Related Arts Newsletter
February 2015
News from the Nurse
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. The American Dental Association recommends helping your children brush their teeth at least twice daily for 2 minutes at a time and cleaning between your teeth with floss at least once daily. We are fortunate to have an I-Smile™ Coordinator, Kim, who can help with locating local dental professionals or provide financial assistance at 319-415-5908 or khoward@co.black-hawk.ia.us for more information.
News from Physical Education
K - 3rd grade
1. Activities for the Month of March
A. Jump Roping / Tag Games
B. Relay Races
C. Scooters
D. Ball Skills / games
4th Grade – 5th Grade
1. Activities for the Month of March
A. Racquet skills / Pickleball
B. Volleyball
C. Strengthening and Cardio Activities
Great Website for Parents:
Guidance News
This month our 3rd grade students led the Character Counts Assembly. They did a great job of leading the student body in the dances at the beginning of the assembly, announcing the presenters and awards, and leading the character counts dance. It’s amazing how many students we have who are brave enough to speak in front of the entire elementary, especially when they are in younger grades.
Our student ambassadors successfully organized a Wacky Valentines dress up day, and both students and staff looked great in their wacky valentines outfits. The ambassadors are now working on planning a philanthropy event for March. Each of the ambassadors are learning about taking responsibility by choosing a classroom or two and being in charge of organizing all of that classroom’s fundraising materials. We even have a few ambassadors who volunteered to present the information to the school in our next assembly.
Last but not least, our school illustrators showed their talents by creating posters. They helped get the word out for students to wear red on February 6th for heart disease awareness. Everyone has done a great job of using their unique talents and skills to be a leader this year.
News from the Music Room
The Kindergarten classes continue to work with the elements of music. They will soon be finishing their unit on rhythms and comparing rhythms, and will begin units on sound and melodic patterns.
The First grade classes continue with their learning about rhythm and rhythm reading, melody and solfeg, melodic and rhythmic phrases, and instruments. We have learned what line and space notes look like, and how to place those on the staff. We have also learned the location of two of our solfeg pitches (sol and mi) on the staff. We will be doing one of my favorite first grade activities that explores vocal qualities, dramatic play. The students can choose to be one of three characters: a villain, a damsel, or the hero.
The Second grade classes are also engaging in many activities that introduce, reinforce, and assess music concepts and elements such as melody, rhythm, form, instruments, phrases (melodic and rhythmic), and movements.
Grades 3-5 have started their keyboarding unit. Each student gets to sit at their own keyboard during music class to practice. We are fortunate to have enough instruments to be able to do this. This means that there are about 150 students receiving piano instruction. Most of the students do not or have not taken lessons previously. During this unit they learn the following; keyboard set-up, how to find guide notes, finger numbers, note names on staff and keyboard, hand placement, posture, reading music, practice tips, and performance etiquette. We will finish the unit before spring break with a classroom recital.
This year the Spring Concert will feature students in grades 3-5. Please watch for more information…….. : )
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE MUSIC PROGRAMS HERE AT DENVER!
CONCERT DATE REMINDER: Spring Concert – May 5, 2015
Art News
2nd-5th graders have been studying the art and culture of Asia. We have been looking at koi fish from Japan, learned about the terra-cotta army from China and created symmetrical Islamic tiles from India and the Far East. Ask your student about the discovery of the underground terra cotta army! Students have really loved learning about REAL works of art and have been doing an amazing job creating their pieces individually and larger pieces in small groups. Make sure to look at our classroom website to see photos of the process of our creativity. We hope to be painting some beautiful SPRING landscapes and flower soon, if winter ever ends.
Continue to follow us at my classroom website and on Artsonia!
http://abigailfliehler.wix.com/fliehler-classroom
Library News
Our schedule is as follows:
Monday (3/2)-7:55am-7:00pm
Tuesday (3/3)-7:55am-4:00pm
Wednesday (3/4) -7:55am-4:00pm
Thursday (3/5)-8:15am-4:00pm
Friday (3/6)-7:55-4:00pm
Monday (3/9)-7:55am-7:00pm
Tuesday (3/10)-7:55am-10:15am
All students in grades 3-5 will receive a free book (valued at $5 or less) thanks to your generous support of our book fair.