Important Dates. Math Specialist. Page 2 Pages 3-5 Page 6. Grade-Level Breakouts. Details of classroom instruction 4K-5. About This Newsletter

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1 From the Principal - Greetings to all Wilson families! It seems like I was just standing under the flagpole welcoming students to the first day of school; now it is November! Time flies when you re having fun, and in our case, educational fun! I want to thank you for all of the time you have invested in attending Wilson events from Curriculum Nights to Trunk or Treat, high levels of student engagement and achievement are visible benefits often seen as a result of the strong partnership that is formed between parents and teachers. This is clearly evident at Wilson School and I am grateful for the time and energy that each of you put into making our school community the best it can be. Along with continuing to develop and strengthen bonds with students, Wilson staff is committed to achieving district and building goals. I invite you to visit the Wilson website to learn about our School Growth Plan. These goals, combined with professional development opportunities, allow Wilson staff to support students in being their very best and your support of these endeavors is greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing each of you at parent-teacher conferences this month. It is a wonderful opportunity to share thoughts on how each individual child is progressing, and the Wilson staff certainly values your time each year. If you have not already done so, please sign up via SignUpGenius, or contact the Wilson School office with any questions. About This Newsletter Thank you and GO WILDCATS! Sincerely, Joey Sulsberger Starting this school year, Wilson Elementary School will distribute five (5) academic-based newsletters in order to share important curricular information with families. Please know that Wilson will continue to utilize the District s mass communication system, Connect 5, in order to send important letters home to families as well as the weekly newsletters distributed on Tuesday and Thursday. Important Dates Find out what s happening at Wilson. Grade-Level Breakouts Details of classroom instruction 4K-5. Math Specialist What s your child learning in math & how can you Page 2 Pages 3-5 Page 6

2 Important Dates November 4 Grade 1 to First Stage 9:00am-12:00pm 5 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:15pm-8:15pm 5 End of 1st Quarter 6 PTO Board Meeting 1:00pm 10 No School-Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00am-8:00pm 11 Report Cards Distributed 11 Grade 3 Veteran s Day Program 6:30pm 11 PTO Meeting 9:15am (Cafe) 12 PTO Fall Fundraiser Pick Up 2:45pm-6:00pm (Cafe) American Education Week 17 Grade 5R to Riveredge Nature Center 9:15am-12:45pm 18 Grade 5A to Riveredge Nature Center 9:15am-12:45pm 18 Grade 5M to Riveredge Nature Center 12:15pm-3:45pm 19 Grade 5B to Riveredge Nature Center 9:15am-12:45pm 19 Grade 5G to Riveredge Nature Center 12:15pm-3:45pm No School Thanksgiving Break December 2 Winter Orchestra Concert, Grades Winter Band Concert, Grades Orchestra Holiday Performance, Grade 5 New Staff Please welcome Wilson s newest staff member, Whitney Dobson. He will provide students, staff and families additional supports during the school day serving as campus aide. Due to the fact that Wilson is the second largest school in the District, Mr. Dobson will assist the principal and office secretaries in maintaining an effective educational program, as well as providing additional supervision at recess and offer mentorship opportunities for students. He served a similar role at Cedarburg High School prior to joining the Wilson family. Referendum Construction As principal, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to all of our students, staff and families for your patience during construction. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Wilson s roofing replacement will continue and is scheduled to wrap up this month. Crews also started painting the outside of the building. MTSD s construction team is in the process of ordering ceramic tile flooring to replace the current flooring in all restrooms. If you d like to view specific information about referendum projects, please visit: 2

3 Grade-Level Breakouts 4K During 2 nd quarter, 4K students will continue to work on developing fine motor muscles through a variety of large and small group activities. Students will participate in station time where they practice the skills that teachers focus on during large group math and literacy time. Some of the stations have included: one-to-one correspondence with numbers 1-10, identifying and matching uppercase letters, letter sorts with the 2 letters we focus on weekly, art projects that involve following two (or more) step directions, and partner work where students focus on listening to their classmate s ideas, being kind, and being the best bucket filler we can be! During large group time, 4K students have been working on letter/sound correspondence and using this knowledge to share the pen during interactive writing time and in individual work. It has been great to see the children s confidence grow as we learn the correct way to form letters and numbers. In math, we have been working on multiple ways to represent a given number, traditional and nontraditional dot patterns and making tally marks to match what we see. And finally noticing smaller groups within a given number (e.g. I see 5 Halloween friends, 2 are bats and 3 are spiders. There are 5 altogether). All of 4K s work is setting the stage for future learning. Kindergarten - In November kindergarten students will become superheroes and using superhero powers while reading. They will learn to use print strategies and sight words to become super readers. They will also begin to read take-home books at their just right reading level, and will learn to use the computer reading program RAZ Kids to help them become even more SUPER with their reading skills! In writing, 5K students will work on sharing personal stories then writing narrative stories across pages, and boy do kindergartners love to tell stories about themselves! This upcoming quarter in math students will focus on 2D and 3D shapes. They will seek out flat and solid shapes in their world. For example, students will begin to make connections between the wheel of a bicycle, the moon, and the top of an ice cream cone. We will finish the month of November with a grade level friendship feast in the cafeteria, celebrating our new Wilson friendships and all we are thankful for! 3

