Special Area News!
Learning, Growing, Leading ... Together
September
Welcome to another exciting year in the computer lab! We have had some changes this year. We are now using Google Chromebooks (laptops) instead of Chromeboxes this year. They work the same as Chromeboxes, but have a built in microphone and camera, which will make multimedia projects easier. We also have 20 iPads. I am working on getting a few more so each student can have their own device. Students will be able to create, invent, and grow with their technology skills with the exposure to these devices. YAY!
Kindergarten- Students are learning basic mouse skills on sites such as ABCYA and Starfall. Parents, please start working with your kindergartener now with learning to spell and find the letters of their first and last name as well as their lunch pin. We will practice logging into their account soon and I want to avoid as many struggles and tears as possible.
First grade- READING EGGS accounts will expire soon. Please let me know if you would like to purchase an account to continue your students learning with the program and to keep their progress (eggs). Students are navigating Google Classroom, using special keys on the keyboard, typing sentences, and changing fonts and colors of words.
Second grade- Students are learning the correct fingering on the keyboard and will type 10 minutes a week in class. I would love to see them practice at home on typingclub.com. Have students log in with Google and log in with their username and lunch pin. Here is an example: jondoe30@wsdr4.org, password 12345. In class for the next few weeks, we are reviewing basic Google Doc skills before we move on to Google Slides!
Third grade-Students are learning about keeping their information private and what is a digital footprint. They are also creating word clouds about themselves. We will soon be starting projects in Google Docs and Slides.
Fourth grade- Students started a new typing program this year called typing.com. They seem to love it. We type 10 minutes a week, but I strongly encourage you to have them practice at home For every 2 lessons they finish, I give them candy, no matter where they complete it. They also created word clouds this week. This was a fun project that they took pride in personalizing. Students are now learning about how to be a good digital citizen and stay safe online. We will be creating a movie to show our learning in the following weeks.
Fifth grade- Students are continuing to type 10 minutes a week on typing.com. I have added an additional incentive of giving candy out for every two lessons completed. Please encourage them to type at home on this site using their email account information such as jondoe30@wsdr4.org and lunch pin. Students created a word cloud about themselves and are now learning about digital safety with a focus on cyberbullying. They will shortly make a comic strip or short movie about their learning.
If you have any questions on how to log in to your child's account from home or need help with anything else, please contact me.
I look forward to help your children learn and grow in the digital world this year and beyond!
Sincerely,
Kristy Rose
News from the Music Room…………………..
The school year is already shaping up to be a great year! August has flown by so quickly, and as September approaches, many things are happening within the walls of D1!
In Kindergarten music, we have had fun learning the movement piece Seven Jumps, and the songs Going on a Bear Hunt, and Tooty Ta have helped us get out our wiggles. Most recently, we have learned about “Voice Choice” and four ways we can use our voices; whisper, speak, sing, and shout. Ask your child to demonstrate for you! These little ones are so full of energy and curiosity, and I can’t wait to help them explore the music room this year!
In First Grade music, our focus for the first few weeks has been on rhythm and steady beat. We are counting 4-beat patterns with quarter notes, quarter's rests, and eighth note pairs with great success already. We have also been movin’ and grovin’ to our folk dance of the month called the Sasha. Later this Spring they will have a chance to show you just how musical they are as they present the annual First Grade Concert! More details to come.
In Second Grade music , we are also exploring the world of folk dancing, and to see the smiles and hear the laughter that is filling up the music room absolutely blesses this old music teacher’s heart! These kiddos come to music so eager to learn. We will spend much of first quarter with a focus on elements of rhythm and introducing several new vocabulary terms and concepts.
In Third Grade music, we have started our year with some fabulous folk music. Students are dancing and singing a welcome song that has us speaking in 6 different languages! This group is so talented, and so may of them excel in music! As we move into September, we will start to tackle 2-part and 3-part singing with rounds and canons. I can’t wait for the beautiful singing that will be happening!
