Last Chance!!

This week was the final opportunity for students to check out Library books.  Don't forget that all Library books are due Friday, May 30.  If your child doesn't return their book, your account will be billed.  Until payments are made, your report card is held.  Notices were sent home today (Thursday) for the books that were overdue.   Many students have books out, but they're not overdue -- yet!  Please contact me if you have questions at lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com. Thank you!

Feliz Cinco de mayo!!

iii CINCO DE MAYO !!!

This week K-5th grade celebrated Cinco de mayo in Spanish class. 

We learned about Cinco de mayo's history and how it is NOT Mexico's Independence Day!

This is a common misconception in the USA! Mexico’s Independence Day is on September 16th.  Cinco de mayo (May 5th) celebrates the unity, bravery, and pride of the Mexican people after winning the battle of Puebla against the French on May 5th(Cinco de mayo), 1862.

Fourth graders made pinatas in art class (gracias Mrs. Choi) and donated their pinatas to each homeroom class. Each class broke a pinata and ate chips and salsa to celebrate. Check out the pictures below of our fun FIESTA!

Songmania in K-1 music

K-1 students have been enjoying a variety of folk songs and games, with the use of some great picture books and CDs. We also visited a tune called "My Aunt Came Back," a zany call and response song that tells the story of My Aunt who traveled all over the world and brought various items with her, that we add as movement/motions. Pictured right, 1st grade enjoys a round of "All Around the Village." Students enjoyed small percussion instruments and xylos to boot. Great job K-1!!

Overdue Library Books

As the end of the year approaches, please be on the lookout for overdue notices from the Library.  Many will be sent home on April 25 in Friday folders.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Duffina at lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com.
Don't forget to look for books in lockers, under beds, and in cars.  When I remind most of the children that they have an overdue book, they usually know where it is.  A gentle reminder from home to bring it back to school is appreciated.  Thank you!

Cascarones in Spanish class

CASCARONES!!!! Kindergarten and First graders had a GREAT time making Cascarones (Confetti filled eggs) in Spanish class.

Working with Reference Materials

For the past few weeks, students have been working with dictionaries and atlases.  The older students have been using almanacs and encyclopedias as well. We've had scavenger hunts, quizzed one another, and taken assessments.  By far their favorite activity has been looking through the atlases to show their friends where they have been!

 

Nature Collage

 This week at art, Kindergarteners had a great time collecting nature items from the field and working on the Nature Collage project.

We found leaves, sticks, pine needles, acorns, flowers, rocks, and a few other nature items.
When we came back to the art class, we glue the items on a  paper and used our imagination to turn the items into something creative.

The Big Bus

Kindergarten and First Grade students have been enjoying the new Internet-based games called "The Big Bus."  Thanks to a CHAPTER grant, we were able to enjoy some new, age-appropriate activities in the Tech Lab.  Students have been enjoying the literacy and math games.  There are spelling, reading, and listening challenges as well as sorting, counting and math challenges. 

 

Celebrating Author Robert Munsch

For the past few weeks, the younger students have been enjoying hearing books by Canadian author, Robert Munsch.  Many of the titles shared were illustrated by Michael Martchenko.  Student have especially liked Thomas' Snowsuit and Andrew's Loose Tooth while checking out many others.  The children have enjoyed giggling along to these silly books.  Ask your child which one they thought was the best!

K-Wassily Kandinsky's Study of Concentric Circles

 This week at art class, Kindergarteners had a great time learning about Wassily Kandinsky and working on the collaborative project inspired by Kandinsky's Study of Concentric Circles.

Wassily Kandinsky was a famous Russian painter and art theorist who is credited with painting of the first purely abstract works. He was born in Moscow in 1866 and later died in 1944.
Wassily Kandinsky often painted circles on canvas as a color theory experiment to show how different colors reacted when placed next to lighter or darker hues. Wassily never thought these studies would be sold, never mind highly regarded in the art world.

Each student is assigned for three squares and paint his/her version of color study on the canvas.
It might take about 2 more weeks to finish and I am THRILLED to see the final piece.

K-Aboriginal Dot Painting

This week at art class, Kindergarteners had a great time learning about Australian dreamtime painting and Aboriginal art. Next we talked about how we could make it our own. The students created their hand prints and filled the paper with patterns and symbols that will communicate something about themselves. They also had a great time mixing colors to discover new colors.

