Dr. Charles R. Drew ES
Second Quarter 2015
Mark Your
Calendar
Nov. 11 & 12
Thurs. & Fri.
Early Release
Day Parent
Conference
Nov. 25 Wed.
Early Release
Nov. 26 & 27
Thurs. & Fri.
No school.
Thanksgiving
Dec. 24 – Jan. 4
No school.
Winter Holiday
Jan.26 Tues.
Music Concert
Adv. Band and
5th Gr. Chorus
Noteworthy Music News
As we march into second quarter our Drew students continue to learn new music skills and
review those already acquired. Pre-K and Kindergarten students experience music through
singing, moving and playing instruments. First and second graders are assessed in two
categories: “Analyzing and Responding to Music” through movement that shows
understanding of music form and “Performing Music” by singing and playing various
rhythmic combinations using whole, half, and quarter notes on instruments. Our second
graders will also have the opportunity to fine-tune their audience behaviors when they
attend The Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, November 20, to hear the National
Philharmonic Orchestra perform. This is a FREE concert provided by MCPS to all second
graders.
Join us for a performance! At the November 17th PTA meeting our third graders will
showcase songs and dances that reflect their music learning from the first marking period
as well as the academic success skill; “Collaboration.”
Fourth grade students are assessed in “Reading and Notating Music,” and “Performing
Music” which includes partner songs and 3-part rounds. Interested 5th graders have been
auditioning for the Southeast Honors Chorus. Previously, there has been a North Honors
Chorus and a South Honors Chorus in Montgomery County. Now, there will be three
MCPS Honors Choruses. The best part of this is now Drew can send SIX instead of
THREE talented students!! Awesome Mrs. Mauck – Music Teacher
Hot off the Printing Press: Art Room News
During Art in Marking Period 2, the Kindergarteners will explore how
artist use lines, shapes, color, texture and form to express their
ideas. Student will use this knowledge when creating their own art
work. First graders will continue their study of how artist’s use
lines, shapes, textures and patterns to express the world around them.
Students will implement these techniques to create their own pieces
using a variety of materials. The second grade students will study how
artist create pieces around a theme. Students will explore the way
artist’s incorporate shapes and balance within their pieces. When
creating their own thematic pieces, students will explore the use of
textures, line and patterns. Third graders will explore the use of
composition when creating artwork. They will learn how various artists
use composition, including balance and emphasis, to create pieces as a
way to express their feelings. Fourth graders will learn how artist
express their personal meaning through point of view and mood within
their work. Students will be creating and evaluating their work as
they strive to achieve specific effects. Lastly, the fifth graders
will learn how artist work with different media, process and techniques
to express thoughts and opinions. They will explore how this has
changed over time. As they create their artwork, they will use some of
the media, process and techniques to express their own thoughts and
opinions about past events.
From the Media Center…
All grades are learning the skills necessary to conduct research.
First grade classes are researching how individuals and groups share and borrow from other
cultures by identifying the commonalities of all people.
In the classroom second grade students are learning about the characteristics of folktales and how
geography and culture play a role in storytelling in all parts of the world. Students will research one of the
biomes of the world (animals, landforms, climate, and plant life) to build background so that they can take a
familiar folktale and rewrite it in a new settling.
Third grade students are looking at the relationships between human wants, needs, and the
development of technologies. They are researching a specific technology, recording facts, and examining
how the technology has improved overtime. Student research is linked to a writing piece in the classroom.
Fourth grade classes will be locating information and ideas for informational and opinion writing
pieces. The informative writing will consist of a community profile and business analysis of various
Maryland communities. The opinion writing will consist of proposing a specialized business to strengthen
the economic develop of their community. Mrs. Leichtling’s and Mrs. Doane’s classes will be conducting
several research projects including environmental science and The Age of Discovery.
Mrs. Schlueter’s and Mrs. Schneider’s classes will research a movement in U.S. history to write an
informative piece about how the conflicts and comprises in the movement caused change in the U.S.
government. They will use their research to write an in-depth informative piece and a shorter opinion piece
to explain the movements and the results of the actions or compromises which occurred as well as
explaining the change in government as a result of the movement. Fifth grade CPHG will be conducting
several research projects on the following topics: 1. Survival, 2. Graphic Novels, and 3. Informational texts.
As you can see all students will be VERY busy researching!
Mrs. Kilcoyne
PHYSICAL EDUCATION HAPPENINGS!!!
Mrs. Boggs
nd
During the 2 Quarter, we will be moving forward with Curriculum 2.0, by integrating physical education
content with the thinking & academic skills across other curricular content areas. This will provide many
opportunities for students to develop movement skills along with academic and higher order thinking skills.
During the second quarter students will be developing their throwing and catching skills. K-2 will know 3
effects of exercise on their bodies. In addition to volleyball skills, grades 3–5 will be able to set goals and
apply them to both PE & classroom academics. As the year progresses we will be continually improving
our personal fitness along with movement skills and concepts.
Don’t forget to be physically active. Go outside for a family walk. Be sure to dress properly when
outdoors!
Instrumental Music-Ms. Krohn
Lessons have finally gotten underway in Instrumental Music. Our beginning students have learned the
first few notes on their respective instruments. Now begins the work for our woodwind and brass
players to continue working on proper hand positions, proper embouchure to produce sound, and
breathe support to play notes longer. The new string students are beginning to put their fingers on the
fingerboard to produce new notes and will soon start learning how to use the bow.
Our advanced woodwind and brass students are focusing on separation of eighth notes and quarter
notes as well as pick-up notes and new meter signatures. The advanced string students have the D
Major scale under their belts and are continuing to perform pieces in that key signature.
All of this is in preparation of our Winter Concert which is set for January 26 at 7p.m. (Snow dateFebruary 3rd) here at Drew in the Multipurpose Room. Keep practicing!