CCES Special Areas Newsletter
January Art, Music and PE Updates
PE with Mr. Abel and Mr. Sylvester
Happy New Year from your CCES Phys Ed team. As we reflect on 2016 and look forward to 2017 we talked to the students about New Year’s Resolutions. We heard everything from “That’s when they shoot fireworks” to “Setting goals to something you want to accomplish." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some great ideas for kids of all ages.
For all kids:
- Talk to a parent or trusted adult when you need help or are scared.
- Never give private information or send pictures over the internet.
Preschoolers:
- Wash hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
- Pick up toys after playtime.
- Brush teeth twice a day.
- Only drink soda and sugary drinks at special times.
- Drink reduced fat milk and water every day.
- Wear sunscreen when you are outside.
- Be nice to other kids especially those who are new to your school.
Kids 13 and older:
- Take care of yourself through physical activity and proper nutrition.
- Resist peer pressure to try tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
- Volunteer to help in the community.
- Don’t use a cellphone or text while driving.
All kids: Be active at least 60 minutes a day!
Art with Mrs. Nail and Mrs. Steffensen
The World of Art
CCES artists have been creating three dimensional art. Using their previous knowledge plus some new skills and ideas, students in Kindergarten, First and Second Grades are using clay to create things like medallions, owls, pinched pots and skulls. Third Grade artists are using the Japanese art of paper folding, origami, to create a bookmark. We are also taking on some more difficult origami instructions, with mixed results, but such impressive determination! Fourth Grade artists are using a new medium-foil-to create sculptures of the human form in an action pose. It is always rewarding to observe students taking on a new challenge like this and seeing their vision come to life.
Fifth Grade artists will soon use this concept, but with wire instead. Inspired by the Mexican celebration Day of the Dead, we have been using a multiple step printmaking process to create artwork like these:
As always, it is a true pleasure to spend our days with such creative student artists!
- Mrs. Nail and Mrs. Steffensen
Music with Mr. DeStefano
Kindergarten: we have started our Bremen Town Musicians unit. The story is developed through singing, movement and rhythmic literacy games, with each animal having its own special day. We will also be using this story as the theme for our concert in May.
First Grade: we will be learning some singing games to develop music reading skills and start learning some simple dances.
Second Grade: we have started preparing for the Second Grade Concert that will take place on Tuesday, March 21st. The theme of the concert is "Going On A Picnic" and will feature singing, instruments and movement.
Third Grade: we will be learning some line and circle dances before we start playing recorder later in the spring.
Fourth Grade: we have been learning staff notation in order to start independent recorder practice. We will also be learning group and partner dances.
Orff Ensemble: the Orff Ensemble is off to a great start of the new year! We are incorporating recorders and other instruments this time around and will be using music to help dramatize a story at our spring concert.
Chorus: we are excited to welcome new students to the chorus when we begin working on new music on February 2nd. The theme of our spring concert season will be "This Land Is Your Land."