Orchard Hills Updates
February 2017
Prevo's Points
Orchard Families,
There are some important dates coming up in February that I would like to remind you of:
- On February 2nd we will have Spring Pictures. This will include individual pictures as well as class pictures.
- On February 10th students will be dismissed at 12:30
- On February 14th PTO will be hosting their monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. Hope you can make it.
- On February 20-- SCHOOL WILL BE IN SESSION-- This is a make-up day from one of our snow days
- On February 28th-- WOHE will be hosting a McTeacher night from 4:00--8:00 p.m. at the McDonald's on the corner of West Bypass and Chestnut Expressway
I also wanted to let you know that our Staff has been working over the past several months to develop a new mission statement for our school community. We are getting very close to having that completed and we will share it as soon as we do. Our hope is this statement will provide some focus for us and help us make important decisions in the future. Be looking for that soon!
Also, please start passing the word that Kindergarten Screening for next school year will take place on April 13th. Families should call the office and speak with Lesley and she will get an appointment scheduled. Thanks for your help in getting the word out!
As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Would be happy to visit.
Blessings,
Dr. Prevo
January Attendance Data
4th Grade News
In reading and writing this month the students are looking at Civil War topics. The students will be finishing up their Civil War chapter books. This is a great opportunity to practice research skills. These chapter books include two informational chapters, a narrative chapter, and an opinion chapter. The chance to write in so many formats gives the students a chance to improve their writing scores too!
Students will finish exploring all the nonfiction text structures and write a magazine using each text structure. It has been fun to read Civil War books and identify why each book is a certain text structure. We will return to fiction concepts and review concepts taught earlier in the year.
In math students will be finishing up topic 9 on adding and subtracting fractions with their test on February 7th. We will move into topic 10 which focuses on extending their multiplication understanding into fractions. Thanks for all the prep work you have done by helping them understand their basic facts.This topic will also explore time concepts.
Valentine parties will February 10th on our half day. Your teacher will be sending you a class list soon!
3rd Grade Happenings
Reading - Our classes have been working on a Mystery Unit. Students have been able to read for clues, expect the story to go in a certain way when we read more than one book in a mystery series, and learn underlying structures from these books. After this unit, we will move onto a unit on Biographies.
Writing - Students are working on writing Opinion pieces of writing. We have started off with students working with partners to create a speech. Next, they'll be working on a piece individually about a topic they feel strongly about. Finally, students will write a letter to a place of business to share what they like and what suggestions they have to share with them. We're hopeful to get responses from those local places of business!
Math - Students have been working on addition and subtraction strategies through rounding and estimation, by breaking numbers apart, and our "traditional" way of stacking numbers. Students will need to be able to add and subtract within 1,000 by the end of the quarter.
Social Studies - Students are wrapping up a unit over Economics. Students have learned about our three types of resources, goods and services, producers and consumers, and opportunity cost. Students are going to be able to show what they know with a Choice Assessment. They're going to be able to choose how to present to the class that they know the material through google slides, posters, and/or songs or poems.
Technology - Students have been working on research and typing skills in the computer lab. They have typed one Opinion Speech so far in class. Students are using Google Classroom - specifically Google Docs and Google Forms - throughout all subjects.
"The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example." -- John Wooden
2nd Grade News
We have been learning so much in 2nd Grade!
Reading-We have been learning to look at the details to find the main idea of the story.
Writing-We are learning how to write opinions that are supported with reasons and examples in conjunction with letter writing.
Math-We are learning how to solve 2-step problems using addition and subtraction with and without regrouping.
Science-We are learning all about matter, energy, & sound through lots of group interaction and experiments!
Word Study-We are learning word patterns, comparisons, and synonyms and antonyms.
Looking for ways to help? Listen to your kiddo read, read, read! Encourage them to practice and never give up! They have so many strategies in their reading toolbox that are ready and waiting for them to use. They can do it and practice at home has proven results.
PTO Limo Rides
More Limo Rides
100th Day of School
1st Grade
Things are going well in 1st grade! In writing, we are learning how to write an opinion paper. The students have learned to think about OREO. The “O” reminds us to state our opinion. The “R” reminds us to give lots of reasons for our opinion. The “E” reminds us to give examples about our reasons and the last “O” reminds us to restate our opinion in a strong way.
