Specialist%20Newsletter-%20September.pdf

pdf copy 

Library

This month in Library, we have been learning how to use library tools such as shelf markers and the library catalog.  In K-2, we have been learning about great authors like Mo Willems, Doreen Cronin, and the Pete the Cat series.  In grades 4-6, we have been learning how to explore books of interest 

using the library catalog and put popular 

titles on hold.  Keep reading, hornets!

 

AAP/STEAM

This month in STEAM, we have been thinking about different technologies. Technology is an object that solves a problem. In K-2, we are thinking about technologies in our homes and how we use them. In 3-6, we are using the “SCAMPER” strategy to brainstorm how we could improve our technologies for personal use. All 

students are using critical and creative 

thinking skills to think of unique solutions!

 

Art

So much magic has happened in our art room since our last newsletter! We have been incorporating Hispanic Heritage Month in all classes! We’ve also started introducing different mediums such paint, chalk pastels, and collage!

This month, we will be focusing on craftsmanship and the elements of art with an emphasis in color, line, and value for all grades.

 

Technology

he week of October 18th-22nd is Digital Citizen Week.   The theme this year is SEL in Digital Life. Students will explore ways to  balance technology in their lives, how to be kind online and how to make good decisions online.  

Please help students in grades 3-6 remember to bring their laptop to school fully charged each day. 

PE

Since our last newsletter we completed our movement/fitness units and began our throwing and catching unit. All classes have been enjoying the nice weather out on the fields as we learn about, and practice, the proper body movements of throwing and catching.  

Music

Yellow, red and brown…

We are singing about falling leaves! We are learning all about the five different types of voices, keeping a steady beat with our feet, dancing with scarves, and decoding rhythms while we get into the autumn spirit! 

 

Strings

Since beginning classes a few weeks ago, many of our students are already working hard to make beautiful music! Don’t forget to sign practice records and encourage your child to practice at home!

Band

Band classes are making music together.  We have been enjoying the beautiful weather outside & social distancing.  6th grade students, save the date (October 22) for joining the SCHS marching band at the football game.  Please encourage your child to practice at home.  Practice charts will be coming home next week.

November Specialist Report printable pdf

Halley Elementary Special Report

November 2021 Newsletter

Library

In Library this month, our focus has been on nonfiction to mirror the learning that’s taking place in classrooms.  In grades K-3, we’ve practiced identifying fiction and nonfiction books in the library by using the spines of the books.  We’ve also looked at great nonfiction authors such as Steve Jenkins and series like What if You Had…” and National Geographic Kids.  In grades 4-6, we have been locating books on the shelves in the nonfiction section using the Destiny catalog listings.Students found some great new NF topics like pirates, crime scene investigations,and survival skills!  Students are also excited for the Scholastic Book Fair coming Nov. 29 - Dec. 3!

 

AAP/STEAM

In STEAM this month, each class is completing a Keva plank challenge. Keva planks are wooden blocks that are great for building. K-2 students have been challenged to build the tallest tower that they can, limiting the number of blocks at the base. 3-6 students have been challenged with building a bridge that can support a marble without it falling off of the bridge. 

All students are using the critical and creative thinking skill of visualization to imagine what their design will look like. Once the first build is complete, students are revising and refining their ideas to improve their design. Ask your student about their build!

 

Art

This month in art has been chaos in the VERY BEST way! In kindergarten, we are exploring seasons and our 5 senses! We have been incorporating Native American Heritage through weaving for grades 1, 3, and 6th grade choice. In grades 2 and 4, we are finishing up collaborative projects (monarch butterflies for 2nd and poetry for 4th). Grades 5 and 6 are focusing on color theory and creative thinking. We are still working on craftsmanship and experimenting with different mediums in all grades!

I finally displayed our 6th grade 3D art in gallery form! Classroom teachers are able to sign up for class visits so all students can see what our awesome 6th graders have created! 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PTO Virtual Art Night! It was such a joy seeing our kiddos create and have fun! I loved seeing how proud they were of their art!

 

Technology

Kindergarten students are having fun creating patterns using clipart in Wixie during their technology specials this month. They will also be learning how to use the keyboard to type their names.

