Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays Manatee Families!

 

We hope you are enjoying the winter wonderland
with your loved ones.

~Thank you ~
Thank you kindly for your donation to the wonderful
basket of classroom supplies and gift cards!  We appreciate your thoughtful generosity and support.  Happy Holidays!

Amy and Wanda 

Click below to view the slide show of our

Holiday Celebration:

Happiness with the Manatees  

This photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

 



Halloween Slide Show

Thanks to all the parents who helped out with the Halloween Party.  The students had a grand time! 
Click HERE to view slide show. 
Be sure to have your speakers on.

Soup Fest

        Wednesday, November 21st, from 10:30 - 11:20

This month we are learning about the homeless, less fortunate, and the function of soup kitchens. We will read several books on this topic in order to gain a greater awareness of the needs of other cultures. Check out our Shelfari to see the books we are reading daily in the classroom. Our 6th Annual Soup Fest is a way to help further student understanding of the concepts. Please join us on the 21st for soup and crackers!



                          Narrative Night!

Thursday, December 6th at 6:30

Mark your calendar! Please plan on attending our Narrative Night, an open mike readings of student-published books. Your children have been working very hard to complete these personal masterpieces. They are excited to be reading their books on Thursday, December 6th at 6:30. The Red Group will be meeting in the classroom, and the Blue Group will be meeting in the library. Please come and be entertained by these great stories written from the hearts of your children.  Light appetizers and coffee will be available.

The Manatees have already earned their first paper chain Manatee Party!  Each time they receive a compliment a paper link is placed on the chain.  When the paper chain touches the floor, they get to celebrate their good choices.  On Tuesday of last week, they had a Rootbeer Float party.  Our next party will be making sock puppets.  Please send in odd socks or colorful, polka dot, argyle, fun socks for an upcoming Sock-Puppet-Making Party.  Thanks!


Upcoming Events

November 3         Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour tonight!
November 7         Spell-a-thon
November 8         Veteran's Day Assembly 12:45 - 1:30 Primary,  2:00 - 2:45 Intermediate
November 8         PTA Meeting 7:00
November 12       No School - Veteran's Day
November 13       Picture Retakes
November 21       No Late Start/Early Release 12:15/Soup Fest 10:30
November 22/23  No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 27       Spell-a-thon Pledges Due
December 13       PTA Meeting 3:45
December 21       Early Release 12:15
Dec 24 - Jan 4     No School - Winter Break

Firefighter Presentation

Last week we had a special presentation from firefighter, Christian Moore.  Watch the slide show! 

Ask your child about their favorite part of the presentation.

This photo album made with Smilebox Halloween Party  Our Halloween party is on Wednesday, October 31, beginning at 1:30, breaking for recess at 2:15, and continuing from 2:35 - 3:15 (1:30 - 2:15, recess, 2:35 - 3:15)

,

Happy Fall!

 Celebration!

The classroom has been buzzing with excitement!  We have been working on learning, practicing, and mastering the art of reading to self and reading with a partner.  The students have been working to become independent during the Daily 5 literacy block.  This next week we will begin the Daily 5 morning routine of Reading to Self, Reading with a Partner, Writing, Listening, and Word Work.  

Volunteers

Volunteers will begin working in the classroom next Monday, October 1st.  Thank you again for your generous gift of time. The schedule will go home this coming Thursday, September 27th.

This week we read a very moving book about the love and power of reading and writing.   The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, by William Joyce was a great demonstration of love, loss and healing through the magic and mystery of books.  The students loved it!  There is also a short partner film (Academy Award-winning) available for download on itunes.  We showed the film in class, and the students have been begging to watch it again and again.  If you are a book-lover, we encourage you to download it to watch and discuss with your child.    We hope you love it as much as we do . . . in fact, it is now the Manatee Class favorite book (and film)!

Reminder:
This week is Open House:  Thursday, September 27th, 6:30 - 8:00 - See you there!

Whole-Body Listening Larry at School


We have been reading a book about how to be a good listener at school. Listening Larry has taught us how to listen with watching eyes, quiet mouths, still feet, listening ears, hands in lap, bodies facing the speaker, thinking brains, and caring hearts (empathy).

Students helped create a chart that reminds them to be good listeners with their whole body. You can learn more about the program and the book, here at Social Thinking.com.

Thank You to all who volunteered their time to help out in the classroom this year.  We are in the process of fine-tuning the schedule, which will go home next Thursday.  Volunteering will begin the week of October 1st.  We appreciate all of you!

Open House is on Thursday, September 27, 6:30 - 8:00. 

Save the date!





Welcome 1st and 2nd Graders!

Welcome to the Multiage Manatee Class!

Welcome back to the Blue Group (2nd Graders) and welcome to the Red Group (1st Graders)! We are excited to be back at school!

