GRAND AVENUE SPECIALS

Art - Krista Geier and Molly Froelich

Music - Amy Hiel and Rebekah Knitt

Physical Education - Jacob Breunig and Seth Kostroski

Email: contact@saukprairieschools.org
Website: www.saukprairieschools.org
Phone: (608) 643-1900

This newsletter is to help you stay connected to what is happening in the Grand Avenue Specials. The Specials are composed of Music, Art and Physical Education, each student has each specials class twice a week. We hope that you find the information useful and please feel free to contact your student's Specials teacher with questions or concerns.

YOUTH ART MONTH ART SHOW

Now OPEN!!!

Stop by the Sauk Prairie School District River Arts Center between 8:00 AM-8:00 PM on school days to see artwork created by the youth of Sauk Prairie. Every Sauk Prairie student in 5K-5 has a piece of art on display. The show is open to the public until April 19.

Fifth Grade

In October, artists created a clay mug based on the face jugs created by slave potters from Edgefield South in the early 1800's. 5th grade artists were asked to create a face out of clay that included eyes, nose, mouth and at least one extra detail. When creating the face mugs artists enjoyed exploring the possibility of making realistic, funny, ugly and cute faces. This project uses skills that artists learned in previous clay projects to design and build clay vessels. The mugs will be glazed before going home.

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade artists have been creating clay cupcakes inspired by the realistic paintings of Wayne Thiebaud. Artists started the project by sculpting a two piece container in the shape of a cupcake with decorations of their choice. During this project students learn how to manipulate the clay into a variety of shapes, to create a 3D form, and the procedures for working with clay. Many students are in the final steps of painting and varnishing their cupcake. A big, "Thank You!" to GSPIE for providing the funds to purchase the clay.

Third Grade

Weaving

Artists in Mrs. Cichanowicz and Mrs. Swanson and Ms. Udulutch's classes finished their loom weaving. Due to the number of looms that are available we cannot have all the students weaving at the sametime, so we weave with a few classes at a time. The children have warped their looms and have begun the basic weaving known as tabby and some have tried raya knots. This is a longer unit; however, the children really enjoy having the opportunity to create their own weaving. Several different weaving techniques are demonstrated and the children are asked to include at least three different styles in their weaving. They are given the opportunity to choose their own colors as long as they use at least two, but no more than five. This allows them to create patterns with color that show unity, or look like they belong together.

Clay Creatures

Artists in Mrs.Lenerz, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Nachreiner classes have been creating clay creatures. The animals were created by using two pinch pots to create a hollow sphere and then details were added by sculpting and molding clay. After the animals were fired they were painted and sealed with varnished.

Upcoming Music Performances:

Tuesday May 12th @ 6:00- 3rd Grade Concert at Grand Avenue

Thursday, May 21st- 4th Grade Field Trip to Overture Center for the Link Up Concert

Thursday, May 21st @ 7:00 p.m- 5th Grade Chorus to perform at Middle School Choral Concert

Thursday, May 28th- 5th Grade Chorus Field Trip to sing at Bridges Elementary

This March, to celebrate Music In Our Schools Month, we did a school wide music bracket. Staff members submitted songs to be included on the bracket, and students voted daily on their preferred songs for each match-up! This year's Grand Champion will be determined on Friday!

3rd Grade:

Third Grade Musicians have started to learn the songs for their upcoming concert in May- there is lots of singing going on in the music room this month! They have also been working to master playing B, A, and G on the recorder, and have learned some fun songs and games to work on those skills.

4th Grade:

Fourth Grade Musicians have been working hard learning to play new notes on the recorder. We started out their knowing only 3 notes, and have expanded that to 9 already this year! Students are working hard learning to read and play songs that they will perform when they attend the Link Up Concert at the Overture Center later this spring.

5th Grade:

Fifth Grade Musicians completed mini units on the music of Trombone Shorty and Hip Hop music. We explored this music through listening, and playing along on percussion instruments.

• We participated in the Kids Heart Challenge. Students at Grand Avenue raised almost $4500.00.
  Way to go! And Thank you for all your support!
• We did our basketball unit which focused on dribbling and shooting form. We learned to play a variety of different basketball shooting games in class.
• Students learned about heart health with an activity we call blood flow. We feel this is one of the most important lessons we teach all year
• We will get into our second round of fitness testing focusing on Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Cardiovascular Endurance, and Flexibility
• Our tennis unit will be starting in April
• 5th grade parents keep an eye out for information on the Mary Ballweg Track meet for 5th and 6th grade students. It will take place May 27th 3:45-5:15 at the track.