Trimester 1-Specialist Newsletter

Read below for a recap on the happenings in the Specialists areas at Falcon Ridge:

Falcon Ridge Specialists Trimester 1 Newsletter

Art

Kindergarten:

During our first semester in Art, kindergarteners worked on learning some of the elements of art including: line, shape, color, texture, and pattern. We also have been working on learning how to properly use and care for a large variety of supplies like: watercolors, tempera paint, paintbrushes, crayons, glue sticks, scissors, and texture plates. Our second project was an artist study of Jasper Johns and his many number paintings.

Grade 1:

In Art, the first grade students worked on creating unique patterns using crayons and watercolors. We worked on identifying both a-b-a-b and a-b-c-a-b-c patterns. For our second project, we created multi-colored leaf prints using Styrofoam and markers. We focused on the different types, shapes, and details we see in leaves. The third project taught us about self-portraits and symmetry. We used primary colored watercolors to create a symmetrical background design. We discovered how we can move our bodies into different types of symmetrical poses and drew an image of ourselves over our paintings.

Grade 2:

We started the year by creating 3D paper sculptures.  We focused on our elements of art including line, shape, color, space, and pattern.  We then did an artist study of Wayne Thiebaud and learned about his detailed cakes. We started by using an online program to develop ideas for designing and decorating our cakes. We then drew our cakes using oil pastels. We worked on shading to make our cake drawings look real! Lastly, this Trimester we are doing an artist study on James Rizzi. We are designing cityscapes based on Rizzi’s colorful and cartoon inspired paintings.

Grade 3:

We started with a study of hand designs from India called henna. We traced our hands on watercolor paper and added detailed designs inside the shape of our hands using sharpies. We then used a watercolor technique called wet-on-wet to add and blend colors in the background behind our hand.  We also started our printmaking unit with emotional self-portraits. We first learned how to draw the face accurately using fractions by drawing eyes on the 1/2 line, nose on the 1/4 line, and mouth on the 1/8 line. We then worked on adding details to our self-portraits to portray a specific emotion.

Grade 4:

We started with a review of the elements of art, including: line, shape, color, texture, and form to create our soft metal tooling project.  Our metal pieces pop up and stand out with metallic colors. We also did an artist study on Edward Degas and his dancing figures. We started by discussing and looking at many different styles of dance. We then created our sculptures by making an armature out of tinfoil. We then covered the tinfoil in plaster cloth and painted on details to make our dancers look real using acrylic paint.

Grade 5:

We started the school year by creating unique radial symmetry designs inspired by the mandalas created by Buddhist Monks in Tibet. We incorporated our elements of design into our images, including line, shape, color, value, and balance. The second project that we are working on is called Op Art where we use lines, contrast, and shading to “trick” the eye into seeing a flat drawing as a 3-dimensional drawing that pops out at the viewer. We studied masters of optical illusion including M.C. Escher and Bridget Riley. We added color to our pictures using watercolor pencils that look like colored pencil until you brush over the colors with water to blend and smooth the colors together. See our masterpieces on display at the 5^th grade showcase night in December.

Media

Kindergarten:

Your kindergartner has been learning the procedures of the school media center and how libraries work.  They are checking out books and are showing responsibility for returning them. We are studying the author and illustrator Nancy Carlson and look forward to her visit on December 20!  We are starting to add a lot more computer activities to our lessons as they learn to handle headphones, logging in, entering, and exiting programs.  Soon we will explore the MN Star of the North Picture Book Award nominees!

1st Grade:

First graders are hard at work practicing how to use a school library.  They are getting better at checking out at least one book at their reading level.  They are so excited to find books that interest them.  We are studying the author and illustrator Nancy Carlson and look forward to her visit on December 20! We have been using iPads in the media center to explore her books and her illustrations.  Soon we will explore the MN Star of the North Picture Book Award nominees!

Second Grade:

Second graders are curious, they are developing a taste for what they want to read.  They are not shy in asking for those tastes!  It's exciting to watch them work together to find books that interest them now that they are able to read longer books.  We are studying the author and illustrator Nancy Carlson and look forward to her visit on December 20! We have been using iPads in the media center to explore her books and her illustrations.  Soon we will explore the MN Star of the North Picture Book Award nominees!

Third Grade:

Third graders have been busy working on using print and non-print dictionaries.  We've been previewing new titles that have arrived in the media center.  The kids are really getting into a lot of non-fiction lately.  We will be incorporating a lot of computer skills into our lessons. They will be learning the basics of emailing, responding to online discussions, and producing an project on their research.  

We are studying the author and illustrator Nancy Carlson and look forward to her visit on December 20! We have been using iPads in the media center to explore her books and her illustrations.

Fourth Grade:

Besides reviewing procedures on how to use our school library, the kids are learning how to identify keywords in which to search the internet for specific topics.  They are beginning to understand how the internet works, especially how a browser searches on the words they type.  They are learning this directly impacts their search results.  This is a tough skill for them!  We've been using iPads to scan QR codes to examine the Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award nominees.  We've even learned how to create our own QR code!  We will be turning our attention to state research soon.

