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Specialist Newsletter
News & Information for Gleason Lake
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11/13/15
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Greetings from the Gleason Lake Specialists
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 The Gleason Lake Specialist team has the privilege of working with all of the students in grades 1-5. We were fortunate to visit with some families during Parent/Teacher conferences but understand that it is difficult to connect with everyone. Therefore, we would like to give you a snapshot of our specific courses and share our curriculum with you in this Fall Newsletter. Thank you for all of the home support you provide each year. We enjoy working with all of our Gators.
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The Art Curriculum has undergone some changes in the last two years through Curriculum Review, which I am very excited about! The goals of the new curriculum include helping students to be more intentional when creating art, by focusing on process and not just product, and to help them build critical thinking skills as artists. The Gleason Lake artists have been busy in the art room learning about how to use their brains during the creating process. The creating process is at the center of all the lessons in the art room, as students learn that creating art is about a process and not all about product. Each grade level has been incorporating the creation chart into their projects. All grade levels have also been focusing on the two sides of the brain, and how we use our brain when looking at and creating art. The right side is more imaginative, improvisational, and thinks in pictures, while the left side is more organized, and focuses on details. Both sides of the brain are necessary in art class and
First graders. The Elements of Art provide structure for the year's learning, as students explore line, texture, color, value, shape, form and space. First graders have been exploring ROYGBIV and paper weaving, creating texture drawings, and learning about the oldest artworks in the world - Cave Drawings. First grades will also be exploring clay. Second graders have been creating accurate (left brain) invented (right brain) clay insects and have used all the steps in the creating process throughout the project when drawing ideas, exploring their ideas with practice clay, making their final insect out of real clay, painting, and assembling. They will be presenting their insects when they bring them home and unwrap the insects from their newspaper chrysalis. Next, second graders will begin a unit on Charles Shultz (the creator of Peanuts). Students will explore illustration and cartooning with imagination. Third graders are completing a unit on Alma Thomas inspired abstract art. While studying Alma Thomas' artworks students noticed that she used her left brain when she found shapes from nature, repeated and organized the shapes like mosaics, and used her right brain when incorporating a color scheme with emotion. Students began by imagining and then planning and exploring ideas in their sketchbooks. After they made their artworks on final paper, they had to refine by outlining their shapes and finally reflected on the process in their sketchbooks. Students will be giving their artwork a title, which is always a thought provoking process. Third graders will then be moving onto self portrait printmaking through observational drawing. Fourth graders are currently working on Symbolic Self Portraits. This unit helps them understand the element of form by exploring how to draw 3D forms such as spheres, cubes, and rectangular prisms. After practicing, students change their 3D forms into into personal symbols. Students then explore different watercolor techniques to create the illusion of 3D on a 2D plane. Watercoloring, when done with the intention of creating the illusion of 3-Dimensionality, requires problem solving and patience. Fifth graders started out the year studying Star Wallowing Bull, a Native American artist from Minnesota, who creates pop art images. They are having many of conversations about pop culture and are exploring their own personal culture by creating a pop artwork. Students are learning the importance of composition as they plan, explore, make, and refine their work. This artwork is very experimental and expressive, requiring students to take risks with new materials and techniques, while creating a meaningful and intriguing composition. If you have any questions about the new curriculum, or want to visit the art room please contact me. Matthew Bowen Phone: 763-745-5458 |
 The media center is home to 23,000 items ready to be checked out to staff and students daily. All 27 classrooms, including our Bright Start students, are scheduled to visit the media center each week for media classes and book check out time. During media classes, students learn to use Destiny, the district's library catalog system, learn how books are found in the library, learn about reference materials, view databases, complete Internet research and are introduced to many wonderful authors and illustrators. In addition to media classes, students are welcome to come to the media center throughout the day to use the computers or check out new books.
