Delving into the arts
9/14/2019
Thus far, music classes have have been going exceptionally well. Our middle schoolers here at PNA have been attentive and studious in their classes. After learning about the famous composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi, students have been learning the art of music theory. This entails and how to read rhythms, notes, and how to sing on pitch! The middle school choir has already begun preparing for their Winter Concert and for their upcoming quiz on the Baroque Era!
Elementary school students have been enjoying their hands on musical activities, stories, daily games instrumental group sessions and so on. My goal with our younger students is to develop a profound sense of musical appreciation so their enthusiasm regarding the musical arts will blossom into ambition when they are ready! Be sure to ask your middle students what we have studied about Bach & Vivaldi and what pieces they recommend. Ask your elemenetary students about the great mystery of Maestro Mouse's Missing Baton! Soccer Shenanigans
9/7/2019
Physical Education is in it's full glory here at PNA. We always start with guidelines and expectations just to make sure that everybody knows what is expected of them in gym class. Most injuries at school happen in gym, so it's important to have those guidelines set to keep people safe and happy.
The first unit this year is Soccer! It's usually a crowd favorite because many of the students have spent their summer playing outside, which usually involves some form of soccer. There are also many kids who play in recreational soccer leagues throughout the summer and winter. If you are looking for some soccer opportunities check out the weekly update this week for more information. Soccer is one of those games that is fairly minimal and is easy to start up a game. Students began the unit with some baseline skills like dribbling, passing, rules and positions. This week we started full blown games and it's been amazing to watch. We've played outside whenever possible which a sprinkling of inside games as well. We've all seen those games where kids swarm in a cluster and chase after the ball in a group. Well, not at PNA! These kids know each position and how to play them. It's an amazing sight to see a bunch of kindergarteners playing a game of soccer the way it should be played! August is Flying By!
8/28/2019
We have many new and wonderful teachers this year!
This week Ms. Jaeger’s Art Room continued a great start for the year! The Early Childhood Classes: Beginners, EK 1 and EK 2 started with learning how to hold a brush to make a variety of marks. It is amazing what you can do in thirty minutes! We compared the densities and mass of a large and small paintbrush. We used hand positions to make small movements, medium movements, and large movements. We danced and brushed, and tried many other techniques to develop our skills. We listened to Classical, Renaissance and Modern Music (post-WWII.) It was fun! In the Lower School, our First Grade continued to develop the linocut, as did the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. We are carving linoleum to make relief prints. We are working on imagery for the Harvest Fall Festival, and for the Postcards of Hope for Veterans project PBL. I believe the concept of Service to Others is an important one for our students to learn. In the future we will also make Postcards of Hope for the refugees in camps all over the world. The 5th also worked as an individual class to review and further develop his or her design and drawing concepts, skills, and techniques. Art History was taught in the context of the lesson. Welcome to Emani Secret, who will start next week as the Early Childhood Spanish Teacher. Also, welcome Andrea Gardner, the Early Childhood Music Specialist! We welcome all the new and wonderful teachers this year! Taking that final bow...
5/17/2019
Graduation May 21st @ 6:00You may think: "I don't have a graduate this year, why should I go to graduation?" Graduation at Pacific Northern Academy is a time honored tradition. This is the moment that one can truly see what an education at PNA has brought to the lives of these students. Each graduate delivers their speech with poise, articulation and meaning. Over my 9 years at PNA, I have heard speeches that have far surpassed those of high school students. When we honor our PNA graduates we honor their whole self. Shields that reflect interests and accomplishments are displayed. 8th Graders are even in charge of choosing the music to accompany their ceremony. This year the 8th chose "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman(to be performed by the 2nd through 8th Grade) 8th Grade will be performing Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" Both songs are very fitting for the ceremony but more importantly is that the graduating 8th Grade class has a connection to that piece of music. Something in the lyrics expresses how each of them are feeling at this moment. Graduation is a special event and a time to reflect on each graduates journey to this moment and what lies ahead. To really see the impact an education at PNA has on a student, one only needs to listen to the words of our graduating class. We are a community at PNA, and all PNA families are invited and encouraged to attend this heartwarming ceremony. It will be a glimpse into the future of your own PNA graduate! This years graduates were involved with every musical aspect of the ceremony. The class will be performing Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" and the PNA Choir will be performing "This is Me" from the Greatest Showman! They even chose their processional music which promises to be "avengerous"! When the ceremony is over this 8th Grade class will celebrate like "ALL STARS" as they set off on their "highway to high school" and "never stop believing" in the things they will accomplish! All the best!!! Ready, Set, RECORDERS!It's kind of a right of musical passage. Who didn't play recorder in elementary school? How can just the mention of the word "recorder" strike fear into the faces of moms, dads and music teachers everywhere? I mean it's a harmless piece of plastic with some holes drilled into it. They aren't expensive at all! It's a simple instrument that will unlock the joys of music for years to come! Ok, all joking aside, alot can be learned by playing the recorder. PNA 3rd Graders have spent the whole first part of the school year learning how to read music for this momentous occasion! By learning the recorder, they are learning other music theory notation. Time signature, note value, note names, and other dynamic and artistic marks musicians use to give music it's layers. And not just sound like notes on a page. My middle school band director always said: "Anyone can play notes. A musician plays music." Ava demonstrates the use of a "fermata" - a pause of unspecified length on a note or rest. The class must hold the note until Ava gives the cutoff!
