I Learned It In Kindergarten By Tanner Hagen

 Writing and math ready?  Are you surprised to read that these 5 and 6 year olds are already writers and math heads?  Well read on then!  Kindergarten is learning how to write sentences with their sight words and by sounding out words. They use their forearms to sound out the beginning, middle and end sounds.  (Hope that word fits those little arms.) They are also building a writing wall!  Ask any kindergartener about ‘Zoo Phonics’ - it’s a terrific way to remember letters and sounds.  Then they put all this know how together by writing sentences! What a huge learning leap! And they are having fun while doing it!
 “Here’s a closer look at their morning: They do their language arts from 8:30 to 9:30.  Then they get to rest their fingers for a little bit before they jump into math action at 10:00 to 10:45. That’s a lot of brain power!
 These same kindergarteners are also working with numbers! And that’s not all! For math they are doing addition and subtraction.   Here’s some of the ways they are learning to add and subtract.
They are using the smart board to play math games and write equations.   This is everyone’s favorite technology!  It’s so much fun you can forget you’re learning, too!  But don’t worry, there is plenty of good old fashioned adding and subtracting of single digits, also.  Are you surprised at how much they learn in Kindergarten?  Well I guess that’s part of that famous saying.  They are working really hard   I’m glad I can let them shine!

Art’s Winter Canvas By Taylor Davidson

It’s winter time now ! Art projects are going out the school doors so make sure you are watching out for them , and hang them up!
Every grade gets to know art on  a different path. Let me take you on that path. Let’s go down this article and see what students are doing. Take a closer look at these artists in training.
Kindergarten is making number trains. They are learning how to cut while learning their shapes. It’s cool for them to cut shapes in different sizes ! But the final creation is up to them. Here they’re learning their shapes will working on cutting skills.  (They finally get to use scissors without cutting their hair…)   
Ok time to go down the newspaper some more.  First grade is doing paper sculptures in  3D. They are using paper in a different way and making a fictional creation. It can be a person, place or thing.  They are having fun learning these building skills while still making something unique. Ok time to move down the newspaper some more! 
Second grade is going slab crazy! They are making clay looms with  slabs of a thin layers of clay and putting them together in creative weavings. This  is another cool way to maneuver your fingers. It helps fine motor skills  working in clay! Now you know what I’m going to say...Time to go down the paper again!         
Third grade  is doing loom weaving on cardboard.Some might say it’s like second grade, but actually they are using different skills.  They use colorful yarns and make something that looks a little rug or coaster for that hot cocoa.
Now we’ve come to the end of our path with fourth grade. Fourth grade is creating ceramic cups. They are using their creativity and making beautiful cups of clay.  They need to wait until they are fourth graders to  do this activity!You parents can watch out for these things in their backpack ! Students are getting a variety of experiences creating art and learning its history.

                      

It's Electric! by Levi Schmidt

Don´t be shocked! Mrs.Amundson’s class is doing something really exciting in science class!  Let's take a closer look at her science lesson.  Mrs.Amundson’s  fourth grade class is making circuits and learning about electricity! Circuits are electrical circles that can make light bulbs glow.They are doing this because they are  learning how to work with electricity so they can eventually make model houses with electricity. They want to have fun and learn about electricity. This project makes real science fun and meaningful.  But of course nobody likes working alone so we are having partners to help us! How awesome is that!? When Mrs.Amundson´s class is done with this unit,they will finally make their model houses. Fourth graders will be  working  in their classrooms for the next few weeks on these models. This is where these young scientist  have all of the things they need to make these circuits.  This reporter will keep you posted on the end results.  I think there are some electrifying masterpieces coming our way soon!

It is a need or a want? by Nola Tusynski

Guess what’s happening  in the first grade hallway at WES? Students in Mrs.Wemette’s  class  are learning about economics. They are having fun picking one of their Christmas presents, and seeing if it is a need,or a want. Later in their unit, they will enjoy making a mini store in their classroom for students to shop. This will allow others in the building to think about their needs and wants. First graders are also going to learn how to be volunteers! I think Mrs. Wemette's class will be filled with volunteers! These are great lessons to learn! And that's an exciting way to start the New Year!

Welcome!!

Welcome to our new Westby Elementary Blog! At this site, you will get to find out what is going on in each grade level every week. We have a very dedicated team of fourth grade news reporters that will be bringing you the school news. Each week, we will have some information in the Westby Times and more information at this blog site. We look forward to your input and support as we launch this new venture!