4 1 st Grade Writer s Workshop: Students will work on non-fiction writing, which aligns with the Reader s Workshop nonfiction unit. Classrooms will be using information we know and information learned from Reader s Workshop and writing a paper that includes a catchy introduction, true facts, and an ending that makes student reader s want to learn more. Reader s Workshop: Students are continuing to build good reading habits and increasing reading stamina. The next unit will focus on nonfiction reading in which students will be studying nonfiction text features and how to use diagrams, captions, and labels to learn more about the topic. Math: First graders will focus on decomposition strategies for subtraction and using hands on manipulatives, a number path, and math fingers to count back. Social Studies: Students are learning about their community three types including suburban, urban, and rural. Following community, 1 st graders will learn about different types of maps and map skills during 2 nd quarter. The students will learn how to read a map using a map key and a compass rose to read and give directions to others. 2 nd Grade Writer s Workshop: Second graders will focus on Nonfiction Information Writing during this quarter. The focus in Reader s Workshop will also be on Nonfiction texts. Students have been learning how to read these texts, and have learned how text features help in deeper comprehension when reading. Math: Students will be starting Module 3: Place Value, Counting, and Comparison of Numbers to 1,000. Students will be using Place Value Disks, which replace Base 10 Blocks, to manipulate these numbers Social Studies: The unit is on Pioneer life. 2 nd graders visited Pioneer Village for an introduction to this unit and had a great time! Students will be exposed to life as a pioneer through books, as well as writing about what life would have been like. 4

5 3rd grade Math: Students will begin module 2 which will involve telling time and measurement. Reader s Workshop: Students will begin the non-fiction unit soon. Writer s Workshop: Students are working on crafting true stories that have happened to them. They choose a small moment and write fast and furious. They use several lenses from the editors checklist to revise their stories. During Word Work this quarter, students are excited about learning the lowercase letters in cursive and they practice on their personal whiteboards by writing many long words. Additionally, they re learning to use a new typing program called Typing Agent in which they can practice at home. All classes will work on good posture and using the home row as a starting point for their fingers. Social Studies: Students are preparing for their Patriotic Music program - 6:30 p.m. on Veteran's Day. Science: Students will study soil during 2 nd quarter and will soon be attending several field trips to the Mequon Nature Preserve and the Schlitz Audubon for further soil, rock and mineral exploration. Some students are working on the Chemistry unit, which they are learning about mixtures and solutions. 4th grade Math: Students will begin Module 2 during 2 nd quarter, which will consist of converting units and solving problems using the metric system. Writer s Workshop: All 4 th grade classrooms have been writing realistic fiction pieces, while focusing on the six phases of the writing process: collecting ideas, picking a seed, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Additionally, for Word Study, the students receive a mini lesson with their word and sound patterns, and participate in independent and partner activities to practice their patterns. Social Studies: Map skills and glaciers are the focus of 2 nd quarter. Science: Students will understand the effects of erosion in our land and water unit. 5 th Grade Math: Students have wrapped up Module 1 and are now on Module 2 with a focus on multiplication. Classrooms will work with an array method, that many of your children already use and also introducing the standard algorithm. If you are finding some of these concepts to be new to you, you are not alone. There was an sent out with a Homework Helper to help assist your child at home. Science: Fifth graders are in the middle of the first science unit, Microworlds! Each class will be going on a field trip to Riveredge, where the students will be able to observe different specimens using their microscopes. 5

6 Math Specialist What Is My Child Learning in math? Families, do you recognize these math terms: exponent, number bond, equation, variable, number path, commutative property, base ten, number story or rote counting? If not, be sure to ask your child as they have been using these mathematical terms this fall as part of their work in the Eureka Math resource. Elementary students within MTSD have worked daily on math learning presented by our 4K-5 teachers. With two months of instruction in place, it is appropriate to revisit and remind ourselves of the math expectations of our students this year. Below you will see a link for a resource entitled: Parent Roadmap. Parent Roadmaps are resources that explain the math learning that your child will participate in this year. It gives you examples of what math might look like and ideas of how to support your child at home. Please take a moment to read through this resource, and if you have questions on how you can support your child's learning from home please contact your child s classroom teacher or your school s math specialist. Kindergarten: Grade One: Grade Two: Grade Three: Grade Four: Grade Five: Specials Physical Education As we enter 2 nd quarter, students will transition from outdoor physical education classes to indoor. Please make sure to help your children remember their tennis shoes for phy. ed. class - students cannot participate without them. K-3 rd grade students are working on a variety of kicking activities. They are playing Box Soccer, kicking moving balls (soccer balls, playground balls), as well as kicking stationary balls (footballs off of a kicking tee, punting footballs). The students are working on using their eyes and feet together to be successful at kicking. 4 th & 5 th grade students are deep into their fitness testing. These are performed twice a year, once in the fall and again, in the spring. There are five fitness tests including the sit-ups test, the pushups test, the PACER test, the sit and reach test and the shoulder stretch test. The goal of the fitness test is to see strengths and weaknesses in the area of fitness. The students personal goals are to first, try to score in the Healthy Fitness Zone, and second, try to beat their fall test scores when repeated in the spring. The Healthy Fitness Zone chart can be located by CLICKING HERE. 6

7 Music It s hard to believe that the first quarter of the school year is almost finished! We ve been busy singing, moving, studying and playing instruments. With the holiday season approaching, I m often asked about holiday music. We don t study music from specific holidays, but do work with more general, seasonal songs. Please keep singing your holiday favorites at home! Be sure those wonderful traditional songs are passed on to your kids. The following will be the main topics of study during 2 nd quarter. Kindergarten: long and short sounds (with winter songs,) movement in response to music, fast and slow tempo (with transportation songs) Grade 1: tempo, beat vs. rhythm Grade 2: half notes and tied notes Grade 3: verse and refrain form, crescendo/ decrescendo Grade 4: recorder technique, tonal center, instrument families Grade 5: syncopated rhythms, harmony, ukulele technique In our music classes, we have a tradition called the Song of the Month. Here are the songs for Sept. through January. September: The Wilson Way, October: I m Drug Free, November: The Star Spangled Banner, December: Let it Snow, January: Blue Skies. Ask your child to sing one to you! Parents are welcome to come visit and see what s shaking in the music room! Please contact Rachel Krumenauer in advance at or rkrumenauer@mtsd.k12.wi.us. Also, visit her website at Art During 2 nd quarter, students will continue to learn how to work together to make the art room a supportive and collaborative environment where creativity thrives. The artwork students are finishing up from 1 st quarter will be featured in the upcoming Art to Remember fundraiser. Students will take home order forms on November 5th with all orders and payments due on November 12th. Participation is voluntary. However, all purchases will help the art department toward achieving its goal of replacing the kiln, which has fallen into disrepair. Students truly value the experience of working with clay and your support will help make beautiful ceramic artworks for years to come. Grade-Level Art Projects K & 1 st grade students have explored various art materials. This quarter they will learn specific information about color. 2 nd & 3 rd grade students will refine painting skills with the use of watercolors. 4 th grade students will learn how to show perspective by mixing tints and shades and applying that to paintings. 5 th grade students will create detailed drawings that demonstrate rhythm and emphasis. 7

8 Orchestra Elementary Orchestra is preparing for our first performance of the year on December 2nd at 7:00 pm in the Homestead High School Auditorium. This includes learning how to sit properly while playing and not playing our instruments, how to watch the director for cues, how to play together with our bows all moving in the same direction and how to listen to ourselves while also being aware of blending in with those around us. 4 th graders are continuing to practice producing a clear sound on the open strings and reviewing the three bow stroke rhythms learned in Unit I. They are currently working on learning how to play the D string notes learned in Unit II. Our concert songs include; The Lunch Bell, Steps to Success, Hot Cross Buns/Scary Cross Buns, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (melody and harmony) and soon to learn Jingle Bells. 5 th graders are working on playing in the key of G Major. Their concert songs include; Ukrainian Bell Carol, The Low Down and Minuet. They will soon start rehearsals to prepare a packet of holiday songs to perform at two local nursing homes in December. This includes learning many skills involved in sight reading (or reading new music.) Band The fifth grade band is off to a fantastic start! The beginning band students have focused on sound production during the first quarter. We are learning to play together as a full ensemble and to listen for a balanced full-band sound. The students are also working on responding to nonverbal cues in a rehearsal setting. Throughout the second quarter, we will be focusing on articulations and dynamics as the beginning band prepares the music for our first full-band performance in December. We are looking forward to sharing our progress parents, you will be surprised to hear how much the band can play using only their first seven notes! 8

9 Department Breakouts Guidance Here is what will be happening in Elementary Guidance at Wilson during 2 nd quarter: K & 1 st grade classes will be discussing and practicing coping strategies for anger. The lessons reinforce the fact that getting angry is okay; it s how we appropriately handle our anger that is important. In kindergarten guidance, we will also be looking at the difference between telling and tattling. The first graders will be practicing the steps to the Debug System which provides strategies in solving small problems with others. 2 nd graders will participate in a program called Kelso s Choices in which they will learn and practice problem-solving skills. 3 rd graders will learn and practice strategies to deal with teasing and the difference between teasing and bullying. They will also review and practice conflict resolution skills. 4 th graders will participate in a bullying program called Act Now from Children s Hospital of Wisconsin. This is an interactive SmartBoard lesson in which they learn what bullying is and how to respond to bullying behaviors. Additionally, they will also review and practice conflict resolution skills. 5 th grade students will complete the second half of the bullying unit and learn about the importance of the bystander role. We will then discuss and practice conflict resolution skills. Gifted & Talented Identification for G/T The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) was administered to all 3 rd and 6 th grade students and new students in grades 4, 5, 7 and 8 between September 28 and October 9, Test scores were sent out to parents in mid-october, and parents received the G/T identification letter including information about the provisions for their child in late October. Differentiation G/T Coordinator Lindsey Moore (K-5) continues to work with various teachers to meet the needs of gifted and high achieving students. This work may be specific to student s needs or general to meet the needs of the class, emphasizing analysis of data and planning for differentiation. This is an ongoing emphasis of provisions at each school. Enrichment Services to Identified Students Among other services provided, for example teaching groups for challenge, Ms. Moore provides math and ELA enrichment and systematic challenge to students identified for Tier 2 math and/or reading provisions. Ms. Moore provides these provisions during the school s Intervention/Enrichment Block. 9

10 IMC The goal of Wilson s Research and Digital Learning Specialist is to select materials for the IMC that support curriculum, as well as provide recreational reading opportunities for students to grow as readers. During check out times each week, students are encouraged to select one book that is a good fit; this is a book at their reading level and would be appropriate for them to use in the classroom during reading workshop times. Their other selections are chosen based on interests. Students choose books using a variety of methods. Many of the younger students (K-2) browse the shelves in their favorite sections or get recommendations. Older students often use ipads to aid selection by using the IMC s online catalog, Alexandria. In 4 th & 5 th grade, students practice how to use Alexandria for expanding browsing options in addition to looking up specific books. Alexandria software also provides students the option of browsing through the school library collection at home. Spending time with your child(ren) pre-selecting possible books to check out could be a fun online activity. Alexandria is located on the Wilson IMC Home page ( The Researcher section opens the catalog where students in third through fifth grade can give you a tour and explain how it works. You may notice that the Lexile score and grade level for many books is found in the descriptions, which can help when looking for that good fit book. The joy of finding great books can happen in many ways. Please contact RDL specialist Monica Treptow (mtreptow@mtsd.k12.wi.us) if you would like to learn more about sharing the book selection process with your child(ren). Special Education Special Education teams are working to improve the level of service for its students and their families with a focus on success from elementary school to middle school and middle school to high school. One of the objectives in the Special Education Strategic Plan states that the Mequon-Thiensville School District is working to ensure all students have an IEP that reflects their needs, provides supports and sets forth a plan to achieve goals. In order to ensure success, the district recognizes the importance of collaboration among various grade-level and building-level teachers. Therefore, the special education teachers for 5 th and 8 th grade have started the process of connecting with 6 th and 9 th grade educators. The goal is to ensure a successful transition from one building to the next as students with IEPs matriculate through MTSD. We believe the increased educator knowledge of students needs and supports will allow each student to gain independence and be successful. Furthermore, with increased communication across the district, students will be able to maximize their academic, social, and emotional growth and achievement. Next Newsletter: Wilson families can expect to receive the next academicbased newsletter mid-january prior to 3 rd quarter. Please contact the school office with questions or concerns. 10