November 2015 “Specials” Newsletter Physical Education Pre­K: ​
Students will identify and locate the heart and understand how it changes speed with various physical activities; learn how to throw and catch at different levels; move safely in relation to other students in the class; explore movement skills by changing shapes with the body; improve performance by responding appropriately to visual and verbal cues. Kindergarten: Students will demonstrate proficiency in fundamental movement skills when moving in relation to objects and people. Additionally, students demonstrate proficiency in throwing and catching self­thrown objects (scarves, balloons, balls). Lastly, students work effectively with other others in physical activity settings, build and maintain relationships which develop a sense of community and a peaceful, healthy environment for all. First Grade: Students will identify and demonstrate the effects of physical activity on how the heart and blood vessels respond to exercise. In addition, students identify the function and location of muscles. Sample learning tasks provide opportunities for students to recognize the importance of self­evaluation in the improvement of skills and that a person’s skill development results from prior experience, natural ability, and practice. Second Grade: Students will identify and demonstrate the effects of physical activity, how the components of the circulatory system and the body respond to exercise. In addition, students will explore and distinguish between components of fitness by participating in muscular strength, cardiorespiratory, and flexibility activities. Sample learning tasks provide opportunities for students to recognize the importance of self­evaluation in the improvement of skills. Third Grade: Students will integrate movement skills and concepts to demonstrate overhand throwing and catching with partners. Sample learning tasks provide opportunities for students to recognize the importance of self­evaluation in the improvement of skills. In addition, students will establish and modify physical activity goals while monitoring progress towards achievement. Fourth Grade: ​
Students will integrate movement skills and concepts to demonstrate overhand throwing and catching with partners and targets. Sample learning tasks provide opportunities for students to recognize the importance of self­evaluation in the improvement of skills. In addition, students will establish and modify physical activity goals while monitoring progress towards achievement. Fifth Grade: ​
Students will integrate movement concepts and skills to demonstrate overhand throwing and catching with partners. Sample learning tasks provide opportunities for students to recognize the importance of self­evaluation in the improvement of skills. In addition, students will establish and modify physical activity goals while monitoring progress towards achievement. Mrs. Rogers (J​
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) Mr. O’Reilly (​
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) Media Pre­K​
: Students will continue their Eric Carle author study. They are listening to and reading a variety of Eric Carle books. After reading each book the students will complete a creative activity. Kindergarten: Students will continue to review the differences between fiction and nonfiction books. They also will learn the various parts of the book as well as how and by whom a book is made. First Grade: Students will focus on their community and learn how people live, work, and play. They also will compare the people in their community to other people around the United States and the world. Second Grade: Students begin to build their background knowledge of traditional stories by listening to stories and making connections by analyzing how authors use sensory details to portray a setting. They also learn where traditional stories are shelved in the media center. Third Grade: Students will continue to learn about an inquiry process to locate information, facts, data, and ideas for writing. Students will learn about different technologies and discuss how they have changed or improved over time to meet people’s wants and needs. Fourth Grade​
: Students will learn how to use an inquiry process to locate information and ideas. In order to understand how to conduct a business analysis and propose a specialized business for their community, students assess the present state of their community and analyze the different types of specialized businesses. They will then determine what type of business is needed for their community. Fifth Grade: Students will apply the inquiry process for extended research in order to locate sources and record information that answers the inquiry driving question: How have conflicts and compromises among people in the United States prompted change in the government? For the Changes in United States Government Inquiry, students explore a variety of resources and will select to research one of the following movements in United States history: Women's Movement, Labor Movement, Civil Rights Movement, Health and Safety Movement. Mrs. Savoy (​
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) Art Pre­K: Identify ideas about places in one's community expressed by artists and create a building or depiction of a place for a collaborative artwork. Use art works as inspiration to express ideas visually and verbally about the people in one's community Kindergarten: Elements of art to express ideas, two­dimensional and three­dimensional art First Grade: Lines (direction, types), shapes (geometric, organic), textures (types, how things feel), and patterns (repetition, center of interest) in the environment. Sketches: developing ideas from observation, memory, and imagination. Color (primary, secondary, warm, cool). Space (overlapping) Second Grade​
: Themes in art, shape (organic, geometric, symmetry) & balance (symmetrical, in the environment) Third Grade: Composition: balance (symmetry & asymmetry), emphasis (center of interest), representation of ideas and feelings, connections between art and other contents Fourth Grade: Expression: personal meaning, point of view, mood, criteria for judging art Fifth Grade: Idea development: media experimentation & aesthetic qualities, art & human experience: different times & places, expression of thoughts & feelings, connections between art & other contents, criteria for judging art Mr. Varno (​
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) Ms. Arias (​
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) Music November brings lots of holiday, family and community themed music activities in all grades. I hope your student can share at least one song or new rhythm pattern with you. Pre­K: ​
will be introduced to musical contrasts­fast/slow, high/low and loud/soft­along with 4 vocals sounds (sing, speak, whisper, call), locomotor/non­locomotor movement and body/instrumental percussion sounds. The song themes will include community and transportation Kindergarten: ​
will continue with more steady beat practice, vocal singing development and use of instruments. Moving and playing instruments will solidify the kindergarteners intrinsic understanding of steady beat while singing games will support their singing development. Besides using instruments, students will be asked to identify instruments by sound only. First Grade: ​
will finish up the quarter objectives on musical cues and move into musical contrasts. They will experience fast/slow, high/low and loud/soft through singing songs and play instruments. They will be assessed on their ability to distinguish the terms musically through listening. Second Grade: will be preparing to attend the annual National Philharmonic Concert at the Music Center at Strathmore. They will learn about orchestral instruments and their classifications and learn a special song to sing along with the orchestra. It is most exciting!. They will finish the month with movement activities to reinforce understanding meter (groupings of beats) and playing bourdons (repeated patterns). Third Grade: students are excited about the soon to arrive recorders. In preparation students will continue to vocal singing development (the better they sing, the better they will play their instrument­ research proven). They will be introduced to music directives (staff, bar lines, tempi and dynamics markings, music ending signs) as well as note reading. Fourth and Fifth Grades​
: students in chorus will continue their performance th
th
preparation. Look out for the attire and performance information. All 4​
and 5​
grade students will focus on vocal performance development and audience behavior while responding to a variety of cultures through music. And now, after a revamp of the organization, auditions for MCPS Elementary Honors Chorus is now open. Auditions th
are held at each local school. I will start scheduling interested 5​
grade students by the rd​
end of the week. Please see the parent letter sent home November 3​
. Dr. Lively (​
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) Mr. Goba (​
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) Instrumental Music All students should have received their method books which they will use for the year and then return in June. If your child did not receive a book from me please ask them to see me Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Remember that all students should be practicing at least 150 minutes per week or more (30 minutes per day for 5 days each week) and parents should sign their child’s practice chart after each week has been totaled up. Remember also to praise small improvements and help remind your child to bring their instrument on their lesson day (Monday or Tuesday)! Mr. Goba (​
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)