Football Season
9/28/2019
Football season has arrived...in more ways than one. Not only is America's beloved sport back in season on a television or field near you, but we started our football and throwing/catching units in Physical Education Class. Now, I know that football isn't for everyone, but the rule follower in me loves the complexity of the game and the need to follow the intricate rules to be successful. There's also that competition component and the teamwork needed to be successful that appeals to me as well. Watching football and yelling from a couch is one thing, but teaching it to kids who may have never even seen a full-game in action is another thing entirely. Challenge accepted.
The most common question I get when announcing that we are starting the football unit is: "Can we play tackle?!?!" I try to explain to them (with a straight face) that playing tackle football, on a gym floor, is just not allowed. Especially since we aren't wearing any sort of padding or even helmets. Luckily, we have some nifty flag football belts that allow the students to play a game and still stay safe. The unit takes off slowly with some basic throwing and catching skills, then proceeds to passing routes and learning the positions. Those students that have played before are encouraged to help teach others who have never heard of an "offensive line" or know what it means to "protect the quarterback." Visual Art and the Community
9/21/2019
Last May the Eighth Grade completed a five foot by four foot painting that was donated to the veterans of Alaska who also are served at the VA Medical Center. Many thanks to Rachel, Piper, and Pearce Botson who helped deliver the artwork to Samuel Hudson, the Public Affairs Officer at the VA Medical Center. Last week the painting was hung in the front lobby where hundreds will view it every week. This is a permanent display.
The Lower School artists are also making postcards to give to the veterans. They will be distributed all over Alaska. You will hear more about this later. The Early Childhood and the Lower School are completing their displays for the Annual Harvest Festival. The Early Childhood's 3-D pumpkins demonstrate their two-handed painting techniques, learning to hold cardboard vertical and paint at the same time as holding on, rinsing the brush to change colors, mixing orange, and mixing green from primary colors. The Early Childhood have been developing their brush holding skills, and refining their scissor work. They have been learning and reviewing their color mixing. Lots of laughter and lots of paint fill the rooms! It is great to hear the music coming from Andrea Gardner's classes, and the Spanish from Emani Secret's teachings while I am in the Early Childhood Center. The Lower School have been developing their knowledge of painting techniques and skills while learning the elements and principles of design. They have been working with experimental painting techniques. At first, we learn the precise art of holding and moving the tools we use. Next, we gain confidence through using the tools frequently, and developing our skills. We have been working with the experimental techniques of spatter and paste papers for our journey into book arts this fall. Self-portraits are starting to be reviewed and developed. Art Notes about the instructor, Ms. Brenda Jaeger: I have a painting, Box Canyon, on display at Jens Restaurant through the Georgia Blue Gallery. There are two just hung paintings of mine at the Georgia Blue Gallery. A couple from Chicago just purchased a large painting they saw at Jens through the Georgia Blue Gallery, and it's being shipped there. I'm donating a painting to the Annual Jewish Gala I have a solo show at the Allstate Office in Palmer. The images are of construction workers. I took down the work at the group show at the State Fair, (guitar imagery), and the group show at Humdinger's Artisan Pizza in Palmer (Alaskan landscapes). 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! |
Specialist & Enrichment Teachers Archives
February 2021
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