December 12th- December 16th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

End of the quarter reading level assessment

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: come, because, here, look, & why

Contractions

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Second quarter nonfiction writing prompt (this piece will be scored using a rubric and will be reflected on your child’s grade card)

Math:

Collecting and organizing data

Tally and picture graphs

Answering questions about graphs

Theme:

Maps and how we use them

Me on the Map project

Town, state, country, continent, and world

Tiger Pride Assembly

On December 21st, we will have our monthly Tiger Pride Assembly. It will be at 10:00, because we are releasing early that day.  I will give away PAWS awards to students who show PAWS behavior (P: Pay Attention, A: Act Positively, W: Work Hard, & S: Show Self-Control). I will send a secret note or email to you if your kiddo will be recognized.

Classroom Pictures

I have uploaded even more pictures onto our classroom blog. Click on the Classroom Pictures tab to see some of the fun things that have been going on in our classroom.

Winter Weather

Winter weather is here!  Please make sure your child is properly dressed for outside recess. We will go out every day as long as the weather is 32 degrees or above and the wind-chill is 25 degrees or above. There is a strong wind that blows across the playground.  Your child needs to have a jacket, so they can enjoy recess comfortably!

Holiday Party

Our Holiday Party will be December 21st from 8:45-10:00. Feel free to come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

December 21st: Early Dismiss at 12:30

December 21st: Holiday Party 8:45

December 21st:  Tiger Pride Assembly 10:00

December 22nd- January 4th: Christmas Break

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

November 28th- December 2nd

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Asking questions before reading nonfiction text

Retelling facts in nonfiction text

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: after, where, very, get, little

Word Family: _all

Silent e

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Writing sentences to end our nonfiction books

Math:

Adding 3 numbers up to 20

Word problems with 3 addends

True and false equation

Theme:

Maps and how we use them

Me on the Map project

Town, state, country, continent, and world

Ronald McDonald House

Mrs. McKinney’s class is collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House, and I want our class to help! Here is a list of items that you can donate to help this great program:

Magic Erasers        

Lysol

Small Trash Bags        

Bathroom Cleaner

Comet     

Windex

Clorox Wipes     

White Bath Towels

Disinfecting/bleach spray cleaner

Fall Weather

Fall weather is here!  Please make sure your child is properly dressed for outside recess. We will go out every day as long as the weather is 32 degrees or above and the wind-chill is 25 degrees or above. There is a strong wind that blows across the playground.  Your child needs to have a jacket, so they can enjoy recess comfortably!

Holiday Party

Our Holiday Party will be December 21st from 8:45-10:00. Feel free to come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

December 21st: Early Dismiss at 12:30

December 21st: Holiday Party 8:45

December 21st:  Tiger Pride Assembly 10:00

December 22nd- January 4th: Christmas Break

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

November 14th - November 18th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Identifying and knowing the purpose of nonfiction text features: headings, table of content, glossary, captions, labels, and maps

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: made, over, did, & down

Word Family: _ug

Controlled R- ir, ur, & er

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Writing introductions for our books

How to be a strong speller

Math:

Unit 4 review and assessment

Theme:

First Thanksgiving

Cornucopia project

Placemat project

Thanksgiving feast in classroom

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so grateful for each one of you and for the opportunity to get to work with your amazing kiddo! Have a great holiday and a great break! 

Pictures and Videos

I upload three Veteran’s Day videos of the kiddos performing on our classroom blog (see below).  I also plan on uploading pictures of our Thanksgiving feast this weekend.  Feel free to visit the blog and check them out!

Fall Weather

I know it is hard to believe, but fall weather is coming!  Please make sure your child is properly dressed for outside recess. We will go out every day as long as the weather is 32 degrees or above and the wind-chill is 25 degrees or above. There is a strong wind that blows across the playground.  Your child needs to have a jacket, so they can enjoy recess comfortably!

Tiger Pride Assembly

On November 30th, we will have our third Tiger Pride Assembly. Come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

November 23rd-25th: Thanksgiving Break

December 21st: Early Dismiss at 12:30

December 2nd- January 4th: Christmas Break

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

Veteran's Day Assembly

October 31st - November 3rd

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Character traits-inside vs. outside

Evidence from text for character traits: character’s feelings, actions, thoughts, dialogue, etc.

