Solfege This, Symbiosis That
Over the course of this month, students have been busy working on mastering Solfege signs, scales, and note recognition. Students learned the secret to identifying notes by recalling mnemonic devices (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge/ FACE) . Using this knowledge, they were then given the task of unlocking a mystery song. Once they determined the song and begun to recognize the tune, they performed the song through a choral Solfege reading. It was great to see many of the students take to this experience and have fun. Rino was a great sport, and was willing to take a risk by demonstrating the Solfege scale independently.
In music class, students also learned about the history of the recorder. Perhaps you might have seen your son or daughter illustrating child-friendly tales of the musical instrument that will soon be gracing your homes: )In this task, the success criteria included highlighing the main facts from a historical worksheet provided in class, and rendering a grade 1-2 level story that included colour and illustrations. So many creative ideas from recorder action heros to Anime were submitted! Want to encourage your child to 'Bump it Up' (move up to the next level)? Advise them to add extra/originial ideas, refine their work (erase pencil lines, edit their work, use their personal devices, take their time, etc...), maintain deadlines, and, as always, review success criteria/rubrics before work submission. I am so pleased with much of the hard work I am seeing in this class ~ they are really a creative bunch!
As for science, we have been continuing in our succession on biodiveristy. Recently, our focus has been on interrelationships between organisms. MRS. GREN made her first appearance. We have mixed feeling on MRS. GREN's appearance, however, she is certainly helping your children remember the 7 characteristics of living organisms. Student-made cootie catchers have also helped your children to play with definitions.
Please play along with your child and help them to spell, identify and give examples of mutualism, commensalism, parasitism and predation. My joy is really watching them engage in what they are doing and sharing their learning ~ look at the efforts of their mindmup application work!
As a whole, we continue to work on accountable behaviours and manners. Let's face it, we've all had to do things we weren't thrilled about doing in life, however our attitudes shape our perspectives and influence the outcome of our experiences. Some suggestions on on how to approach tasks positively: instead of saying, "When are we going to do something fun?", "I don't want to do this!", or just plain complaining in general/defiance ~ approach challenges, or something we're not thrilled about doing, with a growth mindset (focus on the positive things that will arise/our strengths and abilities that we offer and on the learning that will occur). Attitudes affect not only ourselves, but others. Let's learn to be more empathetic towards one another and respect one another's learning environment. Additionally, 'please' and 'thank yous' go a looong way. No one is entitled to anything and we should approach one another in a spirit of thankfulness and generosity:) Students are encouraged to follow deadlines and are responsible for their own agenda. Notice is always written on the board and stays up until we start another task. Not sure when something is due? Check out the assignment section on the website:)
In hopes of encouraging positive behaviour sand self regulation, we will be using a blurt bubble to help keep our interruptions to a minimal. If the class can keep their blurts to 10 or under for the week, they will be rewarded on Fridays with a little bit of free time *free time must be used in an educational manner: reading, drawing, cooperative games... no gaming/watching youtube/etc...
Another honourable mention this month: the wand of positive energy! * Ask your child about it over dinner tonight:)*
As always, take care of one another and thanks so much for taking the time check in on what's been going on in room 176!
