Newsletter

Grade Level
: Grade 4
Schoolyear : 2012-2013
Period
: September 24 October 31, 2012
TD Theme : How We Express Ourselves
How We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas,
feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy
our creativity, our appreciation of the aesthetic.
An Inquiry on Arts and Communication

Central Idea:
Throughout history, people have interacted
with each other and communicated using
arts.

Contents
Tuning In
Finding Out
Sorting Out
To Sum Up The Unit
Discipline Integration

Tuning In

We were able to share our artifacts about our new unit

on Arts and Communications. We told our classmates
and our teacher the history behind that artifact and why
we consider it to be art. We also gave our own idea of
what message or how our artifact gives us insight and
information about different cultures.
We also did a carousel walk inside our classroom, we
saw pictures from different time periods and tried to find
out the message behind those pictures by coming up
with questions that would help us understand that art
work.

Tuning In
We unpacked our central idea by highlighting
important concepts and terms and creating a
Central Idea that we could understand and
own.

Finding Out

We first went to the ABS-CBN studios where we were

able to meet with Mr. Robert Labayen also known as
The Boss. There he showed us many tricks on how we
can use computers and technology to create interesting
art. He also showed us how TV shows are created and
edited.
The next place we went to was the Angono Petroglyphs
and the Blanco Family Museum, here we saw how our
ancestors lived and what they saw during their time. We
were able to form our conclusions that this was the way
of life and the daily routines of our ancestors. At the
Blanco Family Museum, we saw how the Blanco family
was able to create masterpieces of significant cultural
events in the country.

Finding Out

As a way for us to understand Filipino art during the time

of the Spaniards, we went to the UST Museum where
we were able to see stuffed animals, different paintings
and religious objects that gave us the understanding that
most of the art done then was always about God and
religion.
The last place we went to was the Baldemor studio,
Where we were able to see how much effort and time
goes into making sculpture. The National Artist, Mr. Fred
Baldemor, he was able to tell us that painting is his work
and sculpting is his passion. Because of his love of the
art he was able to pass this talent to his son and his
granddaughter.

Finding Out

In school we met and interviewed graphic designer and

artist, Mr. Dean Africa, he shared with us his own works
and those done by famous artists. He told us that there
is no exact definition of art and that when we are making
art we should do it out of love.
Our activities during this time was to investigate on the
different art and historical periods. We were able to learn
that during the Pre-historic/Ancient times art was mainly
used to show the daily lives of people. During the
Medieval/Middle Ages, art was used to express their love
for God and during the Contemporary age art, is used to
express ones own identity and beliefs.

Sorting Out
Our first sorting out activity was to
create a mosaic about our own
understanding of how people
communicate through art. We created a
mosaic depicting a world with different
thoughts and ideas and that these
differences help to connect the world
and make us understand one another
better.

Sorting Out

Our second sorting out activity was to create different

forms of art from different time periods. Each of us
picked a time period that we would like to work on. For
the prehistoric art we created a buckskin painting native
to the Americas. For the medieval period we would use a
block of plaster of paris to create a work of art similar to
the sculptures or artwork during that time period. For
contemporary period, we created used canvas and
painting to express ourselves and the things that we
believe and value in life.

Sorting Out

For our last sorting out activity we used clay to make

different molds, characters and symbols. Using those
clay forms came up with a story that showed our
understanding of art and culture and how it gives us
insight and information.

To Sum Up The Unit

For our summative assessment we took on the role of

student-artists to create a poster that would speak or
send a message of change. We first created a plan that
identifies the things that we need, the problems that we
have identified, the message that we wanted to send out
and lastly, the artwork that we were planning to do.
Among the problems that we identified are: lack of
discipline, pollution, out of school youth, poverty, and
war.

Discipline Integration

English

In language we started our unit by studying and

investigating about poetry. We learned some of the
different elements of poetry and how these different
forms create messages and imagery. At the same time
we started investigating on poems written by famous
childrens authors such as: CS Lewis, Dr. Seuss, Shel
Silverstein and Roald Dahl. Using the information that
we got, we began writing poems that are similar to what
those famous childrens authors did.
We also began studying and reviewing about NonChronological Reports. We examined some of the key
features of non-chronological reports, and identified the
key elements in some samples.

Discipline Integration

Math

In math we began our unit on multiplying numbers with

zeroes (10, 100, 10,000 and etc...).
We were also introduced to the different properties of
multiplication.
We also reviewed our concept and understanding of division.
We then started working on how to create graphs. Here we
learnt about the different forms of graphs (pie, chart, and
bar). Using this knowledge we then investigated on the
different things that DIS students and teachers like (favorite
subjects, favorite food, favorite games).
After doing our graphs, we then studied about fractions. first
learning the basics such as proper, mixed and improper
fractions. Then we studied about adding and subtracting
fractions using different methods. We also started reviewing
a little bit about multiplying fractions.

Discipline Integration

Filipino

During the second unit, we discussed further the language

features of a recount text. Different types of journal entries
were also presented. We were able to write journal entries
based on the past experiences or activities we had during the
day. In line with the celebration of Buwan ng Wika, we created
a poem where we can show our love and importance of the
Filipino language.

Sa ikalawang yunit, natalakay namin ang mga tampok at

sangkap ng isang tekstong pasalaysay. Naipakita rin ang ibatibang paraan at uri ng dyornal. Nakasulat kami para sa dyornal
ng mga karanasan at gawain namin sa bawat araw. Para sa
selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wika, kami ay nagsulat ng tula na
magpapakita ng aming pagmamahal at pagbibigay importansya
sa wikang Filipino.

Discipline Integration

Library

In connection with the Buwan ng Wika Celebration, we

were able to know more about the Filipiniana books in
the Library. We were able to read Filipiniana books and
include them in our reading log.
We were able able to identify how and when to use the
different reference books (dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas
and almanac) in doing research.
We were able to practice their research skills about
Natural disasters and Calamities. We read books related
to that topic and take down notes as well as the
references that we used while doing the research.
We were able to know the use of newspapers and
journals/magazines in doing research through an
activity.

Discipline Integration

Music & Movement

In this unit, we explored beat and differentiated it with

rhythm. We learned about ta, ti-ti and quarter rest and
how they are used to create music. We were able to
perform on a steady pulse. We composed our own
rhythmic patterns and played in pairs in front of the
class. We were able to work together and collaborated
with our classmates.

Discipline Integration

Physical Education

Dancing is also a type of art which can be used as a

form of expression. This unit, we learned how to dance
Kappa Malong Malong for the Buwan ng Wika
presentation. Kappa Malong Malong is also called
Sambi sa Malong, a Maranao dance that shows the
many ways of wearing a malong. At the second part of
this unit, we also did some research work on the national
dance of the Philippines, Cariosa. These dances
helped us improved on our eye, hand and foot
coordination and also flexibility.

Discipline Integration

Arts

We developed self-management skills particularly timemanagement and also social skills which was about
communicating and collaborating with others while
working.
The art skills we worked on were drawing, manipulating
of materials or sculpting to create form and express
ones ideas. The concept of Form or 3-Dimensional art
was our goal. We found out that 3-D art or sculptures are
very different from painting or drawing as this involves
the actual space and form of a material.
The concept we emphasized was reflection as during
art-making we had to pause and look at where we were
before we had to move on.

Discipline Integration

Information

Technology

We were able to create and illustrate on how beliefs vary

from one another by using MS Powerpoint and
Photoplus graphics software by presenting different
belief practices and traditions.
We were also able to use MS office to learn and be
familiar in desktop publishing

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