Fine Arts, PE, Library

Orrington Physical Education Priorities

• Be safe.

• Have good sportsmanship

• Listen & follow directions

Physical Education Outcomes

• Students learn health enhancing movements and skills.
• Students show respect and cooperative attitude.
• Students embrace enjoyment of moving, build resilience and teamwork skills.

Trimester 1 Units

K-2 started the year working on locomotor skills and has added throwing/tossing/rolling and hand eye coordination skills. We are currently working on tossing and catching with manipulative's (Jai alai scoops). Soon we will add foot eye coordination during soccer skills and proprioception activities once we move indoors.

3-5 started the year working on team building activities and now we have progressed to the skills and concepts of various invasion games (Team Handball, Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, Football, etc.) Fitness testing will take place prior to Fall break, recorded in Powerschool for 4th & 5th grade, taught to 3rd grade.

D65 Physical Education Standards (Standards 1 & 3 assessed on 1st trimester report card)

1. Contributes to a positive and safe learning environment by demonstrating knowledge of classroom protocols and expectations.
2. Demonstrates the relationship between movement, good health, health and skill related fitness activities.
3. Applies knowledge of concepts, principals, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
4. Participate daily in moderate to vigorous physical activity while performing multiple basic movement patterns with additional combination movement patterns.

In 1st grade students have been reinforcing their knowledge of basic music notation and expressive contrasts. Using unpitched instruments and body percussion, they have been engaging with a variety of music to practice rhythms with quarter notes, paired eighth notes, half notes, and quarter rests. They have been building their music vocabulary as we explore the expressive uses of dynamics and tempo and discuss what they like about the selections.

In 2nd grade students have studied how composers use different musical concepts to express their ideas or feelings. We continue to build on our knowledge of symbolic notation in preparation for learning about the treble clef and note names on the staff. Students have been playing pitched and unpitched percussion instruments this year as well as singing and moving to music.

In 3rd grade students spent the first trimester focused on reinforcement of basic note and rest values, the treble staff, and structure/form in music. Through a variety of selections, we explored how performers can use expression to show the intent of the composer. We have recently begun the study of recorder! We will continue to reinforce our knowledge of the treble clef as we learn recorder fingerings and songs.

In 4th grade students have focused on applying their understanding of musical elements/vocabulary to selected pieces from a variety of cultures. They began their trimester with a study of traditional West African music using djembes and dununs. Students continue to build their understanding of rhythm and form as well as their ability to discuss expressive qualities in music.

The first Trimester, we all focus on the Art standard: CREATE

K-2nd grade are working towards engage collaboratively in imaginative play with materials

Our I can statements for the trimester are:

-I can share my materials with others

-I can safely play with art materials.

-I can explore new ways to use art materials

Kindergarten began working on the art book they will assemble with art projects for the remainder of the year. So far we have completed our primary and secondary color pages and have worked with crayon, construction paper crayons, and tempra paint.

1st grade completed a beginning of the year about me project, then collaborated on an 1st-5th grade project about the symbols of Orrington school, and then are now completing a warm and cool color/ organic and geometric shape abstract weaving using watercolor and oil pastel.

2nd grade completed a beginning of the year about me project, then collaborated on an 1st-5th grade project about the symbols of Orrington school, and then are now completing an abstract picture inspired by fall leaves using maker and trapped shapes.

3rd -5th grade are working to brainstorm ideas and investigates materials to create purposeful artwork

Our I can statements for the trimester are:

-I can brainstorm ideas

-I can investigate materials.

-I can create purposeful artwork

3rd Grade completed a beginning of the year about me project, then collaborated on an 1st-5th grade project about the symbols of Orrington school, and then are now completing a project about value, foreshortening and polar bears while learning to work with a charcoal pencil

4th grade completed a beginning of the year about me project, then collaborated on an 1st-5th grade project about the symbols of Orrington school, and then are now completing a project about tint, shades and moose while working with paint and oil pastel

5th grade completed a beginning of the year about me project, then collaborated on an 1st-5th grade project about the symbols of Orrington school, and then are now completing a project about nerographic art and working with sharpie, watercolor colored pencils and watercolor

We can't wait for you to see our art!

The first trimester, we all focused on the Drama/ Theatre standard Create. K graders began to join in the drama and use their bodies and/or voices to add an idea to the drama. In First grade, students worked with a partner to take turns playing characters using their words and actions. Second graders began to work with a partner to plan and rehearse a scene. Third graders practiced contributing ideas for a scene in a small group and showing the character’s actions and reactions. At grade 4, we created original scenes based on lines, characters, and images by offering up and then combining ideas for a scene. Fifth graders worked on creating believable characters and maintaining focus in a scene while revising during rehearsal and accepting suggestions for improvement.

Now we are all focused on the Drama / Theatre standard Perform (share). Students in grades K-2 will be working on showing a character’s emotions with their body, facial expressions, and voice. Grade 3 will be working on showing a character’s actions and reactions in a scene, Grade 4 will be learning about maintaining focus in a scene, and fifth graders are trying to show a believable character’s motivation.

Thanks for sending your imaginative humans to drama!

For the first trimester, our Library learning targets centered around Ask & Answer.

Kindergarten: I can listen to a story; I know the routines of the Library.

1st grade: I can find a book I want to read; I know where different types of books are located.

2nd grade: I can use the D65 online catalog Topics to find a book; I can choose a book and explain why it is a good fit for me.

3rd grade: I can search the library website; I can access and use Destiny Discovery.

4th & 5th: I can navigate and use the library independently; I can name a way the library is important.

3rd-5th graders have been introduced to our BlueStem Book Club! Click here for the list and reflection sheet. Students should read at least four books by March 1st to participate.

Kindergarten and 1st grade students have helped the Evanston Public Library with its Blueberry Award program. They will be voting for their favorite nature book of five we read to help Ms. Martha with her 2025 list. They were also lucky enough to have a visit from author/illustrator Jacob Grant!