August 31st - September 4th

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: “ch”

Word Family: _at

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Using vowels in every word we spell

Stretching out unfamiliar words

Writing a beginning, middle, and end to our stories

Math:

How does “Math with Someone” and “Math Technology” look and sound?

Building stamina for “Math Writing” and Math by Myself”

Counting to 120

Adding numbers within 10

Individual preformative assessments

Box Tops

We are collecting Box Tops for Education.  For every Box Top you collect and turn into WOHE, we receive ten cents.  The class who brings in the most Box Tops each month gets to celebrate with a party! So cut those tops and return them to school.

PAWSitives

 I am sure your kiddo has come home bragging that they received a PAWSitive at school.   I have been very impressed with how everyone has responded to the new school wide behavior system.  Be sure to ask your kiddo what they can earn when they show PAWS behavior.

Dates to Remember

September 4^th: No School (Teacher Work Day)

September 7th- No School (Labor Day)

September 30^th- First Tiger Pride Assembly

October 31^st: Run for the Orchard 5K

August 24th - August 28th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

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

Building stamina during “Read to Self”

“Eagle Eye” reading strategy (use the pictures to solve tricky words)

“Lips the Fish” reading strategy (get your mouth read and say the first sound)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: the, and, to, in, & of

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

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

Writers label their illustrations

Math:

How does “Math by Myself” look and sound?

Building stamina for “Math Writing”

Counting to 120

Theme:

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Raz-Readers

This week I sent home information about a website called Raz-Kids. This is a great website that allows your child to have access to hundreds of eBooks. You can also download a fee app for your iPad/iPhone or Android device as well.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

Happy Reading!

Word Wall Words

Each week your child will be introduced to new sight words. I call them popcorn words because they “POP UP” a lot when we read.  Willard is moving away from traditional spelling tests.  However, it is VERY important that you review these words with your child each week.  Even though they will not be tested on these words, please have your child practice reading, writing, and spelling them.  How well your child knows these words will be reflected on their grade card each quarter. 

First Quarter Popcorn Words

     the                                    it                                          fun

     of                                     with                                      girl

     and                                   was                                       his

     in                                      for                                        they

     to                                      on                                         at

     he                                     are                                        be

     is                                      am                                        this

     you                                   car                                        eat        

     that            

      

Dates to Remember

September 4^th: No School (Teacher Work Day)

September 7^th: No School (Labor Day)

September 30^th: First Tiger Pride Assembly

October 31st: Run for the Orchard 5K

August 17th - August 21st

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during Read to Self

Three ways to read a book (read the pictures, read the words, & retell a familiar story)

Eagle Eye reading strategy (use the pictures to solve tricky words)

Lips the Fish reading strategy (get your mouth read and say the first sound)

Writing:

How does Writer’s Workshop look and sound?

Ways to pick a topic

Math:

How does Math Daily 3 look and sound?

Building stamina for Math by Myself

Theme:

Building a classroom community

Before you speak think and be smart. It’s hard to fix a wrinkled heart.

Created friendship fruit salad

Special Thanks

I want to send out a special thanks to all who donated items from our classroom wish list!  We greatly appreciate your generosity.  These items will help us have a productive year! Feel free to frequently view our classroom website where I will post items throughout the year as we need them.   

Special Class Schedule

Monday- Music

Tuesday- Art

Wednesday- Library

Thursday- Computers

Friday- P.E.

Always Remember…

I want you to always feel free to contact me through school (417-869-0600) or by e-mail (laurahappel@willardschools.net). If you have any questions, send a note in your child’s take home folder, and I will write a quick response back.

Dates to Remember

August 19th: Fire Drill

August 25th: Tornado Drill

September 4th: No School (Teacher Work Day)

September 7th- No School (Labor Day)

Mrs. Happel’s Class School Supply List

2015-2016

1 pair scissors

1 small school box

2 boxes of 24 count crayons

1 package of 24 count #2 pencils

1 inch 3 ring binder (new or used)

2 packages of 4 count glue sticks

2 pocket folders with prongs (solid colors preferred)

1 package of black dry erase markers

1 package washable markers

1 small flashlight

Summer Slide and Reading Challenge

Summer is almost here! Can you believe it? I know we all have a lot of things on our "Bucket List" this summer, but one thing that is NOT on the list is the Summer Slide!

