There are fun things to come in Library this October.  In Kindergarten through 2^nd we have gone over proper book care and the responsibilities that entails. We have also gone over the parts of a book.  In Kindergarten through 2^nd we have learned the difference between fiction and nonfiction books.  In 3^rd grade the students have been learning about how to distinguish between the fiction and nonfiction books based on the call number. In 4^th grade we have been learning about the Dewey Decimal System and how to locate a book in the library based on the 10 classifications.  In 5^th and 6^th we have been reviewing the Dewey Decimal System.  In 2^nd through 4^th grade we have started some digital citizenship lessons where they have been learning about being safe and responsible online.  Throughout October, the 2^nd through 6^th grade students will continue to learn about digital citizenship and Kindergarten through 1^st grade will be introduced to it. 

Something exciting to look forward to in the beginning of November is Book Fair! This will be November 2^nd through the 6^th, I will be sending out more information about this fun upcoming event in mid-October. 

Any questions I can be contacted through email at: sengle@southerntioga.org

Thank you,

Stacey Engle

Guidance Classes

Guidance classes start in the 3rd grade at Warren L. Miller School. Guidance class is a time where students work on Character Education and building self-knowledge. The first two Guidance classes, of all grade levels, are a time to discuss all classroom expectations and get to know one another. We are on our third week of school and after reviewing expectations in class, we are ready for classroom units to begin. The 3rd grades will be focusing on Respecting People, The Environment and Traditions. The 4th grades are going to work on the topic of Cooperation and the 5th and 6th grades are going to participate in a mini-lesson on Assertion Skills/Peer Pressure.
The 6th grade Safety Monitors are also out and about in our school, making sure that we are a school that is Safe. Respectful and Responsible. The safety monitors can also be seen helping out at our school store, which operates every other Friday, of each month, from 8:00-8:30 in the Guidance classroom.

Where is the artwork?

I wanted to explain why there is no artwork shoved in your child's backpack when they come home from school and you know that they have had art class that day.
One of the best things about being a practicing artist is the visual record of your thoughts, energy, personality, style, interests, etc.  Looking back through the work I have made and kept reminds me of who I was at one time and definitely tells me how I am different now.  So a habit that I try to instill with students is reflecting on their own work and making choices about it!
So, we keep portfolios in art class.  And each year we have an annual art show in the spring!  It is your child's responsibility to look through their portfolio and find their best piece and finish it if needed.  Having the authority to make decisions about what will represent them and their efforts is one of the most empowering things they experience throughout the year.  They are the artist, and they choose their masterpiece!
Keeping a portfolio also allows us to collect work over time and notice changes or growth.  Each year I ask the students to do a "Baseline" drawing as their very first and very last artworks to go in their portfolio.  It is always amazing to see the differences over the period of a year, or perhaps, the prominence of a particular style or way of drawing something. 

First graders focus on self-portraits as their baseline drawing and we do artworks that include many of their preferences or likes. 
Second grade studies animals.  We discuss how animals are shown in various cultures and with different habitats of the world. 
Third grade studies landscapes.  This allows for understanding spatial concepts.
Fourth grade studies abstract art.  We also discuss imagination, science fiction and fantasy art.
Fifth grade studies figures and observational drawing.

Sixth grade does a portrait baseline, and we have typically looked art from ancient to modern through a timeline and at the way people as a culture have depicted themselves.

Here are some examples of how the baseline drawings look "before" and "after" at each grade level:



1st grade self-portraits

 

2nd Grade Animals

 

3rd Grade Landscapes

 

4th Grade Abstract

 

5th Grade Figure Drawing

 

 

6th grade Portraits

 

 

 

 

 

Physical Education News

Welcome back to another exciting school year. We are off to a great start. Kindergarten students are learning how to move safely in the gym. We will also be practicing body and space awareness activities and kindergarten students will learn about locomotor movements (walking, jogging, skipping, etc) and manipulative skills (bean bags, hula hoops, jump ropes, etc) throughout the school year. Students in grades 1 and 2 have been reviewing locomotor movements and practicing manipulative skills as well as performing some parachute games. Students in grades 3-6 have started the year of with some cooperative games and will be reviewing playground games soon. We will also focus on the difference between individual and team sports and discussing the similarities and differences of each. Your student is reminded to wear sneakers and active clothing on the day they have PE. We are looking forward to a healthy and active school year!

🎶 Music Notes 🎶

We’re excited for another great year of music at the WLM Music Department! Students from all grades are starting the year discussing and practicing the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner), which we sing every morning before the Pledge of Allegiance. We will be recording a new version of our own of the Miller Singers performing this song in the next month!

Students in fifth grade are very excited to be starting band instruments! Band is open to anyone in fifth and sixth grade, and those students will be taking lessons and performing in Winter and Spring Concerts later in the year.

The Miller Singers (our travelling choir) and the Miller Strummers (our guitar/ukelele club) will be starting up in late September. These groups are also open to fifth and sixth graders, and more information will be sent home soon about them! Stay tuned for details!