Exciting changes are happening in the Gleason Lake Media Center with electronic books. All students in grades first through fifth have been introduced to our collection of ebooks managed by Mackin VIA. Thanks to your support through our PTO we have purchased approximately 450 books for our MackinVIA collection over the past few years and plan to add popular titles to the collection in the future. In addition to Mackin VIA, our school has added Capstone Interactive ebooks to our electronic collection. Through a grant funded by the Wayzata Public Schools Education Foundation, we are beginning to add these fun interactive books to our collection. Click the catalog link and search ebooks to find an ebook to read at home tonight! http://destiny.wayzata.k12.mn.us/
The Gleason Lake media center checked out 400 iPads to students this fall. Classes are busy creating and learning each day using the iPads. Students use the iPads in the media center to read in Mackin VIA and Capstone Interactive, search Destiny Quest and to learn other fun ways the iPad can help us as a tool to increase productivity and learning.
A grade level snapshot for the fall--- Kindergarten-During September and October, students learned the process of checking out books, book care, how books "live" in a special place in our library and how to find great just right books in the media center. In November, we will talk about parts of a book and the difference between fiction and nonfiction. We will also begin reading the nominees for the Star of the North Minnesota picture book award. Voting will take place next spring. First grade-In September and October, we reviewed spine labels for easy fiction and everybody books. Several lessons were done on library orientation, book care and parts of a book. We are now completing a detailed author study on Nancy Carlson. During November, we will begin our next author study on Minnesota author Mary Casanova. Second grade- During September and October, we explored our library catalog and practiced thoughtful searching techniques to locate media center materials. We have just begun our journey into the Caldecott Award (for illustrations) with Peter Brown. For November, more Caldecott winners will be shared and students will continue to develop their library searching skills. Some of the illustrators we will study include: Jerry Pinkney, Ed Young, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner and Jon Klassen. Third grade-Searching using Destiny, our library catalog, was the focus in September. During October, we focused on electronic resources. November's concentration will be on call numbers, copyright and research. Students were also introduced to the Maud Hart Lovelace Minnesota book award. Click the link and find great ideas for books your child may enjoy reading. These books are highly recommended by Minnesota librarians and teachers. http://www.maudhartlovelace.org/
Fourth and Fifth grade-During the months of September and October, we finished book talks on the Maud Hart Lovelace nominees and worked with Destiny Quest, which permits students to place holds, create bookshelves and offers recommendations to students on books they may like based on current checkouts. In November, most classes will discuss copyright and plagiarism. We will learn how to correctly cite our sources we use when completing research with books or online resources. I will also begin teaching book groups in November. Our media center is being used more now than it has ever been used. Each year we see an increase in book circulation. Currently, we have circulated approximately 14,000 books in the past two months of school. In addition, Mackin VIA has had approximately 4,400 views and check outs since the beginning of the school year. Thank you to all the parents that help make this possible by volunteering your time or donating to our PTO to fund media purchases.
Becky Whitlock Phone: 763-745-5446 |
 My name is Brad Gaspar and I am the music teacher here at Gleason Lake. It is my privilege to be working with your kids and helping them to become great student musicians.
Many of our first graders are having a music class for the first time. We are working on basic concepts of steady beat, high and low, long and short, basic rhythms, and developing their wonderful singing voices.
Our second graders have been hard at work reading and playing melodies on instruments using mi, so, and la. The kids are going to be introduced to half notes and half rests and are continuing practice the rhythms they have learned in first grade. As always, they are working on developing their singing voices and singing longer and more difficult songs.
The third graders have been working on rhythms using whole notes and whole rests. The concepts of time signature and measure have been introduced. We have started working working on two-part singing and have introduced the concept of harmony.
In fourth grade we have been learning concepts and developing skills that will help the fourth graders be ready to play the recorder. Our recorder unit will start next week and will be spread throughout the year. We have used the xylophones to play pentatonic melodies. We have also been working on singing in parts using partner songs and rounds. The fourth graders will be presenting a concert in the Spring to showcase the skills they have learned this year in music. The date of this concert will be communicated soon.
The fifth graders have been working on playing and singing in ensembles. They have learned about becoming independent musicians through playing xylophones, African drums, and singing in parts. We have also been focusing on syncopated rhythms and harmony. We have also been reviewing and strengthening their skills in rhythm and other concepts learned from last year.
