February '17

First Graders are Flipping over FLIP GRID!

First graders researched an animal using print and online sources. After researching and note-taking, students constructed a book about their animal including: table of contents, four sections (body, food, habitat, fun facts), all about the author, and lastly they cited their source(s). Students used nonfiction books and/or PebbleGo database. Finally, students presented their research to their classmates and recorded their presentation in Flip Grid for easy access from home and across their grade. Flip Grid is a safe way to share information, practice fluency, create short presentations for an authentic audience, and encourage learning, conversation, collaboration and feedback. Stay on the lookout for our next Flip Grid….4th Grade Book Review Vodcasts!

Keyboarding …3rd and 4th graders participated in a mini keyboard unit over the past few weeks during their technology class.  Students are now ready to continue their keyboarding practice at home, in school, and whenever they are using a keyboard. Keyboarding is a skill that will improve greatly with consistent practice when using the CORRECT TECHNIQUE. If possible, try to keep an eye on your child's keyboard experiences at home.  Encourage your child to type with ALL fingers and ALWAYS use the technique we learned in class. Students began their practice in school using www.Typing.com  and www.dancemattyping.com. These websites can be found on the keyboarding section of the Hilltop Library Media Center website, along with more free sites. Your child has worked very hard to develop the correct technique in the classroom, now it is time for them to continue using the correct keyboarding technique at home and in their daily school/home computer activities.

Virtual Valentines Project

During the month of February some classes participated in a Virtual Valentine Project during their library and technology classes. Students created digital valentines for a 5th grade class in Andover, Kansas and a Kindergarten class in Durham, CT.. We shared our creations and then participated in a virtual meeting with our partners.  Students introduced themselves, read poems, shared digital valentines, and then listened to our new friends share. This project was made possible by the Global Virtual Valentines Project

3rd and 4th graders got CREATIVE with CANVA - one of Mrs. LeMay’s favorite design tools! Students designed some fun valentine documents and discovered a new, dynamic platform they can use to present or share information. Students would need to create their own free account in order to use this free website from home.

February is Heart Month The Third Graders will be jumping on February 14th.  It will be done in school at the end of the day.   Lets Get ready to work our bodies out.  Our Hilltopers will be using their own bodies to build strength by doing Animal walks in the gym.  I will be focusing on Body Awareness:

• Keeping your body in control
• Body Balance
• Body Control
• Using your own weight to get Strong   Upper and Lower body

Its time to get your parents Walking.   Take your parents for a Walk is back and the Tokens will begin.   How this works is your son or daughter will bring home a form (Mrs. Morales has them in her gym) and when your child takes you for a walk, you sign the paper, bring it to the folder in the gym and your name is put in a bucket where if it gets pulled out you will receive a Token. ( the token can be worn on your sneaker or backpack.   The winner is announced in the Morning with the Morning announcements.  

Music:

Kindergarteners are developing their ability to use and switch fast/slow tempo while singing/playing instruments with visual cues to known poems/songs. They are creating, in an age-appropriate way, new text to short songs. They have played one new instruments: jingle sticks. They continue to develop the proper technique on instruments that they have played so far this year.

First Graders are reading and performing rhythms to known songs and poems with picture notation (not traditional notation yet).

Second Graders have been writing and reading 2-pitch songs on a 3-line/2-space staff to understand pitch in notation. They have used xylophones and metallophones to play 2-pitch songs from their written notation.

Third Graders continue to use Google Classroom to listen to excerpts from “Autumn” and “Winter” from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi and use music vocabulary (dynamics, melody, rhythm, tempo, and timbre) to describe Vivaldi’s music. The recorders have been ordered.  It takes about 2 weeks for the recorders arrive.

Fourth Graders will earn their orange belts this month when they play either Good King Wenceslas or Seashell from traditional music notation.

January '17

Art: Happy 2017!  As the new year begins and the second marking period comes to an end, many of the art folders will be going home.  Parents -- please sign the folder and keep the artworks at home, but return the folder with the art journals/notebooks.  We need the folder for more artworks to come later in the year.

Fourth graders have finished the unit of art of the face.  They will be bringing home their symbolic portraits and realistic selfies.  We have started our printmaking experiences; this year we will be focusing on just intaglios, a printmaking process where the image is cut out of the printing plate.  They will be experiencing using the reduction method to make prints.

Third graders, with an exception of one class, have  finished up winter birch tree landscapes, a study on rhythm which is one of the principles of art.  Students then will practice using patterns as part of their artworks and create a multimedia dragon pictures.  

