Curriculum
Art
Art
Amy Nucci - anucci@kitteryschools.com
All students have art once a week for 45 minutes. We will explore a variety of mediums in the visual arts and learn about and work in the style of many different artists throughout history, as well as discover current working artists.
In all the grades, the emphasis in the art room is using art to build self confidence. All students will learn to talk about their art and offer their peers feedback. “Art Walks” are done at the end of a class or project to teach the students how to conduct themselves in a museum setting and get used to others viewing their art and also how to view other’s art. Projects are both individual or require students to work in teams, to emphasize relationship building with their peers.
Your students are starting off the year exploring line, shape and texture, and each grade level is creating art focusing on these principles in different ways, each inspired by a different artist. There will be multiple opportunities throughout the year for students to participate in after school Art Club, and we will have a variety of student art shows with opening receptions throughout the year to celebrate these young artists!I am working on getting a classroom blog/website going for these artists so you can see what we are up to in the art room all year.
***Please remember art is messy, so keep that in mind when getting your students dressed on art days***
All students have art once a week for 45 minutes. We will explore a variety of mediums in the visual arts and learn about and work in the style of many different artists throughout history, as well as discover current working artists.
In all the grades, the emphasis in the art room is using art to build self confidence. All students will learn to talk about their art and offer their peers feedback. “Art Walks” are done at the end of a class or project to teach the students how to conduct themselves in a museum setting and get used to others viewing their art and also how to view other’s art. Projects are both individual or require students to work in teams, to emphasize relationship building with their peers.
Your students are starting off the year exploring line, shape and texture, and each grade level is creating art focusing on these principles in different ways, each inspired by a different artist. There will be multiple opportunities throughout the year for students to participate in after school Art Club, and we will have a variety of student art shows with opening receptions throughout the year to celebrate these young artists!I am working on getting a classroom blog/website going for these artists so you can see what we are up to in the art room all year.
***Please remember art is messy, so keep that in mind when getting your students dressed on art days***
Phys Ed
Phys Ed
Meri Clemons - mclemons@kitteryschools.com
The Mitchell School Physical Education(PE) program is designed to help all students develop the fundamental movement skills through challenging and fun activities. Individual students are challenged to improve their skill in a safe and accepting environment. The PE program also educates our minds as we learn to apply our knowledge in our moving and attain knowledge about physical activity and fitness. Lastly, our program promotes the joy of moving and helps develop positive social qualities such as kindness, cooperation, respect for others and rules, sportsmanship and honesty. It’s not a rule, but we always have fun in Physical Education!
My classroom expectations are the same for grades K-3. Be Kind: Uses polite words and actionsFriendly to all classmates
Be Respectful: Listens when it’s time to listenDemonstrates cooperative behaviorValues classmates and uses equipment with care
Be Your Best: Shows effort in all activities and keeps tryingWearing sneakers is the best!
Be Safe: Shows awareness of personal space and others around youFollows all rules regarding safety.
The Mitchell School Physical Education(PE) program is designed to help all students develop the fundamental movement skills through challenging and fun activities. Individual students are challenged to improve their skill in a safe and accepting environment. The PE program also educates our minds as we learn to apply our knowledge in our moving and attain knowledge about physical activity and fitness. Lastly, our program promotes the joy of moving and helps develop positive social qualities such as kindness, cooperation, respect for others and rules, sportsmanship and honesty. It’s not a rule, but we always have fun in Physical Education!
My classroom expectations are the same for grades K-3. Be Kind: Uses polite words and actionsFriendly to all classmates
Be Respectful: Listens when it’s time to listenDemonstrates cooperative behaviorValues classmates and uses equipment with care
Be Your Best: Shows effort in all activities and keeps tryingWearing sneakers is the best!
Be Safe: Shows awareness of personal space and others around youFollows all rules regarding safety.
Library
Library
Victoria Berg - vberg@kitteryschools.com
Students will come to the library once a week and the program is designed to learn library manners and to inspire our early readers to love books! We read books based on different monthly themes and talk about how they made us feel or think: like a beginner’s book club. Mitchell participates in the Maine Chickadee Award program. It showcases ten books that I read to every class. In the spring, every student (along with schools from across the state) votes for their favorite book. The top-scoring book wins the statewide award.
