September 21st - September 25th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

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

Skippy Frog reading strategy (skip the tricky word and then come back).

Word Work:

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

Digraph: “wh”

Word Family: _ap

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Using correct uppercase and lowercase letters

Using speech bubbles in our illustrations

Math:

Identifying common 2D shapes (circle, triangle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, & hexagon)

Attributes of 2D shapes (sides and corners)

Theme:

Scientists ask questions and research to find answers

Asking questions about apples

Tiger Pride Assembly

On September 30th, we will have our first Tiger Pride Assembly.  This year we will celebrate student achievement a little bit differently than last year. Instead of apples, I will give away PAWS 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 to you if your kiddo will be recognized. Come and enjoy the fun!

Fall Wonder Table

 I sent home a letter two weeks ago 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 30th: Tiger Pride Assembly 2:30

October 9th: Fall Party and Half Day for Students

October 30th- November 3rd: No School

October 31st: Run for the Orchard 5K

September 14th - September 18th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

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

Launching guided reading groups

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

Word Work:

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

Digraph: “sh”

Blend: “cl”

Word Family: _an

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

When you think you are done, you have just begin

Good writers add more to their pictures, more to their words, and use a writer’s checklist

Math:

Counting to 120

Adding and subtracting numbers within 10

Strategies to solve subtraction story problems

Theme:

Fall Wonder Table

How to ask questions like a scientist

How to observe nature like a scientist

Guided Reading Groups

On Monday, I began meeting with guided reading groups. This just means that I am reading a book with your child on their reading level.  Next week, your child will come home with this book in an 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 envelope and have your child return the book to school the next day.

Fall Wonder Table

I sent home a letter last 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 18th: PTO Movie Night

September 22nd: Picture Day

September 30th: First Tiger Pride Assembly

October 31st: Run for the Orchard 5K

September 7th - September 11th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

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

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

“Stretchy Snake” reading strategy (stretching out all the sounds in unknown words)

Word Work:

Popcorn Words: was, with, for, on, & are

Digraph: “th”

Word Family: _ad

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

Adding more details to our stories

Using a writer’s checklist

Math:

Counting to 120

Adding numbers within 10

Strategies to solve addition story problems

Individual formative assessments

Guided Reading Groups

Starting Monday, I will begin meeting with guided reading groups. This just means that I will be reading a book with your child on their reading level.  The following week, your child will come home with this book in an 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 envelope and have your child return the book to school the next day.

Running Club

 Our WOHE Running Club will begin Thursday, September 17th. Forms went home last week. Running Club meets on Thursdays between September 17th and October 22nd from after school to 4:30. It helps students who want to participate in the WOHE 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run prepare for those races. The 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is at WOHE on Saturday, October 31st. Come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

September 14th: Scholastic Book Order Due

September 17th: Running Club Starts

September 18th: PTO Movie Night

September 22nd: Picture Day

September 30th: First Tiger Pride Assembly

October 31st: Run for the Orchard 5K

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