Fifth Grade:

Besides reviewing procedures on how to use our school library, the kids are learning how to identify keywords in which to search the internet for specific topics.  They are beginning to understand how the internet works, especially how a browser searches on the words they type.  They are learning this directly impacts their search results.  We've been using iPads to scan QR codes to examine the Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award nominees.  We've even learned how to create our own QR code!

We will begin to focus on creating a book trailer video.  The purpose of the video will be to culminate the many technology skills they have acquired, express their creativity, and share a special book they've enjoyed with others.

Music

Kindergarten:

Kindergarten music during the fall trimester has been focused on exploring the voice and experiencing music by moving and playing instruments to a steady beat. Students learned and practiced the four different ways to use the voice: singing, speaking, whispering, and shouting.  Next, we will focus on high and low sounds by learning how to sing a major scale using solfeg syllables (do-re-mi-etc.). We will also play the scale on xylophones and boomwhackers!

Grade 1:

In the first few weeks of first grade music, students reviewed steady beat, rhythms, and the four different ways to use the voice.  Recently, students have been learning about musical forms.  The students have learned songs in verse-refrain form and call-and-response form.  Each of these forms is made up of two parts. The students practice recognizing the difference between the two parts by playing different rhythms or performing different movements. At the end of each class, we play a game or learn a dance.

Grade 2:

The beginning of our second grade year in music focused on our singing voices.  We reviewed the four different ways to use the voice and practiced singing alone and in a group.  Second grade students have also been reviewing the procedures for Orff instruments and practicing proper technique for playing these instruments. In the song, “Starlight,” we practiced improvising four-beat phrases on the Orff instruments and playing a steady beat while singing. Recently, the second graders have been reviewing note values by adding combinations of notes and rests.

Grade 3:

The third grade students have been working hard to polish their rhythm skills and learn notes on the treble clef staff in preparation for their recorder unit, which will begin as we go into the second trimester.  The students will learn the notes B, A, G, E and D this year. This is a great opportunity for students to practice performing music by reading the notes and rhythms on the staff. Thank you, parents, for your support in learning to play the recorder!

Grade 4:

The fourth graders started off the school year reviewing rhythm and note values. We also played games and activities to review the notes on the treble clef staff.  Recently, we’ve been playing as an ensemble on the Orff instruments. Students have practiced playing a melody and an ostinato on these instruments. As the second trimester approaches, the fourth graders will begin their recorder unit. This year, we will complete the notes in our C major scale!

Grade 5:

The fifth graders started off the school year reviewing rhythm, note values, and notes on the treble clef and bass clef staff.  Recently, we’ve been playing as an ensemble on the Orff instruments. In the song, “We Give Thanks,” the fifth graders played the instruments in two-part harmony and learned a more advanced “cross-over” technique on the Orff instruments.  As the second trimester approaches, the fifth graders will begin a composer unit on George Frideric Handel. The students will study one of his many famous musical compositions and end the unit by composing their own original piece!  The fifth grade Band and Choir also have their Showcase Concert coming up on December 12
from 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Physical Education

Kindergarten – First Grade:

During the first trimester our students in Kindergarten and first grade focused on learning some fitness test events, without actually getting their scores recorded.  They were able to run around the High School Track as well as learn the shuttle run, sit and reach, sit-ups, and pull-ups/flexed arm hang tests.  They also played some fun tag games called Major Mouse, Stuck in the Mud, and Summer Sharing Tag.  Our younger students worked on learning some of the basic skills in bowling, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, and dance.  It has been a fun and exciting first trimester introducing new activities and skills to many new students at Falcon Ridge. 

Second Grade  - Fifth Grade:

Our second through fifth grade students worked on many activities and skills during the first trimester.  Many of these activities are similar to the Kindergarten and first grade students.  We progressively increase the skill level as the child gets older and often times incorporate fun and exciting games to go along with these skills.  We like to start the school year out with games including cooperation and team work.  We did this through Deserted Island, Power Tag, and Capture the Flag.  Ask your child how these games require teamwork and cooperation!  As well as cooperation activities we performed our physical fitness tests to get a baseline for the year.  Other units we accomplished during the first trimester were football, soccer, bowling, dance, gymnastics/tumbling, and volleyball. 

We are excited to announce that we have started a “Word Wall” to incorporate literacy in the Physical Education setting.  Each week we focus on a specific word that goes along with the unit we are teaching.  We often times refer back to this word throughout the week and talk about how the word can have more than one meaning.  For example, we talk about how dribbling looks different in soccer than it does in basketball or hockey.  These words are then placed on the wall in the gym to refer back to as we move on to different units throughout the school year.  It is fun to see the students make the connection between a new word and something else they are doing in a different setting.  Some of the words we have incorporated so far are: pace, flexibility, dribble, bump, spiral, agility, rhythm, and strike.