The Messenger
February is "I Love to Read Month." The theme this year is Get in the Game - READ! McKinley students will be invited to participate in many activities to celebrate our love of reading. Watch for messages and flyers from your child's teacher about the special activities planned for the month. Some of these activities include:
Game Themed Spirit Days on Wednesdays
Read My Shirt Days on Fridays: Wear any shirt with Words
Classroom reading activities with buddy classes
Tissue Box Decorating Contest
Bingo for Books in the Library
Photo Bulletin Board of our students reading or participating in a game, sport or activity
This month’s Character Strong focus is Honesty. One way to think about Honesty is “being truthful in what you say and do.” Practicing Honesty helps strengthen our relationships and reduce stress. Review Honesty as a family. Honesty is being truthful in what you say and do. Discuss the importance of being Honest and work together to create a family Honesty pledge. Create and decorate a sign together that explains what Honesty means in your family. Have each family member sign the pledge and choose a spot to display it. Refer back to the pledge as a reminder to be Honest and to celebrate when Honesty is practiced!
Here are some great books to read as a family to learn about Honesty!
- This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
- The One and Only Sparkella and the Big Lie by Channing Tatum
- Finn's Little Fibs by Tom Percival
- Being Frank by Donna W. Earnhardt
Kindergarten
Monet Sailboat
Our kindergarten artists will learn about French artist Claude Monet and
Impressionism Art. Monet loved painting nature and sailboats. We will be inspired by his soft colors, light and shadows. We are continuing to practice using our lines and shapes while making this masterpiece. Here's to smooth sailing and sunny days ahead!
First Grade
When the Dinosaurs Came Back
This project is inspired by the book, “When the Dinosaurs Came Back” by Bernard Most. Our first grade artists will learn how to use lines to make a cityscape using geometric shapes. We will also draw freeform shapes to make a construction paper dinosaur. Artists will learn about the element of space (foreground, middleground and background).
Second Grade
Hibernating Winter Landscape
Our second grade artists will continue to learn about the Element of Art, space. Artists will be creating a foreground, middleground, background and also underground spaces in a landscape. We will also be learning how to draw different types of hibernating animals along with a cozy home. This is a really wonderful project that combines many mediums and art elements.
Third Grade
Matisse Fish Bowl
Artists will be introduced to French artist Henri Matisse. He is known for using beautiful colors and patterns in his pieces. Students will design a fishbowl in a room using patterns on the walls and floor. A pattern is created by repeating colors, lines, and shapes. These will add a splash of beautiful color to the walls in your home.
Fourth Grade
Flashlight Drawing
For this project, 4th grade artists will be inspired by an artist named Lizi Boyd, and a book she illustrated called, “The Flashlight”. Artists will use the elements of art to create a creative picture that shows contrast and emphasis in the focal point of the flashlight.
Fifth Grade
Kumihimo Bracelet Braiding
Our 5th grade artists will be learning how to make Japanese yarn braiding bracelets known as Kumihimo. This type of braiding was used for lacing Samurai armor and Kimonos. The colorful yarn and tightly woven cords are still used as decorative fasteners on robes and Kimono to this day. These turn out beautifully and are really fun to wear!
