WL Miller Elementary School
December 2018 Newsletter
Kindergarten
Science: Students are starting to explore force and motion. They first started with moving a ball through a maze on the floor without touching it and are now exploring that forces come from either a push or a pull.
Writing: We have started opinion writing! Students are writing about things they like, love, or don’t like!
Ornament Decorating: Be on the lookout for a letter from your teacher about ornament decorating day!
1st Grade
Happy December! In math we have been working hard on learning different strategies to subtract. Some of these methods include using a number line, drawing pictures, and using objects. In writing we have written teaching books on topics we are experts on. Some of the topics we have chosen include tigers, elves, math, building, and even dinosaurs!
Here are some important dates to remember for the rest of this month:
December 18th: Family Ornament Making Day at 9:00 - All families are invited to attend! Information has been sent home.
December 20th: Field Trip to the Victoria Theater
2nd Grade
ELA: We are also starting a new reading and writing unit. We will be studying informational text features and writing expert books.
Math: Second graders are starting a new module this month. We are learning all about place value and counting to 1,000
Science : We are wondering what happens when heat is added and taken away from a solid. Second graders began an investigation with crayons to learn how heat can change solids.
3rd Grade
In the month of December, third graders will be mastering the concept of division along with multiplication. Please make sure you are helping your child memorize their multiplication facts this year. It will help them greatly in the years to come. We will also be learning how to write informational books in the next few months. Expect your child to be studying a topic of their choice, and writing a book about it for you to read. At the end of November we had a great field trip to Corning Museum of Glass.
4th Grade
Reading/Writing Class
To end the month of November, students have been working on the publishing of their fictional narrative writing pieces. They have added covers and illustrations to their stories before placing them in the classroom library for others to read and enjoy. Before the Thanksgiving holiday break, 4th graders practiced and performed two different readers’ theaters, “Thanksgiving with Mr. Loony” and “The Terrific Turkey.” The readers’ theaters gave students an opportunity to practice reading with expression and to work with their peers on following, reading, and performing scripts. Reading, analyzing, and enjoying poetry will be our focus for the next week of school. Titles, rhyme, rhythm, patterns, mood, figurative language, symbols, imagery, and organization will be part of our discussion.
Science Class
Do you hear what I hear? If you are in science class you may not. Students are building cup telephones and investigating how they work. This unit is all about sound and other things that move in waves.
Math class
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division…. all are the focus of 4th grade math. Prior to December, students have been learning several methods to solve multi-digit multiplication problems. Some of the methods may look “foreign”, please don’t let that deter you from working with your child, your method is important too! I believe that every person should solve problems using methods that make sense to them… that may be the way you teach them. December will bring long division….AGAIN, I may present steps that you are not accustomed to, just work with your child to understand the process of long division. Your method and explanation may be just what they need to hear. IT TAKES A VILLAGE!! Real life application of math is the important lessons that should be taught.
5th Grade
Can plants grow without soil?
This is a current topic of discussion in 5th grade Science! Students have planted several crops including peas, tomatoes, peppers, and spinach. Using research and observations, the groups are making decisions about what nutrients their hydroponics environments need.
Next up is studying the ecosystem of plant life including the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in living organisms. We will also discover the role that matter and the sun plays in a plant’s ecosystem.
6th Grade
We have begun a busy month in December by learning about forms of poetry and creating some Haiku poems to decorate our hallway. Students worked to brainstorm some sensory words that would help to describe the topic that they wanted to write about, and then work to make the syllables fit into the 5-7-5 pattern of a Haiku poem.
Students enjoyed using their creativity to design or type a poster to hang up for display.
Physical Education
Guidance
In the month of December, 5th grade students will be asked to apply to become Safety Monitors. Becoming a Safety Monitor, is a two year commitment, starting in 5th grade and continuing into 6th grade. Ten to twelve students are chosen based on an essay written, attendance, office referrals and teacher recommendation. These chosen students will attend 7 weeks of training to learn what harassment is, what it looks like, sounds like and a three step warning/re-teaching process.
These Safety Monitors will be on duty once every 6 days during their recess this year and then once every 6 days all day, next year as 6th grade students.
Title I
Remember to take time and read holiday stories to your family. Build fond memories and relax with good books. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!
Library
The Hour of Code is here!
Students will spend the month of December learning about the fundamentals of block-based coding, learning about professions that use coding skills, and collaborating with their peers. Coding is an important skill that can help students to use problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In January, students will learn about robots, how they’re used in industry, and how to use block-based coding to program them.
The Second Annual Harry Potter Trivia Contest will take place during the week of December 17-21 for grades 3-6. Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each grade!
Please help your students to remember to return library books on time. Overdue notices will go home soon. If your child has lost or damaged their book, please contact me to arrange to replace the book. Thank you for your help!