October 2015 “Specials” Newsletter
Art
It is our goal as the art teachers to expose all of our students from pre K – 5th grade, to a wide variety
of tools, materials, and media. Additionally, there are different concepts and topics that we will focus
on throughout the year. We have listed below the concepts/topics that each grade will be studying in
the month of October.
Kindergarten - Elements of art in the environment, representation of an object from the environment
1st - Form (3–D, geometric, organic) Reasons for creating art, illustrators and communicating ideas
(theme and content), creation and response to artwork using art vocabulary
2nd - Communication of ideas and feelings. Space (overlapping, background, foreground, horizon line),
evaluation of art
3rd - Theme & content of artwork. Use of art elements & design principles to achieve a desired result
(sources for ideas & design steps)
4th - Art elements & design principles in the creation of unified works of art, criteria for judging art.
Theme, content, form, style: point of view & mood
5th - Artists’ style: expression & human experience. Evaluation of artwork. Students are provided the
opportunity to apply observed techniques to their own work
Mr. Varno ([email protected]) Ms. Arias ([email protected])
Media
We are off to a great start in the Media Center! Book checkout is in full effect for all students in grades
kindergarten through fifth. Students are truly enjoying all of the new books that were ordered over the
summer.
All students have been introduced (or reintroduced) to the Montgomery County Public Schools’ and
Burnt Mills’ online resources. These include databases such as PebbleGo, CultureGrams, and Britannica,
which can be used for research as well as BookFlix, TumbleBooks, and Capstone E-books that allow
students to read and listen to books online. All of these online resources can be accessed at school
and at home from the Media Center link on the Burnt Mills homepage
(http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/burntmillses/). A list of passwords to access these
resources from home will be sent home soon.
Students in grades second through fifth have also been taught (or retaught) how to access and use
Destiny, our online library catalog. The students can use Destiny to see not only if we have a certain
book in the library but also if it is available.
With the younger students, in grades Kindergarten through Second Grade, we have been learning how
to properly take care of their library books. Reviewing these rules and procedures over and over again
help stress its importance.
Chromebooks use has grown tremendously at Burnt Mills. Every student in Kindergarten through Fifth
Grades have been shown to use and care for the chromebooks. Every grade has at least one cart that
can be used for testing, centers, and full-class learning.
We’re still looking for parent volunteers so if you’d like to help out in the Media Center please call the
front office or email Mrs. Savoy.
Mrs. Savoy ([email protected])
Music
Pre-K has gotten off to a great start. They will sing and move to music. The emphasis
in the coming weeks will be on singing games and following musical cues to develop
listening skills.
During October, Kindergarten students will be responding to fast and slow musical tempi through
movement. They will perform these tempi on instruments along with seasonal singing games. They will
be assessed on distinguishing 4 different uses of the voice. Ask your child what they are!
Recently 1st grade had great fun in an introductory lesson to classroom instruments. The guiro and the
castanets (fondly called clappers) were big hits. They will continue with seasonal songs and rhythm
patterns using fall colors to discover note values the equal one beat and those that represent a divided
beat.
2nd grade has laid the foundation for strong vocal development with a very active ‘play party’ game
designed to increase breath flow. Additionally, they were introduced to basic pitch pattern. Each of
these activities and skills will be expanded into extending their vocal range and music reading skills in
the coming weeks.
3rd grade is coming to understand basic folksong forms-verse/refrain and cumulative. Learning to sing
a round is next along with playing accompanying instruments. Please be on the lookout for a letter
regarding ordering recorders.
4th grade will continue to examine the wide variety of music that is American. They will also sing more
complicated rounds as well as discover subdivided and syncopated river.
5th grade will begin preparing to attend the annual concert at the Music Center at Strathmore. For the
second year, the concert will feature a Jazz band expanding our students’ education in understanding
musical form, developing music skills as well as connecting to culture and history.
Dr. Lively ([email protected])
Physical Education
Most students are doing an excellent job coming to P. E. ready to learn while moving!
As the weather turns colder, please remember to send your child to school with
tennis shoes on their P.E. day. The following is a summary of what students will be
learning during the month of October:
Pre-K students will: build relationships to develop a sense of community within the class; experience a
variety of play situations; explore and experience fundamental movement skills
Kindergarteners will: tell how exercise affects the heart; demonstrate a basic understanding of specific
locomotor and non-locomotor skills; improve performance through positive feedback; practice
fundamental movement skills
First graders will: demonstrate proficiency of a variety of locomotor skills; demonstrate a proficient
degree of spatial awareness; practice combining movement concepts; practice chasing, fleeing and
dodging; explore the components of time/speed, force and flow
Second graders will: recognize the importance of positive feedback on performance; demonstrate
proficiency while fleeing, chasing and dodging; demonstrate proficiency when moving in relation to
objects and/or people; work effectively with others in physical activity settings
Third graders will: identify and demonstrate the effects of physical activity on the body systems;
recognize and identify the components of physical fitness necessary to design a fitness plan; investigate
the benefits of physical activity; recognize individual aerobic capacity/cardio respiratory fitness;
demonstrate competency in skill themes
Fourth graders will: recognize the importance of self-evaluation and feedback in the improvement of
motor skills; refine skills needed in catching, tossing, and throwing; demonstrate controlling the ball
while dribbling with feet; practice passing the ball with their feet
Fifth graders will: recognize and identify the components necessary to design a fitness plan; examine
various levels of intensities through activity and the effect on heart rate; examine and compare
individual muscular strength and muscular endurance
Mrs. Rogers ([email protected]) Mr. O’Reilly ([email protected])
Instrumental Music
We have begun with instrumental music lessons here at Burnt Mills. All Monday
students had a lesson this week showing students how to put their instrument
together and how to make the first tone on their instrument. Tuesday students will
start next week because Mr. Goba had another obligation this Tuesday. At our next week beginner
lessons, students will start to learn their first song. Violin students are asked not to use their bows for
the first two weeks because they can learn an improper bow hold which will be difficult to change.
Advanced students are dusting off their instruments and getting back to the habit of practicing. All
students should practice at least 30 minutes a day for five or more days a week. Later books will come
home and there is a practice chart in the book that should be signed every week by parents. Remember
to praise small improvements! Mr. Goba ([email protected])