First grade students learned how to use the discussion tool in Schoology to share their favorite season and give at least one reason it was their favorite.   

Schoology is our new learning management system in FCPS. It replaces Blackboard from previous years.  Parents can access their child’s account by logging into Schoology using their parentvue username and password.  You can find out more by visiting the FCPS Schoology webpage.  If you do not have a parentvue account please access the parent help online form to ask for an activation key

Are you considering buying a new device for your child?  Register for this free webinar hosted by the Parent Resource Center featuring Tammi Sisk and Bethany Demers (two former Halley Hornet Staff Members). Click HERE to register.

 

PE

 Since our last newsletter, we have been trying to be outside as much as possible so that the students can finish up their kicking and punting unit before the Thanksgiving break. We we return from the break the students will be participating in some whole class games that many of them have never gotten to play before. It should be fun!! 

 

Music

Patriotic Pride! Our students enjoyed our unit of patriotic music. It was a great way to celebrate Veterans Day. Ask your student which classic song is their favorite:  Grand Old Flag,Yankee Doodle, America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, This Land is Your Land, or the Star Spangled Banner! 

 

Strings

Our 5th and 6th grade students had a wonderful time performing in the South County Masquerade concert a few weeks ago. More information on our next concert coming soon! Click here to watch the Masquerade concert.

Band

All the band students are enjoying learning songs and achieving band karate beads for their case handle.  6th grade students have the chance to perform on  the SCMS Winter Band Concert on December 9th. 6th grade students can sign up on this link. SCMS Concert

 

February Halley Specilaist Newsletter printable pdf

Halley Elementary Special Report

February  2022 Newsletter

Library

This month, K-2 students have been reading poetry in the library and noticing the number 811 on the spines of poetry books.  We’ve found poetry can be about anything - soccer, dinosaurs, friendship and even silly things that happen in school!  In 3rd grade, students have been using the library catalog to find books on their research topics and also exploring some databases.  In grades 4-6, students have been using tools in the library to help with genre identification and exploring new books using “collections” in the library catalog.  Keep reading, hornets! 

 

AAP/STEAM

This month, K-2 students are learning about analogies. Analogies help students to make connections and comparisons. Students listened to the book “My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks” and then wrote their own analogies about a family member. Ask your student about the analogy they wrote! 

Meanwhile, grades 3-6 students are following the engineering design process to build tall towers from index cards. Students have time to plan, create, revise and reflect on their structures. Ask your student how their build went!

 

Technology

  Students in K-2 have started to bring home their laptops if inclement weather is in the forecast.  Students should keep their laptops in a safe place and charge them while at home. Laptops should be returned the next school day.  

Our kindergarten and 1st graders are adding details to their snow pictures in Wixie.  We will start learning how  to research animals using a database called  Pebble Go. Did you know that FCPS has lots of databases students  at all grade levels can use for research?

 

PE

 Students in K-2 have started to bring home their laptops if inclement weather is in the forecast.  Students should keep their laptops in a safe place and charge them while at home. Laptops should be returned the next school day.  

Our kindergarten and 1st graders are adding details to their snow pictures in Wixie.  We will start learning how  to research animals using a database called  Pebble Go. Did you know that FCPS has lots of databases students  at all grade levels can use for research?

 

Art

We have had very hardworking hornets in the art room! 

This month, most grades will be working with mediums to create 3D art!  Grades 1 & 6 are planning, practicing, and finalizing clay projects. 5th grade is studying architecture around the world and creating a playground/water park inspired by their favorite architecture. 4th grade is learning to sew–they will be creating a plush time capsule! Our remaining grades will be working with mediums to create 2D art such as paint, collage, and paper weaving! 

 

Music

Mrs. Poblete’s and Ms. Gordon’s music rooms have been busy!

In December, we studied Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. We learned about the story and the music composed. We also played instruments and composed our own patterns to accompany the music!

In January, we reviewed the rhythms we have been working on. We also learned about folk dances from around the world! As the 3rd quarter begins we are learning to read notes on the staff.

 

Chorus

Before Winter Break, our 5th Grade chorus went caroling to PreK-2nd grade classrooms. We had a lot of fun singing holiday songs for others!

