WL Miller Newsletter
November 2018
Kindergarten
In kindergarten we have been learning about our Community Helpers. Several classes have had numerous guest speakers explaining to us their jobs, what skills they need to have, and what tools they use for their jobs. During November each class will select a Community Helper and present them with a "Gratitude Gift".
1st
The first grade students have spent the last few weeks reading many different versions of the Three Little Pigs. They have really enjoyed these stories and have learned how to compare and contrast different versions of the same story.
Last week, when students arrived at school, they discovered that the Three Little Pigs had written them a letter and needed their help! The pigs had asked the first grade students to plan, design, and create a house that would withstand the huffing and puffing of the Big Bad Wolf.
The students were very excited to help the pigs out and did an outstanding job building structures that the Big Bad Wolf (wind from the fan) could not blow down!
Problem based learning-for this project, we completed a problem-based project with problem scoping using client letters!
2ND
Pencils and pens created quite an interest in science when we asked, “How do the parts of pens or pencils make them more useful writing tools?” We took pens apart and learned how pencils are made. Mr. Henson also sent us a letter telling about a problem, many pencils are thrown away because they are left on the floor. Our 2nd graders became inventors and engineers when he asked us to design something that would keep pencils from falling off desks.
Our days have been filled with exciting moments of learning! Second grade writers have created interest and greater meaning to their narratives with similes and more powerful words called synonyms. We are also learning how to end narratives in ways that bring the reader back to the beginning.
In math, children were introduced to a few mental math strategies called, "take out a ten and make a ten". It is a challenging new way of solving problems. Children are now learning how to estimate and measure objects with centimeter rulers and meter sticks. We also compare different lengths of objects.
LOOK! We picked vegetables from the school garden to make tasty vegetable beef soup.
3rd
Third grade will be spending time throughout the year exploring alternative ways of growing plants. We will be comparing aeroponics (growing plants in a mist environment) and traditional soil gardening.
Third grade aeroponics tower is up and running.
4th
The 4th grade was busy on the Race for Education day. Activities included pressing
fresh apple cider, building mountains only to weather and erode them, as well as creating advertising for Leonard Harrison State Park.
Students were very creative with their projects to help advertise the State Park. The projects are on display in the 4th grade hallway of the school. This problem-based learning activity was done after the students received a letter from the park requesting help spreading the word about what a wonderful place the park is for a class field trip.
5th
We are collecting data from shrunken apple heads to learn math. Students carved, shrunk, weighed, collected, and graphed apple head data for thirty days. The data was first used to learn how fractions are made while investigating the role of a numerator and denominator. The fractions were then used to learn the process of converting to decimal form. From decimal form, students learned how to convert to percent form. The final step was to create line graphs so that students could make a correlation between the percent of shrinkage and the day.
6th
Guidance
The 4th grade students will be participating in a book study in guidance class. The book is called, "The Hundred Dresses", written by Eleanor Estes. The students will be learning about compassion while reading the story about a school-aged girl that struggles to fit in due to socioeconomic struggles and being shy. Many students are unkind to her, not knowing about her life struggles. As the students learn that they have hurt her feelings, they feel remorse and show compassion to this student. Students will be completing activities around this topic.
gym
music
It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays! December is just around the corner and our Winter Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18th in the NPMHS auditorium.
Hope to see you there!
library
Students had a great time participating in Global Maker Day! Students were given challenges based on our theme What Do You Do With a Plastic Cup?
Up Next: The Hour of Code! During the months of November and December, all students will learn about coding and will participate in the Hour of Code, a global event aimed at teaching students about computer programming.
title i
Learning to read between the lines (to infer) is a key to reading comprehension. Here are some tips for helping your youngster make inferences when he/she reads.
Describe the setting- Pick a book & read a few sentences to your child leaving out words that name the setting. Example: “Sand stretched in all directions.” “Cacti dotted the landscape.” Can he/she infer where the story is set?
Look for lessons- Fables are great for reading between the lines. Read one by Aesop & help your child figure out the lesson to be learned. For example: “The Tortoise and the Hare teaches that even if you are slow, you can win if you just keep going.”
Use prompts- Questions that begin with “Why do you think . . .” or “How do you know. . .” can encourage your child to infer. You might ask why he/she thinks a character behaved the way he did or how he/she knows it’s going to snow. Together, look for clues in the book that may help answer the questions.