Sharing Folktales

One way to learn about a country's culture is to read and share folktales.  This week in Library, students have been hearing stories and facts about the countries they are studying for the Multicultural Fair. Kindergarten heard Possum Magic by Mem Fox.  First graders heard two tales from South Africa while second graders heard some animal stories from Brazil.  I found a book written from a Singapore author called The Elephant and the Tree for third grade.  In fourth grade, students heard and shared Greek myths.

K-3 Music: Takin' It Back to the "Old School" When Times were So Cool, with selections from the "Blue Moo."

Younger students have been doing a lot of voice exploration and vocal development in music. We've been working on pitch and projection while singing songs for upcoming performances. 5th grade has been working on a Guatemalan marimba song, and students are coming a long way with their mallet technique. Here a 1st grade class warming up with the "voice-parachute."

It's fun to take a singing break with 'hits from way back never,' via the Blue Moo Jukebox. It features bands and singers from past decades, in a variety of styles and genres. Some favorites include Christopher Kale Jones, The Uninvited Loud Precision Band, The Sparklets, and John Ondrasik. It's fun to see which students/grades like which songs.


"Do you wonder how a cow can touch your heart and soul? I don't know, but anyhow, it's what they call Rock-and Roll."

Rainbow Fish in Kindergarten

Kindergarten students in Library and Technology have been focusing around the character Rainbow Fish.  We have been reading various books starring this unique fish and playing a problem-solving game in Technology called "Rainbow Fish and the Whale."  Rainbow Fish and his friends have be swallowed by a hiccupping whale!  It is Rainbow Fish's job to free his friends.  Students must use their mouse to help Rainbow Fish with this task.  It's challenging for some of the students, but they do enjoy it when they accomplish a task!

Spooks Galore in K-2 Music

 Halloween is a fun time in music class, whether it be spooky sounds, songs, or crazy sounding instruments. Pictured top left and right, K-1 students sing and switch instruments during the tune "There Was an Old Witch."

Pictured in the middle, 2nd graders sing the spooky tune "Hoo's in the Forest."  Students scattered as trees sing louder and softer to help the hunter locate the owl who's been causing mischief in the forest. 3rd grade also revisited the tune!

 Here's some shots of the Haunted House transformation. Thank you to all teachers and families for a great Fall Festival! I especially wanted to thank Senora Malewiski and the Specialist team. It is wonderful to work with such a dedicated and talented group!

K---Pasta Skeletons

  This week at Art, Kindergarteners had a great time working on their Pasta Skeleton project. After we talked about Dia de los Muertos, Mexican Holiday, we learned how to draw a skeleton and how to use glue.
They drew skeletons with white oil pastel on black construction paper, and then glued different shapes of pasta carefully.Their Pasta Skeletons turned out so GREAT!!

 

K Music- Drum Circles

 It was fun to see many kindergarten students participate in their first drum circle! We've been doing a farm unit, and students have been singing and chanting about different animals. They've also played instruments that go with that animal, such as sticks, maracas, shakers, and castanets. The cow was cowbell, and since my old set of coconut shakers for the horse have finally bit the dust, it seemed time to drag out the drums! BOOM BOOM!

Read for the Record!

This week, Kindergarten and First Grade students heard the book Otis by Loren Long.  CHA was invited to be part of Jumpstart's "Read for the Record" where schools all over the country share this book and try to break the world's record.  There were 83 students who participated. This book is about a tractor named Otis who makes friends in the most unlikely of places.  There are sequels which will be shared later this month.

Using the Mouse in KidPix 3D

One of the first skills Kindergarteners and First Graders develop in Technology is using the mouse.  Even though we have new touch screens in the Technology Lab, using the mouse helps students develop fine motor skills and understand spatial relationships.  This skill is used in the drawing program, KidPix3D.  The Kindergarteners were asked to create four shapes: a square, a triangle, a circle, and a rectangle, each a different color.  First graders were asked to use the "bucket" tool in which they have to click on a color, then click on a certain part of an outline picture.  They will continue learning how to manipulate the mouse and learn other skills in this program in the upcoming weeks.

Colores en Kinder!

Kindergarten students have been learning/reviewing the names of colors in Spanish this week. They have learned a Spanish color song to help them recall the colors in Spanish and they are about to start learning a different color/sign language song in class. Kindergarteners are having a fun time working a Spanish colors Ice cream worksheet!