The first four days of school have been focused on learning classroom procedures and creating classroom rules. The Golden Rule is our overarching philosophy in the classroom. (Treat others as you want to be treated). You may hear your child talk about the Golden Rule and how important it is in school and life. We have also read Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners, by Lauri Keller and Personal Space Camp, by Julia Cook.
Our specialist calendar:
Monday Red Group - Art,  Blue Group - Science
Tuesday Red Group - Music, Blue Group - Art
Wednesday Red Group - Science/PE, Blue Group - Music
Thursday Red Group - Science, Blue Group - PE
Friday Red Group - no specialist, Blue Group - Science

Our library day is Friday. 

Thank you to those of you that have turned in the Student Information and Parent Volunteer Sign-Up forms. We appreciate your prompt attention to these valuable forms that help us get organized at the beginning of the year. We will be posting our volunteer schedule and class directory very soon.

WATER BOTTLES!

Feel free to send water bottles in with your child to use at school. We ask that the bottles be "easy-snap" closures to prevent spills. The convenience of water bottles gives your child more opporunity to hydrate and avoid the long lines at our two water fountains.
Please send in your child's favorite book to share with the class soon.  They will be sharing them with the class this week.  Thanks!

Meet Your Teachers

Mrs. Perine

I love dogs, reading, gardening, traveling, hiking and running (most days). My favorite foods are vegetables. I especially like eggplant and avocados. However, late at night I have been known to sneak dark chocolate. I live in Gig Harbor with my husband Drew, and a big furry dog named Xena who is fourteen years old. My eighteen-year old son, Zach is a freshman at Syracuse University.  One of my favorite authors is William Joyce.  I am one of those people who always wanted to be a teacher. I used to make my sisters play school in our basement growing up.

I’m happy I get to really teach 1st and 2nd grade every day.

Mrs. Angus

I love spending time with my best friend  and husband, Fred.  We live in Vaughn Bay.  I have an amazing 27 year-old son, Eddie, who is a social worker.  My hobbies are reading, bird-watching, blogging, and playing with my two comical chihuahuas, Pebbles and Bam Bam.  If I could eat only one food, I would choose ice cream.  My favorite book is "The Giving Tree," by Shel Silverstein.  It's a great story about unconditional love.  My favorite animals are dogs, but I also adore squirrels. 

Teaching first- and second-grade at Purdy Elementary with Mrs. Perine is my passion in life.

Our Education:

Mrs. Perine earned her Master’s Degree in Education at Seattle University in 1996. Mrs. Angus received her Master’s Degree in Education at Western Washington University in 2005.

We are both National Board Certified teachers, which we accomplished together in 2010. Cumulatively, we have 24 years of teaching experience.

Manatee Beach BBQ 2012

Here are some photos of the End of Year Beach BBQ.  Fun, fun, fun!

Personalize your own digital scrapbooking design

Bug Safari in the Classroom Today!

Bug Safari - Manatees Gone Buggy!

The kids loved learning more about bugs today!  Some highlights . . . "Glow-in-the-Dark" Scorpion, 6" Tarantula, and Huge Hissing Cockroach!  Ask your child the difference between millipedes and centipedes.

Another digital slideshow by Smilebox

End of Year Count Down!

Our school year is coming to an end . . .
23 days and counting! 
We are working hard to make the most of every day. 

How-To Digital Presentation Night!

 Students are working hard on their procedural "How-to" digital presentations.  On Thursday, June 14, at 6:00, we will be presenting How-to digital presentations. This event culminates our nonfiction unit, where students have learned about nonfiction text features and author's purpose. Students are demonstrating their "how-to" expertise in the classroom as we photograph each step. This will enable their photos to be inserted into their step-by-step presentations.  Students then type How-to directions into power point slides or Prezi presentations.  These will be demonstrated by your child. This is the last Manatee evening event for the year. Hope you can attend!

End of Year Classroom Party!

Come help us celebrate the year with a slide show

and student  "tropies" (Manatee Tin-Canatees). 

Be sure to bring your camera! 

Wednesday, June 20 at 1:30

End of Year BBQ - Yahoo!

Come and celebrate the end of the school year with a class barbeque at Olman Point beach on Friday, June 22 at 1:00.  

The location is on Case Inlet, with a 1/4 mile long sandspit, and view of the Olympic Mountains. It's a fun place to make memories. Bring the whole family!

Directions begin at Purdy Elementary School, so make adjustments for your needs. When you turn onto 189th Ave, continue down the hill until you see the beach, then drive through the gate and park.

