Music Update - From Ms. Katherine
The monthly music blog has been updated. Please visit http://wwelemmusic.
The monthly music blog has been updated. Please visit http://wwelemmusic.
Art Update - From Mr. Ryan
We are in the fifth block of Visual Art, and we have been
learning about illustration. Our
illustration block consists of our biggest project of the year at Willowwind –
Partner Books! Partner Books consists of each student writing and illustrating
a short book for their partner, who is the protagonist in the story. The
classroom teachers have done a wonderful job of working with their students in
order to create imaginative, fun, and interesting stories to illustrate during
Art.
First, we learned that the biggest difference between a drawing and an illustration is that an illustration is a drawing that relates with a story. This means both the storytelling (text) and illustration have equal amount of importance for the work of Art. Students showed me how they could use their knowledge of different materials and aesthetics in other mediums to strengthen their illustrations. I must say, I have been absolutely impressed by the growth in artistic talent by all the students this year.
On top of reinforcing what makes an interesting piece of
art, I taught students some basic techniques to strengthen their illustrations.
The biggest things I touched upon this year are: 1. Start with light marks to
find your space; 2. Include a foreground and background.
I was surprised how well the kinders responded to foreground
and background. I have seen many illustrations with light, small, and “blurry”
images on the top half of their paper, and having bigger, bolder, and more
detailed figures and objects in the foreground. Students showed so much
curiosity with their illustrations, I even had time to explain middle ground,
and some students took the extra challenge to include it in their illustrations.
Partner Books are kept hidden from families and partner
families until their grand reveal at the end of the year. I can confidently say
that no one will be disappointed.
Thank you again for supporting and encouraging creativity
and artistic growth in your child’s life.
It is truly amazing seeing their imagination unleashed during Art, and
students desire and ability on wanting to learn and work through their
mistakes.
Movement Update - From Ms. Karen
I am looking forward to how our
outdoor PE units this month will provide students with the opportunity to become
“physically literate.” Physical Literacy is about helping students master fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills
that allow them to move confidently and with control in a wide range of physical activity situations.
Our fundamental sport skill units
this month are Frisbee and Softball. Some of the fundamental movement skills
addressed in these units include: throwing and catching a variety of objects,
hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, crossing the midline activities,
balance, base of support and weight transfer.
Some of the sport skills addressed in these units include: batting,
fielding, base running, rules and strategies of games, offense, defense and
players positions. All of the skills listed here are all integrated into PE
lessons that are fun, exploratory, developmentally appropriate and cooperative.
Learning the basic rules and developmentally
appropriate sport skills for Frisbee and Softball games will develop the
confidence to participate in recreational games outside of Willowwind. There
are baseball and softball recreation opportunities available to sign up now at
the Rec Centers. We will also revisit the game of Disc Golf. This recreational activity is a great family
game that all abilities can have fun with. Iowa City and Coralville have some
great Disc Golf courses to play on. Finding physical activities that your child
enjoys now lays their foundation for living a healthy and active lifestyle.
In class, we will also continue
our focus on locomotor skill development and fitness. I wonder if your child
has attempted the March Madness Workout with you at home. We discuss common
excuses made to avoid physical activity in class. Students will assess their
Spring fitness levels by taking their fitness tests again. These tests include
sit-ups, pull ups, V-sit stretch and half mile run.
Students continue to learn the
fitness vocabulary to differentiate the purpose of our movement activities.
They participate in cardiovascular fitness activities (huff and puff) and
strength building activities that are fun and good for their body. They are
learning names of the bones of the arms and legs. Our overall goal in PE is for your child to
develop the knowledge, abilities and commitment needed to live and promote a
healthy, active lifestyle.
Spanish Update - From Ms. Megan
I hope you enjoyed the creative “Gracias Familia” notes the kindergarteners prepared to give to you after Community Night. I also hope you continue to enjoy the Spanish songs your “hijos y hijas” sing at home. Please continue to encourage them to use their Spanish throughout their day. They are doing “muy bien” in class – I am SO proud of how they are picking up the language and accent.
Although I utilize different Spanish activities in each kinder class based on the needs/abilities of the students, we all play a fun game called “Contando a cien” to practice Spanish numbers. As a class, they are now able to count to 100 in Spanish! ¡Fantastico! Ask your child how he/she counts, and perhaps you can count at home. Type in “Contando a cien” on youtube to find the rhythm we use.
Please use the following Spanish vocabulary with your hijos:
¡Feliz día de amor y amistad! Happy Day of Love and Friendship!
¡Feliz día!
¡Hola! Buenos días. Hi! Good morning.
¿Cómo estás?
Muy bien, gracias. Very well, thank you.
¿Cómo te llamas? What is your name?
Me llamo _____ . My name is ________ .
Tengo hambre. I am hungry.
______, por favor ________ , please
baño, por favor bathroom, please
¡Gracias!
Manos
Manos arriba
Abajo
En el medio
Atras
Mexclar las manos Mix your hands
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