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Enrichment Newsletter 2004-05 Q3

MUSIC WITH MRS. SPEER

January 2005 began with the supplemental series for our music classes: Musitraks by Charles W. Lauterbach. Musitraks is a carefully planned and systematically presented series of General Music lessons and activities appropriate to each elementary grade level. It includes a corresponding student workbook which has related activities, challenging quizzes, puzzles, and games, all providing a visual and student-involved reinforcement of each musical concept presented. During the third and fourth quarters our students are studying: 1. Music - The nature of organized sound; 2. The Staff; 3. Rhythm; 4. Dynamics; and 5. Music Symbols.

Our Chapel units in January, February and March (the church seasons known as Epiphany and Lent) include themes of “Renewal” which focus on mission, temptation, humility, service and resurrection. The scripture readings were selected from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. All of the songs and hymns studied in music class reinforced these themes, as well as selected spirituals in commemoration of “Black History Month” (February). Special chapel services included: celebrating the Day of Epiphany on the first Wednesday of January; observing Ash Wednesday on February 9th with the Imposition of Ashes; as well as commemorating Lutheran Schools Week with handbells and essay readings on March 9th.

Joyful Sound and Master Bells delighted our church congregation with special music during the 11:00 am worship service on Sunday, March 6th. They rang beautiful arrangements of Abide With Me and Amazing Grace written specifically for handbells and tonechimes.

While two famous United States Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, were remembered in the classroom during the month of February; the American composer, John Philip Sousa, was introduced in music class to all students in grades 1-6. Born in Washington, D. C. shortly before the Civil War, Sousa studied the violin as well as all the brasses. Among his many accomplishments, he led his own dance band, was first trombonist in the Marine Band, worked in the theater, conducted musicals, and composed operas. But it was not until he was invited to conduct the United States Marine Band, that Sousa found enormous success. At the height of his career, composer and bandmaster John Philip Sousa was probably the most recognized musical figure in the world. He wrote over 130 marches and performed over ten thousand concerts world-wide. The press called him “the March King”. Ask your children about his famous marches. We have enjoyed listening to many of them!

SPANISH WITH SENORITA URRUTIA

Your children have come such a long way in their knowledge of Spanish this year! I encourage you to reinforce their learning at home by using the information in this newsletter and other handouts to converse with them.

In January and February, JK and Kindergarten learned about shapes (las formas). During March, we are doing a unit on animals. We always follow the lessons up by an activity.

First through sixth graders learned the months and days in Spanish. First through fourth graders also learned about family members such as dad (papa), mom (mama), and grandfather (abuelo). First through sixth grade students are also learning about animals.

P.E. WITH MS. SEDA

The students have really come a long way this quarter. We continue with our daily ritual of entering the gym and sitting in the “blue circle”. Each child then runs for three minutes and records his or her number of laps on the chart. It is amazing how much they have improved. At the beginning of the year, they were tired after one lap, but after continual practice, they are really getting into great shape!

After running, students take turns leading the group in stretches, drink some water and then begin playing soccer, which is the sport we are focusing on this quarter. While many students play soccer on AYSO or club teams, several of them are new to the game. They have learned the basics of kicking the ball properly, that they can only use their feet to move the ball around the field and that the goalie is the only player allowed to use his or her hands to control the ball.

The classes are divided in half to form two teams and the students are excited to play soccer for twenty minutes. By the end of class, they are ready for more water and to return to their classroom for some “study time”!

4TH, 5TH, 6TH GRADE ART WITH MRS. BANKE

We had an interesting and diverse winter quarter. After the sixth graders learned about shadow puppets and how to tell a moral tale, they worked on developing their own moral tales. Then they made paper puppets to portray their characters and act our their scripts. They will present their puppet shows to the whole school during Chapel in late March or early April. This was a combined teaching effort with Ms. Grimes to teach students how to create and product puppet stories that will teach younger children a moral lesson.

The fourth and fifth graders made “talking” paper doll action figures and arranged to “tell” the history of slavery, the Civil War and civil rights in our country. Perhaps you saw their moving display during the variety show. During Lent they designed graphic art posters displaying the seven last sentences that Jesus uttered on the cross. These can be seen during Holy Week in chapel.

In March, the fourth and fifth graders will make folk art Easter bunnies and begin a unit on Korean art. In April, they will study Mexican art making paper murals for El Cinco de Mayo. Sixth graders will make clay pots using the primitive coil method.