W.L. Miller Elementary School

April 2019 Newsletter

Kindergarten

Students will begin to discuss and explore what resources the Earth gives us including land, water, and air. We will also begin exploring and discovering how humans and animals impact the Earth, the good and the bad!

On May 10th, kindergarten will be taking a field trip to Reptiland!

This month our students will also begin learning about the different styles of poetry.

1st Grade

Have you ever wanted to create your own character and take them on real life adventures? That’s just what our first grade author’s are doing!! They are working hard at creating their very own book series. Be watching for them to bring their book collection home!

Student Athlete Day is April 26! Students will get to meet some of Mansfield University Athletes! Weather permitting, we will walk to a baseball game following our sports day. Please remember to send your child in sneakers that day!

2nd Grade

Spring means we begin our study of rivers in 2nd grade! Why do rivers flow? Why are rivers curvy? Why is there sand at the beach? How is a canyon formed?

We will explore all of these topics leading into our study of beavers and beaver dams.

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3rd Grade

Third grade students have been learning about the different climates of the world! They researched additional information about one of the climates and created a poster with that information. Students then shared what they learned about the climate with their classmates.

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4th Grade

4th grade students are off to the races, solar car races that is. The first day of spring was a perfect day to test out the cars that the students made in science class. Everyone built a winner!

5th Grade

Our 5th graders began studying early 19th Century history to prepare for the Gettysburg trip on May 17th. They analyzed causes of the war including economic differences, slavery, and state’s rights.

In April, our Science topic will be identifying characteristics of stars and examining the relationship of the Earth to the Sun.

6th Grade

Sixth graders are working to learn to compare and contrast two texts and compare their central ideas. We are also working on gearing up for the quickly approaching PSSA tests by examining some test taking words that are used in questioning, such as analyze, formulate, and evaluate.

Sixth grade ELA classes are also enjoying a novel called “Fish in a Tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. The book follows a main character, Ally, who is a sixth grade student who struggles in school and learns that “Great minds don’t always think alike”. We have had many great discussions about challenges and overcoming adversity.

Gym

Beginning in April, Physical Education Classes will be focusing on cooperative games and Kin-Ball activities. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and allow us to spend some time outside as well. We spend a great deal of time in class discussing the similarities and differences between competitive and cooperative activities. This month, students will discuss and practice the concepts of communication, teamwork and sportsmanship while participating in cooperative games. The Kin-Ball is always a favorite activity and students are usually very excited when they see the Kin-Ball in the gym! Please remind your students to continue to wear sneakers and wear active clothing on P.E. days.

Guidance

For the month of April, the 3rd grade guidance classes are wrapping up on the unit of "Respect". We have been working on respecting people, the environment and traditions. In April, the students will learn about family, personal and society’s traditions. During this unit, the students will learn the definition of the word tradition, examples of traditions and the importance of keeping them “alive”. If we allow traditions to fade away, we lose a part of our history, wonderful days and experiences that we look forward to and parts of our lives that have given us all a sense of belonging. Respecting traditions means to continue to celebrate special occasions, days and people.

Celebrate a tradition today! It is totally worth it!

Library

The Book Fair is Coming!!

The Spring Book Fair will be held from May 6-10th, everyday from 8:00-3:30.

Family Night at the Book Fair will be held on May 9th, from 6-8pm.

Come shop at the Book Fair and tour the annual Art Show!

Shop online from May 1st - 14th and check out the Book Flyer online here: http://www.scholastic.com/bf/warrenlmillerelementary

Music

There is always something happening in music class!

April events:

All Star Band on April 10th at the Williamson High School

PMEA Chorus Festival on April 26th at the Wellsboro High School

Miller Singers and Jazz Band at Knoebels for PMEA performance day on Saturday, May 4th

SPRING concert May 16th

Art

The Art Show is Thursday, May 9th!

Location: W. L. Miller

When: 6-8 pm

Come and see the masterpieces created by each of the artists in our school!

*Family night at theSpring Book Fair will be the same evening!

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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. For example, “a polka-dot shirt”, or a “fantastic birthday.”

Reminders

Friday, April 5 NO SCHOOL
Monday, April 8 NO SCHOOL
Friday, April 19 NO SCHOOL
Monday, April 22 NO SCHOOL

Box Tops for Education

Did you know that WLM collects Box Tops?

We can purchase all kinds of items for our school such as recess equipment or classroom supplies. All you need to do is look for products with the logo, cut them out, and send them into your child's teacher.

From March 18 to April 18, Student Council is sponsoring a grade level competition to see who can raise the most Box Top $. The winning grade will receive a popcorn party!!

BUT REMEMBER, you can continue to send in your box tops all year round!!