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The Specialist Newsletter 9/28/07

Na Mea Waiwai

Those things that enrich us

Upcomming Events:
October 12, 2007
4th/5th Grade Musical: U.S. Geography
1:30-2:30 p.m.
HPA Gates Performing Arts Center
Sept. 28, Sunday, 9:00-11:00
K-5 Keiki Triathalon
Upper Campus
 
PE AND HEALTH - BETSY TRANQUILLI
Aloha! First, I’d like to thank everyone in the HPA community for making me feel so welcome as a new teacher. Attempting to fill Susie Jones’ shoes is not a small feat and I appreciate all the support!

In physical education, we’ve spent the last month working on our teamwork and movement skills, endurance, overall fitness, and swimming, all leading up to this weekend’s KEIKI TRIATHLON! Keep reminding your iron keiki that it takes courage to try something like this and believe me, each student in many ways has demonstrated in PE how they are courageous.

Aside from our preparation for the first special event of the year, our classes also have been spent learning about nutrition. This is the first of three health units we plan to implement this year, along with safety/substance abuse prevention and sexuality development. I believe that in providing this curriculum, we can set the standard for the entire campus on what it means to educate, support and nourish the WHOLE student. As the year progresses, I will apprise you of what we are covering and how you can support your child at home. I welcome any feedback on the health classes. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments at btranquilli@hpa.edu.

For our nutrition unit, we are using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s My Pyramid For Kids curriculum (visit www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html to view). There also is a My Pyramid plan for adults to follow at www.mypyramid.gov. I encourage you to try it. This is a great way to be a healthy role model at home while taking an active role in what your child is learning in school!

VISUAL ARTS - CINDY YARAWAMAI
Introduction of the basic elements of design: line, shape, texture, form, and color are the starting points of the year in the visual arts. Students are encouraged to concentrate on composition, exploration of materials, and a strong work ethic.

The kindergarten class began the year looking at and feeling various materials and creating line designs. From “grab bag objects” they drew lines that looked like the objects. Pattern and color later were added. Next, working with shapes the students tore, cut, and glued various colored paper together to create rich and unique compositions. With paint and color, the students continued to develop their work.

The first graders drew contour line drawings of trees and made bird-shape torn paper compositions, while the second graders drew each other, made large dragon pictures with textures and paints, and now are working on a color mixing garden piece.

The third graders have been very busy creating various types of self-portraits and have started cutting inner tube tire shape creations that they will later print.

Fourth graders were busy making beautifully decorated, giant stuffed fish that were hung in the dining room. They are now working on an African design and culture unit.

Lastly, the fifth graders have been very involved with a science-integrated unit using physics and art. They began with 2D designs that were turned into 3D sculptural mobiles. Next, exploring the works of Alexander Calder, the students created their own sculptures out of toothpicks, marshmallows, raisins, licorice, and grapes. These designs will be their focus to create large, abstract paintings.

Check out this Web site the students discovered that features Dutch artist and engineer, Theo Jansen: http://www.glumbert.com/media/kineticsculpture.

MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS - GEORGIA POLÁKOVÁ
Be Bop Your Best is what all students are doing in music. Red Grammer’s new song Be Bop Your Best is the theme in music this year for all students. I’m sure your child can Be Bop their best at home too!

Do you know how to pronounce Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and do you know who he is? Students in grades K-3 can help you out. Tchaikovsky is the man of the hour in music and students are learning all about his life and music through stories, pictures, dancing to pieces from his Nutcracker ballet, learning to identify some of his most popular compositions, and viewing parts of the Nutcracker and Swan Lake ballets. We also have been singing songs appropriate for each grade level and interest.

Do you know all the states and their capitals in the United States? Students in grades 4 and 5 certainly do. They have been busily preparing for their upcoming curriculum based musical U.S. Geography by researching their region and state, writing script, learning a fun song for each region of the U.S., creating choreography, and memorizing the state capitals through song. The process has been amazing—definitely bringing out the creative talents and highlighting the new found knowledge of the students. See you at the show at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 12 in the Gates Performing Arts Center!

LIBRARY MEDIA - SUSAN HAMMER
This month, grades K-5 became acquainted with me, took library tours, and made book markers that serve as tools to find books and as library cards that students will use all year.

In kindergarten we learned about the different parts of a book and how to identify the author and illustrator. The first, second, and third graders reviewed how to find books in the library using alphabetization skills through the Dewey decimal system. Fourth and fifth graders reviewed the Dewey decimal system and how to find books in the library according to this system. Students also have been researching states in preparation for an October performance.
Research skills such as how to write a bibliography and why it is important to not plagiarize have been reviewed.

Birthday Books – Students with birthdays in July, August, and September have chosen their birthday books and will be presenting their choice at Lower School assembly.

Parent volunteers – I am currently looking for parent volunteers in the library. If you are interested in volunteering for any amount of time in the library, please contact me at shammer@hpa.edu.

Web site tip of the month – When students research on the computer at home, avoide using Wikipedia due to the lack of reliability of the information found. Popular search sites for Lower and Middle School students are: