Witmer's Webkids

January 2012

3W Highlights

Boy, have we been busy!!! 

*First of all…thank you all very much for the gift card to Saladworks for my birthday.  It was a much appreciated, unexpected treat! J

*In December we had an opportunity to experience a video conference with a wildlife biologist from Montana (thanks to a MCFEE grant).  She talked about hibernation, adaptation, and migration of various animals.  She also showed video footage of the inside of an actual grizzly bear den in a forest in Montana while the bear was hibernating!

*The PTO paid for the 2^nd – 4^th graders to go to the Fulton Theater in Lancaster to see the play Alice in Wonderland.  The boys and girls looked so nice all dressed up!  One of the ushers commented on how well-behaved and nice looking our students were. 

*The following students have passed the addition timed test: Kris, Cayla, Alijah, Josh, Aaron, and Dillon.

*The following students have passed the subtraction timed test: Collin, Kenton, and Caitlyn.

*Trey has passed the multiplication timed test.

***CONGRATULATION to all and a silent cheer!!!***

*Kris’s brother, Private Geoffrey Ruhl, came to visit our class.  He just graduated from Marine boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.  He talked about his experiences in boot camp and brought along some pictures as well as medals he received.  Congratulations Private Ruhl!

*The class and I had an opportunity to talk and ask questions to a representative from the First in Math company.  He told us to concentrate our efforts in the GYMs, Know and Show, and Measurement World portions of the First in Math program in order to prepare for the PSSA coming up in March.

*Thank you to the parents who helped out in the classroom or sent in treats for our ornament day in December. 

*Math classes are concentrating on Chapter 2 – Money and Time and continuing to practice addition and subtraction.  Students should have passed the addition and subtraction timed tests by the end of this marking period, January 20.

*In Reading, we are coming to the end of our Traditions unit.  It has been very interesting to hear some of the traditions you and your children celebrate as well as learn about some new traditions.

*We are continuing to learn about how animals are alike and different in our Science class.

*You can view this newsletter and some new pictures on my blog at:

http://mcsd-dnn.mcbarons.manheimcentral.org/mcsd/ .

Look for Baron Blogs under Quick Links then scroll down the list and look for my name!

3W Highlights

READING

*We are starting a new theme in Reading – Celebrating Traditions.  What a great theme to discuss this time of year.  I’m looking forward to hearing about some of your family traditions.

*Please remember to sign and return the reading calendar weekly.  The boys and girls earn points and prizes for filling out and returning the calendars on time.

MATH

*All math groups are working on Chapter 3 – Addition and Subtraction.

*A 5 Minute Timed Test on basic facts is given every cycle day 2 & 4.  Children need to get 98% or better two times before moving on to the next operation.

A Motorcycle Cheer to:

*Caitlyn, Victoria, and Maddie for passing the addition timed test!

*Emily and Abby for passing the subtraction timed test!

SCIENCE

*We are exploring the question: How are animals alike and different?  The children are identifying vertebrates and invertebrates.

SOCIAL STUDIES

*3W junior cartographers have their neighborhood maps on display in the hall outside of our classroom.

Another Motorcycle Cheer to:

* Mrs. Cassel, Mrs. Kline, Mrs. Moreno, Mrs. Shoenfelt, and Mrs. Wanzer for chaperoning our field trip. Great field trip!  Great weather!  Great, well-behaved children!  Thank you, thank you!!

 Another Motorcycle Cheer to:

*Victoria, our star student last week.  She put on her tap shoes and showed us a few steps!

*AJ, our star student this week.  He was proud to show off his Baron football jerseys!

*Aaron celebrated his birthday on October 26!  Happy birthday!!!

MISCELLANEOUS

*Ask your child to explain the variety of cheers we have been doing throughout the 1^ST marking period.  There are more to come!

*The children took the 2^nd set of 4Sight tests last week.  I will be sharing the results with you at conference time.  I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 15 or Thursday, November 17.