Each week, students check out books, one for K and 1st, two for 2nd and 3rd. A child is much more likely to try reading a book they’ve picked versus a book that’s been assigned to them to read, so please try to be patient with their decisions and let them explore. Eager readers make great readers! As long as books are returned, they will be able to get new ones each week. You will be notified of overdue books once or twice a month by both email and paper notice. The library is located at the top of the stairs on the left. Always feel free to email me with questions and happy reading.
Students will come to the library once a week and the program is designed to learn library manners and to inspire our early readers to love books! We read books based on different monthly themes and talk about how they made us feel or think: like a beginner’s book club. Mitchell participates in the Maine Chickadee Award program. It showcases ten books that I read to every class. In the spring, every student (along with schools from across the state) votes for their favorite book. The top-scoring book wins the statewide award.
Each week, students check out books, one for K and 1st, two for 2nd and 3rd. A child is much more likely to try reading a book they’ve picked versus a book that’s been assigned to them to read, so please try to be patient with their decisions and let them explore. Eager readers make great readers! As long as books are returned, they will be able to get new ones each week. You will be notified of overdue books once or twice a month by both email and paper notice. The library is located at the top of the stairs on the left. Always feel free to email me with questions and happy reading.
A
Music
Music
Carrie Hanson - chanson@kitteryschools.com
This year in music all students are learning about tempos, dynamics, and learning how to read rhythms. There will be lots of instrument playing, and moving to the music this year! Each grade has a special project that focuses on a different area of music. Kindergarteners will be learning about Peter and the Wolf, a fun movement story that teaches us about the instruments. First graders will get to move along to classical music while learning about the Carnival of the Animals. Second graders will learn about the instruments of the orchestra, and composers. Third graders will learn how to play mallet instruments, read notes on the lines and spaces of the treble staff, and play ukulele!
This year in music all students are learning about tempos, dynamics, and learning how to read rhythms. There will be lots of instrument playing, and moving to the music this year! Each grade has a special project that focuses on a different area of music. Kindergarteners will be learning about Peter and the Wolf, a fun movement story that teaches us about the instruments. First graders will get to move along to classical music while learning about the Carnival of the Animals. Second graders will learn about the instruments of the orchestra, and composers. Third graders will learn how to play mallet instruments, read notes on the lines and spaces of the treble staff, and play ukulele!
Computer
Computer
Amy Cook - acook@kitteryschools.com
All students have computers once a week in the computer lab. We will work on their typing skills and they will also learn how to use Google Docs and Google Classroom. We are also working on teaching all the students how to code using visual coding called “blockly’. Did you know that coding teaches the kids critical thinking, logic, persistence, and creativity and that learning how to code helps students excel at problem-solving in all subject areas, no matter what their age? In addition to the computer lab lessons, all classroom teachers integrate technology into their daily curriculum. Every day the teachers and students use the tools that are available to them in their classroom such as 1:1 iPads, Promethean Board or Smartboard (an interactive whiteboard) and document camera. All the students learn quickly how to use these tools as well. Horace Mitchell School is working hard at becoming a totally paperless school. All students are assigned a Google Docs account and they are working hard to learn how to utilize this tool to create and share their work such as poems and stories electronically with their teacher instead of printing it out and handing it in.
All students have computers once a week in the computer lab. We will work on their typing skills and they will also learn how to use Google Docs and Google Classroom. We are also working on teaching all the students how to code using visual coding called “blockly’. Did you know that coding teaches the kids critical thinking, logic, persistence, and creativity and that learning how to code helps students excel at problem-solving in all subject areas, no matter what their age? In addition to the computer lab lessons, all classroom teachers integrate technology into their daily curriculum. Every day the teachers and students use the tools that are available to them in their classroom such as 1:1 iPads, Promethean Board or Smartboard (an interactive whiteboard) and document camera. All the students learn quickly how to use these tools as well. Horace Mitchell School is working hard at becoming a totally paperless school. All students are assigned a Google Docs account and they are working hard to learn how to utilize this tool to create and share their work such as poems and stories electronically with their teacher instead of printing it out and handing it in.
