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Classroom News
May 2008
Library
Mrs. Carreras
I would like to thank everyone for a wonderful year in the library. I truly enjoyed helping and seeing the students so excited about reading.
Beginning Monday, May 5th, the library will be closed. Please remind your children to return their library books or pay fines as soon as possible.
I hope you have a chance to read many good books this summer.
Thank you and Keep Reading.
Interesting Fact:
Frogs never drink. They absorb their water. This is called osmosis.
P.E.
Mrs. Vallely
Where has the time gone? Yikes. Every year seems to fly by more quickly and it’s Field Day before I know it! We will be holding our annual Taylor Hicks Field Days on May 20th (grades K-2) and May 21st (grades 3-5). As always, I will need an army of parent volunteers. If you’d like to come on board for one or both of the days, please call the school to let me know at 717-3276.
Our fifth grade wilderness field trip was a huge success. The students learned about surviving the wild, used a GPS to geocache, did team building, and helped with a service project. Of course, the highlight for many was climbing the 35 foot wall and zipping through the trees. Thanks to the parents
who volunteered their time to make that event possible!
Coming up is our annual fourth grade trip to Granite Basin Lake. Here our students are introduced to kayaking, “Leave No Trace” principles, and this year, will be introduced to the rapidly growing sport of slacklining. It is my hope that the kids participating in these two trips were exposed to some of the wonderful outdoor recreation possibilities living in Prescott provides.
With summer break fast approaching, please consider ways to keep your children active during the weeks away from school. The community offers many camps, clubs, teams, swimming lessons, and recreational opportunities. Some of them are even free.
Of course, most kids would say bike riding with Mom or walking around a local lake with Dad is the ultimate.
Enjoy a fit, active, and healthy summer everyone.
Art
Mrs. Hein
Thursday night, May 15th there will be a Student Art Show in conjunction with the school Open House. Each student in grades K-5 has selected a piece of art from their portfolio to be displayed in the hallways. After you browse the halls, be sure to come out to the art room where students (grades K-5) have a clay project ready to be taken home. I look forward to seeing you at Open House!
TAX CREDIT DONATIONS
l would like to extend a huge thank you to all who have supported the art program through your tax credit donation. In addition to funding art club activities, this special fund is used to enhance student learning through field trips, supply purchases and technology. Your tax credit dollars directly assigned to Taylor Hicks Art are greatly appreciated.
CONTEST WINNERS
CULTURAL ARTS/REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
The results are in from the state level judging for the PTA Reflections/ Cultural Arts show. Out of the thirteen entries that Taylor Hicks sent on to the state level, THREE students were chosen as winners from all entries across Arizona! These students have been invited to attend an awards ceremony in Phoenix on May 18th where they will receive their awards and at that time the National winners will be announced. Thank you to ALL students who took the time to create an entry for this year’s Cultural Arts Fair.
We had 4 winners in the 2008 Yavapai County Farm Bureau Art Contest titled “Where Does My Food Come From?” These students received movie tickets and a t-shirt with their artwork printed on the front. In addition, the Yavapai Country Farm Bureau awarded out school with a monetary price. In addition, the following students’ entries were selected as finalist in their grade level and were on display at the Ag Expo at the Gateway Mall on April 12th.
Music
Ms. Wallrich
Why should your child consider music classes this summer? Take a look at some compelling reasons:
1. Neurological research supports the belief that music study can increase one’s I.Q.
2. Most college graduates have had piano lessons some time during their lives.
3. Absolutely ANYONE can reap benefits from music, regardless of natural talent.
RESEARCH REPORTS:
TEACH MUSIC EARLY. A child’s mind develops most critically in the early years, before age 6.
MUSIC STIMULATES FUNCTION. Children receiving piano/keyboard training perform 34% higher on spatial/temporal ability than those receiving computer lessons. Music study uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for math, science, engineering, and chess.
MUSIC GENERATES NEURAL GROWTH. Music study actually generates neural connections used in the brain for abstract reasoning and spatial intellect.
SOME IMMEDIATE BENEFITS OF MUSIC LESSONS:
*Enjoyment and inspiration
*Socialization
*Increased memory and perseverance
*Enhancement of listening/concentration skills
*Effective and constructive emotional release
*Wholeness of body, mind, spirit
*Overcomes many learning disabilities
*Self confidence, self discipline, and independence
*Provides excellent family activity opportunities
HAVE A FANTASTIC, MUSICAL SUMMER!
Reading
Mrs. Richards & Mrs. Brusso
Maintaining a child’s reading skills is very important over the summer. The beginning of the school year test scores often indicate which students kept up with their reading over those weeks away from school. Here are a few ideas to keep your child reading.
Look into the Prescott Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Every year the librarians pick a theme and create a fantastic reading program, complete with prizes and fun activities. The librarians help you take the guess work out of which books you think your child might like. There is no cost for this program.
At home, create your own Book Club. You can have a family-only club or a friends’ club. Since there are so many different reading levels, depending on who is in the club, everyone could bring the book they are reading and tell the group all about it. Make sure to use a variety of genres: poetry, mysteries, fiction, non-fiction, etc. You can also use a variety of reading materials, such as menus, travel guides, magazines or fortune cookies! Celebrate the end of the reading with lemonade and a sweet treat!
Sustained silent Reading is usually done in a classroom setting, but why not try it at home! Select a certain time of day, have everyone grab a good book or magazine, set the timer for 15-20 minutes and simply read. No talking, no phones, no television. But watch out, you may find this becomes your favorite time of day!
Reward reading at home. Count the number of pages read as a family, and when you reach a target goal, go out for ice cream! Having older readers helps the family reach their target quicker.
Remember, reading is an activity for all 365 days in a year. Happy summer reading.