Specials Curriculum Update
September 2016
Art
Students are exploring textiles and the textile arts of the world. We have explored creative stitchery using burlap and have also used felt appliqué combined with embroidery.
The Rustin class looked at fabrics from around the world and then created mini collage quilts using small fabric squares. We are thinking about design, color and shape and we are learning skills such as threading a needle, cutting felt, and embroidery stitching
Library/ITL
What a wonderful start to the year in the UFS Library!
Some reminders:
- Return library books each week so that your child can check out more books.
- Keep UFS library books in a safe place at home so they do not get lost or confused with other books.
See below to find out what your child has done in Library/ITL class this month:
Mott
We’ve read several books including Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. We have also learned and practiced how to check out books in the library.
Hicks
We’ve read several books including Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Buss. We have also learned and practiced how to check out books in the library.
Rustin
We’ve read several books including Wild About Books by Judy Sierra. We learned about some library routines such as book selection, the use and purpose of the book truck, and checking out books.
Penn
We’ve read several books including The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy. Students have reviewed basic Library routines such as using the book truck and checking out books. Most recently, students are learning how to use OPALS, our online library catalog.
Fox
We’ve read several books including The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy. Students have reviewed basic Library routines such as using the book truck and checking out books. Most recently, students are reviewing and practicing how to use OPALS, our online library catalog. Students have also logged into their own learning.com account and started practicing keyboarding skills.
H/O 5/6
In ITL class, students have read and reviewed the Responsible Use Policy. Students have also been selecting books for their R2S2 assignment. The 5/6 class just began working on creating a map of the UFS library. They have sketched the layouts on paper and will be creating their final maps using Google Slides.
H/O 7/8
In ITL class, students have read and reviewed the Responsible Use Policy. Students have also been selecting books for their R2S2 assignment. The 7/8 class has been discussing Technology and Web safety. Students will be creating a website about those topics in the coming weeks.
Music
The music classes are off to an energetic start! The Hicks, Mott, and Rustin students have been learning new songs that use hand motions. The Penn class has been singing and dancing. The Fox class is working on a new song to teach the school, and the middle school has been learning about music genres.
Physical Education
We are off to a fabulous start! I have two hopes and dreams this year... building community and teaching my students to never settle for less than their best. The UFS students have been doing a FABULOUS job working to build our P.E. community and working to do their best.
During the first few weeks of class, we discussed how we can build a positive classroom community. Students worked in groups and came up with ways that we can create a positive classroom community. We then played fun cooperative fitness game where students needed to work with one another to complete relays, obstacle courses, and challenges.
We learned how our pedometers work and discussed how we will be recording our steps each P.E. class. All students in Penn class through HO classes have been very excited about the pedometers. They love counting their steps each day.
Reminder: Your child will have Physical Education every Monday and Thursday. Please remind them to wear sneakers and appropriate physical education clothing. (comfortable clothes that allow your child to move around easily, stretch, and exercise. Dresses and jeans make it difficult to move and stretch easily.)
I am looking forward to a wonderful year this year!!
Spanish
Hola, amigos! The first few weeks in Spanish class have been off to a great start! Our friends in the Hicks and Mott classes are learning through songs that "hola" and "adios" are how we say "hello" and "goodbye." The Rustin and Penn classes have started to learn their colors in Spanish and are learning to identify them in their surroundings and on the clothes they wear. Fox class started off the year learning the parts of the face and body by learning how to sing "head, shoulders, knees and toes" in Spanish. Finally, our middle schoolers began by reviewing where they left off last year before we move on to new material. Nos vemos en octubre!
Learning Support
When teachers at UFS look for additional support for their students to develop skills, they have several options. Children who struggle with a particular curriculum area may be offered individual or small group sessions in our own Learning Support classroom. There, for emerging and developing readers, I offer instruction informed by Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory techniques. At later ages, the focus may be on comprehension techniques, spelling and vocabulary, or developing organization skills and completion of assignments.
I enjoy my time with children who I see individually or in pairs. The most stimulating part of my work is getting to know children closely, gaining insight into their learning and adjusting our work together for their success. Our work together this year is just beginning, but beginning with energy and optimism. There is a lot to learn. When children feel they “cannot do it”, they are reminded to add “yet”.
In addition to UFS Learning Support, there are additional support services for students in elementary and middle school provided through the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, subcontracted to Catapult Learning, that come to our school to meet the needs of students. Services provided by Catapult include:
- Psychologist/Counselor, Barbara Skapura - can observe children, meet with teachers, and provide educational testing when requested by teachers and agreed on by parents. Her work is limited to children in grades 1-8. She is also able to provide counseling to individual students. She comes to UFS for half a day per week.
- Speech Therapist, Shelly Mooney - primarily articulation intervention, but also language development. She also comes to UFS for half a day per week.
- Reading/Math support teacher, Michele McLean - focusing on a guided reading approach, able to work with small groups. Michele provides most of our math support for children struggling with basic concepts or fact knowledge. She comes to UFS two mornings per week.
Extra support is available to families of preschool children, free, from the Preschool Intervention services of the Intermediate Unit. Concerns regarding speech or language development or physical coordination are common types of issues that can be addressed through Preschool Intervention. The first step is always an assessment to determine if the behaviors that are puzzling are within normal development or require therapeutic intervention to help the child. Parents or caretakers initiate these assessments, either from their own concerns or at the suggestion of teachers. This is a wonderful, and temporary, opportunity as it is limited to particular ages. Early intervention can resolve issues and launch children into their elementary school years ready for success.
About UFS
Email: frontoffice@unitedfriendsschool.org
Website: unitedfriendsschool.org
Location: 1018 West Broad St Quakertown PA 18951
Phone: 215-538-1733
Facebook: facebook.com/unitedfriendsschool
Twitter: @quakerschool