Band

Congratulations to the following students for completing their Essential Elements book band karate:

Prabhnoor S.- flute, Eshaal F.- flute, Thomas K.-  clarinet

Prabhnoor has also completed ten major scales and chromatic scale karate.  Students are working hard to learn songs and different musical concepts to gain beads to display on their case handles. 

Honor Band

We are having a special honor band beginning next week, Thursday, February 10, from 5:00-6:15. Forms are due by Friday, February 4th.  4 rehearsals at SCMS and then a concert March 9 at SCHS Auditorium @7:00p.m. Invited students received a letter and enrollment form.  We look forward to playing some great music and having a live performance.

 

Our string students have been working hard on learning the proper way to play with their bows! Lots of new vocabulary, sore arms, and loose bow hairs. 

Check your student’s practice log and don’t forget to add your signature. 

March Newsletter pdf 

Halley Elementary Special Report

March 2022 Newsletter

Library

n library, we kicked off the month with Read Across America Week - many fun spirit days, book battles, and celebrations of reading.  We are also spotlighting Women’s History month with many diverse books about amazing women  available for checkout.  Grades K/1, library patrons have been practicing choosing nonfiction books of interest, while 2nd grade has been finding realistic fiction books.  Grades 4 and 6 have been using databases for research, while 5th graders explore poetry  The library is a busy, fun place to be at Halley!

 

AAP/STEAM

In STEAM, we are continuing to practice using the engineering design cycle and connecting it to critical and creative thinking skills.  This month, students in grades K-2 will be creating mazes on paper plates that will move a marble on a unique path from one place to another. Students in grades 3-6 will be challenged to build a roller coaster using paper, tape and scissors that can transport a marble on a unique path. I can’t wait to see the unique and colorful designs that students create!

 

Technology

Students in grades K-5 have access to Wixie. Wixie is a multimedia program. Students can create drawing, videos and add audio.   Our kindergarten students have create their own versions of  the book “ It Looked Like Spilt Milk” using Wixie. Students access Wixie through Schoology and the app grid (mini waffle) and Clever.

Students: do you know where your power cord is? Please take a moment to check in with your child to make sure they have their power cord for their laptop.  All students were issued a charger to go with their laptop.  If your student has lost or misplaced their charger you will need to purchase a replacement.

 

PE

Students in PE recently finished up their bowling unit and began their basketball unit. With the NCAA tournament just a few days away we thought this would be a great way to link our instruction in class with the tournament. Weather depending, we will probably have one more indoor based unit before we switch to outdoor based for the remainder of the academic year.  

 

Art

In Art Class, we are elbows deep in clay. Grades 1, 3, and 6 are finishing up their projects this week. Grades k, 2, and 5 are in the planning and experimenting phase. They will begin final projects as early as mid March! Fourth grade is in the middle of another project, but they will start clay right after! As we finish up clay, we will need A TON of newspaper to make sure our projects get home safely and in one piece! If you have extra newspaper, please send it with your kiddo for art! We are also in need of sharpeners again. The kids have said these worked the best and lasted the longest. If you are able, we would greatly appreciate more donations!

 

Music

In Music Class, our younger students have been learning about Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. We have learned how instruments of the orchestra can be used to tell a story. Our older classes have been learning about improvisation in music. We have learned how to improvise vocally and on instruments! 

 

Chorus

5th and 6th Grade Chorus has been hard at work learning music for our concert on June 1st. Stay tuned for more information soon! 

 

Band

Congratulations to the 13 band students who performed with the South County Area Honor Band on March 9 at South County HS auditorium.  They were:  Mariela Allison, Raniyah Ansari, Manahil Aziz, Hassanatu Bah, Eshaal Faisal, Elyse Lyon, Zaiba Khan, Thomas Kim, Hayul Kwon, Elyse Lyon, Anss Osman, Prabhnoor Sujlana, & Matthew Workmeister.  

Information on our spring concert will be coming soon!

Strings

6th Grade: It’s not too late to sign up for Middle School Orchestra! If you’d like to change an elective, please reach out to Mr. Johnson to make the switch.