W.L. MILLER
March 2018
KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten students had a blast on our Global Day of Play! All students got to experience the different kindergarten classrooms. In one room, students were able to build and create whatever they wished, and in another room students put their imagination to work with pretend play using dress up and puppets. In the third room, they were able to participate in arts and crafts. Last, they visited the mat room and participated in fun hands-on activities. During the afternoon all of kindergarten spent their time sledding and playing in the snow. It was a wonderful day of play!
FIRST GRADE
Do you hear that? Listen! First grade has been learning all about sound these past few weeks. We experimented with instruments, developed questions, and even made our own instruments from recycled materials to help us answer the questions we came up with! We also talked about animals and discussed why and how they make sounds.
We are traveling! We asked families and friends to send us postcards from all around the United States and the response was unbelievable! We have received over 520 postcards and they’re still coming in. Stop by to check out our display in the first grade hallway!
First grade will also be taking a field trip to go ice skating on Friday, March 23. If you are an approved volunteer and would like to go, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher. Also, we are in need of ice skates! Although the arena has ice skates, they do not have enough for everyone. If your child has ice skates, or if you have any extra that we could borrow for the day, it would be greatly appreciated!
SECOND GRADE
Second graders have just finished up our informational writing unit and are starting opinion writing.
In math we have been busy learning to tell time to five minutes, counting and adding change amounts and practicing regrouping/ungrouping.
The students have loved our science unit on erosion! Students completed experiments to
questions such as: Why do rivers flow? Why is there sand at the beach? How is a canyon formed? How could a landslide prevented? They have learned so much about the ways that water and wind can change our land.
THIRD GRADE
Third grade has just wrapped up our 3rd round of CDT testing for the year and the students showed us how much they have grown in their Reading, Writing and Math.
Now, in the month of March, third grade will be reading the John Gardiner classic, Stone Fox. We will be diving into this book to discover what a boy will do to save his grandfather who has given up on life. While reading this book, the students will be spiraling back to all the reading and writing skills we have learned so far this year.
In math, we are wrapping up our geometry unit on the world of quadrilaterals. Ask your child what makes a square and a rectangle different. Or what makes a rhombus and a trapezoid the same. They have learned to compare all the attributes of a these four sided shapes. After geometry we will be getting hands on with measurement and data. Students will be comparing graphs and charts, measuring to the nearest quarter inch, telling time to the minute, and much more.
FOURTH GRADE
It has been a busy time in science class. Students just finished their electricity maker projects. Some of the highlights were; solar cars that ran across the blacktop only to stop when they hit the shade, batteries made from fruits and vegetables that were able to power light bulbs and clocks, and alarm systems built into boxes to keep unwanted hands out.
Fractions, fractions and more fractions! Students are learning that building, cooking and everything in between can involve fractions. Work with your child to see how they are using in everyday life.
FIFTH GRADE
Fifth graders have strong opinions and are ready for a good debate. During writing workshop, students will be constructing opinions based on research gathered. They will then need to use reasons and evidence to support their claims. Students must decide if they are for or against chocolate milk in our school. They will be writing a letter to the Principal expressing their opinions on whether or not chocolate milk should be a choice in the cafeteria. Before this letter is ready to publish, writers will create a learning log of research, an outline, and then draft a practice letter. They will use the strongest evidence that they have to persuade Mrs. White!
SIXTH GRADE
This March 14th or 3.14, we will celebrate Pi with music, art, a digits of Pi competition and of course a pie decorating contest!
GUIDANCE
The 5th grade students from the entire STSD will be participating in the 12th annual Career Fair. The Career Fair will be held at NPLHS this year. The 5th grade students will be attending from 9:00-10:00.
The students will be able to speak to approximately 35 different presenters and will be asking many questions that will help them to better understand a career that fits their personality style. The completed Career Fair Questions sheets will be placed in each students career portfolio and will follow them through their academic career.
LIBRARY
Students are enjoying finding ways to apply their coding skills with robots, drones, and computer applications. Students in primary grades are beginning to learn how to use the computers independently by logging in, navigating to the library website, and opening an appropriate program.
Our spring Book Fair will be here before you know it. Mark your calendars for May 14-18!
MUSIC
WLM Solo and Ensemble Recital
During the month of March this recital will be held in the WLM Gymnatorium. Band students in 5th and 6th grades will be presenting ensemble pieces, and students who take private lessons will be performing solos throughout this performance for their peers.This is not a concert - it's a recital and is mainly intended for the students to perform to each other.
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Vocabulary Boosters
Talking with your child helps to increase vocabulary. For example a waiter may describe an entree or the dentist may talk about molars. Encourage your child to figure out unfamiliar word meanings by the way the word is used.
Help your child add verbs and adjectives to his / her vocabulary. Let your child hear you comment on such things as “the softball soars” or “the runner who sprints.” When writing thank you cards, suggest using descriptive words (a polka-dot shirt, or a fantastic birthday.)