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.

PE

Fall is officially upon us!  Our school week was a little short this time around, but that didn't stop us from getting in some quality physical activity using the floor scooters.  Kindergarten and 1st grade students played a few games of "Friends in the Forest," while 2nd-5th graders took part in "Scooter Polo," which is essentially water polo played on scooters.  Here we can see some 1st graders playing "Friends in the Forest."  Enjoy the long weekend CHA!

2nd Grade Music- "Draw Me a Bucket of Water"

During the song, and while in diamond formation across from a partner, students practice swinging arms to the rhythms of half notes. Half notes get 2 beats, or "ta-ah" as students have been practicing. At the end of each verse, 2 students raise their arms, allowing one student to enter the well. By the end of the 4th repetition, all students are in the well.

It was a blast watching them play this one!

3rd and 4th--Art of India

This week at Art, 3rd and 4th graders are learning about Mehndi.

Mehndi--the art of henna painting on the body--has been practiced in parts of India, Africa and the Middle East for centuries. Dried henna plant leaves are made into a paste that produces a temporary dye that lasts up to three weeks.


 
Mehndi has traditionally been used to adorn wearers for wedding ceremonies and other cultural celebrations. Designs can be intricate and include elements like flowers, swirls, dots and teardrops.

We studied pictures of Mehndi design and created our own by using different types of lines and shapes.

Third Grade Tech September 2013

In Tech this week the Third Graders have been finding out what is inside the computers. Armed with screw drivers, and a reminder to 'lefty loosey, righty tighty', they set about removing and replacing the internal components of some old P.C's. We had a lot of fun, and found some enormous dust bunnies!

3rd Grade Music: A Rig-a-Jig-Jig and Away We Go!

 3rd grade had a round of "Rig-a-Jig-Jig" while singing on the move. In music, it was a lot of rhythm and music theory again this week. Students are rollin'!

Sunshine is Just Fine

PE this week consisted of a few riveting games of "Steal the Chicken," as well as Kickball.  "Steal the Chicken" is a glorified version of Capture the Flag, where instead of trying to steal the opposing team's flag, you try to steal their rubber chicken or fish!  Here we have an action shot of a 2nd grade game of "Steal the Chicken."  Have a great weekend CHA!

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!

At-Home Reading Ideas

Hello Parents,
I was sent this article by Scholastic written by author James Patterson.  I wanted to share the ideas with you on how to promote reading at home.  I found it useful not only as a parent, but as a teacher.

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/parent-child/how-james-patterson-got-his-son-hooked-books?cid=SBC/e/20130912////Newsletter_Sept_P_10341///Z-PNLK/////&ym_MID=1497153&ym_rid=20180729

I have been working with all grades helping them find "just-right" books using suggestions from teachers, students, and other librarians.  All students have had the opportunity to check out books.

What Wonderful Wallpaper!

In Technology 2nd and 3rd Grade students have been designing their own desktop wallpapers. They quickly discovered that it is a lot more fun using a drawing program when you can use your finger rather than a mouse!

Bienvenidos! - Welcome!

 The first and second week of school we have been reviewing vocabulary in Spanish from the previous year and getting our Spanish folders and binders ready for the coming year. Second grade and up had fun picking Spanish names and learning each others' Spanish names through a "Yo me llamo..." bean-bag toss game. Students in multiple grade levels also enjoyed coloring a minion for the "Mi color favorite es..." bulletin board and adding their minion to the board along with the minion's favorite color in Spanish.




First graders reviewed the names of basic animals in Spanish and then they had a blast playing  a "Donde esta.." game to find the animals around the room.








Third grade reviewed the names of foods in Spanish and played a refresher game with their amigos.

