Welcome to the 2014/2015 School Year in the Manatee Classroom!

Our first day of school was a busy success!  We attended an assembly to celebrate the first day and played a fun team activity called "Skittles" Getting to Know You.  We began reading The Chicken Squad, 

by Doreen Cronin.  Students also made "foil creation" with aluminum foil and pipe cleaners.  Upon completion, they wrote to describe their creation.  Ask your child about their personal creation!

Another discussion starter:  Students answer a question written on the white board every morning.  Sometimes it is related to books we read, content facts, or activities in which we are engaged.  

Today's Question of the Day: 

Do you think a manatee is a fish or a mammal?

Go-Home Folders

 

Go-Home Folders will go home tomorrow (Thursday).  

Please be sure to look carefully at the time-sensitive material.

There will be forms for you to fill out, and crucial information

regarding student allergies in our classroom.

Thank you for being diligent. :)

 

We will be going to P.E. for specialist the remainder of this week.  Please make sure your child wears appropriate clothes/shoes.

Our permanent schedule will begin next week:

3rd Graders (Red Group)

Monday: PE

Tuesday: Music

Wednesday: Science

Thursday: Science

Friday: Art 

2nd Graders (Blue Group)

Monday: Art

Tuesday: Science

Wednesday: Science

Thursday: Music

Friday: PE 

Library on Thursday

 

This year, we will be using a new classroom management tool called ClassDojo. 

ClassDojo is a web based program which allows teachers to track students’ positive behaviors easily and efficiently. The program is based on points, and students can be given positive points for things like being on task, being respectful, participating, or working hard.  Our goal is to fully implement the program right away, but please bear with us as we are learning as we go!

After students have been added to the system, there is a student access code we will send home on Thursday.   You can log onto the website, and see how many points your child has, and which positive behaviors were noted.  As points ecru, students will earn Panther Paws to reinforce good behavior.

One of the greatest features of ClassDojo is that it allows us to send parents a “behavior and skills report” every Friday by e-mail.  All you need to do is enter the parent access code to sign up. Our hope is that this will help you better understand the progress of your child’s behavior on a week-to-week basis.

We will continue to send behavior slips home every Thursday. 

           Please contact us if you have any questions!

                            

Thank you for entrusting your children with us every day.  We are looking forward to spending the next 179 days with them.  It's going to be a super year!

      Manatee Beach BBQ

This digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

2014 Slide Show

    End of Year Slide Show

Customize a free digital slideshow Thank you, Families!

Thank you for the end-of-year gift cards.  We appreciate your kindness ♥.  

 We are also very thankful for your generous, valuable time volunteering in and out of the classroom throughout the year.  Because of you, we can do so much more for the students.  We thank you! 

New Books to Explore

Yesterday I spent 2 blissful hours at the Gig Harbor Library. 
During my search I found several new books/series 
that the Manatees will "gobble up!".

 Some are nonfiction, some are chapter books, some are series, 

but all of them would interest Manatee students.  
Click on the book to purchase on Amazon.com, or
go to Pierce County Library to reserve a copy. 
Enjoy!

Brand new DK Nonfiction  -  Deadly Dinosaurs, by Niki Foreman

Great level for beginning readers 

***** (5 Stars)

Beginning Chapter Book Series
The Kingdom of Wrenly, The Scarlet Dragon, by Jordan Quinn 
116 pages 
Ages 6-9

*****








Frankie's Magic Soccer Ball - Chapter Book Series
Each book in the series takes the characters to different historical locations.
*****

Hilarious!  
The Chicken Squad, by Doreen Cronin 
(author of Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type)
A great shared text (parent and child read together)
Your child will have some funny connections to the characters!
92 pages
Level L
*****





 
 George Brown, Class Clown Series, by Nancy Krulik
(Similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid -  
Boys love the potty talk!)
120 pages
***






Einstein (series)
The Class Hamster, by Janet Tashjian
Another silly, but fun "gigglefest" book

Nonfiction facts (Tasty Tidbits) sprinkled in with fiction
112 pages
Ages 7-10
****

           
              HAVE A  HAPPY SUMMER!

 

 

Insect Exploration!

Our science unit on insects has begun!  Students are enjoying hands-on learning with live specimens.  They will care for and observe behaviors, body parts, and life cycles of meal worms, milkweed bugs, crickets and butterflies.  We're looking forward to lots of fun and learning as we explore the world of insects! 
But wait . . . there's more! 

Seattle Bug Safari
is coming to our classroom!
On Wednesday, May 28th, the "Insect Man" will bring his "traveling tour" of bugs.  We will learn about many different exotic insects, arachnids, millipedes and centipedes.  It is truly a fascinating experience to observe the student engagement and wonder!  
You are welcome to send in a $3.00 donation to contribute to the cost of this event.
Thank you!  

   Nonfiction Digital Presentation Night!

 Manatee students will soon begin a nonfiction (informational and procedural) writing unit.  They will learn  about nonfiction text features and author's purpose.

This year, the first and second graders will be creating different forms of nonfiction writing.  

The first graders will produce Informational Reports using Keynote presentations, an ipad version of power point.   

The second graders will work to create procedural "How-to" power point presentations.  

Students will demonstrate their informational expertise at an evening presentation on Thursday, May 29, at 6:00.    The Red Group (first graders) will be in the classroom.  The Blue Group (second graders) will be in the library.  This is the last Manatee evening event of the year. Hope you can attend!

Upcoming Events

Grandparent's Day                                       Wednesday, April 30
Miss Lawrence's Last Day                           Thursday, May 8
Math Rocks                                                  Thursday, May 8, 5:30 - 7:00 
No School (Memorial Day)                           Monday, May 26 
Volunteer Breakfast                                     Wednesday, May 28
Seattle Bug Safari                                        Wednesday, May 28, 12:45
Field Day                                                      Wednesday, June 11
Last Day of School (Early Release 12:15)   June 19th

Seuss on the Loose - slideshow of the photos
The Manatee's Auction Item is now available for $35.00 (cost).  This jumbo 12" X 12"  book is a great keepsake for your family to enjoy for many years to come.
Please email Wanda Angus at: angusw@psd401.net if you would like to order a copy.
We will be placing the first order of books on Friday, April 4th.
The shipment time is 7 days.

Create a photo slideshow      C.H.E.W     Thank you for your generous donations! We raised a total of $267.00 to donate to CHEW, Gig Harbor's Dog Rescue.  Our donations will benefit our friend, Junior, and enable him to have his leg surgery.  We are eagerly awaiting news on his recovery.  We appreciate your support.

Thank you!

Thank you for your donation to our new ipad minis!   We are so grateful for your kind generosity and thoughtfulness.  What wonderful gifts!  The students are looking forward to using them  to enhance their learning.  We also thank you for all the delicious treats, and homemade treasures!     
We would also like to send a big thanks to all who helped out with our Class Winter Celebration. We appreciate all of you who contributed snacks and helped with the crafts and clean-up!

Check out the video below of the students singing Holiday Lights, during the celebration. 

We're beginning the new year with a Vocabulary Study, partnered with a chapter book about a boy who collects words, Donavan's Word Jar, by Monalisa DeGross.  

Your child has their own personal word jar in which to collect words.   They choose words of interest and record the word with the definition to collect in their word jar.  As we read the book, we are recording vocabulary words on charts and assigning their grammatical titles, i.e., nouns, verbs, or adjectives.  We will also be learning about synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, and similes.   Ask your child about the book and their new vocabulary words!

The Manatee snack cupboards are running low!  Please send in healthy snacks like crackers, granola bars, popped popcorn, trail mix, or fresh fruit . . . they love it!

Thank You!

Check it out!

  Check it out!

Pictures from the first 60 days of school. . . Partner Reading, Open House, Pajama Day, Halloween, and more!

Free picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

 

Soup Fest

Thursday, November 27 from 1:00 - 2:15

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.  We are having a Soup Fest to further our understanding of the concept.  Please join us on Thursday, November 27th for soup and crackers!

Narrative Night!

 Mark your calendar!  Please plan on attending.  Students have been working hard writing personal narratives to meet Common Core standards.  They are very proud of their masterpieces, and will be sharing their stories aloud on Thursday, December 12 at 6:00. 

The Red Group (1st Grade) will be meeting in the classroom, and the Blue Group (2nd Grade) will be meeting in the library.  Don't miss these great stories written from the hearts of your children.  Snacks and coffee will be available.

Winter Celebration
This year we will be celebrating winter and learning about the winter solstice.  Our Celebration of Winter will be Thursday, December 20th, from 1:30 - 3:20.  We will be creating crafts, singing songs, and munching on scrumptious winter treats.      Please join us for this special celebration!
                                     

Box Tops for Education! 

Classrooms are participating in monthly 

competitions for box tops.   

Please send your box tops in. 

They can be found on these products.

Upcoming events:

No school                        November 28, 29
Picture Retakes            November 5
Narrative Night            December 12, 6:00
PTA Meeting                  December 12, 3:45
Make-it, Take-it            December 17, 18
Winter Break                December 23 - January 3