Second graders will take home their art folders with holiday street collage(unless they already took it home), pine tree paintings using space and distance, and Chinese dragon puppets practicing folding and cutting skills.  

First graders will also take home their art folders with winter monochromatic landscape and a sampling of some folk art:  koi nobori, embroidery and aboriginal art.    

Kindergarteners have been painting, cutting and gluing to experience different aspects of art.  They are really beginning to understand how to handle certain art materials correctly.  Fun, fun, fun!

Physical Education:  It’s time to hit the Volleyball court.  Our 1st -4th graders are developing and improving on the three basic skills of Volleyball.  Setting, Bumping and Serving.  As we continue through the weeks, all of the skills will be placed together. For 4th grade, they will play a modified game of volleyball called “Nukem” volleyball.  For the younger grades they will be able to work with a Big Beach Ball.  Keeping it up, working together cooperatively to keep the ball in the air.

As February approaches, the Third graders will be getting ready for Jumprope For Heart.   

Music

Kindergarteners are developing their ability to use and switch between high and low voices with visual cues to known poems. They are creating, in an age-appropriate way, new text to short songs. They have played some new instruments in the new year: colored hand bells, chimes, and boomwhackers.  They continue to review instruments that they have played so far this year.

First Graders are reading, performing, and conducting the steady beat in known songs. They can highlight phrases in known songs. They have played quite a few instruments in the new year to demonstrate their ability to perform a steady beat accurately.

Second Graders have been working on rhythms and Meter in 2. They can divide rhythms in known songs into 2-beat measures and add bar lines. They understand also that 2-beat meters are divided into strong and weak beats. The students are beginning to use a 3-line/2-space staff and understand how pitch works in notation.

Third Graders have been using Google Classroom to learn about the composer Antonio Vivaldi, define music vocabulary, and use music vocabulary to describe Vivaldi’s music. The recorder letter for the upcoming third grader recorder unit went home last week.

Fourth Graders have been using Google Classroom assignments to comment and answer questions on video clips from an authentic Native American Powwow where drumming and traditional dances are shown. They are also working on reading and playing the orange belt songs in Recorder Karate.

December

Happy Holidays! The children of Hilltop school will be learning the basics of basketball.  Many activities will be played incorporating those skills.  

 Your children maybe coming home and telling you that they climbed a wall today. Thanks to the HSA the children will have an opportunity to experience climbing in gym.  We will start with many of the basic steps and Rules that are needed to make the rock wall experience a success.

Enjoy your Holiday and your time off with your children.

Mrs. Morales

 3^rd & 4^th Graders participated in an HOUR of CODE!

We live in a world surrounded by technology. We know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.

In an effort to continue our exploration of how technology works, our 3^rd and 4^th grade technology classes experienced an HOUR OF CODE with Mrs. LeMay.

We spent time discussing algorithms, the importance of attending to details, debugging, using models and simlulation to explore complex systems, perseverance, and collaboration.  All of these elements are not only critical copmonents of computer programming, but are applicable to all areas of learning. Students started out by working together to devlop the lines of code necessary to get Mrs. LeMay to her shoe! Students then went on to read and write code on paper (paper programming), and finallly students wrote code using the www.code.org platform.

Check out the great SketchNote by Sylvia Duckworth called “10 Reasons to Teach Coding.” She put the infographic together based on information from Brian Aspinall. Stay on the lookout for our own 3^rd and 4^th grade SKETCHNOTES! For more information about the Hour of Code, go to https://hourofcode.com/us.

Citations, Citations, Citations….

2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th graders are involved in research projects that require students to locate and access several print and digital resources.  We have discussed the importance citing their sources, and grades 3-4 have heard Mrs. LeMay’s Lovely Lollipop Story – The Importance of Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due!  In grades 3-4 we have gone into great detail discussing citation format and creating citations for our recent BrainPop mini research projects.  

The 4^th Grade Mannequin Challenge Videos and Scavenger Hunt are online! 

Our 4th graders recently worked together to complete Hilltop Library Mannequin Challenge videos. Students came up with a pose that could clearly illustrate the wonderful tools, resources, and space we have at the Hilltop Library -- where our students grow as readers, researchers and learners!

