Collinswood Language Academy
Special Area Team Newsletter
October/November 2013
MUSIC:
This year is off to a fabulous start in music! In class, we have been exploring the fundamentals of singing. Students are engaged in project based lessons that support proper vocal technique and pitch accuracy when singing and playing instruments. Some vocabulary words we have been discussing include: posture, pitch, lyrics, rehearsals, performances, vocal technique, melody, harmony, dynamics, and diction.
3rd grade students are preparing for their PTA performance of “Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears” based on the West African Folktale by Verna Arderma, which will be presented at Collinswood Language Academy on November 7th, 2013 at 7:00pm! Please come out and support our students!
4th Grade students kicked off their first week of playing the soprano recorder and are doing some fantastic work! During class, students are actively engaged in the process of reading music as well as learning breathing techniques, finger placement, and embouchure. Keep practicing!
All 4th and 5th grade studentsthat registered for Elementary Choir and Recorder Rock Stars, please note that our rehearsals begin on either October 21stor October 22nd at 8:15am in the music room.
Our Middle School Vocal Ensemble is gearing up for their first off campus performance at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center where they will be putting on a DYNAMIC show!
For updates as well as resources for rehearsing musicals and recorders, please visit my website at:
ART:
We're off to an exciting start of the year in art. We will once again be posting our art projects on Artsonia.com - the world's largest on-line student museum. If you haven't already done so, please log on to Artsonia and register so family and friends near and far can share your child's artwork. All you need to register is your email address and child's security key. Please email Ms. Hira at if you need your child's security code.
Congratulations to the following art students for representing Collinswood at Festival in the Park: Shannon Patrón, Olivia Martella, Romina Rivadeneyra, Jonnathan Sandoval, Sophie Pedersen and Emily Nuñez.
Check out Ms. Hira's newly created website at
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Physical Education students have been participating in theWelnet Baseline Performance test. The components of the test includecurl-up, shoulder stretch, push-up, PACER, height and weight. The curl-up and push up portions of the test examinestrength and endurance of the muscles of the upper body. The shoulder stretch tests joint flexibility and the PACER tests aerobic capacity. PACER stands for Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular EnduranceRun. Students should be practicing each of these fitnessskills at home. A fitness report is available for each student in grade third through fifth. Our pre-test should be completed by the end of October. We will retest these areas as the year progresses; we hope to see personal growth for each of our students.
The middle schoolVolleyball Club tryouts were on October 9th and practices begin October 16th.
MEDIA:
In Media classes, all students are completing their orientation lessons. Upper grades have reviewed how to locate books using our online database, Horizon Information Portal, and are reviewing the various sections of the library so that they can locate needed resources. First and Second Graders are learning about subject, title and author searches. They are also exploring the Media Center as they participate in scavenger hunts for different books. Kindergarten students are learning how to care for the books they check out and how the Media Center is organized.
Fourth Grade students are learning about economic literacy in order to prepare for their upcoming field trip to JA Biztown. They are practicing using a checking account and will create business letters in order to enrich their experience at Biztown.
Coming soon! Look for news about our Fall Book Fair on November 18 – 22. We will kick off the fair during the school Fall Festival on Saturday, November 16. A SignUp Genius form will be available soon to help recruit our wonderful Book Fair volunteers. Hope to see everyone at the fair!
TECHNOLOGY:
Computer Skills and Applications I:
Students are learning how to create spreadsheets and use formulas for the purpose of organizing and analyzing information. Students are becoming comfortable with the keyboard and currently transitioning towards developing typing speed.
Computer Skills and Applications II:
Students are learning how to create an effective presentation. They have learned how to outline and systematically organize their presentation to increase audience engagement. Students are currently providing a presentation of their choice with an emphasis on body control and effective use of body language.
STEM:
Students are learning about how the job market works and their role within that cycle. Students have taken personality tests and explored various career choices as a result. Students were tasked with finding a job within 2 different industry sectors and then researching universities that would provide the necessary education for those jobs.
BAND:
In Ms. Green's class, the fifth graders are currently learning about the guitar and how it works. They are even getting to play the guitar! In sixth grade band, we are learning the correct way to play our instruments! A few of the things we have been focused on are embouchure, breathing, posture, slide positions/note fingering, and even proper instrument assembly! In Seventh Grade Band, the students are focused on increasing endurance and maturity of tone. We've been working on this with exercises called Chorales. The eighth grade band has started preparing fortheir concert as well as exploring new topics such as jazz, guitar, and musical composition!
For more info on theCollinswood Bands please visit: