Speaking Parts

Teaching Kindergartners about speaking parts is one of my favorite times of the year.

I explain what they are and what it would mean to have one. There's a lot of responsibility, nervousness and sometimes anxiety involved. I usually don't have many that are on the fence about the choice. Either they are too scared or they are super excited. As it gets closer to the show, things can change - their courage falters when they start to realize how many people will be watching. Or maybe they've seen their classmates practicing and they're thinking "I could do that!"

I try to build up the scripts as very important pieces of paper. Things to keep careful track of. We go through good places to keep it so it'll be seen regularly. I encourage them to practice saying their line to anything and everything around the house. Tell the dog, tell your favorite tree or set up a show for your stuffed animals.

In class I bust out the $1 plastic microphones to practice. It's trickier than you would think to say a line into it. Close to your mouth, but not too close. Speak loudly but not too loudly! Don't mumble and don't put the mic down until you've said your whole line. It's a lot of coordination. And oh yeah, and say your line with some enthusiasm!

Please help your Kindergartners (and even 2nd and 4th graders) prepare their lines for the show. It is such a big moment in their little lives and together we can make them feel prepared and confident.

Our classroom gets Smarter!

Thanks to the PTO and our awesome community, our schools have once again won a free SmartBoard!

Last year's SmartBoard is in the music room at Lecompton and this year's was installed at Perry Elementary.

First graders have started a unit exploring the uses of our board. They love being able to touch objects with their fingers to move them. It took a little while to get used to writing with the pens. Students have to write without leaning their wrists on the board. Of course the first day it was here, we all had to try it out. Below are our thank you notes to the PTO.

In other news, three grades are preparing for music programs - K, 2nd and 4th. Please look for information coming home about those. Dates are on the "program" link to the left.

It's a busy time for Ms. Beaulieu for sure! And with the weather getting so nice it can be little hard to focus in class. Students are doing a great job - I know the shows will be fantastic!

Don't forget to check out the Kaw Camp section of the site. You can find our newsletter and pictures of the students.

Thanks from Mrs. Lasater's class

Learning how to write was a little tricky but they've mastered it!

Ms. Johnson's class normal...

...and silly!

Mrs. Gantz's Class

Mrs. Harries' Class normal...

Silly time!