Benton Specialist Monthly Recap

We are wrapping up our line unit in the art room. We learned how lines form the foundation of all visual art. We practiced creating many different lines in many different styles. Whether clearly defined or implied, lines are all around us. Beyond this, we have spent time building routines and learning how our art supplies are best used.

Next, we will be focusing on shape. Shapes create the world around us. Much of our shape exploration will come through an architecture lens. Finding shapes in the buildings around us and using those shapes to design new and exciting buildings will be the focus of much of our upcoming work.

This month, students worked on jump roping skills with long ropes, short ropes, and elastic ropes.  They are also working on their fitness skills: the mile, sit-ups, sit-and-reach, and the shuttle run.

We’ve been busy bees in Music this month!

5th- Fifth Graders studied World Music Drumming this month, learning and practicing drumming styles from Africa.  Students were also able to learn about and play traditional instruments like shakeres and agogo bells to create a classroom drumming circle.

4th- Fourth Graders spent September learning about the notes on the Treble Clef Staff.  Students came up with their own mnemonic devices to remember the order of the note names for the lines and spaces, and we reinforced our knowledge through cooperative games.

3rd- Third Grade spent September learning barred instrument basics, as well as rhythm recall using unconventional “instruments” like bean bags and cups.

2nd- Second grade also had their Barred Instrument bootcamp, and began learning about dynamics.  We practiced piano and forte through songs and games.

1st- First Grade has been learning about high and low sounds through songs and play!

K- Kindergarten has been “Goin to the Farm” in music class, each week featuring a different farm animal and classroom instrument.

Happy Fall! I hope you are looking forward to cooler temperatures and a colorful season. In Counseling we have reached our Personal Safety Unit, focusing on the 8 Never-Never Rules and how to keep ourselves and others safe.  Students continue to use the 3 R’s tool (Recognize, Refuse, Report), as they explain how to handle unsafe situations like finding a gun, using sharp tools, or wanting to pet a dog that’s not theirs.  Students also practice responsible decision-making during class discussions about unsafe scenario and possible outcomes. Ask your child if they can name all 8 Never-Never Rules!  

We started checking out books in September.  Kindergarten gets one book, but first-fifth each get two.  We also have a weekly estimation jar on the circulation desk.  The closest guesser earns an extra checkout for their whole class the next week.  Turns out that we have some great guessers!

In our makerspace this month, K-3 used the Lego WeDo 2.0 kits to make and code Lego robots.  4-5 got their feet wet with 3D design by using the Tinkercad app to design custom bookmarks.  I'm looking forward to introducing this to more grade levels and getting into more complex designing as the year progresses!

As always, please fill out this form if you'd like to share something unique about your student on our hallway projector screen!  https://forms.gle/GQUK1fWLjYwJAE749

In Media this month we explored the wonders of photography.

Students in grades K-1 learned the importance of finding the right angles and light. They first build their creation using blocks and then they were able to experiment with shinning a flashlight on their creation to see where shadows were created.

Students in 2nd-3rd grade had the opportunity to go outside and test their optical illusion skills by taking a picture using the photography technique, forced perspective. Students were tasked with creating a picture that showed them to be larger or smaller than their chosen object.

Students in 4th & 5 grade were tasked with creating action shots. Students were able to get pictures of themselves doing various activities including jumping, running, and dancing.