The 5th grade choir is up and running. We have over 50 fifth graders coming before school to work on music for the upcoming concert on March 10th. The kids are doing a great job and they are excited our Disney themed concert
I would love to have the chance to meet all of you this year and talk about music here at Gleason Lake. Please stop in, call, or email if you have any questions. I would love to chat.
Brad Gaspar
Phone: 763-745-5460 |
 Greetings from Gleason Lake Elementary Physical Education! Ms. Jennifer Britz is starting her first year teaching elementary P.E. at Gleason Lake.. She has formerly coached women's basketball and taught Health & Exercise Science classes at Augsburg College & North Hennepin Community College. She is also a former P.E. instructor at Sunshine Corner preschool. Ms. Britz volunteers her time as well in the classrooms at Gleason Lake as she and her husband, Ryan, have two children who currently attend the school. Ms. Sheila Schultz is the other P.E. Specialist at Gleason Lake. She has been teaching in the Wayzata schools since 2001. Her husband also teaches in the district at Birchview Elementary School in 5th grade, & they have three children ages 9, 7, & 4.
The beginning of the school year has been exciting & full of action! Mr. Yang joined the GL P.E. staff as a student teacher from the University of River Falls. He spent the first 8 weeks of school teaching students skills in soccer and football. Mr. Yang has left G.L. and is currently student teaching at DeLaSalle High School. Students have learned ball control skills in soccer; throwing and receiving fundamentals in football; dodging and fleeing skills in a variety of locomotor games; & positive teamwork strategies in cooperative activities. Recently, students completed fall fitness testing. Students will use their baseline scores to create personal goals for the spring fitness tests. One new initiative started this year in P.E. is the 5 minute Fitness Challenge! Students are being asked to find a minimum of 5 extra minutes in their day to exercise. The daily challenge is meant for students to be both creative and intentional about achieving their fitness goals. For example, students can exercise by running up and down stairs, doing push-ups/sit-ups before dinner, stretching during television commercials, or chasing their dog around the house/apartment complex outside. The students have the opportunity to share their innovative exercises during their physical education classes. Examples of exercises will be written on a school 5 minute Fitness Challenge chart in the gymnasium. Stop by conferences in the gymnasium and check it out! **Check out an awesome FREE Family Fitness app for the iPad called: 7 Minute Workout! On the web is a great site called Fitness Blender.com. It is a great way to make healthy choices together as a family in a short amount of time! **Remember 5 minutes a day for an entire month equals over 2 hours of exercise for the body- Be fit for LIFE! **Click on the link for the November 5 Minute Fitness Family Challenge Calendar for Ideas for FITNESS!!!! We are continuing to create ways to implement technology into the Physical Education classroom! We have used the iPad for demonstrating fitness stations, creating fitness goals, and explaining cognitive knowledge check assignments in e-backpack. 5th grade students are also using a game on the iPad called Kahoot to assess individual cognitive learning in P.E.! Check out Mrs. Schultz's Moodle site on the Gleason Lake website and see what students have been learning in P.E. There are many fitness activities on the Moodle site to get extra exercise every day! Check it out!!
A fabulous activity in P.E. this fall was our 5th Annual Harvest Celebration! Students had the opportunity to participate in a harvest maze and scavenger hunt in their P.E. classes. Fitness and fun were the highlights of these activities.
Students have been working hard demonstrating GATOR PRIDE in their P.E. classes this year. Respect for self, others, property, and community are the main objectives of GATOR PRIDE. Classes have the opportunity to earn a choice day in P.E. when they show positive GATOR PRIDE!
Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Positive, and Work Hard is our motto in P.E. class. Safety is always a big concern in physical education. Please remind your child to be prepared with proper tennis shoes for physical education. An extra pair of tennis shoes in the classroom is a good solution. If your child is unable to participate in physical education, please send a note, e-mail, or give us a call.
