Wrapping Up Another A+ Year!
As we wrap up the year here are some important updates:
Technology- Jerome:
We are doing a couple great projects using a new product called StoryBird:
In 1st and 2nd grades they are creating their own version of Parables, like the ones Jesus told, to help their classmates understand a rule. In 3rd grade we are telling stories about a Saint. In 4th grade we are using both StoryBird and Piktochart to create pieces for the 4th Grade Missouri Project.
In 5th and 6th Grades we are wrapping up our No Impact Man project. We are going to be starting on creating iMovie trailers about what incoming classes can expect to learn in 5th ot 6th grade.
In Intro to Design, they are working on their final projects that focus on the Audience. Students are designing items that appeal to Emotional, Intellectual or Instructional audiences. Examples include scaled architecture models, company rebranding, greeting cards, maps, infographics and more.
In Coding, students are working on developing and creating their own app or game. This includes a proposal, an App Store write up and then the actual game or app itself.
In Publications, the Yearbook has gone to press! (hooray!) I am again very impressed by the hard work of our 7th and 8th grade students. They work very hard all year to make this publication a success. Newspaper is hard at work at our next edition available Friday, April 1st at www.evandyke.wix.com/theshamrock. They continue to surprise me every issue with thought provoking and innovative pieces.
Kindergarten has started to learn the basics of typing. We are using BBC Dancemat Typing. It's free and a great way to teach young typers how to type using the home row keys. You can find it at http://play.bbc.co.uk/play/pen/g8s4pb547b add it to your bookmark bar and your students can practice this summer!
Music- Edwin:
THE DATE FOR THE SPRING CONCERT HAS BEEN CHANGED!
Due to scheduling conflicts with ITBS testing, the date of the Spring Concert has been changed to May 3rd at 7:00pm. The participating students are the Visitation School Band, all 5th-6th grade, and those 7th and 8th grade students who are in Choir and the Spring section of Drum Circle.
All participating students need to be available for the dress rehearsal at 1:30pm. Students should also arrive for the evening between 6:30-6:45.
If you know in advance your child will be out of town or otherwise unable to participate in the concert, please let me know before April 18 so I can make appropriate arrangements for their absence. Students who advise me of their absence beforeApril 18 will not be penalized, though they may be expected to fulfill their performance requirement in another way. For up-to-date information about the spring concert please see my website: http://dedwin1.wix.com/visitationmusic
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you there!
Music- Ashby:
We are busy as ever in music class this spring. We are excited to be welcoming Dennis Uecker, grandfather of Grace and Kate Uecker and a professional musician, to play a recorder concert for several of our classes. It's always wonderful to show students professional musicians using the instrauments they are learning in class.
Library- Shinn:
The Library site has been updated with the lastest information for the end of the year. Please visit it for more information: http://hshinn1.wix.com/library
Don't forget to turn in all outstanding Library books by the end of the year!
Spanish- Porter:
iBuenos días! Welcome back to K-6 Spanish classroom news.
This quarter, Sixth grade will be continuing to work on their skits and then performing for younger grade levels. This is an exciting opportunity for the Sixth graders to show skills they have learned and for the younger students to observe how much they can grow when learning a language.
Fifth grade is finishing their restaurant menus and table settings and will be learning conversational restaurant language. They will begin to serve their peers in a restaurant scenario with the target vocabulary using the props they have made.
Fourth grade is finishing their letters to the students from our sister Parish in El Salvador and will begin to learn how to conjugate verbs. Third grade is finishing their study of activity and sports words and will continue to learn common phrases when communicating about activities and places around the community.
Second grade, First grade, and Kindergarten are continuing to listen to short stories, studying core vocabulary of those stories, and then answering questions about the stories with the vocabulary. This is an enjoyable way for the students to learn the vocabulary in a full-immersion setting.
As a reminder, your child’s vocabulary for the month is found on the Spanish website as well as ideas for iPad apps and websites for your child to practice at home. www.VisitationSpanish.weebly.com iHasta luego!
P.E.- Rush:
PE is wrapping up the Presidents Council on Fitness Testing. The 4th through 8th grades are completing 1/2 mile and mile runs. Younger students are having fun with scooters games.
Everyone is getting excited for our end of year celebration at Field Day that 7th grade will be acting as leaders for.
Art- Casey:
We have been hard at work beautifying the campus with some great new art pieces.
The first piece is a mural of The Rose Madonna outside of Mrs. Archer's room. This was completed with some help from Jr. High Students.
The second is a painting of a Cherry Blossom Tree for the entry hallway. For more information about this project, please read one of our student London Porter's Blog about the project: http://londonporter.wix.com/no-impact-man#!Painting-for-School/cy97/56df03d00cf2a71b043b7e85
The last piece is in progress. Jr. High is working on transforming the metal cases that once housed the heating system for the school into words that inspire our students to lead better lives.