School Counselor
School Counselor
Dana Rickerich and Monica Tatarczuk
drickerich@kitteryschools.com mtatarczuk@kitteryschools.com Website/blog: drickerich.blogspot.com
Dana Rickerich, School Counselor- Looping with Kindergarten and Grade 2
Monica Tatarczuk, School Counselor - Looping with Grade 1 and Grade 3
School counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success. Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. They are expected to address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school-counseling program. Counselors teach weekly classroom lessons and meet with students in small groups and on an individual basis. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes the academic, career and social/emotional development of all students and assists students in acquiring competencies for life-long learning and success.
Please do not be alarmed if your child comes home and reports to you that they came to visit with one of us--we meet with students frequently, most often concerning very normal childhood issues such as how to resolve a conflict with a friend, how to handle difficult feelings in appropriate ways, or just to give them time to cool off during an emotional day. If a situation arises that is of concern we will contact you so that we can work together to find a solution.
drickerich@kitteryschools.com mtatarczuk@kitteryschools.com Website/blog: drickerich.blogspot.com
Dana Rickerich, School Counselor- Looping with Kindergarten and Grade 2
Monica Tatarczuk, School Counselor - Looping with Grade 1 and Grade 3
School counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success. Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. They are expected to address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school-counseling program. Counselors teach weekly classroom lessons and meet with students in small groups and on an individual basis. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes the academic, career and social/emotional development of all students and assists students in acquiring competencies for life-long learning and success.
Please do not be alarmed if your child comes home and reports to you that they came to visit with one of us--we meet with students frequently, most often concerning very normal childhood issues such as how to resolve a conflict with a friend, how to handle difficult feelings in appropriate ways, or just to give them time to cool off during an emotional day. If a situation arises that is of concern we will contact you so that we can work together to find a solution.
Literacy Intervention
Literacy Intervention
Sue Hickey (Literacy Coach), Karen Seleb (Interventionist) and Laine Ockerbloom (Ed. Tech)
shickey@kitteryschools.com; kseleb@kitteryschools.com; eockerbloom@kitteryschools.com
We work with students in small groups to strengthen skills in literacy. Students are chosen to participate in the Title I Literacy program based on assessments, data results and teacher recommendations. Mrs. Hickey and classroom teachers work closely to monitor student progress. We use various instructional tools in our small-group literacy intervention for students who find reading, writing and/or phonics difficult. Our goal is to lift the literacy achievement of students to grade-level expectations. Students will often bring books and passages home to read and practice. “Reading is important because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.” – Tomie dePaola
shickey@kitteryschools.com; kseleb@kitteryschools.com; eockerbloom@kitteryschools.com
We work with students in small groups to strengthen skills in literacy. Students are chosen to participate in the Title I Literacy program based on assessments, data results and teacher recommendations. Mrs. Hickey and classroom teachers work closely to monitor student progress. We use various instructional tools in our small-group literacy intervention for students who find reading, writing and/or phonics difficult. Our goal is to lift the literacy achievement of students to grade-level expectations. Students will often bring books and passages home to read and practice. “Reading is important because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.” – Tomie dePaola
Math Intervention
Math Intervention
Kelly Moulton (Math Coach) & Beth Wescott (Interventionist)
kmoulton@kitteryschools.com & bwescott@kitteryschools.com
In a small group setting, we help engage students in thought provoking activities that encourages growth in their mathematical understanding. Based on previous data and teacher observations, students from kindergarten through third grade who may be at-risk are screened at the beginning of the year. All new incoming students are automatically screened. Students are chosen for math intervention on the basis of risk in number sense, grade level skill ability and conceptual understanding. The learning needs of the student will determine the frequency of math intervention. Collaboration with classroom teachers is an important part of this process to make sure students are monitored; and progressing toward grade level standards.
kmoulton@kitteryschools.com & bwescott@kitteryschools.com
In a small group setting, we help engage students in thought provoking activities that encourages growth in their mathematical understanding. Based on previous data and teacher observations, students from kindergarten through third grade who may be at-risk are screened at the beginning of the year. All new incoming students are automatically screened. Students are chosen for math intervention on the basis of risk in number sense, grade level skill ability and conceptual understanding. The learning needs of the student will determine the frequency of math intervention. Collaboration with classroom teachers is an important part of this process to make sure students are monitored; and progressing toward grade level standards.