W.L.M.Newsletter
February 2019
We love kindergarten!
We love 1st grade!
Math: The students will continue to practice solving subtraction story problems with teen numbers. The students continue to review and practice their addition facts, recognizing shapes and mastering the value of a number.
Science: The students are exploring and learning about sound and sound waves. We have learned that sound is a vibration and travels in waves. We have been able to experiment with instruments and identifying what part of the instrument is vibrating to make the sound. We are excited to apply our knowledge of sound by making some of our own instruments.
Writing: First grade students have started their opinion writing unit. An opinion is the way that we think or feel about something...and we all know that first graders have some strong opinions! We are using those strong feeling to put into our writing. We began writing about our collections, but will soon move on to our favorite ice cream flavor, favorite games, etc.
We love 2nd grade!
Writing- Our writers are learning how to write informational paragraphs. In February, 2nd graders will learn how to take simple notes as they read about a chosen topic. Interest is building during the first step of research- selecting topics such as famous African Americans, sports figures, animals, and historical events.
Math- We continue to gain an understanding of place value by composing numbers with ones, tens, and hundreds. Second graders are also comparing the value of numbers. February’s math will focus on adding 2 and 3-digit numbers.
Reading- Our focus during reading has been on informational texts. We are learning how to read text carefully to better understand information and to use text features. Children are showing a great interest in reading books from the classroom library as well as online books from getepic.com..
“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can.” is one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes that has greatly impressed 2nd graders. Our read aloud time thru February will continue to include books about Martin Luther King Jr. and other African Americans who have brought positive changes to our country.
We love 3rd grade!
Third grade writers are showing their expertise as they write their informational books. They have been learning tips and techniques to show all they know about a topic. They are using a variety of text features such as diagrams, labels and incorporating strategies to elaborate and add details to their writing.
In math students have been working to identify, name and compare fractions. Please take the time and share with your child how you use fractions in your daily life!
We love 4th grade!
Do you have a broken flashlight? Chances are your 4th grade child could fix it. Students are busy building electric circuits in science class.
We love 5th grade!
Once, the howl of wolves could be heard across America. Now some species of wolves are endangered. Should wolves in America be protected and are they an important part of the food chain?
This controversial topic is being explored by our fifth grade informational readers. Students are understanding varying points of view and conducting research from multiple sources to form their own viewpoint on the topic.
Readers will be researching using several different sources to study the effects that wolves have had on Yellowstone National Park after being released by conservationist groups. By understanding the science behind balanced ecosystems, and realizing the points of view of both sides of the debate, readers will make their own decision and provide evidence to support it during a “Tug of War” activity.
We love 6th grade!
This January 11th-12th, Hamilton Gibson put on the play, Aladdin Jr. We have interviewed two of the 6th graders that were involved and here are their responses. “It was good although it was difficult to have an audience. We could improve in the future by maybe using microphones” said Mallory Millheim. “I loved being in the play. It was really fun but we could improve on facial expressions”, said Brayden Johnson.
A lot of our 6th graders participated including Phoebe, Kayla, Mallory, Brayden, Addison , and Ja. Overall we very much enjoyed the production of Aladdin Jr. and we hope to see another wonderful play by Hamilton Gibson in the near future.
Written By: Makenzie and
Kennedy
We love Music!
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Our K-2nd Grade students have been using instruments from our percussion family as we learn new songs, games, and melodies. They have been teaching me some things that they have learned with Mr. Ruth and I have been showing them some new things, too! Our Grizzly Bear game seemed to be a new favorite and worked on using our loud and soft singing voices as well as our listening ears.
The 2nd grade is continuing to learn how to play songs on our Orff (xylophone) instruments.
3rd Grade - 6th Grade
Our 3rd Grade students have been focusing on their recorders and have been enjoying learning to read notes on a music staff and by playing our recorder games on Joytunes.
The 4th/5th grade are continuing to expand their knowledge on ukuleles and we are beginning to do some bucket drumming.
The 6th grade classes have started a DJ project using Garage Band and are working to create commercials, ads, or a radio promotion using the Ipads.
Band/Chorus/ After School Groups
I have really enjoyed working with our instrumentalists and vocalists in Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Miller Singers, Guitar Club, Drumset Clubs and Violin Club. We have spent time choosing music for our May concert and they have given some really great input on what they would like to do.
As a reminder: 5th Grade band is on Day 5, with lessons on Days 2 or 5. 6th Grade Band is on Day 1, with lessons on Days 1 or 4. It is important to have instruments on those days so that we can make the most of our limited time together!
If you have any questions, please call me at school or email me at sthomas@southerntioga.org.
Thank you for supporting music!
We love Gym!
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s Kids Heart Challenge. I continue to be amazed by your contributions and generosity. Online donations and envelopes will be collected through February 8th. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact me at ksmith@southerntioga.org.
We have spent the past month preparing for our event day which will take place during PE class on the week of February 4-8. Our activities have included basketball, jump rope, obstacle course creation and dance will soon follow. Students have enjoyed the new format with more activities for this year’s program and are already looking forward to next year’s event.
We love library!
We love Title I
Word Play ~
Use these activities to help your child hear sounds in words:
Choose a 3 letter word, such as pig. Have your child substitute different beginning sounds to make up new words. (big, dig, fig, rig, wig - and silly words such as mig or vig count, too!)
Ask your child to say a word without saying the first sound. Example: “Can you say cup without the /c/ sound? Answer: Up
Most of all, talk with your children. Ask them about their day. Ask more questions to dig deeper, especially if their answer is usually a one word answer. Perhaps you may ask questions such as: “What was your favorite part of the day and why?” “Tell me about the book you read in school. What is the problem in the story? Who are the characters and what is the setting?” “In what way, does this book remind you of something that has happened to you or a friend?”
We love Guidance!
The 5th and 6th grade Guidance classes are making self-esteem posters that are going to be donated to each and every room in our school. The self-esteem posters define self-esteem, give examples of ways to build self-esteem and educate others on some fun facts.
Students have created these posters in pairs and will be presenting and donating these posters during the month of February. Keep a lookout for these posters all over our school. In each classroom, in the cafeteria, in the main office and even on Mr. Henson’s door.
Also, the 5th grade Safety Monitors will begin training this month. They will train for 7 weeks and then be out in our school looking for any form of harassment. They will be teaching students how to better deal with any issues that they may be having with a peer and help to make our school a happier and safer place to be.
We love Box Tops For Education
The next mail in date for Box Tops is March 1. Please bring in all the box tops you have collected by February 22 so they can be sorted and counted. There is a collection bin in the office or they can be turned in to any teacher.
Box tops can be found on many products and are a source of free money that can be used by our school. By taking the time to cut them out and send them to the school, you can help our school collect hundreds of dollars. Lifetime earnings from box tops for Warren L. Miller Elementary is $20,768.21. Each 10 cents does add up!
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to help our school.