Making of the MuralArt Program
The Art Program at John Eaton follows the DCPS Visual Arts Standards. Students learn what art is and how it is interpreted throughout the world by doings hands on projects. These projects help students explore different art concepts and techniques while allowing them to learn about and experience a variety of media. There is a strong emphasis on learning the fundamentals of art. Students in grades 1-5 learn about the Elements of Art and the Principles of Art. They also learn how to analyze and critique works of art including their own.
As a world cultures catalyst school students also explore art from their country of study. The art program also works closely with classroom teachers on special projects creating a cross-curriculum experience.
For more information, please contact Eaton’s Art Teacher, Ms Laurencin.
Computer Lab
The computer curriculum supports all grade levels and their course of studies in mathematics, language arts, geography, world cultures, and art. Instruction stresses problem-solving across all curriculum strands, starting with the idea that all problems can be deconstructed into their smaller parts. However, based on student data and digital resources, a strong focus on mathematics is the core of the computer curriculum. In the lab, the computers are used as an interactive tool to learn a concept and to practice this concept until the students have gained an acceptable level of mastery. Geometry and art are also heavily integrated in the mathematics lessons. Recently, DCPS has adopted the National Core Curriculum in Mathematics, and based on its initial draft, geometry plays a major role in elementary school curriculum. To promote smarter teaching, Individual student data is collected and analyzed for performance and targeted instruction. The lab offers the students the opportunity to use both Windows –based PC’s and Apple’s Ipads (on order).
Over the years, the lab has followed the growth of the computer industry—going from using stand alone software programs on IBM AT or XT computers and phone-line modems to using wireless broadband to access the internet’s rich resources of educational websites from laptops. The lab will soon be able to access online membership to rigorous mathematical curriculum from Stanford University. The lab currently supports Renaissance Learning for monitoring our students’ progress in both mathematics and reading.
Teacher initiated projects are supported in the computer lab. Carefully constructed research projects in coordination with the library are supported and encouraged, followed by Powerpoint presentations in the classroom. Special lunch-recess access to the computer lab is scheduled for students to participate in competitions such as the annual Doodle4Google contest or the Scholastic Inc.’s writing contest for young authors.
To read more information about how Eaton students study vexillology in the Eaton computer lab, please see the February 2011 newsletter.
For more information, please contact Eaton’s Computer Teacher, Ms. Eastman.
School Library
The John Eaton School Library is an environment that encourages children to develop a love of reading and a desire to expand their understanding of the world. We are fortunate to have a wide and varied collection of books due largely to the generous contributions of the Eaton Home and School Association (HSA) and individual families over the years.
The school library and the full-time librarian, Ms. Elizabeth Fotheringill, supports classroom teachers and works closely with the Cleveland Park Public Library to help provide appropriate materials for the classroom for both pleasure reading and research projects.
Each class (Pre-K through 5th grade) visits the library for 30-45 minutes each week. Each library class session consists of three parts:
- The students share what they have been reading or have been read to. They are asked to share the title, author, and the problem/conflict in the story.
- The students browse and check out their individually-selected books.
- The Librarian shares a story, tale, biography, a bit of DC history with the students. Sometimes the story is read aloud over several weeks. Together the students discuss or take notes about the plot (conflict, climax, and denouement), characters, and settings as well as new vocabulary.
Students may check out books during class time as well as before and after school. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit the library at any time and browse books with their children.
So many children love checking out books but sometimes need to be reminded to return their books. Parents and caregivers should take note of your child’s library day and help set up a plan for students to return their book on time.
For more information, please contact the John Eaton School Librarian, Ms. Fotheringill, at elizabeth.fotheringill@dc.gov.
Physical Education
The PE program at John Eaton is the development of the entire student, both academically and athletically. We stress life skills such as sportsmanship, teamwork and combating the never-ending battle against obesity.
In addition to weekly PE classes, Eaton students participate in several health and fitness activities throughout the year:
- October: Marine Corps Marathon Kids Fun Run
- November: Walk for the Homeless
- May: Jump Rope for Heart
Our goal is to promote health-related physical fitness program and provide challenging activities to improve fitness levels. While having fun, we develop the mind and how to stay healthy and stay active for life.
For more information, please contact Eaton’s PE Teacher, Ms. Magruder.
Music Program
The music curriculum at John Eaton adheres to the National Standards of Music. While many schools are scaling back music opportunities, the music program at Eaton continues to grow. We have two music teachers: Ms. Walson (grades 1-5) and Mr. Telly (grades Pre-K and K).
