September

We have had a great start to the school year, and it has been so fun getting to know everyone.  We are finally getting into our routines, and our classroom and classmates are starting to settle into place.  

Here's what's happening in our classroom...

• Lead Time - Students are learning about being proactice, and we will begin learning about beginning with the end in mind.  Check with your child to see how they are using the 7 habits at school, and encourage them to do the same thing at home! 
• Reading - Students have been finishing up DRA testing.  Next week we will begin our reading group routines and will also be learning about story elements. 
• Writing - Students will be starting a personal narrative this week in writing.  They will learn about writing a strong beginning, middle and end, using sensory details, and hooking their reader at the beginning of their story.  Check in and ask your child what personal story they are writing about. 
• Math - We will begin Topic 3.  Students will be multiplying one digit numbers by multi-digit numbers using different strategies. 
• Science - This week we learned about using proficiency scales to grade ourselves on our own learning.  Students created their own scale using examples that interested them.  Next week we will be going back to the scientific method, and students will be doing a couple small experiments. 

A few reminders: 

Don't forget to be checking your child's take home folder each night.  There are important notes that come home, graded papers, and math papers and math homework comes home daily.  Also, math homework is optional, but if you notice your student struggling in math, or if you would like them to have that extra practice, they do get extra dojo points for turning it in.  

Also, your child should be doing some reading at home.  If you are not seeing them read, please ask what they are reading at school, or ask them about their library books. I do not require students to keep a reading log, but we do have a 30 book challenge each student is trying to meet.  If your child is not reading at home, this is going to be hard for them to meet this goal.  Ask them how many books they have finished and recorded in their log. 

Don't forget to wear your Monday shirts.  This is one of our school goals to unite as a community, and it is part of our Willard North mission statement.  These are such a great gift from school money and from Freedom Bank.  Freedom Bank helps make sure it is possible for EVERY student in the school to get a shirt. 

Next week is spirit week for homecoming.  The days are as follows: 

• Monday - 'MERICA Monday - Dress patriotic
• Tuesday - Tie-Dye Tuesday
• Wednesday - Onesie Wednesday - Wear your pajamas
• Thursday - Picture Day! - Dress your best 
• Friday - Willard Pride - wear your Willard wear of homecoming shirt

Other Important Dates: 

• Sept. 20 - Picture Day 
• Sept. 21 - Homecoming parade @ 10 a.m. - wear tennis shoes! We will be walking.  This is also a half day. Students will be released at 12:30. 
• Oct. 9 - McTeacher Night @ McDonald's in Willard
• Oct. 30 & Nov. 1 - Parent Teacher conferences - please contact me if you are not signed up for a time.  I will send out reminders closer to that time.