~Dream Big~
a kindergarten musical celebrating all that we will become!
Please join us in the DRES gym for your track's performance:
Track 1 May 29th 9:30am
Track 2 June 24th 9:30 am
Track 3: June 25th 9:30 am
Track 4: June 26th 9:30 am
We are so excited to sing for you! The kiddos have been practicing so hard and we have had a great time. I also want to say how much I have enjoyed teaching your children this year. They have the most wonderful energy and enthusiasm for learning. It has been a pleasure to be with them every day exploring the arts and watching them grow! Hope to see you there.
Bring your cameras!
~Mrs. Bentlage
April 15, 2013
Important PE reminders for warmer weather:
Please remember to wear light colored clothing, preferably shorts
Wear sneakers
*Bring a labeled water bottle*
Consider putting on sunscreen on sunny days
*this is a must for safety reasons
Thank you!
"Art by Me" March 26, 2013
Dear Parents,
I am excited to say that we have completed our "Chameleon" art project for "Art by me."
"Art by Me" is a unique art program that transforms a student's artwork into beautiful, professionally made products.
Creating art is fun for students. "Art by Me" generates enthusiasm and excitement among students as they see customized products made from their OWN artwork. Students develop positive attitudes and their self-esteem is boosted at seeing parents and family members buying t-shirts, calendars, note cards, etc. that display their masterpieces! Visit www.artbyme.com/shop to see products.
I chose to use the book A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni to teach the students step-by-step how to draw a beautiful chameleon. We added texture and included great details like a bubble border. I am so proud of our young artists. We had a great time on this project!
You can order many wonderful products that showcase your child’s art for years to come. They also make great gifts.
Just fill out the order form and return it with your child’s art and a check made out to DRES.
***Tracks 1, 2 and 3 art will go home April 1st and orders are due April 12th.
***Track 4 art will go home April 22nd and orders are due May 3rd.
I am excited to say that we have completed our "Chameleon" art project for "Art by me."
"Art by Me" is a unique art program that transforms a student's artwork into beautiful, professionally made products.
Creating art is fun for students. "Art by Me" generates enthusiasm and excitement among students as they see customized products made from their OWN artwork. Students develop positive attitudes and their self-esteem is boosted at seeing parents and family members buying t-shirts, calendars, note cards, etc. that display their masterpieces! Visit www.artbyme.com/shop to see products.
I chose to use the book A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni to teach the students step-by-step how to draw a beautiful chameleon. We added texture and included great details like a bubble border. I am so proud of our young artists. We had a great time on this project!
You can order many wonderful products that showcase your child’s art for years to come. They also make great gifts.
Just fill out the order form and return it with your child’s art and a check made out to DRES.
***Tracks 1, 2 and 3 art will go home April 1st and orders are due April 12th.
***Track 4 art will go home April 22nd and orders are due May 3rd.
Come explore the world with your child!
"International Night"
Thursday, February 28th 6-8 PM at DRES
Please join us for this wonderful event. Each grade level will represent one of the 7 continents. That night, your child will receive a "passport" and travel to each continent and explore! Sra. Harper, our Spanish teacher will show a video of her students and the DRES chorus will perform. The kindergarten students will "open" for the DRES Chorus and sing two songs. This is what our schedule for the night will look like. This information will also be printed on their DRES passport.
6:00pm Students arrive, receive passport and begin traveling
7:15pm Continents are closed for video
7:15pm Spanish Class Video
7:10** Please bring your kindergarten child to the Media Center so that they can walk as a class to the gym stage. Please have your child wear their solid colored field trip shirt that night. They will be released class by class back to the media center. Please listen as your child's class is called and at that time go to the media center to get your child.
7:25pm Kindergarten Sings 2 songs
7:35pm DRES Chorus
7:45pm Continents reopen
8:00pm Return Voyage
Thursday, February 28th 6-8 PM at DRES
Please join us for this wonderful event. Each grade level will represent one of the 7 continents. That night, your child will receive a "passport" and travel to each continent and explore! Sra. Harper, our Spanish teacher will show a video of her students and the DRES chorus will perform. The kindergarten students will "open" for the DRES Chorus and sing two songs. This is what our schedule for the night will look like. This information will also be printed on their DRES passport.
6:00pm Students arrive, receive passport and begin traveling
7:15pm Continents are closed for video
7:15pm Spanish Class Video
7:10** Please bring your kindergarten child to the Media Center so that they can walk as a class to the gym stage. Please have your child wear their solid colored field trip shirt that night. They will be released class by class back to the media center. Please listen as your child's class is called and at that time go to the media center to get your child.
7:25pm Kindergarten Sings 2 songs
7:35pm DRES Chorus
7:45pm Continents reopen
8:00pm Return Voyage
January 8, 2013
Adventures in Fitness
Yesterday I introduced the students to a wonderful interactive program called Adventure to Fitness. It is a fun and popular educational fitness program for kids. This program has "made real advances in the livelihood of America's children, the fight against obesity, and the march for greater overall childhood wellness."
