Hello Friends and Caregivers!

     My name is Diego Fuentes and I am the Visual and Performing Arts Instructor at Hillcrest.

     Who could have imagined the end of year would look like this? I hope you are all as well as can be and staying safe, and maybe even finding some light in these challenging times. I miss you all.

     At Hillcrest, music provides opportunities for students to express and engage in activities on many different levels. Much of the time the main goal is active participation and engagement, whether working on body percussion to participate in songs (Clapping, Tapping feet, snapping, head or eye motions) or using technology to create original songs (Using iPads, especially Garageband).

     Additionally, music class provides many familiar and structured activities. At this point I think that providing familiar songs and activities will help students in coping with the very real changes going on in their lives right now.

    So, I have chosen to utilize this classroom Distance Learning site. I will be sharing several links and lessons to familiar websites we visit and songs students enjoy. I will do my best to elaborate on how we use these songs in the process. I have written several songs that we frequently work on in class, and will be sharing those here as well. 

     These songs are familiar and will likely provide some fun learning, engagement and comfort for students. My hope is that you all can utilize this classroom page, which will continue to be added to and extend throughout the Distance Learning model, to make life and the learning process a little easier.

     I want to also emphasize that activities are modified for students to engage at their ability level. As one example a student that is unable to actually clap, but can verbalize the word “Clap” is encouraged to say the word “clap” instead. Unfortunately at this point I cannot be there to play with the students and control the speed of the song, but it is very important to remember that many students may need extra time to respond in a song. For those students the key is giving them plenty of time to respond as they are able.

Just have fun and please stay safe!

Parents and Caregivers

Hillcrest is providing Instructional Packets that are available for parent pick-up curb-side at Hillcrest School Tuesday, March 31^st  from 3-5 pm.  Hillcrest families you will hear from Teachers to assist you during this distance learning process.  We will not be collecting any completed work, but rather we will have phone contact with the families to assist us in the grading process. Should you need any assistance please don’t hesitate to email your Classroom Teacher, Therapist or Behavior Specialist. 

Thank you and stay well.

Additional Resources:

• HelpKidzLearn: 
  1. Click on Game and Activities
  2. Click Log in (top right corner)
  3. Click Games and Activities
  4. Click Play Games (2nd option)
  5. Under student -
     • User - hc123 
     • Password - marion1
• Starfall
  1. Click Sign In (top right corner)
  2. Sign In Information
     • E-mail - lourdes.manresa@marion.k12.fl.us
     • Password - Hillcrest
• Brainpop Jr.
  1. Click Log In (top right corner)
  2. Log In Information:
     • Username - hcrest 
     • Password - 0471
• Google Arts and Culture
  • Free exploration of U.S. National Parks (virtual field trips) along with many other science and social studies topics to explore
• Scholastic Home Learning
  • Free Resources based on grade level
• Accessing Free e-books
  
  1.  Junior Library Guild - follow instructions on screen
  2. Sebco books

     If you would like to take advantage of this offer, simply click on the FREE eBooks link and enter the following credentials: User Name: keepreading | Password: sebco | ID#: 1   Questions? Contact our office 800-223-3251 | sebco@sebcobooks.com

     FREE eBooks