Summer Activities

Here are some great sites that include inovative ways to keep kids actively learning and playing during the 12 weeks of summer. 

  (Summer Events in Puget Sound)

(Learning with Nature)

Sounds Fun Mom!  (fun for kids and families in the

                      South Sound)

  (Money saving events for Northwest Families)

 (Great places for kids in Washington)

(Gig Harbor Guide)

Remember to read and write every day!  Keep doing XtraMath and RAZ Kids on the blog.  Have a Sensational Summer!

                                                  

End of Year Slide Show

This photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Summer Solstice BBQ

Mr. Popper's Penguins!

The Manatees have been reading the well-loved classic, Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater.  The book was published in 1938, and continues to be a favorite of many.  The movie Mr. Popper's Penguins is coming to Galaxy Theater in Gig Harbor on Friday, June 17th.  We would like to invite the Manatee class to join us for the movie.  The show time has not yet been announced, but we want to make sure you mark your calendar.  The movie will be a different version of the story, but penguin-ese will sound the same - "Ork!"

Hope you can join us for the show.  We'll keep you posted, and provide you with a link to purchase tickets on Fandango.  As we are going on opening night, we have not screened this movie for appropriateness.  The rating is PG.

The Last 16 Days of School!

End of Year Celebration!
We can't believe the year has flown by . . . we only have 16 more days left to spend together.  It has been a fantastic year with many fond memories and events.  Please help us commemorate our memories at the Manatee End of Year Celebration on Monday, June 20th from 1:30 to 3:15 in the  classroom.  We will be presenting a slide show and honoring students with awards.  It's a fun way to end the year.  Hope to see you there!

End of Year/Summer Solstice Beach BBQ

The last day of school is on Tuesday, June 21st, which is also the Summer Solstice.  We invite you to our End of Year/Summer Solstice Beach BBQ on Olman Point on the last day of school and the first day of summer!  The fun will begin at 5:00.  We had so much fun with the evening event last year, we decided to make it a tradition.  This time also allows additional working parents to attend.
We'll eat, play, enjoy the sunset, and have a bonfire on the beach.  Bring the smores and Jiffy Pop! The beach will be our playground!! 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!

Click here for Directions.  These begin at Purdy Elementary School, so make adjustments for your needs. When you turn onto 88th Ave, continue down the hill until you see the beach, then drive through the gate and park.  Cell # for help with directions:  Fred Angus 225-5667

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!  If you are available to help set up, please call or email Wanda. 

Nonfiction Animal Powerpoint Night

Students have been working hard on their nonfiction animal Powerpoints.  They will be presenting their Powerpoints on Wednesday, June 8th at 6:30.  Each student chose an animal featured at Northwest Trek to research, so when we go on our fieldtrip on Thursday, June 9th, students will be able to see their researched animal up-close and personal!


We Need Your Help!
Students will also be making life-size animals out of butcher paper to match the likeness of their research animal.  Students will need help measuring, cutting, and designing their animals.  We need as many adults as possible to help students with this task.  We will be starting the project on Thursday, June 2nd, and continue to work on them every day from 2:30 to 3:10.    Please let us know if you are able to volunteer, even if it is for one day.  Thank you in advance for your support.

F.R.O.G. (Frog Research Olympic Game) Project
Don't forget - the frog habitats (dioramas) are due on Friday, June 10th. 

Upcoming Dates:

Nonfiction Animal Powerpoint Night       June 8th       6:30
NW Trek Field Trip                                June 9th       9:00 - 3:00
Field Day                                                June 14th     All Day
End of Year Celebration                        June 20th     1:30 - 3:30
Last Day  of School
End of Year Beach BBQ                         June 21st      5:00 +

F. R. O. G. (Frog Research Olympic Games) Project

Crazy About Frogs!!!

Purdy Science teacher, Becky Pifer will be working with the Manatees and other second grade classes on a scientific research assignment called the Frog Research Olympic Games (F.R.O.G.) Project. 
* Students will select a frog species to research.
* Students will create an origami frog to represent their chosen frog.
* They will decorate another origami frog to imitate the designs and coloration of their frog, to place in their habitat.
* They will research, design and create an ecosystem for their frog, using a rubric and shoe box.
Students will receive a fact card for their chosen frog species to give them information needed for the project. 
The project will culminate with origami frogs competing against each other in Olympic Frog Jumping.
Manatee students will be asked to complete research project as part of their homework. 

In an effort to support students in their scientific frog research, we are featuring some safe, child-friendly websites for enrichment opportunities. 

Here is a fun "Froggy" crossword with links for answers and facts. 


This Froggy Web Site is filled with facts for kids.


Strange but True Facts about Frogs and Toads - another good source for research.


allaboutfrogs.org is a website with games, facts, and other frog related information.

Frogs for Kids has interesting facts, and some great jokes!


Frogs Around the World offers lots of fun details and learning activities.


Good luck with the F.R.O.G. Project!

Don't Forget . . .
Nonfiction Powerpoint Night, Wednesday, June 8th at 6:30
NW Trek Field Trip, Thursday, June 9th

Thank You!

We want to thank you for the most wonderful week of Teacher Appreciation!  Your kindness touched our hearts every day as children brought in thoughtfully written cards, flowers, fruit, and other special treats.  We felt very pampered and loved this week. :)  The delicious gourmet themed lunches were out of this world!  Thank you to Britt Mayer, who spearheaded the entire week, those of you who came in to volunteer their time, and also those of you who contributed from home with generous time and effort.  We are truly blessed to have you all in our lives.  We love you!  Also thank you to our dedicated room mom, Tonya Danosky, who created memory scrapbooks, filled with student photos and heartfelt writing . . . memories to treasure.  We can never truly thank you all enough.  Imagine our hugs wrapped around you. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

To all you supermoms: 

We hope your day is filled with love.

Yesterday the Question of the Day was "What Do You Love Most About Your Mom?" 
The choices were:
1) her laugh,
2)her smile,
3) her courage,
4)her kindness. 
Results:  KINDNESS 95%

True Story . . . Profound data!