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: some, has, her, like, & him

Word Family: _ot

Controlled R- “or”

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Writing introductions for our books

How to be a strong speller

Math:

Subtracting on a number line

Using known addition facts to figure out subtraction equations

Making 10 to subtract

Theme:

Veterans Day writing and soldier craft

Conferences

Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come and discuss your child’s progress with me.  I really enjoyed visiting with everyone.  If you were unable to make it this week, I would love to reschedule for another day.

Book-It

This week I sent home a note describing a wonderful program called Book-It. If your child reads 10 books then they get a FREE personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  To help your child read good fit books, I will also send home several paper books on your child’s reading level. Please read these books with your child and have them fill out the Reading Record.  Also, your child can visit Raz-Kids online to access books on their level as well.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

Fall Break

Don’t forget that we do not have school on November 4th, 7th, and 8th! Enjoy this time with your kiddo.

Dates to Remember

November 4th, 7th, & 8th: No School

November 11th: Veteran’s Day Assembly

November 23rd-25th: Thanksgiving Break

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

October 24th - October 28th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Good readers visualize to help them comprehend the stories they read

Using pictures we draw to retell a story

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: will, how, up, them, & she

Word Family: _op

Controlled R- “ar”

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Writing introductions for our books

Math:

Counting on to solve subtraction problems

Counting back to solve subtraction problems

Using a tens frame to solve subtraction problems

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be November 1st and November 3rd.  Mrs. Baker sent home information and a signup sheet in your child’s take home folder this week. The times are on a first come, first serve basis, so please return your time preferences as soon as you can.

Book-It

Next week, I will send home a note describing a wonderful program called Book-It. If your child reads 10 books then they get a FREE personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  To help your child read good fit books, I will also send home several paper books on your child’s reading level. Please read these books with your child and have them fill out the Reading Record.  Also, your child can visit Raz-Kids online to access books on their level as well.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

WOHE Shirts

Every Wednesday your kiddo is invited to wear their WOHE shirts! Let’s show our Willard pride.

Dates to Remember

November 1st & 3rd: Conferences

November 4th, 7th, & 8th: No School

November 11th: Veteran’s Day Assembly

November 23rd-25th: Thanksgiving Break

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

October 17th- October 21st

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Identifying characters and settings in the stories we read

5 Finger Retelling

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: there, can, your, said, do

Word Family: _ap

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Including headings in our stories like real nonfiction books

Math:

Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Topic 2 Test

“Counting On” to add

“Counting On” using an open number line

Using doubles facts

Theme:

Researching and writing nonfiction facts about bats

Created a bat craft to accompany our writing

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be November 1st and November 3rd.  Mrs. Baker sent home information and a signup sheet in your child’s take home folder this week. The times are on a first come, first serve basis, so please return your time preferences as soon as you can.

Tiger Pride Assembly

On October 26th, we will have our second Tiger Pride Assembly.  I will give away PAWS awards to students who show PAWS behavior (P: Pay Attention, A: Act Positively, W: Work Hard, & S: Show Self-Control). I will send a secret note or email to you if your kiddo will be recognized. Come and enjoy the fun!

My Return

This week has been absolutely wonderful! I have really enjoyed getting to know all the kiddos! I am one lucky teacher!

Dates to Remember

October 26th: Tiger Pride Assembly 2:30

November 1st & 3rd: Conferences

November 4th, 7th, & 8th: No School

November 11th: Veteran’s Day Assembly

November 23rd-25th: Thanksgiving Break

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

October 10th - October 14th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Identifying characters and settings in the stories we read

5 Finger Retelling

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: nice, ride, play, zoo,& thing

Beginning Blends Review

Word Family: _in

Writing:

Using all the writing strategies we know to  write one more small moment/true story

First quarter district narrative writing prompt (this piece will be scored using a rubric and will be reflected on your child’s grade card)

Math:

“Counting On” to add

“Counting On” using an open number line

Using doubles facts

Theme:

Prior knowledge about pumpkins

Researching questions about pumpkins

Pumpkin non-fiction writing

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be November 1st and November 3rd.  Mrs. Baker sent home information and a signup sheet in your child’s take home folder this week. The times are on a first come, first serve basis, so please return your time preferences as soon as you can.

Data Sheets

I started updating the data sheets in your child’s take home folder this week.  Checkout those colored pieces of paper to see how your child is doing on sight words. I also wrote their current reading level in it as well.