We will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers. We need two or three volunteers to help with cooking. Please bring a potluck dish. You should also bring water shoes for your children, as the beach is rocky and at low tide there are barnacles. If the weather is nice, they may need bathing suits or shorts. Bring a change of dry clothes for them to change into after their chilly salt-water experience. You may also want to bring beach chairs, a blanket, towels, buckets for collecting treasures, and sunscreen. Oh, and don’t forget the camera!  See you there!



Upcoming School Events:

May 25 Early dismissal at noon

May 28 Memorial Day - No School

May 30 Volunteer Breakfast 8:30 - 9:45

June 13 Field Day

June 21 Last Day of School - early dismissal at noon


Thank you for Teacher's Appreciation Week!

Every day was a delight!

We want to thank you for the most wonderful week of Teacher Appreciation! Your kindness touched our hearts.  We love the many plants, flowers and homemade gifts, the cards and artwork created by our students.  We felt very pampered and loved this week. :)

The delicious gourmet themed lunches were out of this world! Thank you to everyone who came in to volunteer their time, and also to those of you who contributed from home with generous time and effort. We are truly blessed to have you all in our lives. 

Also thank you to our dedicated room moms, Tonya Danosky and Jodi Olive, who showered us with theme gifts each day of the week.  They crafted the cutest "apple tree" with student quotes.  It is a classroom keepsake. We can never truly thank you all enough. 

Hugs from us to you!

Take a peek below at the photos of the adorable "apple tree," along with some student quotes. 

Happy Mother's Day!  Hope your day is filled with love.

Upcoming events:

May 17 Seattle Science Center Field Trip

May 17 McTake Over (McDonald's North) -

to benefit Relay for Life 5:30 - 7:30

May 28 Memorial Day - No School

May 30 Volunteer Breakfast 8:30 - 9:45

June 13 Field Day

June 21 Last Day of School - early dismissal at noon

Happy May! 

"How-To" Expository Writing Unit

During the month of May we are focusing our writing on nonfiction. Students will be creating individual 5-10 Step "How-To" procedural power point presentations.

   This year we are asking students to  

   demonstrate their "how-to" knowledge, and
special skills in the classroom as we

   photograph each step.
This will enable their photos to be
inserted into their step-by-step
power point slides. 
If your child needs props for his/her
"How-To" please send them in within
                                                                  the next week.  Thanks!

   Please help your child decide on a "How-To" topic that can be

   demonstrated and photographed at school.  

                                                          Below are some examples:

                                                       * How to be a Self-Manager

                                                       * How to plant a seed

                                                       * How to be a good friend

                                                       * How to braid your hair

                                                       * How to tie your shoe

                                                       * How to count money

Insect Exploration!

Our science unit on insects will begin this week.  The students will have the opportunity for hands-on learning with live specimins.  They will care for and observe behaviors, body parts, and life cycles of mealworms, milkweed bugs, crickets and butterflies.  We're looking forward to lots of fun and learning as we explore the world of insects!    

Upcoming Events

May 11 Kid's Movie Night - Dolphin Tale 5:00 - 8:00
May 17 Seattle Science Center Field Trip
May 17 McTake Over (McDonald's North) -
to benefit Relay for Life 5:30 - 7:30
May 28 Memorial Day - No School
May 30 Volunteer Breakfast 8:30 - 9:45
June 13 Field Day
June 21 Last Day of School - early dismissal at noon

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Read Across America was a great success!  Dr. Seuss would have been very happy to see the Manatee class celebrating his life and legacy of books. 

Today we wore crazy hats, planted truffula-seeds in Lorax pots, snacked on Cat In the Hat Parfaits (thanks, Mrs. Olive!), and had a special Seussical read-aloud from Mr. Rudsit!  It was a grand day!  Watch the slide show of today's events below.

This slideshow made with Smilebox

I'm glad we had the times together just to laugh and sing a song, seems like we just got started and then before you know it, the times we had together were gone. ~ Dr. Seuss

Happy President's Break!

Thank you to all who donated money for the Multiage Manatees to adopt a real manatee.  We have raised $300.00!  The students are very excited to learn about our special adopted manatee! 

Dr. Seuss Day is Friday, March 2 

Purdy Elementary will be celebrating with The Lorax theme by going green.  Students are encouraged to wear green clothing and recycled hats (please make these at home).  It will also be Pass the Hat Day to benefit the Cancer Society.  Our staff Relay for Life Team will be collecting change brought in by students.

Please join Mrs. Perine and Mrs. Angus for the viewing of The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, on Friday, March 2 (time tba) at the Galaxy Theater.  A perfect way to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day!

We want to share what we did in the classroom for Valentine's Day and 100 Day.

For Valentine's Day

We read My Heart is Like a Zoo, by Michael Hall.

Then students made their own heart-shaped animals.

On 100 Day, students counted out 100 Legos, built clever creations, then drew pictures and

wrote about what they created. 

