Benton Specialist Monthly Recap

It has been a creative February in the art room! Our second through fifth grade artists have been busy exploring origami, optical illusions, and the element of form. These lessons have challenged students to think critically while strengthening their problem-solving and fine motor skills.

In kindergarten and first grade, students have been focusing on multi-step projects that build foundational art skills. From careful listening to thoughtful craftsmanship, our youngest artists are learning how to bring their ideas to life step by step.

Looking ahead, all grade levels will begin hand-building with clay or Model Magic. Moving into three-dimensional art opens exciting new possibilities as students explore depth, form, and structure. In addition to our clay work, we will continue combining our artistic skills through cross-curricular connections and even community-based art projects.

March Madness in PE: Skills, Strategy, and Sharp Shooting!
Get ready for an action-packed month in Physical Education! As March arrives, our K-5 students will be diving into a rotation of exciting units designed to build both teamwork and precision:

• Weeks 1 & 2: Soccer & Strategy – We are kicking things off with soccer skills and offensive/defensive drills.

• Week 3: Badminton – Next, we’ll transition to the courts to sharpen our hand-eye coordination with some fast-paced badminton.

• Week 4: Archery – We will wrap up the month with archery, a student favorite that builds focus.

Looking forward to lots of fun music making in March!

5th Grade will spend the first part of March learning about the Blues through listening, moving, and instrument activities. 

4th Grade is SO CLOSE to their Black Belts in Recorder Karate!  We are hoping to wrap up recorders in March with learning Low C, High C, and High D.

3rd Grade and 2nd grade are learning all about the music and instruments of Ireland in March!

1st Grade will continue practicing singing using Sol and Mi, and adding La to their list of known notes.  They will also be working on basic 2 bar rhythm composing.

Kindergarten will continue mastering their musical opposites (High/Low, Fast/Slow, Long/Short) and experiencing beat vs. rhythm.

This month in Counseling, students focused on resiliency and coping skills. Resilience is defined as one’s ability to “bounce back” and effectively cope with difficulties in life. Through counseling activities and whole group discussion, students gain tools to adapt and cope when they face aversive events. Here are some topics covered:

• Accepting the word “no” and understanding why

• Giving feedback, both positive and constructive

• How to cope with peer pressure and refuse unsafe activities

• Seeing mistakes as an opportunity to grow our brains

Ask your student what activity they enjoyed when learning about resiliency and coping, especially when things don’t go their way.

We're starting off March with a bang!  It's Reading Week from March 2-5.  The Book Fair will be here (you can stop by before or after conferences), and we'll have guest readers, reading challenges, a special assembly, dress-up days, and all kinds of reading awesomeness going on.

Be sure to sign your student's reading log during the week.  The top minute-loggers in each grade will earn a $20 gift card for to The District, and everyone who logs over 100 minutes will earn an extra recess!

(Click on the image above to view the whole poster)

Happy reading!

In March, Media is wrapping up the coding unit and will start producing Stop-Motion movies to practice camera and directing skills. They will learn about the creative process for animated films, from key frames to editing.