Ms. Walson draws upon different music education traditions including the Orff-Kodaly, Curwen and Suzuki methods. Students in all music classes make connections to math (especially arithmetic and fractions). Students are expected to sing songs in native languages. Ms. Walson recently forged a partnership with an organization called Little Kids Rock (LKR). LKR has donated guitars to the Eaton music program and Ms. Walson has integrated them into the music curriculum. Eaton is currently offering after school guitar classes to students in grades 3-5 which are free of charge! Students in fourth and fifth grades have to opportunity to audition for a role in the annual school musical. Students who participate in the musical rehearse with Ms. Walson and Mr. Parodi, preparing songs and numbers with complex harmonies.
First Grade:
First graders begin their musical journey with steady beats. Students learn that a steady beat is the heartbeat of music. First graders practice identifying music that has a steady beat and music with no steady beat. Students in first grade also learn how to identify and compose rhythms using quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests. Students can identify and perform melodies that move in upward and downward directions. Students use Curwen hand signals and can sing and sign melodies using so, mi, la and do. Students can identify and participate in songs with thick and thin textures. Students can sing and use instruments alone and in groups. For many songs, students create motions to match words or create motions to match the steady beat. In first grade, students use mallet percussion, handheld percussion and drums.
This year, first graders studied Kenya. In music, they learned a traditional Kenyan song called Ochimbo Bird, which is a call and response style song. Students also learned other songs in the call and response tradition. Students learned songs in Chinese and performed at the Chinese New Year Celebration.
Second Grade:
Second graders are experts at identifying steady beat. Students in second grade can identify and compose rhythms using quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, tied quarter notes and half notes. Students can identify and perform melodies that move in upward and downward directions. Students use Curwen hand signals and can sing and sign melodies using so, mi, la and do. Students can sing and use instruments alone and in groups. In second grade, students are expected to perform simple rhythmic and melodic ostinatos (repeating patterns) with songs. Second grade students use mallet percussion, handheld percussion and drums.
This year, second graders are studying India. They recently took a trip to the Ghandi Center and performed a song in Hindi called Ragupati Ragava Raja Ram. Students in second grade also went on their annual trip to the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility where they performed holiday celebration Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa (twelve songs in total from memory!). Students in second grade also participated in the Chinese New Year Celebration by singing Xiao Yin Chuan with their own instrument accompaniment.
Third Grade:
Students in third grade can identify and compose rhythms using quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, tied quarter notes, half notes and dotted quarter notes. Students can identify and perform melodies that move in upward and downward directions. Students use Curwen hand signals and can sing and sign melodies using so, mi, la and do. Students can identify and perform melodies that move in upward and downward directions. Students use Curwen hand signals and can sing and sign melodies using so, mi, la and do. Students can sing and use instruments alone and in groups. In third grade, students are expected to perform simple rhythmic and melodic ostinatos (repeating patterns) with songs. Third grade students use mallet percussion, handheld percussion, drums and recorders.
This year third graders are studying Italy. Eaton has a partnership with the Washington National Opera and students have taken several trips to watch actors and singers rehearse. The music department has worked closely with representatives from the WNO and have supported their activities. Students in third grade are working on putting music and dance to poetry with Ms. Walson and the WNO. Students also have studied about Guido d’Arrezzo, an Italian man who is credited with creating modern music notation. Students in third grade participated in the Chinese New Year Celebration. They performed Shu Ha Mo with their own instrument accompaniment.
Fourth Grade:
Students in fourth grade begin studying guitar during their regular music classes. Students are still expected to draw upon skills from grades 1-3. Students learn guitar history and basic techniques (strumming, plucking individual strings). They learn how simple songs are put together and learn the most basic chords. Students use chords to practice the twelve-bar blues. Students practice bass lines on the guitar as well. Each student gets several opportunities to practice with electric guitar. Students use the guitar to accompany songs. Students are still expected sing and perform on instruments alone and in groups.
This year fourth graders are studying Argentina. Fourth grade students kicked off the school year with a performance at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration singing Ahora Voy A Cantarles in Spanish with recorder and drum accompaniment. Students also sang Xiao, a song about a bamboo flute at the Chinese New Year Celebration.
Fifth Grade:
Students in fifth grade continue their study of the guitar during their regular music classes. Students are still expected to draw upon skills from grades 1-3. Students learn guitar history and improve upon basic techniques (strumming, plucking individual strings). They learn how simple songs are put together and improve their work with the most basic chords. Students continue to use chords to practice the twelve-bar blues and even begin to take turns soloing. Students practice bass lines on the guitar as well. Each student gets several opportunities to practice with electric guitar. Students use the guitar to accompany songs. Students are still expected sing and perform on instruments alone and in groups.
This year fifth graders are studying South Africa. Fifth grade students participated in the Chinese New Year Celebration by singing Meng Jian Nu, a traditional Chinese song about the Great Wall. Students in fifth grade are busy preparing for a trip to the South African Embassy and for promotion. Both upcoming performances will feature the guitar.
For more information, please contact Eaton’s Music Teachers, Ms. Walson for grades 1-5 or Mr. Telly for grades PK and Kindergarten.