Time for the December Newsletter!
Your CCES Special Area Teachers Have News for YOU
Art at CCES
Our Evening of the Arts was a big success! Our artists and families enjoyed seeing their framed artworks and framed writing. Thank you to all of our families who attended the show. If you did not get a chance to attend the show your child's artwork will be coming home on Friday, December 18th.
For those of you having a "staycation" this winter, the special area teams wanted to give you some fun activities for your time at home. There are tons of fun art apps and websites to keep you entertained, and maybe even teach you a few things. Here are some of our favorites for visual art:
Apps:
Moma Art Lab
Amaziograph
Color Puzzle
Mix & Color
Tres
Paint Replay
Websites:
1. MOMA – Destination Modern Art: This website allows elementary students to tour the Museum of Modern Art in a fun, interactive way! Games, animation, and sounds enhance this museum tour.
http://www.moma.org/destination/
2. Mr. Picassohead: Students can assemble, color, and manipulate a Picasso inspired face they create on this site. Once finished, students can post their creation in the online gallery.
http://www.mrpicassohead.com/create.html
3. The Official Eric Carle Website: Eric Carle is one of the most famous and appreciated children’s book authors of our time. His biography, his books, and videos of his methods of creation are featured on this website.
http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html
4. Albright Knox Art Games: This museum website offers art games for children. Students can explore artworks, create artworks and learn about art through engaging, interactive games.
http://www.albrightknox.org/artgames/index_launched.html
5. Build Your Wild Self!: This site allows you to create a self-portrait that is a bit on the wild side! You can add tiger stripes, butterfly wings, lizard tail, and much more. Then you can title your work and print it for yourself.
www.buildyourwildself.com
6. Google Art Project: Tour museums throughout the world. Zoom in so close on your favorite works of art that you can see artist’s brushstrokes.
www.googleartproject.com
7. Tagxedo: turn words -- famous speeches, news articles, slogans and themes, even your love letters -- into a visually stunning word cloud, words individually sized appropriately to highlight the frequencies of occurrence within the body of text.
www.tagxedo.com
8. Build a Mummy!: Ever wonder what steps were taken when the Ancient Egyptians built a mummy?
http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/online/midnight/default_flash.html
ENJOY YOUR BREAK!!!!
Technology at CCES
In Technology Lab this month students have had a blast learning to CODE!
Continue the fun at home with these coding websites and apps:
Websites:
Apps:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/coding-apps-and-websites
Music at CCES
As you head off for vacation, don’t forget to bring your music! And, aside from what’s already in your mp3 player, consider trying one of these music apps that will sharpen your skills and encourage your creativity:
Staff Wars ($0.99) is a fun game that helps you learn the names of music notes on the treble and bass clef staves. This would be great for 3rd and 4th graders learning to play recorder.
Audio Ninja ($0.99) is a fun game that helps to improve your rhythm skills. This would be a great app for all ages.
Nutcracker Musical Storybook ($2.99) is an interactive version of the popular children’s story. Younger students will enjoy exploring the different details including music and animals that make sounds!
Singing Fingers ($0.99) is a fun app that combines sound and drawing into a unique creative experience. This would be a great app for all ages.
Arpie (FREE) is a fun spin on the old “follow the bouncing ball” idea. Colorful balls bounce around and make sounds. Select as many as you like to create a unique musical pattern!
Rhythm Cat (FREE) is another great way for younger students to learn and practice their rhythm skills. Play along with the music!
Clapping Music (FREE) is based on the piece written by composer Stephen Reich. Try to tap in time with the beats and get the high score. Even the most advanced musician will find it challenging!
If you’d prefer something web-based, check out the links on Mr. DeStefano’s webpage: www.crabapplecrossingmusic.weebly.com. Here you can find music websites for all students and interests. Learn about the orchestra, compose music, listen to songs and sing along! We hope you have a wonderful winter break and take some time to make music while you’re at it.
P.E. at CCES
HOLIDAY WELLNESS TIPS
1. WALK THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE KNOWN TO HAVE GREAT DECORATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
2. PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THE HOLIDAY “FUN RUNS” (JINGLE JOG)
3. HELP OUT AROUND THE HOUSE WITH SOME EXTRA CHORES.
4. DO PUSH-UPS AND CURL-UPS DURING COMMERCIALS WHEN YOU ARE WATCHING TV.
5. PUT AN ACTIVITY TRACKER ON YOUR WISH LIST.
6. DOWNLOAD PEDOMETER APPS ON YOUR DEVICE LIKE “RUNTASTIC OR MAP MY WALK”.
7. ALWAYS DRINK PLENTY OF WATER BEFORE YOU HIT THE HOLIDAY PARTIES.