This week students will begin their Specialty Classes, including Physical Education, Visual Arts, Spanish, and Music & Drama.  This year Specialty Classes are woven throughout the mornings and afternoons each day, except for Fridays.  Specialty Classes allow students to experience creative expression that incorporates both the mind and the body.  Recently, CMCS received a letter of congratulations from First Lady Michelle Obama for our involvement in the "Let's Move!" initiative.  "Let's Move!" is changing how we, as a society, view food and exercise.  As many of you may know, children are increasingly being diagnosed with poor health and diseases due to our more sedentary lifestyle and lack of fitness.  The "Let's Move!" initiative is a reminder that we, as adults, should model good health and fitness at home and in our community.  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)
Mr. Chris does a fabulous job of motivating students during PE.  He creates games and skill drills that build students' understanding of their bodies and the importance of keeping active.  This year he will be incorporating more nutrition information into his lessons as well, since eating healthfully sets the stage for a productive learning day and healthful life habits.

VISUAL ARTS
Ms. Kim will begin her Visual Arts curriculum with conversations regarding who artists are and what characteristics artists share, including having an imagination.  Ms. Kim will then reveal the elements of shape to students.  This is a skill students will use throughout the year to create works that embrace individual artistic expressions.  After the elements of shape, she will move into principles of design, including pattern, contrast, emphasis, balance, proportion, harmony, rhythm, and unity.  I love how Ms. Kim infuses relaxation techniques into her art lessons.  She understands that in order to reach a creative, imaginative place students must be relaxed enough to make their visualizations a reality.

SPANISH
Ms. Keely will work with smaller groups of students this year using a Spanish curriculum highly recommended by Montessorians called Touch Spanish.  The goal for Spanish is focused lessons based on readiness.  Ms. Keely is always working hard to create lessons that are meaningful and incorporate the five senses, which helps with recall and recognition, especially when learning a new language.  In addition, Upper Elementary students are going to try a new Application this year called Duolingo.  This will help students with their spoken Spanish or conversational Spanish.  

MUSIC & DRAMA
Ms. Kalley is excited to get started on our winter and spring performances.  This year Upper Elementary students will perform a winter play, " Go West!," while the Lower Elementary students will present " Go Fish!" in the spring. The students at CMCS love theatre.  We want as many students as possible to have speaking parts and solos.  If you are interested in assisting Ms. Kalley during after-school rehearsals please email her.  

Meaningful Specialty Classes allow each student the opportunity to discover another facet of his or her developing personality and preferences.  The CMCS Specialty Teachers are ready to present exciting and interesting information and experiences to your child.  Stay tuned for updates on how Specialty Classes are going by visiting the teachers' Classroom Updates pages, weekly, on our CMCS website.


Kindly,
Dr. Hunt