Happy Spring! In our Technology classes we are working on our Project Lead The Way modules, Animals and Algorithms (Kindergarten), Animated Storytelling (First Grade) and Grids and Games (Second Grade). In these modules, students build knowledge and skills that enable them to program a game on a device. Through the activities and projects in the modules, students explore how mathematics is used in animation by using coding to move characters to tell a story.

What is coding? Believe it or not, coding is a new type of literacy. The children learn how to write algorithms to help them to finish a task. Just as writing helps to organize thinking and express ideas, the same is true for coding.

As the students code, they learn how to create and express themselves with and without the computer, not just to interact with it. In the process, children learn to solve problems, create algorithms, design projects, and also develop sequencing skills that are necessary for later academic success.

The goal of these units are to teach the students that computer science is important to many parts of our lives, and that computer scientists do more than just program computers. Please ask your child about algorithms that they see in everyday life (building a snowman, making a sandwich) as well as what they are learning in class. They may even be able to teach you a new thing or two about coding!

We have been cruising through the elements of art over the last few months and have expanded our knowledge of lines to shapes, color theory to value, and are currently working on three-dimensional forms.

I am very excited to start working with the clay that I was able to purchase through an Auburn Chamber of Commerce grant I was awarded. Each grade level will be creating multi-step clay projects that require several different techniques. Stay tuned for some incredible creations and please be sure to ask them about the historical or cultural significance of the projects.

Remember to send them to school in clothes that can come home with a little “creativity” on them when it is their scheduled art day. If you would like to donate baby wipes to help clean up their little hands, that would be greatly appreciated.

Please do not ever hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and please feel free to contact me if your child has shared what they have learned in class with you. Our art show is coming up in May and I can’t wait for you to see how hard all of the students have worked this year!

Be well,

Jenna Bailey

These past few months have been filled with cooperative learning, running and jumping! The jog-a-thon was such a great success! The students did such a great job running as many laps as they could as well as keeping track for their partner. The students that won the PE game have been excited to pick an activity. Thank you to all the families that donated!

The past month we have been really practicing our 3 P’s of PE; patience, practice and perseverance, in our jump rope unit. The students have been participating in Jump Rope Ninja where they need to perform a certain number of consecutive jumps to pass each color. I am so proud of how hard they have worked the past month, and they should be proud of themselves. Through hard work and determination, so many were able to surpass their goals and become such great jump ropers! If you have a jump rope at home, have your child show you what they have learned!

With Spring upon us, and hope for warmer weather, we will be starting to go outside as much as possible. For the remainder of the year, we will continue to work on manipulative skills through striking with our body, bats and rackets, and an introduction to lacrosse! As a safety reminder, please have your child wear or bring sneakers for PE. I look forward to the rest of the school year!

In good health,

Miss. D