our first math unit of study which focused on addition and subtraction fact fluency up to 20. We have begun our
second math unit of study which focuses on place value to 1,000. In writing, we continue to write small moment
stories which are stories about things that have happened in the students’ lives. We continue to use the Lego
Building Tomorrow Project to enhance our curriculum. We are having a lot fun in Tremendous 20!
ART
Mrs. Martin:
Students are learning about the best use, storage, and care of art materials. We are improving the
routines of the art room, following procedures on how to work safely and creatively and keeping the climate
positive. As the year quickly progresses, students will discover the work of contemporary artists, some of the
great works of art and will integrate classroom themes. Many lessons involve a literacy component to act as a
springboard for projects or to show a variation on a theme.
You can ask your child what materials they are working with, as all students are experiencing different
art-making methods. Already this year we have used watercolors, tempera paints, markers, pencils, glue, clay,
scissors and wire.
To best support, your child’s creative endeavors in art, please ask questions about what they are doing in
the art room. Try to display, share and save their artwork as it comes home. Continue to encourage art making
at home by allowing your child to cut various materials; cutting is a skill that can forever be improved and
refined. Also, please continue to dress your child appropriately for art class; paints and glues are nontoxic and
washable, yet staining can still occur. Most importantly, model a curiosity and excitement for learning. We all
are learning and making mistakes-invite your child into your interests and your learning struggles so we can
build more resilient learners.
MUSIC
Mr. Patterson & Ms. Williams:
Our music program at Hazardville Memorial offers instruction to all students in grades K, 1 & 2. The
kindergarten classes, beginning this year have increased their music class time from 34 minutes per week up to
45 minutes per week. All classes, grades K, 1 & 2 now have music once weekly for 45 minutes. This 45 minute
lesson allows us to focus more time and attention on the development of rhythmic, tonal and pre-reading skills
essential for sound music literacy.
During music class, your children work together and participate in many musical experiences. Lessons
include folk songs and rhymes, singing games, echo songs, movement games, listening, tonal and rhythmic
practice, learning about music and playing classroom instruments. These experiences guide the children into
reading and writing notation and lead to improved music literacy.
Students are also provided with many opportunities to understand music by the manipulation of actual
musical sounds and not just the manipulation of musical symbols. This approach reflects the teachings of early
childhood music educator Dr. John Feierabend who said, “music is not the symbols found on the printed page
but the sounds that reach the ear… music is learned and aurally understood first and later is bonded to the
notation.”
Grade 1 & 2 classes are studying rhythmic patterns that contain quarter notes, pairs of eighth notes and
quarter rests. Grade 2 students will be learning about the half note. Students are also learning about the pitch of
sounds along with scale tones (solfa syllables) and handsigns. In addition, especially at the grade 2 level,
students are beginning to read standard musical notation and the musical staff. Students also study the rhythmic
component of many songs and rhymes with focus on reading, writing and performing rhythm patterns using
both standard musical symbols and rhythm syllables.