My Return

I can’t believe that I will return next week. Ten weeks really flew by!  I know the kiddos are really going to miss Mrs. Baker.  It might take them a little while to adjust to a new teacher and different routines. Please be patient during this transition time. 

Dates to Remember

October 17th: Mrs. Happel Returns

October 26th: Tiger Pride Assembly

November 1st & 3rd: Conferences

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

October 3rd - October 7th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Making connections in books we read (text-to-self, text-to-text, & text-to-world)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: but, what, all when, & we

Beginning Blends Review

Word Family: _it

Writing:

Using all the writing strategies we know to write one more small moment/true story

First quarter district narrative writing prompt (this piece will be scored using a rubric and will be reflected on your child’s grade card)

Math:

Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Topic 2 Test

“Counting On” to add

“Counting On” using an open number line

Using doubles facts

Theme:

Observing fall with our senses

Fall writing

Acorn project

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be November 1st and November 3rd.  Mrs. Baker sent home information and a signup sheet in your child’s take home folder this week. The times are on a first come, first serve basis, so please return your time preferences as soon as you can.

One Last Week

Next week will be Mrs. Baker’s last week!  I am going to miss being a stay at home mommy, but I am so excited to be back in the classroom. I know the kiddos are going to miss Mrs. Baker so much.  Let’s show her some love for all her hard work over the last ten weeks.  Here are some goodies that she enjoys:

Drinks: coffee and vanilla Dr. Pepper

Snacks: Ritz Bits and Nutter Butters

Sweet treats: Snickers and Peanut M&M's

Favorite Flowers: Daisies

Feel free to have your kiddo bring any of these treats to Mrs. Baker next week!

Dates to Remember

October 7th: WOHE Carnival Night 6-8 pm

October 14th: Fall Party

October 14th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 17th: Mrs. Happel Returns

November 1st & 3rd: Conferences

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

September 26th - September 30th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Metacognition: this is just a fancy way to say that good readers comprehend what they read. Ask your child what this word means and for them to sing the metacognition song.

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: from, I, have, had, & not

Beginning Blends Review

Word Family: _ed

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Bringing our stories to life

Making our characters move, think, and feel

Telling stories in small steps to add details

Math:

Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Adding and subtracting on a number line

Adding and subtracting using doubles facts (3 + 3)

Adding and subtracting using near doubles facts (3 + 4)

Reversed equations: 3 +4=7 AND 7=3+4

Using addition facts to solve subtraction facts

Theme:

Apple liquid experiment

Making prediction and observing

Fall Carnival 

Our first WOHE fall carnival is quickly approaching! To help with the supplies that we will need to make the carnival a success, first grade is asking for donations for a “Movie Night” themed basket that will be auctioned off. We are also asking for Little Debbie or Hostess-like snack cakes to use for the cake walk game. If you can donate any of these items, feel free to just send them in your kiddos backpack, and Mrs. Baker will get them to the right place. Thanks so much for your help! See you at the carnival!

Guided Reading

Starting Monday, Mrs. Baker will begin meeting with guided reading groups. This just means that she will be reading a book with your child on their reading level.  The following week, your child will come home with this book in a clear envelope.  Have your child read the book to you several times. They will be excited to show you how they can use their reading strategies.  Then sign the paper inside and have your child return the book to school the next day.

Dates to Remember

October 6th: WOHE Dad’s Breakfast

October 7th: WOHE Carnival Night 6-8 pm

October 14th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 17th: Mrs. Happel Returns

November 1st & 3rd: Conferences

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

September 19th - September 23rd

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

DRA Reading Assessments

Flippy Dolphin reading strategy (try different vowel sounds when a word doesn’t make sense)

Scentsy Skunk (asking if a guessed word makes sense in context)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: his, they, at, be, & this

Digraph: “ph”

Word Family: _ap

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Bringing characters to life by using dialogue

Math:

Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Adding and subtracting on a number line

Adding and subtracting using doubles facts (3 + 3)

Adding and subtracting using near doubles facts (3 + 4)

Reversed equations: 3 +4=7 AND 7=3+4

Theme:

Apple Wonders

Asking “what”, “why”, and “how” questions about apples

Fall Carnival 

Our first WOHE fall carnival is quickly approaching! To help with the supplies that we will need to make the carnival a success, first grade is asking for donations for a “Movie Night” themed basket that will be auctioned off. We are also asking for Little Debbie or Hostess-like snack cakes to use for the cake walk game. If you can donate any of these items, feel free to just send them in your kiddos backpack, and Mrs. Baker will get them to the right place. Thanks so much for your help! See you at the carnival!

