May 24, 2021
Dear families,
We hope you’ve been able to enjoy this beautiful weather! Here are a few notes about what is happening in Library, Music, and Art classes at Willard School:
In the library, 1st and 2nd grade classes learned how to begin programming Bee-bots and were also able to use the Bots to spell their spelling words. This Spring, the library classes in 3rd grade have been learning about different genres of literature with a focus on Fairytales/Folk tales. The fourth grade has been learning about Digital Citizenship and the importance of Private/Personal information being shared on the internet and through Social Media platforms.
Over the summer please check the local libraries for summer reading programs. Your students will be getting more information on this before the end of the school year.
In Music class, students have been learning about the brass, woodwind, string, and percussion families. We can name common instruments, identify their qualities, sort them into families, and even use our ears to match instruments to their characteristic sounds! We have also continued our exploration of classroom instruments. Students in Grades 1 and 2 have been practicing musical teamwork by using boomwhackers, hand drums, triangles, and more. Grade 3 students have been reading quarter note, quarter rest, and eighth note rhythms and using African drums and bucket drums to perform these. 4th graders are wrapping up their ukulele unit by performing songs that use C and F chords as well as the brand new G7 chord. We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the musical practice process and growth mindset. Our students have worked incredibly hard in Music this year and should be very proud of their amazing progress! Be on the lookout for a video of our 4th graders performing some “out-of-this-world” music…
In art class, students will be completing their last part projects for the year. Students will be focusing on reflecting all that they have learned both in school this year, and about themselves. We will focus on experimentation with different art forms, and different ways we can create art with all of the knowledge and tools we have gained this year!
We have enjoyed working with your children this school year and are incredibly proud of their progress. Wishing you all a wonderful summer!
Best,
Mrs. Dompkouski - Library
Ms. Gaare - Art
Mrs. Mannino - Music