In an effort to engage ALL Hilltop learners, I have created the Hilltop Library Mannequin Challenge Scavenger Hunt. All students are welcome to complete one scavenger hunt form and return it to the Hilltop Library at any time this year to receive a prize. The Mannequin Challenge Scavenger Hunt form can be found on the Hilltop Library website.  Students can watch all 3 mannequin videos, but only need to complete one scavenger hunt form. The videos can be found on the password protected portion of our website. Questions?? email lemay@mendhamboroschools.org

1^st Graders Researchers are blossoming…Students have been learning about the Internet, the Chrome browser and how to navigate to the PebbleGO database at www.pebblego.com.   We discussed the importance of keeping our school login information private, and all students have had extensive practice logging in to the database. The Mendham Borough School District subscribes to this database, and students can access it from school or home. This informational research database is geared towards younger, emerging readers, giving them access to relevant, current information about research topics in a multimodal literacy environment that supports them at every level. Students searched, located, and accessed various informational texts and topics. They then went on to gather and record information, and will soon be locating the citation for a given informational article!

 

All Hilltop students are working on selections to share at the holiday concerts on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 in Hilltop’s Gym.  

Our theme this year is “Holiday Magic, Holiday Wonder.”

Holiday concert times are:

Grades 1 and 2 at 9:00 a.m.

Grades 3 and 4 at 10:15 a.m.

Kindergarten at 2:30 p.m.

Snow date for the concerts is Thursday, December 22, 2016. Concert times for the snow date would be the same as listed above.

Please have students dress neatly/nicely (no sports jerseys or shirts with logos) and not to warmly as performing on risers under lights makes the children warm.

NOVEMBER

Kindergarteners have been practicing lots of cutting and gluing for the fall art projects, as well as exploring painting in the art room.   

It’s been a tradition for the first graders to paint a barn landscape.  They have learned how to create a landscape using aerial perspective and appropriate proportion for different grounds.   

Second graders have been onto the next element of art--color.  They have been learning about the color theory and making a colorful still life arrangement.  They have also learned about texture and created a texture painting of fall trees using different applications.

Third Graders have been working on painting their fall still lifes, emphasizing unity and balance of their composition.  Since they have art only once a week, some classes, especially those that have art on Mondays, have missed art for a couple of weeks and have been still trying to finish up their paintings.  We’ll try to send those home soon.

Fourth Grade have been working on the unit of Art of Face.  They finished their symbolic portraits, inspired by the artist Arcimboldo.  We have also studied Mona Lisa and the history of portraiture, as they have started their realistic selfies.  

The Goblins in the gym have come and gone.  Its time to focus on Our Dance Moves.  The children will be learning dances from the early 40’s like the Alley Cat, moving forward to the 70’s with the Village People’s YMCA. For Our 3rd and 4th graders, we will be doing some country dancing.  

The Virginia Reel and the Cotton Eye Joe will be taught.  

The students will also be strengthening their CORE muscles, by moving about in different ways on the scooters.  

The Rock Wall? Listen for your children to come home from school and mention the Rock Wall.  It may be planned for next month. STAYED TUNED.

FROM THE HILLTOP LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Students in grades K-4 learned about voting, elections, ballots, absentee ballots, and more!  We then read our four literary candidates.  Students took the time to think about each book and its illustrations, themes, characters and purpose.  We asked questions. Did the book inspire you?  Do you think about the story, even when you aren't reading it? Did you love the characters, setting, genre, or theme? Did you enjoy the pictures?  Did the pictures do a great job at helping to tell the story? Which book do you feel deserves to be the "Winning Title" for our 2016 Book Election? 

Students were then given the opportunity to enter the voting booth and cast their vote!  Check out the results at the Hilltop Library Media Center website by clicking HERE.

What kind of DIGITAL FOOTPRINT are you creating? In an effort to continue our exploration and understanding of DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP, students in 3^rd and 4^th grade learned about and reflected upon their own growing digital footprint. Students learned that the information they put online leaves a digital footprint or trail.  We discussed what information is appropriate and inappropriate.  For more information regarding online safety check out the link on the Hilltop Library Media Center website for COMMON SENSE MEDIA Digital Citiizenship Family Activity Sheets

RESPECT COMIC STRIPS…..3^rd and 4^th grade students thought about ways in which they SHOW respect.  Students constructed tables in Powerpoint, inserted text boxes, speech and thought bubbles, images, and backgrounds.  Students worked heavily with the ORDER tool to help them layer the multiple images and text boxes within each frame of their comic strip.  The result…GREAT Graphic Design Work and Great Messages! Check out the rest of our comic strips on the Hilltop Library Media Center website.

Kindergarteners are identifying and “reading” dynamic markings (Loud, Quiet) to short chants and songs. They continue to play a classroom instrument each week and review instruments we’ve played previously. They will begin learning short, age appropriate song for their holiday/winter concert on December 21.

First Graders have been learning about pitch: high, low, going higher and going lower. They have played some unique instruments like the whistle tubes and thunder tubes. They will begin learning short, age-appropriate song for their holiday/winter concert on December 21.

