Special Subjects

Thank you to all who participated and raised money to help this years rollathon be a huge success.

We had almost all FBCS participate and a lot of WEE Care children too! It was great to see everyone scooting, skating, triking, boarding and biking endless laps of the car park for 3 hours solid. I received some wonderful feedback from parents and the children did great. Lots of exercise + fun = healthy happy kids! Together both circuits blasted last years lap count of 2500 laps.

This year we raised over $2745 which will go towards new equipment for the PE department. Jade Robinson won our biggest sponsorship collection and recieved a gift certificate raising $502 and Bruce Murdoch raised the most from WEE Care - $108.  Our students together completed 3885 laps!!! Way to go FBCS and WEE Care!

The morning of the Roll-a-thon, lots of bikes, scooters, trikes and skateboards ready and waiting!

Grades 3-6 waiting for the Roll-a-thon

Grade 3 boys waiting waiting waiting

Coach Claire getting the cones ready.

If you have to wait you might as well eat!

Lots of parents waiting for the start...

And we are off.....

on big bikes...

small bikes...

trikes...

skates...

scooters...

running bikes....

and strange....

skateboard things (called a rip-stick apparently).

We had parents helping...

and watching...

and working...

and chatting...

and hugging...

and keeping kids safe...

and quenching their thirst...

and giving advice...

and joining in!

Students in grades 4-6 have started lessons in photography this quarter.   We have been learning basic use of a camera, and have been taking photos using a variety of techniques.  Students will finish up the Photography Unit later this month, and will submit a digital photography portfolio for assessment.   Here is a list of objectives that we are covering in this unit.  

Objectives:

-          Students will demonstrate basic functions of a camera using Nikon Cool Pix Cameras – including: on, off, flash, close up setting, zoom, playback, delete, focus, install batteries, install memory cards, download photos, re-charge battery

-          Students will demonstrate how to download photos, copy, and paste into files, and rename

-          Students will demonstrate photo editing – rotating photos, adjusting lighting, tuning, and effects such as b/w, focal points, tinting etc, favorites, using Picasa 3

-          Students will demonstrate various photo taking techniques such as framed windows, symmetry, close ups, and make a portfolio

-          Students will creatively take photos of objects, and arrange them for interesting photographs

-          Students will demonstrate their knowledge of photography vocabulary

-          Students will evaluate photos to determine what makes a good photograph

Here are some samples so far!  Enjoy!  

Yes it’s true - Coach Claire likes computers. Both myself and the students are having lots of fun!

Kindergarten have been learning about the parts of the computer and rules in the lab, as well as mouse control and we just started Microsoft Word! We are learning to log on and how to open programs. Here are the things we are working on -

Grade 1 are building on the foundation from last term and are able to log on and open a program, they have great mouse control and have been creating some great drawings in Tux Paint. They are learning to insert clip art into a word document and are getting better at finding the right keys when typing.

Grades 2&3 have been learning about internet safety and did an online quiz on the cbbc website.

They created their own internet safety word document and have been improving thier typing on Paws Network and online in Dance Mat Typing at bbc.co.uk/schools.

Here’s to more computer fun in term 2!

The Wellness Policy was introduced in January 2011. It was handed out to all parents (if you didn’t get a copy please visit the school office)  and has been formulated to improve the health and wellness of all students at FBCS and WEE Care.

This is an exciting time! Here are some things we have done -

Implemented Fruity Friday (to replace the bake sale) each Friday afternoon to provide students with a much needed healthy snack whilst raising funds for PTF.

With funding from PTF we have painted new playground markings to encourage more physical activity at lunch and recess.

We are encouraging children to drink more water with signs up at the water fountains and asking them to bring water bottles to school.

Provided healthy snacks at events such as the Swim gala and class trips.

Helped with the decision to have hats as part of the school uniform.

FBCS is the first Private School to comply with new government standards for the food we supply to students through Food for Thought.

AND JUST LAST WEEK - with the help of the Be Active team and Project Grow we have our very own school garden. There are 2 new planting beds for our children to plant, care for, grow and hopefully eat the various plants and learn about healthy food that grows in the ground and not manufactured. Cayman 27 came and captured our first seeds being planted! Click here for news report.

A BIG thank you to all parents who send in healthy snacks and lunches for their children. As a parent I know it can take a little more time and preparation to cut up fruit or make a sandwich but not only does this have such great health benefits and forms eating habits that will last a life time but it also can help improve concentration and academic performance.

Here are some helpful ideas on healthy-packed-lunches from Bethany Smith our Nutrition expert.

Healthy Blessings - Coach Claire

We are having great fun in music this year!    Themes and objectives are taught through a variety of activities that incorporate listening, performing, and creating.

In Kindergarten - we are learning children’s songs that go along with class themes such as bears, and transportation.    Students are learning to follow rules and routines through song activities that encourage active participation.

First Grade - Students are learning about piano, forte and crescendo!   You will have to ask one of them if you are not sure what it means!   We are also exploring language through rhythm activities using a CD called “Leaping into Literacy”.   

Second Grade - Students in grade two have been reviewing concepts learned in first grade, as well as visual and aural recognition of rhythms using quarter note, eighth note pairs and rests.   

Third Grade - Students in third grade have been learning a movement game from New Zealand using rhythm sticks!   It requires them to use a variety of positions and coordinate it with a steady beat!   We are also learning the names of the instruments of the orchestra, and recognizing them by sight and sound.

Fourth Grade - We have begun learning the recorder and reviewing notes and rhythms from grade three.  Once these are mastered we will add more songs to our repertoire and add some percussion instruments to create ostinatos and follow a rhythm score.

Fifth Grade - Students are eager to expand their learning, and we are going to begin a unit on guitars.   Students will learn basic chords and strumming.

Sixth Grade - students in sixth grade are learning band instruments.   We are working on instrument assembly, embouchure, hand positon, breathing, and fingering of notes!   Once this is mastered you should be able to hear us play recognizable tunes such as Mary Had a Little Lamb and Hot Cross Buns.

IT Update Grades 4-6

Likewise Coach Claire…. I am also enjoying the computer lab!  It is peaceful and quiet, without the colorful sounds of band instruments, recorders, handbells, and a myriad of other musical activities!   Mr. Brent has left a great legacy behind and big shoes to fill!   We are so grateful for all that he has done for FBCS!

Here is what is lined up for grades 4-6!

Students in grades 4-6 will continue improving their keyboarding skills through a program called “Mavis Beacon”.    This program is specific to each student and tracks their progress.  Keyboarding is one element of the curriculum that is taught from grades 1-6.   

Students will also learn new skills in Microsoft Office programs such as Powerpoint, Word, and Publisher.    Improving their knowledge and skills will assist them in creating presentations and reports in other subjects.  

We are excited that we have been able to purchase a set of Nikon Cool Pix cameras for the computer classroom, to enable students to learn about digital photography, photo editing, and inserting photos into presentations.  

Internet safety and cyberbullying are also addressed in age-appropriate ways throughout the IT curriculum.    Some useful websites are:  NetSmartz.org, Bullying.co.uk.

I am looking forward to exploring IT with students this year!

Janet Durksen

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ENGLISH -
Objective - Students will identify pronouns in sentences. Homework Page 94, 96, & 97

SPELLING - Homework - pages 168-171, with a test on Friday.

MATH - students will have a Chapter 9 Unit Test on Wednesday, May 4th, for Homework Study for the test.

SOCIAL STUDIES - Unit 7 - Objective - Students will define climate, and describe the climate in the Cayman Islands, as well as neighboring countries. Students will identify three different types of climate.

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE -
Luke 24:5-6
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!