PE

This week in PE we were fortunate enough to get outside and take advantage of the sunshine!  Our 3rd-5th graders took part in the first of our monthly runs, where students can choose to run, jog, or walk 1-mile any way they would like.  Later in the week, we played some kickball.  For K-2nd graders, we played a few parachute games, including Sharks & Lifeguards and Popcorn.  Here, we can see a live action shot of a kickball game during our 5th grade class.  Have a fantastic weekend!

4th Grade-theorysingmovexylo. Drum Circle!

4th graders started the week,
re-acclimating with music theory in the 5 minute theory books. They also spent time singing, moving, and clapping/patting rhythms. Then they transferred the parts to xylophones and drums. Today we made a drum circle, using a rhythmic chant from the Philippines. 3rd graders also continued with their music theory books and 2nd graders started in theirs. So, a lot of rhythm and music theory this week. It flew!

Self-portraits--3rd and 5th

 

CHA Artists put a lot of effort into their self-portraits. 

 I can't wait to hang them up on their lockers. 

They did such a great job!!!

Kindergarteners Practice Shelving and Checking Out Books

This week, Kindergarten students practiced using shelf markers and checking out books.  They learned that books have their own special place in the Library, and they're usually alphabetized by the author's last name.  They practiced in pairs and then individually. 

We will continue talking about proper book care this month. 

Don't forget that students may check out one book a week.  Ms. Conrad's check out day is Wednesday, Mrs. DeWitt's is Thursday, and Ms. Lundberg's day is Friday.  You can help your child remember to return their book outside their classroom in the proper basket on the correct day.

Welcome Back Artists!

Welcome back CHA Artists!!!
Hope you all had a great summer.

As we always do, we started working on our self-portraits last week. The students learned about drawing human faces using the right proportion.
They had a great time looking in the mirror and analyze their reflections.
It was great to hear a lot of students saying...
"This is the BEST self portrait I've ever made!!."

I can't wait to hang their self portraits up on their locker.

Welcome Back to School!

It has been a lot of fun this week, hearing stories from students and parents about their summer! Students did a great job getting back in the routine for music class. It was great to start working together again, while beginning with the end in mind.

One thing I enjoyed specifically was seeing students and classes already begin to improve with their singing, from the first to the second class. It helps paint a picture of the students' potential, which is really exciting. Pictured here, Mrs. Newell's first grade class finishes a session of singing, rhythm, and movement.

Welcome back!

CHA Library Ready for Check Out!

Many of the older students had the opportunity to check out books this week from Library. 
Students come to Library in their homerooms. 

Below are the days when homeroom classes will be able to check out books: 

• Mondays: James, Kim, Taylor
• Tuesdays: Blair
• Wednesdays: Setting, Conrad, Douglas, Box
• Thursdays:  Anderson, DeWitt, Newell
• Fridays:  Daffara, Lodwick, Lundberg, Jarvis, Banker

Books are due one week after they are checked out. Students check out one book at a time (unless additional books are needed for a school project).  If students need an additional week to read a book, they may bring the book back during check out so it can be renewed. 

We were able to acquire many new titles over the summer, and the students are anxious to start reading!

Welcome to our beautiful new Tech Lab!

We will be experiencing Technology in a whole new way this year. Over the summer we were able to upgrade the Tech Lab with brand new Dell OptiPlex 3011 All-in-One Computers thanks to the wonderful support and generosity of our amazing parent community. I can't wait to start the new year, it's going to be a good one!

K-4th PE

Hard to believe that we're approaching the finish line of this 2012-2013 school year already!  This week, all of our classes had free choice, where they were able to decide which games they wanted to play.  The popular choice seemed to be barrier ball with most of the classes.  Below is a shot from a 4th grade game of barrier ball.  Enjoy the sunny weekend as we ramp up for an exciting final week of school here at CHA!

More Keyboarding Kudos

Congratulations to our latest Type to Learn 3 Graduates! Aubrey becomes the first 2nd Grade Girl in CHA history to complete the program, and Rishi becomes to the first CHA student to finish the course in a funny wig! Well done both of you!
 

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!