canyon News
December, 2017
Learning to count coins with Mrs. Cole
Making winter art
Kindergarten goes to Polar Express
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Kinder through fifth grade teachers chose an activity and did it in class with their students.
- Kindergarten experienced coding with the Kodable program.
- First graders used Kodable with help from 5th and 7th grade students and did an unplugged Gingerbread Coding activity.
- Second graders did Star Wars, then an activity of their choice.
- Third graders created a Google logo.
- Fourth graders did Star Wars.
- Fifth grade classes redesigned the Google logo.
Middle school students did Hour of Code activities in Technology/Design class with Mr. Agrawal for several class periods, including the following activities:
- Sixth grade
2. Birthday card: Made an animated birthday card with embedded music and movement
3. Google Logo: Made their own animated Google logo
Seventh and Eighth grade started on JavaScript on Khan Academy. They learned to draw and sketch using JavaScript and did many activities. It also blends into their code.org future learning. These are the specific activities they did:
2. Make a Wild Animal Sketch: Expansion of learning from Super Snowman using JavaScript and the coordinate system to internalize learning.
3. Make a self portrait: Expansion of learning (and repeat practice) from Super Snowman using JavaScript and the coordinate system to internalize learning.
Check out our photos from the Hour of Code experiences below!
Studies cited in the Washington Post concluded that volunteers are instrumental in assisting elementary students increase their literacy skills by an additional two months.The effect is not limited to literacy as similar results can be found in the growth of math skills. Volunteer today and grow our pirates' skills. Contact volunteer@ncptsa.org for a list of opportunities.
Kindergarten Pirates Made Bread Just Like the Little Red Hen!
In our kinder classrooms, students connected English Language arts, science, and math through an exciting bread making activity. They read several versions of The Little Red Hen and learned about friendship and cooperation. The story aligned perfectly with their science unit on farms and plant life cycles. In The Little Red Hen, students followed the steps the hen took to grow her wheat and then how the miller turns the wheat into flour. In math they have been learning about capacity and measurement, so students were really able to see and apply these skills while using different measuring tools for liquid and solid ingredients. Super fun and yummy!
From Our Mask Coordinator: Self Esteem
Self esteem affects everything we do as humans. A great deal of academic research has concluded that there is a link between self esteem and academic achievement. In elementary age children, self esteem is discovered through navigating to find themselves. Once they reach middle school, students focus on fitting in socially. In both age groups, fostering interests and skill development are key to promoting self esteem. MASK Parent University assists parents in starting conversations with students that enable families to help bolster self esteem.
Register for the next MASK Parent University http://signup.com/go/UJeTLLY or email volunteer@ncptsa.org
Library News
In kindergarten through third grade, we have just finished reading all ten of the picture storybooks for the Grand Canyon Reader Award program. Each student was able to vote for their favorite book. Ask your child what their favorite book was, and why. We will tally and email our votes to the Arizona State Library Association. After the April 1st deadline, they will let us know what Arizona's favorite book was.
If you want more information about this fun reading program, check out their website http://www.grandcanyonreaderaward.org/
Mr. and Mrs. Claus Visit Norterra Canyon!
We are especially grateful to our cheer team for setting up and running the event, the staff members who decorated and collected donations, and to Mrs. Gaydos, who has a personal connection to the Clauses and was able to introduce us. Enjoy the photos below!
Mrs. Wild's Bright Child Kindergarten Class poses with Santa's Elf, Ms. Michelle, after Muffins with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Pirate PRIDE
If you don't already join us, please come! We have a lot of fun together.
Catapulting to Success
Third Graders Show off Their Landform Projects
Mrs. Sears's ELA Class Acts out Vocabulary Words
Little Pig, Little Pig, Let Me Come In!
Norterra Canyon Spelling Bee
4th-6th Grades
Alyssa- winner
Cade- alternate
7th-8th Grades
Sean- winner
Carly- alternate
The winners will represent Norterra Canyon at the Deer Valley District bee on January 29, 2018.
Middle School Winter Dance
Winter Band Concert
Winter Chorus Concerts
Pirates are the DVUSD/CCUSD Division II Champions!
Upcoming Events
- December 22- EARLY RELEASE: School dismisses at 11:35
- December 25-January 5 WINTER BREAK: No School
- January 11- STAR PARTY: See flier above for details
- January 11- PTSA MEETING: 7:00 PM in the NC Media Center
- January 15- NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Day
- January 26- EARLY RELEASE: School dismisses at 11:35
Morning Recess
Starting in January, we will be bringing back an old tradition here at Norterra Canyon. When we return from break we will allow students 1st to 5th grade on the playground in the morning. All we ask is that at the 8:00 bell the students come in and place their backpacks at their line, then if they choose, to head to the playground. At the 8:10 bell, they are to walk quickly back to their line to meet their teacher. As a parent, we ask that you stay at the circle and do not go to the playground for the safety of all involved. We are truly excited to have the kids use this space and get involved in the brand new activities that our Pirate staff painted at the playground over the Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your continued support.
Lunch Accounts
A BIG "Thank You" to the Families who Gave to our Staff!
We appreciate our families more than we can say, and we wish you a safe, happy, restful holiday break!
Norterra Canyon- Home of the Pirates
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/Domain/119
Phone: (623) 445-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptainGraybeard/
Twitter: @NorterraCanyon