The Math and Science that MUSIC Brings!
4/26/2019
PNA Band performs at the SCIENCE PARTY!On April 19th the PNA Band performed at the Science Party! So what does music have to do with science? First of all, ask yourself "What is sound?" Sound is vibrations that travel through the air. Sound is produced by continuous and regular vibrations, as opposed to noise. Sound energy travels in waves and is measured in frequency and amplitude. The energy in a sound wave can be measured using Decibels. The Decibel Meter shows examples of things that make noise and measurements in decibels. Amplitude measures how forceful the wave is. Your ear can only handle so many decibels. A normal conversation is usually at 60dB. Continuous exposure to sounds at 85dB can cause permanent damage. The band played a few numbers that demonstrated harmony. Harmony is more than just a pretty sound. Harmony consists of the notes or chords played along with the melody. Harmony adds feeling to the melody. ... One of the most basic harmonies in music is called the major triad. The major triad is formed by playing the first, third and fifth notes of the major scale simultaneously. In a Major Triad the 3 notes, or pitches are at a perfect 3rd and 5th distance apart from the root note, and the sound is pleasing. In a Minor Triad, the third note is lowered a half step and the sound tends to be interpreted to be a little sad to the ear. When notes that aren't the correct distance apart, are played together, they can be displeasing to the ear. BOOMWHAKERS!!!If you've ever been in the music room you would have seen these brightly colored plastic tubes. These tubes are called Boomwhackers! They are different colors and shapes. The size or length of the boomwhacker affects the pitch. A longer boomwhacker will have a lower sound compared to a shorter one. The color of the boomwhacker simply helps tell you which one to play. Color identification is easy for Kindergarten. Kindergarten has been exploring with melodies and simple rhythms by using these fun instruments. They get their name because you get to "whack" them on the floor!
Students are not expected to be perfect. This is a time for exploration and fun with music! Sure, we miss some notes here and there, but the giggles that come from the effort to play the songs is PRICELESS!
Art and April Snowshowers 2019
4/22/2019
It has been a series of changes in the weather as we come closer to the end of our school year. I have also been able to see the remarkable accomplishments of our students in art classes. It has been a joy to work with them this year.
As I worked with the 8th Grade Art Class this morning, I thought of all the years they've been at PNA. They have learned through the years from their parents and relatives, their friends, and their school. Each child has had unique experiences, and will have more to come. When I go to the earliest age, the Beginners Art Class, I see how mature our youngest students are. They are verbal, and visual, and can do levels of critical thinking easily that relate to our art critiques. This year, the Spring Art Show will open on Tuesday, May 7, at 3:15-4pm for the reception. The Show is located on the Third Floor. Each year, a class trip overlaps, and this year, I will miss the 4th/5th Grades as they will be gone. The artwork will stay up through Thursday, May 9th, and will be returned on Friday morning, May 10th, so that the students can take their work home. The drawing journals will go home the next week, and the students may work in them this summer, as they go outdoors, or draw indoors. This year, in our new building, there are many adjustments for everyone. Our Head of School works hard to keep everything running smoothly. We have so many wonderful areas of teaching we can explore. Artist-Teacher Notes: This summer I plan to take more pedagogical courses in order to develop my teaching repertoire. Throughout the school year I take classes in order to do this. I will renew my state of Alaska and my state of Washington teaching certificate when they are due. I'm working on several group art shows, and continue to develop my current series of paintings in acrylic. Currently, I am working on my "Dream" series, my "Guitar" series, and in June will start my "Matsu Valley" series of large landscapes (6'x8', 5'x7', etc.) that I will paint outdoors. I have been improving the art/library space at home that is my tutoring art studio, where I give private lessons, and this summer will work on my education book there. Through the years at PNA, and the years before, I have been slowly compiling the information for my book. I plan to approach the next year with positive new developments for a thorough foundation in art for the children. Please see me in my third floor Art Classroom if you have any questions. Have a great month! |
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February 2021
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