In math, we are working on place value. While we don’t grade or record if your child does their homework, we strongly believe that your child benefits when you spend a few minutes at home each evening to help your child complete their homework. To reinforce place value and to help teach your child organization in counting, you might try having your child count a large group of pennies. Have him/her count the pennies by placing them in groups of 10. The children usually really enjoy this type of activity and it will reinforce their learning at school.
In guided reading, we are working to help your child become a very fluent reader. This means that we want for your child’s reading to sound like talking. When students read fluently, they do a much better job of comprehending what they are reading. In order for your child to read at grade level at the end of 3rd quarter in 1st grade, your child must meet a timed element. You can help by reading with your child at home.
It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! This year is flying by! We would like to encourage you to make a Valentine box or creation at home with your child. The students really enjoy doing this activity at home with you! If you don’t have time to make a box at home, we will provide your child with a bag for his/her Valentine cards. We do not have room to store all of the boxes until Valentine’s Day party, so please do not send the boxes to school until the day of our party on Friday, February 10th. We also request that your child bring in a Valentine’s Day card for all of the children in their class. We will be sending home the names of the students in your child’s class in the near future.
We appreciate all that you do to support us in 1st grade!
Don't forget to order your yearbook. Turn in the order form to Lesley in the office. We have more forms if needed.
Kindergarten Update
Kindergarten is getting back into our normal routines after our winter break and snow days. We enjoyed hearing about what everyone did over the break, and we know that the unexpected snow days were exciting for all the kids!
During the next month we will be working on long and short vowel sounds. This will help us develop our reading and writing even more than we already have. We will be learning new reading strategies to help us become even better readers during our reading lessons. In writing, we will continue to work on informative writing. We will continue learning about addition and subtraction in math before we begin learning about counting numbers to 20 and focus on the teen numbers. Our themes we will be focusing on for the next month are: Space, Valentine’s Day, Presidents, weather and seasons.
There are a few skills that we encourage you to be working on at home. Please continue reading as much as you can every night. This is so important to help your child continue to make progress with his or her reading level. If you have questions about books you should be reading please ask your child’s teacher. Continue working on counting to 100 by tens and ones, writing numbers from 0-20, and recognizing numbers 0-20.
We are looking forward to the next month. We can’t wait to see how much everyone learns!Special Areas
Greetings from the WOHE Art Studio!
2017 is starting out to be an exciting year in the art room as second through fourth grade students are transitioning to “Choice Based Art” also known as TAB…“Teaching Artistic Behavior.” TAB is a nationally recognized art education approach. Choice was developed and researched at Massachusetts College of Art twenty-five years ago. Students learn art through authentic choice learning opportunities and responsive teaching. Your child will be working through the creative process in a manner the same as all visual artists. For now, kindergarten and first grade students will continue with a traditional teaching approach enhanced with limited choices and provocations inviting them to create and experience the artistic process. ALL grade levels will work in teacher – directed ceramics this year. As I develop my website, more information on TAB and links for you to explore will be available along with a wish list of accepted items to donate to our program!
Your third and fourth grade students will be participating in a fundraising event through the company “Art To Remember.” I have used this company before and have been very pleased with the products they offer and their professionalism. In the next week or two your child will be creating a two-dimensional work of art during their regularly scheduled art class and that design will be available to you to have printed on a variety of products you can purchase. Profits will go towards materials and supplies for the Art program at WOHE. Watch for information sent home with your child in the next couple of weeks. As always, I appreciate your support and the encouragement you give your children to express themselves through the arts!
Creatively Yours,
Mrs. Karen Barrett
Calendar of Events
February 2-- Spring Pictures & Class Pictures
February 7-- WOHE PTO Meeting 6 p.m.
February 16-- Board of Education Meeting Open Session 7:00 p.m.
Willard Orchard Hills Elementary
Email: garrettprevo@willardschools.net
Website: www.willardschools.net/Domain/15
Location: 4595 W Farm Rd 140, Springfield, MO, United States
Phone: 417-869-0600
Facebook: facebook.com/WillardOrchardHills
Twitter: @WOHETIGERS