Tiger Pride Assembly

On September 28th, we will have our first Tiger Pride Assembly.  Mrs. Baker will give away PAWS Awards to students who show PAWS behavior (P: Pay Attention, A: Act Positively, W: Work Hard, & S: Show Self-Control). She will send a secret note or email to you if your kiddo will be recognized. Come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

September 28th: First Tiger Pride Assembly

October 6th: WOHE Dad’s Breakfast

October 7th: WOHE Carnival Night 6-8 pm

October 14th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 17th: Mrs. Happel Returns

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

September 12th - September 16th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does “Listen to Reading” during Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during “Read to Self,” “Word Work,” “Work on Writing,” & “Read to Someone”

“Reread Raccoon” reading strategy (reread when you make a mistake or do not understand what you have read)

Flippy Dolphin reading strategy (try different vowel sounds when a word doesn’t make sense)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: am, car, eat, fun & girl

Digraph: “wh”

Word Family: _an

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Using correct uppercase and lowercase letters

Math:

Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Adding and subtracting on a number line

Adding and subtracting using doubles facts (3 + 3)

Adding and subtracting using near doubles facts (3 + 4)

Theme:

Fall Wonder Table

How to ask questions like a scientist

How to observe nature like a scientist

Reading Assessment

Your kiddo will be tested to find out their reading level and will be placed in a reading group accordingly. During these guided reading groups, your kiddo will work on reading strategies in books that are at their instructional level. Each week your child will bring home the book they have been practicing in class. They will need to read it with you, have you sign their sheet, and then send it back the following day. This helps the kids to be excited and proud about what they are learning in reading and helps build their fluency. Please let me or Mrs. Baker know if you have any questions!

Fall Wonder Table

A letter was sent home this week requesting fall items to place on our Wonder Table.  These can be pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, etc. These items will help us learn about observing, asking questions, and investigating answers.

Dates to Remember

September 21st: Fall Picture Day

September 28th: First Tiger Pride Assembly

October 6th: WOHE Dad’s Breakfast

October 7th: WOHE Carnival Night 6-8 pm

October 14th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 17th: Mrs. Happel Returns

April 20th: Field Trip to the Nature Center

September 5th - September 9th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does “Word Work” during Daily 5 look and sound?

How does “Read to Someone” during Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during “Read to Self” & “Work on Writing”

“Skippy Frog” Reading Strategy (Skip over the tricky word. Read the rest of the sentence and try it again.)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: are, on for, was, with

Digraph: “sh”

Word Family: _ad

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

All words have vowels (sticky letters)

Math:

Math facts to 10

Word problems to 10

Writing and counting to 120

Assessment over Topic 1

Theme:

How to handle conflict

Dates to Remember

September 13th: Volunteer Training 6:00 pm

September 16th: Volunteer Training 9:00 am

September 28^th: First Tiger Pride Assembly

August 29th - September 2nd

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does “Word Work” during Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during “Read to Self” & “Work on Writing”

“Chunky Monkey” reading strategy (finding parts in words we know)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: he, is, you, that, it

Digraph: “th”

Word Family: _at

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

How do writers use resources around the room to spell tricky words?

Writers label their illustrations

Math:

Math facts to 10

Word problems to 10

Writing and counting to 120

Theme:

How to handle conflict

Math Homework

A few nights a week your kiddo will be bringing home math homework. It is not required that they bring it back to school, but I would love for them to bring it back, so they can be celebrated for continuing to learn at home.

PAWSitives

I am sure your kiddo has come home bragging that they received a PAWSitive at school. Everyone has responded so well to the school wide behavior system.  Be sure to ask your kiddo what they can earn when they show PAWS behavior.

Take Home Folders

Please make sure you look and sign your child’s Take Home Folder on a nightly basis. This is a great communication tool. Also, there are several colored pieces of paper inside.  Throughout the year, these will be updated so you will know what skills you can work on with your child at home.

Dates to Remember

September 2nd: No School

September 5^th: No School

September 13th: Volunteer Training 6:00 pm

September 16th: Volunteer Training 9:00 am

September 28^th: First Tiger Pride Assembly