Specials

The goal of the art program at Graden is to teach students to think like artists. This means they learn to use art elements and techniques to solve problems, think creatively, and make justifiable decisions about their work. Critical thinking, fine motor ability, and global communication are important life skills we’ll learn through the visual arts. We will also focus on exploring the many time periods and cultures from which art originates so students can appreciate the historical impact of the visual arts in our modern society. Of course, it is also my goal for all students to enjoy the time they spend expressing themselves through their artwork.

Our school is a member of Artsonia.com, an online student art museum. When students complete artwork at Graden, it is photographed and uploaded onto the website. Each child has his or her own “gallery” with a screenname consisting of their first name and some numbers (ex. John541). Parents received information on how to create an account at Meet the Teacher Night. If you need help signing up, please e-mail me. If you have already signed up, make sure you check your e-mail for further instructions on creating an account and for updates when new artwork is published online.

The Artsonia gift shop allows visitors to order customized products printed with student artwork (mugs, t-shirts, notebooks, ornaments, etc.) 20% of the profit made from these purchases comes back to Graden. This is a wonderful source of fundraising for the art room, so please consider purchasing items in the gift shop.

The Graden Art Fair will be on Wednesday, April 22nd this year. All students will have at least 1 piece of artwork in the art fair. Your student will receive a note indicated which project(s) he/she will have displayed as they are chosen. Please collect these throughout the year so you know which project(s) to look for when you attend. We will also have a silent auction during the Art Fair for the collaborative projects each class will make together. These will appear on Artsonia. Mark your calendars! Also, check the district calendar for the dates of the Park Hill District Arts Festival (late April or early May). Some Graden students will have work displayed in this district-wide art festival as well.

If you’d like to make a donation to the art room, I’ll be collecting baby wipes in the art room to use during clean-up. Sharpie markers and pencils are also high-use, so those are appreciated as well.

Hello Parents!

I would like to introduce myself.  My name is Mrs. Melany Smith and I will be your child’s music teacher at Graden.  This is my 23rd year here.  Amazing!

A little about me…..I received my Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Evangel College in Springfield MO, and my Master’s degree in Music Education from UMKC Conservatory.  I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska.  My husband is Dean Smith and I have a daughter Regan, who is in 8th grade this year.  I’m a proud music mom – she’s playing trombone!  We have 2 very loveable dogs, Buster and Millie - a silky terrier and a Zuchon. We are soccer fans and you can find us at every Sporting game!  I love all kinds of music, traveling to as many different places as I can, reading good books, Starbucks, and the beautiful sound of children singing!

In my class, students will experience music in a variety of ways.  We sing, dance, use instruments, and have programs for every grade, giving students the opportunity to perform.  I encourage students who are taking instrument lessons to play for their class.

Students are exposed to many styles of music, learn the basics of music notation, instruments of the orchestra, and become familiar with famous artists and composers.  This year we will highlight the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.  I believe everyone should know the national anthem and we sing it as often as we can!

The Park Hill Music Curriculum music standards listed on the report card include:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of music: rhythm, melody, form, expression qualities, harmony and timbre
• Demonstrate appropriate performance/rehearsal skills and etiquette
• Overall effort

The study of musical elements start in Kindergarten, and continues through 5th grade.  Fourth and fifth grade students have a recorder unit to apply the music theory they have studied.  Grading is based on a combination of classroom participation, informal observation, assessments during class activities, and formal assessments at the end of our units.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s musical education, please contact me.  I can respond more easily to email, but I also have a phone extension in my room.

Thank you!

Musically yours,
Mrs. Smith
816-359-5728

Fifth Grade Choir

The choir will rehearse on Tuesdays from 7:45-8:35 in the music room starting on September 30th.  Students are asked to not arrive more than 5 minutes early due to the lack of monitoring in the hallways at that time.  If I’m not in my room when he/she arrives, they should wait quietly in the hallway outside of my room.

Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and demonstrate appropriate, responsible behavior to maintain membership in choir.  Any student who fails to meet these expectations will be dismissed.  I would appreciate a note from you if an absence is necessary so I can mark that absence as excused.  You will be notified in writing if your child’s attendance or behavior places his/her continued participation in jeopardy.

Choir performs throughout the year.  This semester we will concentrate music we will perform for the holiday season.  We will participate in Christmas on the River.  More details will be sent home at a later date.