Second Graders continue to use rhythms and patterns. They are learning how to accompany themselves on xylophone to short songs. They will begin learning short, age-appropriate song for their holiday/winter concert on December 21.

Third Graders are reading and performing rhythms with half notes and half rests. They are also using xylophones to accompany short songs. We have begun to learn songs for their holiday/winter concert on December 21.

Fourth Graders are learning the songs Star Light and Doggie, Doggie for the yellow belt in Recorder Karate. They have begun to learn about Time Signatures in 4/4.  They started to work on the recorder song for their holiday concert on December 21.

September/October 2016

September - October 2016

Hilltop artists have been working hard this month creating their first art pieces of the school year that will be used for the HSA fundraiser, Display My Art.  The actual artworks will be returned to the students some time in the winter, when they get returned from the printer.  Please look out for more information to come from HSA.

In October, we will be welcoming fall with lots of seasonal art.  We will be making pumpkins, fall leaves, bats,  scarecrows and more.  We will be creating fall still lifes and landscapes.  

Kindergarteners will continue to develop their drawing, cutting and pasting, and painting skills while getting accustomed to using different art materials properly.  First graders will learn about what still life and landscape are. Second graders will start to delve into the first two elements of art:  line and color.  Third graders will continue to apply the principles of art, emphasis, unity and balance.  Fourth graders will begin their unit on Art of Face with symbolic portrait.   

Technology: 3rd graders have been learning about their new Google Drive, how it can enhance their learning experiences, and how a great digital citizen uses their drive in respectful, constructive and productive ways to enhance their learning. Each student was given a Google License, and now has full permission to use their drive at home and in school.  Both 3rd and 4th graders have been working on a collaborative Google Drive project, sharing data, collecting results, and analyzing those results through the creation of Web 2.0 Word Cloud. Both 3rd and 4th graders are now active OPAC users. Ask your child what the acronym OPAC stands for, and how it can help learners locate and explore literary resources.  

Library Information Literacy: Our K-4th grade students have begun exploring and checking out literature.  In addition to our focus on our school-wide character pillar, RESPECT, we are diving into literature. In Kindergarten we are reading and singing along with Pete the Cat. 1st Graders are exploring the Clyde the Bunny books, and reflecting on the beginning, middle, and end of a story, as well as character, setting, genre, problem and solution.  Our 2nd Graders are learning about Tall Tales, the 398.2 Dewey section, and of course, the use of exaggeration in many Tall Tales. 2nd-4th Graders learned about the amazing Emmanual Ofosu Yeboah. We read Emmanuel's Dream, and were in awe of Emmanuel's determination. His message of respect, perseverance and compassion is remarkable. Check out his page at http://www.emmanuelsdream.org/Index.html and video footage at https://vimeo.com/149088517.

We look forward to exploring and experiencing wonderful literature throughout the 2016-2017 year!

Happy Fall!  The children have been getting their bodies back into Hilltop Phys Ed Shape.  That means jogging in the gym for minutes, exercises with classmates and for the 3rd and fourth graders, having an Olympic Captain lead their group. The Soccer unit was enjoyed by all grades. Mini games of soccer were played along with activities using the soccer skills they learned.

During October students will be focusing on their personal fitness.  How many sit ups can they do in 1 minute, running a shuttle run, testing their flexibility with a sit and reach,and jogging either ¼,½, or 1 mile. This will be recorded and then tested again in May. The goal is for children to complete the laps.  If they need to walk at any time, it is acceptable.  

BIG REMINDER: PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD/CHILDREN WEAR THEIR SNEAKERS ON GYM DAYS.  ( if they forget, they are not able to take gym for that day.)   

Music:

Kindergarteners have been learning how to breathe deeply to support singing, singing familiar songs,learning correct names and age-appropriate techniques on classroom instruments, and experiencing musical stories and new songs to be usedfor skill/concept development.

First graders have been demonstrating their understanding of tempo through Italian terms - allegro, moderato, adagio) and dynamics through Italian terms - forte, mezzo forte, piano. They have played classroom instruments with poems to demonstrate that they can follow a conductor’s cues.

Second graders have reviewed rhythm symbols and 4-beat rhythm patterns from last year. They have begun to accompany poems and songs on xylophones and classroom instruments and to read pitch from iconic notation.

Third graders have reviewed rhythms from last year and have been working on singing in unison and harmony. Soon, they will add new rhythm patterns to their rhythm repertoire.

Fourth graders have reviewed rhythms of songs from previous years and begun Recorder Karate to develop their staff reading/notation skills. Next, they will study common time signatures.