Spotlight on Specials
Second Grade- 4th Quarter 2015-2016
Exploratory Team
Art
During the fourth quarter, second graders completed three projects. Students began the quarter by learning about Louise Bourgeois, a French artist known for making giant spider sculptures. After studying this artist's work, students created a bug sculpture out of paper mache. Next, students learned about two artists Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. This project was inspired not only by the artist's work, but also by the book When Pigasso Met Mootise. Student's selected either Picasso or Matisse to study. They created a pig (Picasso) or a cow (Mootise) out of a recycled pop can and then emulated the artist's style (cubist painting or collage) in the background of their paper. During the final project of the semester, students learned about Gustav Klimt. Klimt was know for creating sleepy portraits of people in patterned blankets. After analyzing his work, student's created their own sleepy self-portraits. To learn more about what your child learned in art this semester, please read the note that accompanies your child's art portfolio! To receive updates about the art room follow me on twitter @RiverviewArt.
Library
In our library classes this quarter we continued learning about the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Students worked in small groups and matched titles of books to the Dewey category in which they would be found. We explored encyclopedias and shared interesting information we found with others. We also took a look at some online encyclopedias. We discussed the purpose of a dictionary and practiced looking up words and their definitions. We enjoyed stories read by members of the Screen Actors Guild online. We also enjoyed hearing some of the new books that have been added to the Riverview collection. Second graders can begin reading the William Allen White nominees for 2016-2017 this summer! Information about the program and a Reading Log to track your child’s reading will be posted to my website by June 1st. You can visit my website at: http://riverviewlibrary.weebly.com/ Please keep reading and enjoying books from the public library over the summer!
Music
2nd graders had lots of fun in Music this last quarter! We watched the musical, "The Wizard of Oz", and learned about the behind-the-scenes excitement in creating a musical performance. Movement is a huge part of music class. This year, students experimented with movement behind the shadow screen while listening to music that represented different animals, specifically sea creatures. Ms. Sahadeo’s class even had the opportunity to share their shadow movements and some poetry/music connections with the Kansas Teacher of the Year Team when they visited our school! After learning about the various instruments in an orchestra and the families they are organized into, students were treated with a visit from the Kansas City Symphony. The education representative from the symphony brought many of the instruments with her so our students could see, hear, and even play them!!
What a fabulous experience! I hope you have a wonderful summer and take some time to sing and dance along the way!
P.E.
This year has certainly flown by! I had such an awesome year being able to teach the students and I sincerely look forward to the years to come. Fourth quarter was a very busy, but very fun quarter! We got reacquainted with the parachute (a fan favorite), and were able to play some awesome games. The students learned and remembered the safety rules when using the parachute, and did a great job demonstrating their knowledge. It is really a great arm workout! We were able to do activities such as making jello, popcorn, circus tents, and some games such as sharks and lifeguards and the color run. A big chunk of the quarter was focused on striking (hitting an object to move from one place to another). The students learned how to strike a balloon using different body parts, striking off tees, and using their skills during different striking related games. I’m always amazed at how quick of learners the students are and how hard they try in everything they do! Towards the end of the quarter, the students learned about volleyball. We talked about what volleyball is and the goal of the game. The students learned the main skills needed in volleyball and got to play some games that put those skills to use. The last couple weeks of school were focused on Field Day. The students were reminded about Field Day and what goes on that day. I put a lot of focus on sportsmanship, and the students showed great examples of what a good sport looks and acts like! The words they learned during this quarter were fitness, kinesthetic, agility, athlete, volley, and champion. Thanks for a great year!
Technology
Counselor
In guidance the last nine weeks have been busy ones. We continued to work in our Too Good for Drugs curriculum learning about good decision making, consequences, peer pressure, peer pressure strategies and ending with the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol on the body. We also had lessons on Careers, Trustworthiness, and Citizenship. Have a wonderful summer and I can’t wait to see you back in August.