 They were so engaged! 

It was a wonderful experience to observe. 

Watch and see for yourself!

This slideshow design made with Smilebox

The Lorax Coming to the Manatee Classroom!

We will begin reading The Lorax in the classroom on Monday, February 6th. 

Published in 1971 by Dr. Seuss, The Lorax is an ecological warning that still rings true today amidst the dangers of clear-cutting, pollution, and disregard for the earth's environment. In The Lorax, we find what we've come to expect from the illustrious Dr. Seuss: brilliantly whimsical rhymes, delightfully original creatures, and uniquely undulating illustrations.

Parent/Child Book Study
You are invited to read the book at home with your child.  We have created a Book Study for you to use at home.  You can purchase the The Lorax online at Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles in Silverdale.  Hope you can join our experience!
If you are interested in doing the book study, please contact Mrs. Angus by email.  She will send you a Book Study Guide, a Nonfiction Book List which compliments The Lorax, and a book mark. 

We also invite you to join our class at the theater on Saturday, March 2, for the showing of The Lorax.  Visit The Lorax official site to view trailers and play games.  Stay tuned for time and location of the movie viewing. 

Classroom Auction Basket (BLOCKS)!

Thank you for sending in blocks for our Classroom Basket for the auction!  We appreciate your generosity.

Adopting a Manatee for Valentine's Day!

This year we are going to adopt a real manatee for Valentine's Day! For our second consecutive year we have democratically voted to change our Valentine’s Day activities. We will have a party with treats and a craft, but will not exchange cards and candy. Instead, students have chosen to donate any money they would have spent on Valentine’s cards or candy to adopt a manatee through Save the Manatee.org.  Check out the Manatee Live Cam at the top of the left side bar of this blog.  Our donations will help protect the future of endangered manatees.  Manatees will begin collecting money this week to "Adopt a Manatee."  If you choose to donate, please send in money with your child.  Thanks for your support!
Our Valentine's Day party will be on Tuesday, February 14 from 2:30 - 3:30. 

Click on the squirrel to find some great Math Games for your child to play at home!

The Lorax

by Dr. Seuss

Our class will be reading The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss in February.  We will be offering a Parent/Child Book Club focusing on comprehension skills to increase understanding of the story. The Manatees are also invited to view the movie with Mrs. Perine and Mrs. Angus at Galaxy Theater when it comes out on March 2nd.

Read Across America Day is also on Friday, March 2nd.  We will be having a Read-In all day in the classroom, along with "Seussical Snacks."

If you're wondering how to better help your child with reading strategies when they get stuck, here is a Reading Strategies guide just for you.

Something to Ponder

Children who have been read to for 30 minutes a day from birth through age five receive over 900 hours of brain food.

Children who have been read to for 30 minutes a week from birth through age five receive 130 hours of brain food….which is great….but a 770 hour deficit when compared to the first group.

Children who are read to less than 30 minutes weekly enter kindergarten with less than 60 hours of the same brain food. Fewer nursery rhymes, fairy tales, stories, etc. Even the most gifted teacher cannot bridge the gap that exists between the cognitively undernourished and the young minds which have been saturated with literacy. (Iowa Literacy Link Volume 1 Number 8, April 2007)

The good news is that reading to your child is powerful, no matter what age they are. Experts recommend that parents read to their children through high school. It is never too late to read to your child, no matter what age they are. So grab the comics, the newspaper, or a really great novel, curl up on the couch…and read!

©The Daily CAFE, 2012.

Our class donations to (ASPCA) American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raised $88.00 to help animals in need.  We rounded it up to $100.00 by adding an other $12.00.  What a great way to start the New Year! 

Please vote yes on February 14th.  Click on the image for more information.  Thank you!

This year we are going to adopt a real manatee for Valentine's Day!  For our second consecutive year we have democratically voted to change our Valentine’s Day activities. We will have a party with treats and a craft, but will not exchange cards and candy. Instead, students have chosen to donate any money they would have spent on Valentine’s cards or candy to adopt a manatee through Save the Manatee.org.  Our donations will help protect the future of endangered manatees. 

Manatees Have Courage!

We have been focused on the character trait of courage during the month of January.  It is our school-wide theme and our classroom goal.  Our students have demonstrated courage by sticking up for friends on the playground, having the courage to tell the truth, and trying a new game or activity.  When we read My Brother Martin, by Christine King-Farris, we learned that young Martin said, "I'm going to turn the world upside-down."  We have been using that phrase in our  classroom.  Our basic rule "The Golden Rule" helps to ensure we treat others equally, fairly, and kindly, the way we want to be treated.

Science Kit

We will begin our Foss Science Kit Air and Weather soon.  Students will learn about air and weather through inquiry, observation and hands on activities.  Visit the website for more information.