Food Vocabulary in Spanish

Second graders have been learning how to say the Spanish vocabulary words for specific foods. They are pictured here working on saying the Spanish name for the food and drawing a picture of the food.

Taking things apart in Technology

This week in Technology has been all about the insides of the computer. Students got to look inside some old computers and cameras and to remove some of the parts to get a better look at them. We talked about how you should always ask your

parents before you take the covers off anything, that it is only ok to take things apart that are already broken (unless we are going to be careful and learn how to fix them) and you should also make sure that the device you are dissecting is not connected to an electrical outlet!

Helado! (Ice Cream!)

HELADO (ICE CREAM)!!! Kindergarden students had fun reviewing the colors in Spanish by coloring and cutting out a multi-colored/flavored ice cream cone!

Fourth Grade Spanish

Fourth grade students learned that tu and usted (Ud.) both mean "you" in Spanish. They can now identify which people should be referred to with tu and which with usted.

They also were able to dive into the Realidades book and start the first chapter on verbs. Within this chapter they will be able to tell others what they like and don't like to do, as well as, ask others what they like and don't like to do.

Middle Schoolers Get the Scoop on Prof. Watermelon

Middle Schoolers are writing interview questions in hopes of getting some never-before-told information about Prof. Watermelon. Students learned that if you want that kind of information from the source you are interviewing, you must put the source at ease. We listened to Oprah's interview with J.K Rowling as an example with this. Oprah is a master interviewer! We could learn a lot from her skills! 



Pat, Clap, Sing!

In music this week, more songs were introduced including "Tideo," "Draw Me a Bucket of Water," and "Jubilee." Students created patting and clapping patterns to a few of these folk songs that have an energetic, yet steady pulse. This exercise is great for creativity and teamwork. Pictured here are 2nd and 3rd graders working out some rhythm patterns to "Tideo." In grades 2-4, we also learned the movement game for " The Noble Duke of York." With two lines facing each other, groups of two would "Sashey" up and down the line, then "Twirl and Whirl" to form arches, in which the next group of "Hunters" would lead their lines through. It was great fun!

We are done with our Self-Portraits

Finally we are finished with our self-portraits!!

Kindergarten ~ Middle school students worked hard to color our self-portraits with soft pastels.I can't wait to see their drawings hanging up on their lockers.

Technology - The Naming of Parts

(Apologies to Henry Reed) This week in Technology we have been concentrating on the naming of parts. We have discussed why it is important to call things by their correct name in order to help us communicate with each other and make ourselves understood. We have looked at all sorts of peripherals to find out what they are called and next week we will have a look inside some computers. Depending on their grade students took part in Brain Pops on Computer Parts and Computer History and played a game called Computer Parts which you will find at http://www.mrsmorlidge.com/Technology.htm.

Teamwork in PE

Fourth graders and Middle School students had fun participating in "Island Crossing". This activity requires teamwork, strategy and patience!

Second Grade Technology

The Second Grade students have been working on their keyboarding skills. We use the Type To Learn 3 program for Second Grade. At this stage a lot of the students know f,j,r,u,d,k,i,e,l and s. If you they are using a keyboard at home, encourage them to use their fingers in the home row position rather than hen pecking as the practice is really useful!



The students also took part in a discussion about the names of computer peripherals and why it is important to know the correct names of things. They completed a Brain Pop about naming computer parts, focussing on the difference between hardware and software. Next week we will be taking the covers off some computers to see what's inside!

First Check Out Day for Kindergarten

By the looks on their faces, Kindergarteners love checking out books from the CHA library. Remember, books are due in two weeks! Enjoy!

Kindergarten-Middle School Spanish

This week Kindergarten-Middle School students discussed the celebration of Dia de la independencia de Mexico, or Mexico's Independence Day occurring on September 16th. They learned how people celebrate the day and students also were able to create their own "papel picado" in class. Papel picado is cut paper that is hung like banners on buildings, ceilings, etc.

Kindergarten in Spanish

This week Kindergarten students designed their own "chicle" (gum) to show their favorite colors in Spanish. We displayed our colorful gum on our gumball machine bulletin board.

Songs Galore in Music!

This week in K-1 Music we started vocal warmups and sang action songs. Grades 2-4 started singing folk songs, including "Skating Away," "Alabama Gal," and "The Noble Duke of York." Students enjoyed patting or marching to the pulse of the song, while singing and clapping the rhythm of the melody. Pictured here is a group of 3rd graders who are marching, clapping, and singing a round of "Alabama Gal." We also started more traditional songs such as "America the Beautiful" and "This Land is Your Land."

Fourth Grade Technology

In Technology Fourth Grade students have been making posters to advertize the walkathon on Sptember 23rd. They used Microsoft Word and inserted borders, text boxes and clip art.

Kindergarten Technology

Kindergarten students have been learning how to log on to the school network. If you want to help your child, have them practice finding the letters K, I, N, D on the keyboard! Once they logged on they played a game designed by one or our own parents (thank you Mr.Simon!). It works just like fridge magnets, and you can try it at home here.

PE Fun!

Kindergarteners and First Graders have fun with a game of "Willie Wonka Tag" in PE. All students are learning the importance of strong abdominals and upper body strength this week.

Fun creating Self –Portraits~!!

It was great to meet CHA students and I'm looking forward to have a Funtastic year with them in the Art Class.

This week at Art, we started to work on our Self-Portraits.
Our Kindergarteners looked at themselves very carefully and closely in the mirrors and

Worked together with our friends.

We are so proud of all our hard work.

Kindergartners in Spanish class

Kindergarten students were introduced to the color song in Spanish and they decorated their Spanish folders with things they like.

Walk-A-Thon Madness!!

This week kicks off the first annual Chestnut Hill Academy Walk-A-Thon. Funds raised during the walk will go towards field trips, the ski program and other student centered events. Students will learn about the logistics surrounding the walk-a-thon in our assembly this afternoon. They will all be given "Fitness Foot" necklaces. For every $25 raised students will receive another fitness foot to put on their necklace. I look forward to seeing many brightly colored necklaces in the halls of CHA! Thank you for supporting your child in this very fun event. The walk will take place September 23rd from 1:00pm -2:00pm.

Thursday our Middle School students started band! I was thrilled to be able to share this experience with them. We split into groups and practiced how to assemble and hold the instruments, and how to make a sound. In K-3 Music, we talked about expectations for the year, and played listening and transition games to review these expectations. 4th grade listened to folk songs and started working with the recorder and guitar. Our School Song is off to a great start as well. It was a fun and busy week!

Middle School Spanish

In Spanish class today, Middle School students worked on creating a poster about the benefits of learning a second langauge.

In Technology this week...

The First Graders were set the task of designing a cover for their Technology binders using Kidpix. They were all good, but I thought this one was particularly special!

The older students made binder covers using Microsoft Word, inserting text boxes, page borders and clip art and also completed Star Reading and Math tests for their core classes.

The Kindergarten students complete a Brain Pop all about starting school and played the memory game using the interactive whiteboard. Miss L.'s class were lucky enough to have a go learning to log on to the computers in the lab, which the other two classes will learn next week.

Can't wait to see everyone and start the year! The good times will roll in Music Class!