In Fourth Grade music, we have started out the year with a bang…...literally! With a Drum Circle unit that focuses on rhythm reading review, and ensemble skills to name a few, our room is roaring with drum beats! The kiddos are so focused and are already demonstrating promising talent!
In Fifth Grade music, we have started our first unit of the year on ostinatos. Over the course of the next month, students will be working in small groups creating speech ostinatos, rhythm ostinatos, and conclude with creating melodic ostinatos on the barred instruments. Believe it or not, we have also started sampling music for our Holiday Concert in December! Save the date….Thursday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m., Duello 5th grade classes will proudly present their annual grade level concert. More details to follow!
Sincerely,
Cynthia Clark cynthiaclark@wsdr4.org
Welcome back MUSTANGS!!!!
The PE teachers are excited for this new year. We have some new faces joining our FAMILY this year and we are so grateful to have you. As the year progresses we will dive deeper into our units that will build a foundation for future success physically, mentally, socially and morally both in sport and in life for each of our students.
When it is your child's day to have PE, we need to make sure they are prepared in all aspects. Mentally prepared to work hard and give maximum effort. Physically prepared by dressing appropriately with proper footwear and clothing. Socially prepared by working with peers and staff in various games and activities we have planned for them. And lastly Morally prepared by demonstrating great sportspersonship.
It's going to be a fun and exciting year for our Mustangs and we look forward in sharing this Journey with them.
Sincerely,
Coach McGuire paulmcguire@wsdr4.org
Coach Pangan anthonypangan@wsdr4.org
Coach Poulter christinepoulter@wsdr4.org
Welcome back to the new school year! I hope everyone had a fabulous summer. We have exciting things happening in Art this year.
In Art, the students are learning the importance of rules. Our focus this quarter will be learning about the artist toolkit: the Elements and Principles of Art and focusing on the development of craft and envisioning.
Develop Craft: Learning to use tools, materials, artistic conventions; and learning to care for tools, materials, and space.
Envision: Learning to picture mentally what cannot be directly observed, and imagine possible next steps in making a piece.
If you would like to learn more about the art program, please visit my website.
Sincerely,
Diana Mahoney dianamahoney@wsdr4.org
Happy September!! The first few weeks of school have been fantastic! It is so exciting to see the students’ energy fill the library as they pick out books to enjoy. It is my goal to continue to foster your child’s love of reading and help our reluctant readers find engaging books. The state of Missouri has once again chosen an excellent grouping of award books. Kindergarten will read the Missouri Building Block Award Books. First grade through third grade will read the Show-Me Nominees. Fourth grade through sixth grade will read the Mark Twain Nominees. Sixth grade, with parent permission, can also read the Truman award books. If you are interested in these lists, please visit the Missouri Association of School Librarians website at https://masl.site-ym.com/default.aspx. As always, Happy Reading!!!
Jennifer Kastner jenniferkastner@wsdr4.org
PLTW/ Medical Detectives:
In Project Lead The Way, we are learning about what a Medical Detectives is and how they go about conducting their investigation. Also, we are researching the different types of careers medical detectives fall under. In the upcoming weeks, we will be learning about vital signs and how to check your Blood Pressure, Pulse, and Temperature.
Thank you,
Anthony Pangan anthonypangan@wsdr4.org
Sixth Grade Computers:
In 6th grade computers, we started the year by getting to know each other and reviewing expectations and procedures for the computer lab. We have begun planning our restaurants for our semester long project in which students will create their own business. We are starting with our first project, which teaches students how to type up a professional Memo and use correct layout and formatting.
Sincerely,
Ashley Freeland ashleyfreeland@wsdr4.org
Hello Band Families,
Make sure you are checking the weekly “This Week In Band” email from Mr. Flannigan for the latest information for 6th Grade Beginning Band. I’ll send out detailed info on what we are learning in class, assignments, and important dates.
Thanks!
Neil Flannigan neilflannigan@wsdr4.org