Adventure to Fitness is on a mission to inspire kids to lead healthy lifestyles through imagination, education, and movement!
For more information, visit: http://www.adventuretofitness.com
This is something I encourage you to explore with your child and consider when you want to get exercise but need to be indoors. Check it out and let me know what you think!
January 4, 2013
Happy New Year!
Thank you to everyone for thinking of me during the holidays. I appreciate all of your sweet cards. The Art Gallery was a huge success and the holiday musical was such fun to prepare for and watch. I think the children really enjoyed themselves. It is hard to believe we are half-way through the year. The kiddos are such a joy to work with every day! I look forward to a fun-filled year full of learning and exploration! Please continue to do activities from the"Healthful Living" sheet that went out earlier this year. I wish you all a joyful and healthy 2013!
October 24, 2012 ~DRES Art Gallery...December 6th from 5:30-7:30~
Come see your child's art!
Mark your calendars and plan to join us this night at DRES! will see a beautiful display of original artwork created by our very own Durant Road Elementary students. All artwork will be displayed in an attractive, 11 X14, matted, wooden frame. It will be just like a real Art Gallery! Your child's framed art will make a beautiful addition to your home or wonderful one of a kind gift for a grand parent or family member. You will have the opportunity to pre-purchase your child's framed artwork for only $15.00. Please know that the night of the gallery, the cost of each frame will be $20.00. So, please fill out the RSVP that will be coming home and return by November 30th with your check for the discounted price!
If you do not RSVP- your child's art will not be displayed the night of the show. So please do not forget to return the form!
Also that night, come celebrate the holiday season with a musical performance of, “Joy to the Holidays.” It will begin with our kindergarten students singing on the gym stage at 6:45 followed by the DRES chorus at 7:00. Don't miss it! More info to come....
If you do not RSVP- your child's art will not be displayed the night of the show. So please do not forget to return the form!
Also that night, come celebrate the holiday season with a musical performance of, “Joy to the Holidays.” It will begin with our kindergarten students singing on the gym stage at 6:45 followed by the DRES chorus at 7:00. Don't miss it! More info to come....
October 22, 20102
Where do you see texture?
Welcome Fall! Last week we had a special guest, Mrs. Ashlee Meadows, come in and help teach a lesson on TEXTURE. By feeling items and studying ART on the smartboard, the students learned the difference between actual texture ~something that can be touched and implied texture ~ something that looks like it has texture but you can't feel.
We spent a beautiful day outside finding things with texture and doing various "rubbings." We found leaves, bark, stones, grass and even found texture on benches and tables! We will continue to use texture in our own art this year and look for texture all around us in our world! TEXTURE is everywhere! Thanks, Ashlee!
We spent a beautiful day outside finding things with texture and doing various "rubbings." We found leaves, bark, stones, grass and even found texture on benches and tables! We will continue to use texture in our own art this year and look for texture all around us in our world! TEXTURE is everywhere! Thanks, Ashlee!
August 21, 2012
Try something new!
Hello Parents!
Let's get fit! Yesterday we had a exciting day in PE exploring different stations and getting an introduction to basic locomotor skills. We had such fun! Please look for a "Kindergarten Healthful Living" flier coming home from me listing all the skills that your child will be exploring in PE this year! They will be given instructions to learn the skills, but will need lots of opportunities to practice. My hope is that you will pick and choose a skill to practice with your child at home every day. For example- you may practice doing 10 jumping jacks, skipping around the outside of the house or galloping to the car! I encourage you to try to incorporate a "Healthful Living" habit into your daily routine with your child. It is a simple and fast way to help "get the wiggles out" and become more fit!
***********************************************************************************************************
Healthful Living Activities
Designed for Kindergarten Students
Remember SAFETY first. Be sure your child knows NOT to attempt any of these activities without your permission and guidance. Try to do one every day with your child for greater health.
*******************************************************************************
HOP like a bunny or a frog ten times, rest, then do ten more
Do 20 JUMPING JACKS... think: "pop" " corn"
HOP on right foot ten times, then left foot
SKIP around the yard while singing your favorite song.... think: step, hop. Alternate feet lead
GALLOP like a horse..... think: step, hop keeping front foot front, back foot back ….Yippee-ki-yay!
SHUFFLE across the yard and back! Think: slide foot, bring together, repeat!
See how far you can LEAP.... think: long jump. Grab a yard stick and measure who can leap the farthest in your family! Keep a chart.
Practice MOVING in various pathways (straight, curve, zigzag, backwards, etc...) Play "Simon Says" using these directions!
Play the "Walking Toe Touch" race! think: STEP with right hand to left toe, alternate. This is a challenge!
Play ball! Think: opposite shoulder to target, throwing arm in "L" shape, step forward, bring throwing arm through. You're ready for little league!
TOSS a small ball up in the air. Think: high level, low level, repeat. How high can you throw and catch it?