Communication is very important and I would like to send reminders and updates by email.  Please write your address below.  If you don’t have an email address, a hard copy will be sent home to you.

Grade Level Programs

Each grade level has a program scheduled throughout the year.
It is always exciting to see the student perform and showcase their musical talent.

• Kindergarten: March 5th
• 1st Grade: February 12
• 2nd Grade: January 15
• 3rd Grade: November 20
• 4th Grade: December 16
• 5th Grade: October 21

Performances start at 6:30 with students arriving to school no later than 6:15.
Specific information for each grade level will be communicated for each performance.

Physical Education Is More Than Just GYM Class

It is a time for:

• Helping students value sportsmanship, honesty, and fair play.
• Respecting feelings and contributions of others.
• Encouraging problem solving skills as well as independent thinking skills.
• Working on effective communication skills.
• Regular exercise to promote healthy bodies.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING ACADEMIC VOCABULARY

Kindergarten-Second Grade

• Locomotor Skills
• Personal Space
• Flexibility
• Sportsmanship
• Respect
• Health
• Nutrition
• Fitness
• Exercise
• Heart Rate

Third-Fifth Grade

• Competition vs. Recreation
• Aerobic Exercise
• Muscle Strength
• Muscle Endurance
• Pace
• Lifetime
• Sport
• Team Sport
• Hygiene

LEARNING GOALS: KINDERGARTEN-2ND GRADE

Unit 1: Foundations of Physical Education

Students will demonstrate spatial awareness through moving safely in personal and general space.
Students will demonstrate fundamental movement skills through locomotor and non-locomotor activities.
Students will demonstrate the ability to learn, share, cooperate and be safe with others.

Unit 2: Movement and Muscles

Students will be able to identify major bones and muscles and tell why they are important for movement.

Unit 3: Fitness Principles

Students will identify healthy food choices.
Students will tell the importance of being physically active and give examples of what it means to be fit.
Students will be able to tell the importance of warm up and cool down.
Students will be able to identify activities outside of school that promote wellness.

Unit 4: Fundamental Movement Skills 

Students will demonstrate motor skills using manipulatives.
Students will participate in organized games with small groups and partners.
Students will demonstrate proper technique for a variety of fundamental skills.

Unit 5: Stunts and Tumbling

Students will demonstrate basic apparatus activities.
Students will demonstrate individual stunts and balance activities.

Unit 6: Rhythmic Activities

Students will participate in rhythmic activities.

LEARNING GOALS: GRADES Three-Five

Unit 1: Foundations of Physical Education

Students will demonstrate and apply rules to all activities.
Students will demonstrate appropriate social skills while working with diverse ability groups.

Unit 2: Movement and Muscles

Students will recognize and demonstrate warm up and cool down activities to be safe and prevent injuries.
Students will identify major muscles and how it applies to movement.

Unit 3: Fitness Principles

Identify health related fitness components and set personal goals.
Participate in health related fitness assessments and analyze individual strengths and weaknesses.
Name the major functions of the cardio respiratory system.

Unit 4: Wellness

Students will identify the benefits of physical activity and healthy food choices and how it relates to overall wellness.
Explain how the body responds to physical activity.
Identify and explain the effects of aerobic and anaerobic activity.

Unit 5: Sports Skills and Strategies

Demonstrate a variety of sport specific lead up games while following the rules and cooperating with others.
Apply fundamental skills in game and practice situations while using simple strategies.
Demonstrate and provide feedback for proper technique in a variety of sport specific skills.

Unit 6: Stunts and Tumbling

Students will demonstrate basic apparatus activities.
Students will demonstrate combination tumbling skills.

Unit 7: Rhythmic Activities

Students will demonstrate rhythmic activities.

FITNESSGRAM

The FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment is not based on athletic ability, but on good health. FITNESSGRAM includes a number of different assessments because fitness has multiple components. Some kids have good muscular fitness but need improvement on aerobic fitness.

We focus on four assessments:

• PACER ( Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run)
• Curl Ups
• Pushups
• Sit and Reach (flexibility)

Data is collected from Fifth Grade students and provided to the state of Missouri to be used to study trends. Grades 3-5 work on meeting HFZ (Healthy Fitness Zones) for different assessments. All grade levels run the PACER.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher Munsterman
816-359-6404