Middle School Music and the mysterious 'boboneedle'

 Middles School students discussed the tale...the legend...and the history of the mysterious 'Boboneedle.' OK, there's really no history or mystery- it's the silly rubber ball pictured left.

In the game, the person in the middle tries to locate the boboneedle, that's being passed around on the outside of the circle. It's a fun, and definitely high energy game, but it's also a good teamwork activity. It sure was fun watching them play this one!

Library Inventory

First, I would like to thank all of you who helped remind your children to turn in their library books on time.  ALL library books are due Friday, May 31 so I may do inventory.   I have been sending reminders home.  If books are not returned, you will be billed to replace them.  Please contact me (lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com) if you know your book is lost.
Thanks again for all your help!  The students will be continuing to learn library skills and enjoying books in library time during the next few weeks.

Keyboarding Kudos

As we approach the end of the year CHA Students are working hard to earn a keyboarding certificate. Last week Aidan (5th Grade) and Johnny B (3rd Grade) finished Type to Learn 3, today Anagha (5th Grade) finished Type to Learn 4 and Max L became the first 2nd Grader in the history of CHA to complete Type to Learn 3. Well done everyone!

 

Capers on Cloud Nine!

The Kindergarten students have started playing a game, Reader Rabbit: Capers on Cloud Nine.  Although it is designed for first graders, they have had a wonderful time trying to figure out why there are umbrellas and raincoats falling from the sky.  Then they have to stop it from happening!  There are a variety of locations on the "map" where spelling, phonics, and math skills are reinforced.  

Visitante(Visitor) in Spanish class

During Cinco de Mayo week, Maria Oneto (Mom of Matias in 3rd grade) came to visit Mrs. Anderson's and Mrs. Setting's classes in the Spanish classroom. She shared with the students one of the children's books she has published in Spanish. She read them the book Liliana la Iguana and then they did some fun activities that related to the book! Students had a great time with Maria! Muchas gracias Maria!

Focus on Beebot

The past two weeks, first graders have been learning how Logo programming using Beebot.  Children have to maneuver Beebot through a variety of mazes.  Next week, students will begin using an actual Beebot move on a map and spell words!  Pictures to follow!

Reminder from the CHA Library

As the year winds down, I wanted to remind you that all CHA library books are due Friday, May 31.  Reminders have been going home all week.  If you have questions about a lost book, please contact me lduffina@chesnuthillacademy.com.  If books aren't returned, your account will be billed (or you may contact me to get a replacement.)  Thank you!

K-4th PE

What an excellent performance put on by our middle school band this afternoon!  The theme in PE this week was scooter-based, as some of our classes played a game of hockey on scooters, while others played another game called scooterball.  Both of these activities really called on our students to be cooperative team members.  There's nothing better than seeing teammates pass the ball freely and easily to one another while working towards one common goal: scoring a goal (in this instance).  Below is an action shot of our kindergartners during a riveting game of scooterball.  Have a sensational weekend!

3rd Grade Technology - Publisher

In Technology the students have been using Publisher to create an Illustrated Spanish English Dictionary. This helps them get to grips with publisher, and practice their vocab. They have also earned the privilege of choosing music for a class playlist, and to hear them all quietly singing along to 'Dynamite' while they did their typing practice was adorable.

2nd Grade Technology - PowerPoints

In their Technology lessons the 2nd Grade students are creating PowerPoint presentations that describe The Lifecycle of  a Butterfly which will, if things go according to plan, feature photos of the caterpillars they are 'growing' in their classrooms.

MS Tech - Kodu Programming

For the last couple of weeks our Middle School students have been working on building a Kodu video game. Kodu is a programming language from the Microsoft Fuse Research Labs designed as an introduction to coding for children. The students have been set the challenge of creating a two person game with a scoring mechanism and an objective; hopefully they will get them finished in time for other students to play them, which the rest of the school will love because it involves the use of xbox controllers!

4th Grade Lego Animations

The 4th Grade students have been busy working on their Lego animations. Having come up with a plot and created a backdrop, the next step was to take photos. The trick with stop motion animation is keeping the camera still while you make small movements with the Lego; it is fiddly work but they all had a good go. Next week we will be importing the photos into the stop motion editing software where they will add titles, voice overs, sound effects etc.

2nd grade music- small group performances

2nd grade reviewed form by creating their own group pieces. Pieces varied between ABA, ABC, and A A1 forms. Many groups started with body percussion, then transferring to instruments. It was great to see the creativity!

 Hats off to our 3rd graders for their Mother's Day performance of the Motown selection "How Sweet It Is". 4th graders have been performing for each other during recorder and guitar classes. It's great to hear them play and perform!

Cuatro Esquinas

Kindergarten has been learning the names of animals in Spanish and they enjoy playing "Cuatro Esquinas" (Four Corners) in class with the animals. Below is a short video of them playing!

Pinatas during Cinco de Mayo

1st grade hitting a pinata in Spanish class.

Cinco de Mayo

Students had a great time celebrating Cinco de Mayo this week. Cinco de Mayo took place on Sunday (May 5^th) this year and is celebrated because of Mexico’s victory over the French Army in the city of Puebla.  This week students enjoyed Chips and Salsa and watched as their classmates took a swing at a piñata donated by 4^th graders.

4th, MS--Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

 For the past few weeks, 4th grade and Middle school students put a lot of effort into their Pinatas and their creation turned out GREAT!!! 
The students learned about Cinco de Mayo in Spanish class and worked on the Pinatas in Art class. 
 

K-4th PE

Another beautiful school week in the Northwest has come to a close!  Hopefully, the near future will grace us with even more.  All of our classes played Pin Down on the soccer field this week.  We got some fantastic exercise in, as students had to run 1-2 laps each time their bowling pin got knocked over.  The beads of sweat were out in full force!  Enjoy the weekend.

1st grade music- beginning interval notation.

First graders did some written work with the intervals "Mi-Sol-La." Students have sang the pattern so many times this year, but it was great to see them visualize and notate.

2nd graders did a written assessment with time signature and bar lines. Of course, they moved and sang as usual this week!

K-4th PE

This spectacular Spring weather refuses to leave us alone here at CHA!  This week, all of our classes played "China Gate" out on the soccer field, which is nearly identical to the game of "Capture the Flag."  It was fantastic seeing so many of our students with beads of sweat dripping down their hard-working faces.  Below is a shot from one of our 2nd grade games of China Gate.  Enjoy your weekend!

Practicing Dictionary Skills

Students have been practicing using a dictionary the past two weeks.  They have been learning about sections of the dictionary and guide words.  They have been using a variety of dictionaries:  picture, children, and intermediate. 

Middle School Pin Down!

Middle School students finally enjoyed a great day in the sun!  Anagha helps clean up after a rousing game of "Pin Down"!