Play RING TOSS or BEAN BAG TOSS... THINK hand and eye coordination
THROW ball with a partner. Think: after each catch take one step back. How far apart can you get without dropping the ball?
DRIBBLE a ball counting by fives. How high can you count? Use right hand, then left!
JOG in place. Work up to 2 minutes! Can you feel your heart beat faster? Check your heart rate on your wrist and your neck.
Need to RELAX? Try some deep breathing! Think: breathe in through your nose like you are smelling something yummy, then blow out through your mouth like you are blowing candles out on a cake. Ahhhhhh…….
JUMP rope! Think: alligator arms, thumbs up, turn pulling from front pocket to back pocket.... can you jump at least 3 times successfully? You can do it!
Play KICKball with your friends. Try using a large playground ball.
Have a DANCE party! Sing, dance and laugh! Think: CLAP to the rhythm of the song. CREATE your own dance steps. It's so good for you and fun, too!
Practice STRIKING an object with a racquet. Think: tennis, badminton, etc....
RUN a relay race with family and friends. Use a paper towel roll as the baton.
Take a letter WALK as a family. Try to find something that begins with each letter of the alphabet.
DRAW a picture of and label you doing these activities and CREATE a healthful living book! SHARE with friends and family.
******************************************************************************************
EAT your veggies and fruit
DRINK water
LIMIT sugar and television
BRUSH your teeth at least twice a day.
CHOOSE to be happy:)
RESPECT differences in other people's physical abilities during activities
Always show good SPORTSMANSHIP
ENJOY! Cathy Bentlage, K- Specials Teacher [email protected]
Let's get fit! Yesterday we had a exciting day in PE exploring different stations and getting an introduction to basic locomotor skills. We had such fun! Please look for a "Kindergarten Healthful Living" flier coming home from me listing all the skills that your child will be exploring in PE this year! They will be given instructions to learn the skills, but will need lots of opportunities to practice. My hope is that you will pick and choose a skill to practice with your child at home every day. For example- you may practice doing 10 jumping jacks, skipping around the outside of the house or galloping to the car! I encourage you to try to incorporate a "Healthful Living" habit into your daily routine with your child. It is a simple and fast way to help "get the wiggles out" and become more fit!
***********************************************************************************************************
Healthful Living Activities
Designed for Kindergarten Students
Remember SAFETY first. Be sure your child knows NOT to attempt any of these activities without your permission and guidance. Try to do one every day with your child for greater health.
*******************************************************************************
HOP like a bunny or a frog ten times, rest, then do ten more
Do 20 JUMPING JACKS... think: "pop" " corn"
HOP on right foot ten times, then left foot
SKIP around the yard while singing your favorite song.... think: step, hop. Alternate feet lead
GALLOP like a horse..... think: step, hop keeping front foot front, back foot back ….Yippee-ki-yay!
SHUFFLE across the yard and back! Think: slide foot, bring together, repeat!
See how far you can LEAP.... think: long jump. Grab a yard stick and measure who can leap the farthest in your family! Keep a chart.
Practice MOVING in various pathways (straight, curve, zigzag, backwards, etc...) Play "Simon Says" using these directions!
Play the "Walking Toe Touch" race! think: STEP with right hand to left toe, alternate. This is a challenge!
Play ball! Think: opposite shoulder to target, throwing arm in "L" shape, step forward, bring throwing arm through. You're ready for little league!
TOSS a small ball up in the air. Think: high level, low level, repeat. How high can you throw and catch it?
Play RING TOSS or BEAN BAG TOSS... THINK hand and eye coordination
THROW ball with a partner. Think: after each catch take one step back. How far apart can you get without dropping the ball?
DRIBBLE a ball counting by fives. How high can you count? Use right hand, then left!
JOG in place. Work up to 2 minutes! Can you feel your heart beat faster? Check your heart rate on your wrist and your neck.
Need to RELAX? Try some deep breathing! Think: breathe in through your nose like you are smelling something yummy, then blow out through your mouth like you are blowing candles out on a cake. Ahhhhhh…….
JUMP rope! Think: alligator arms, thumbs up, turn pulling from front pocket to back pocket.... can you jump at least 3 times successfully? You can do it!
Play KICKball with your friends. Try using a large playground ball.
Have a DANCE party! Sing, dance and laugh! Think: CLAP to the rhythm of the song. CREATE your own dance steps. It's so good for you and fun, too!
Practice STRIKING an object with a racquet. Think: tennis, badminton, etc....
RUN a relay race with family and friends. Use a paper towel roll as the baton.
Take a letter WALK as a family. Try to find something that begins with each letter of the alphabet.
DRAW a picture of and label you doing these activities and CREATE a healthful living book! SHARE with friends and family.
******************************************************************************************
EAT your veggies and fruit
DRINK water
LIMIT sugar and television
BRUSH your teeth at least twice a day.
CHOOSE to be happy:)
RESPECT differences in other people's physical abilities during activities
Always show good SPORTSMANSHIP
ENJOY! Cathy Bentlage, K- Specials Teacher [email protected]