Here are some statistics about the Summer Slide:

·        Teachers spend 4 - 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.

·        Students experience significant learning loss when they do not participate in educational activities during the summer months.

·        Reading during the summer can prevent a decline in a child's fall reading scores.

In efforts to avoid the Summer Slide, I am encouraging your child to take the Summer Slide and Reading Challenge! Here is what you need to know:

Summer Slide Review Packet

Attached to this a paper you will find a packet full of worksheets your child can complete to make sure they are still practicing their academic skills during the long summer vacation.

Reading Log

It is so important to make sure your kiddo is still reading during the break.  Each time your child reads a book, have them fill out the reading log.  Don’t forget the website www.raz-kids.com (password: Orchard1b). This is a fabulous site where your child can access books on their reading level. I am challenging your kiddo to read at least 30 books.

If your child takes on this challenge, they will get to participate in a celebration when they return back to school in the fall. Simply have them return their completed packet and reading log when school starts. I know with our combined efforts, we will not see your child experience the summer slide! 

Last Minute Details

Here are some last minute details to keep in mind for next week:

Guided Reading Books

If your child has a guided reading envelope and/or a guided reading book at home from any previous weeks, could you please return it to school as soon as possible. I need to make sure these books get returned to the library.

Field Day

Field Day will be Monday, May 18th. This will be a really exciting day.  Coach has planned several water activities. Here is what your child needs to bring that day:

1. An extra change of clothes and shoes

2. Sunscreen

3. Tennis shoes that are ok to get dirty

4. Sack lunch from home or school sack lunch

Kindergarten will have Field Day in the morning.  Your child will be pretty miserable the rest of the day if they do not bring an extra set of clothes! If you are interested in volunteering, that is great! I am sure Coach Higgins would appreciate the help (taylorhiggins@willardschools.net).

Last Day of School

The last day of school is Friday, May 22^nd. This is also a half day of school, so we will dismiss at 12:30.

Summer Reading Challenge

It is so important that your child continues to read this summer. I will be sending home information about a summer reading challenge next week. Keep an eye out for this in your child’s take home folder.

Taking Home Supplies

Next week we will start cleaning out our cubbies, so your child will be taking home many of their folders/school supplies in their backpacks. Check your kiddo’s backpack, because they might get pretty heavy. If an item doesn’t come home, I am keeping it for next year for them to use (folders and binders). This should hopefully save you some money when buying school supplies in the fall. I plan on attaching a school supply list to a letter that will come in the mail before school starts.

I have really enjoyed working with all of you this year! I am so excited to continue our journey next year!

May 4th - May 8th

What We Are Learning

Reading:  This week we reviewed retelling all important events. We practiced  this by ordering events in stories using pictures. I also started DRA assessments. This test will help me determine your child’s independent reading level.

Alphabet: In alphabet this week, we looked at the _ack word family (examples: back, Jack, black, etc.). We also learned about the blends str and tw.

Writing: This week we made and wrote something very special for Mother’s Day.  Your child should be coming home with some pretty special items to give you. You just might tear up a little bit!

Math: This week we finished our measurement unit on length and weight.  I also started end of the year math assessments.

Theme: During theme this week, we learned about frogs. Ask your kiddo to show you the life cycle of a frog!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Thank you all for an amazing Teacher Appreciation Week! I feel so blessed! You are truly the most supportive parents around!

Field Day

Field Day will be Monday, May 18th. This will be a really exciting day.  Coach has planned several water activities. Here is what your child needs to bring that day:

•             An extra change of clothes and shoes

•             Sunscreen (I get sunburned every year!)

•             Tennis shoes that are ok to get dirty

•             Sack lunch from home or school sack lunch

Kindergarten will have Field Day in the morning.  Your child will be pretty miserable the rest of the day if they do not bring an extra set of clothes!

Guided Reading Books

If your child has a guided reading envelope and/or a guided reading book at home from any previous weeks, could you please return it to school as soon as possible. We are making sure our guided reading library is intact and ready for next year, and if you could help us out with making sure they are all returned, it would be greatly appreciated!

Dates to Remember

May 18th: Field Day

May 22nd: Last Day of School