If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss how your child is doing in his or her physical education class, please visit us during the November conferences! We will be available for conferencing on Wednesday, November 11 from 4-8 PM and Thursday, November 12 from 8AM-8PM. A phone call or e-mail prior to conferences would be appreciated to guarantee that we will be available to meet with you. We look forward to visiting and working together with the Gleason Lake families. We enjoy partnering with you to help students make positive choices that are healthy for life!
Sheila Schultz Phone: 763-745-5420
Jennifer Britz Phone: 763-745-5422 |
 Dear 4th and 5th grade families,
�Hola! My name is Amy Wetterlin. This is my first year as a part of the specialist team here at Gleason Lake but I have previously taught Spanish in Wayzata at both the High School and West Middle School. I love the fearlessness and excitement that Gleason Lake learners bring toward their personal growth in Spanish. I am so excited for the wonderful year of learning that we have ahead of us!
Along with learning basic greetings, phrases, numbers and vocabulary associated with the calendar, fourth and fifth grade students will learn Spanish through a strategy called TPRS (Teaching for Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling). This approach allows students to learn vocabulary through physical movement. Students listen, read, act out, and retell the story using their own words.
Fourth Graders are currently working on a story called "La Bandera de Mexico" which details the colors, animals and symbols that are present and absent in the flag of Mexico. Encourage your student to share with you their knowledge of colors, animals and the flags from Mexico, Spain and Peru!
Fifth Graders are currently working on a story called "El esp�ritu de t�o Fernando." This story follows a young boy named Nando as he prepares to remember and celebrate his favorite uncle for the Day of the Dead. Encourage your student to share with you their knowledge of Day of the Dead foods, decorations and what Nando puts on the ofrenda (altar) for his special uncle.
All students will learn new vocabulary and phrases by associating the words to pictures, memory clues, and physical movement. At home resources for extra practice can be found on our class Canvas page at https://wayzata.instructure.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
�Gracias!
Se�ora Wetterlin Phone: 763-745-5463 |
 Greetings from the computer lab.
Students in grades 2-5 have been focusing on the concepts of Responsible Use based upon Wayzata's Digital Citizenship Agreement. We are spending a great deal of time working within our Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and Google Drive. Students in grades 3-5 have been assigned a Gmail account. Please know that this is owned by the district yet managed by Google. School Email is not intended for social communication use, but rather as a tool that can assist with school work and collaboration. We hope that our students develop good online habits through continual use and practice, but please recall that elementary children should never be left unsupervised on the Internet.
The first graders have spent time reviewing basic mouse and keyboard computer skills. We have also begun practicing logging into our three main subscription web sites. You can access BookFLIX with our Username "gleasonlake" and Password "bookflix"; Tumblebooks with Username "gleasonlake" and Password "books"; and IXL Math with each student's district assigned Active Directory Username and Password. Hopefully by rehearsing these sites at school, our primary students find more success online at home.
Much of December and January will be spent on computer programming. All of the students in grades 1-5 will develop basic coding skills using visual programming language. The elementary computer science field is growing at a tremendous pace, and Code.org, Scratch.mit.edu, Tynker.com, and Khan Academy are helping us develop necessary skills to meet the needs of the 21st Century learner.
Screen Time is a hot topic of conversation in Wayzata and around the nation with the increase of media devices entering our lives. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a "Family Media Use Plan" that many Wayzata families may be interested in reading. Click here to read the Reuters' review of the AAP Plan. You may access the school district's wonderful library of parent technology guides and resources by clicking here. I also recommend visiting commonsensemedia.org. This web site provides helpful reviews and advice on movies, books and apps.
My Gator Bait website contains hundreds of student-friendly links that will be used throughout the year. It is categorized by grade level and school subjects. I hope that you find it useful for extra practice at home.
Dan Roth Phone: 763-745-5495 |
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Sincerely,
Gleason Lake Elementary
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Gleason Lake Elementary310 County Road 101 North, Plymouth, MN 55447-4108
Phone: 763-745-5400 Fax: 763-745-5491
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