Week of January 6, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Welcome back families!  We are so excited to start a new year with your amazing children.

THIS WEEK YOU CAN EXPECT:

Math:  2nd grade math will pick up with Unit 6 in everyday math.  Stand Out Math facts' test will continue in your child's homeroom.  Remember the goal for every 2nd grader is to master all addition facts by the end of the year.In 3rd grade math, we will be updating our sunrise and sunset line graph with new data, Then we will jump into Unit 6, which focuses on geometry (specifically line segments, rays and lines, along with parallel and intersecting line segments).
 

Literacy:  The literacy block will continue to practice retells as this is an essential skill for every 2nd grader. Through our Weekly Reader and read alouds, we will hit additional reading strategies for shorter mini lessons that cycle through the year:  inferencing, visualization, cause/effect, problem/solution, theme, moral, key events and details, and nonfiction text features to name a few.

               Our first week back, each homeroom will be reviewing reading strategies and watching how students monitor their comprehension.  A common reading focus for 2nd grade will start during our 2nd week back.

               We will also begin our mid-year benchmarks:  DRA (fluency/comprehension assessment), AIMSWEB (fluency and nonsense word fluency assessment), and MAPS (district reading assessment (on the computer) every 2-5 grader takes).  Reading groups may shuffle in order to meet student needs.

FAST:  We will be working on a new concept Long a in the FAST weekly lessons, and review the R family concept for our Lesson 15 test on Friday.  We also test on review concepts to ensure application and success for the test!

Wordly Wise:  We will dig into Lesson 7 and depending on how long your child's homeroom class has been on the lesson, potentially test on Friday.

Writing:  We will continue to develop strategies to make our personal narrative writing stronger.  With mini lessons, your student will learn to add more descriptive language, details (tell me mores), creative introductions, and strong/thoughtful conlcusions.

Science:  We will continue with our FOSS program on Mondays and Thursdays.

Social Studies:  We will begin the new year with Unit 4 Geography.  A few classes will be wrapping up Unit 3 Maps with a recap of lesson concepts and a test.


UPCOMING EVENTS:


Please contact your homeroom teacher if you have any questions or comments.  Thank you for your support as always!

Sincerely,

The Second Grade Team

Week of December 16

Dear Families-

We are down to our last week of school in this 2013 year.  We have enjoyed every minute with your 2nd grade child and wish for nothing but further growth and joy with each and every child in the 2014 year!

Here's this week's lessons at a glance:

This week, you can expect:  

   
MATH:  For 2nd grade math-We are working on Unit 6 learning about addition and subtraction operations and will begin to look at multiplication and division concepts with visual, represenational, and abstract instruction.  In 3rd grade math- We are working on Unit 5 Place Value in whole numbers and decimals.  Stand Out Math Computation tests given every week and Stand Out Math taught on Friday.

WRITING:  We are working on Narrative Writing. Our prompt last week was..."Tell about a time you were stuck in a snow globe!"  We will be finishing the writing prompt as well as our snow globe visual this week.  We can't wait for you to see them on display in our 2nd grade hallway!

PHONICS AND  VOCABULARY: 

Continuing to practice our FAST phonics.  Fast spelling test (lesson 14) will be on Friday, check out the spelling tab for the current list. 

Lesson 7 in Wordly Wise will start this week.  We will review and test the Friday we return from Winter Break.  

LITERACY:  Continuing whole group reading and responding, as well as small group conferences around individual reading levels.  We are currently working on using information from illustrations to demonstrate an understanding of setting.  We will also begin to recount stories about the holiday season using different cultural perspectives and points of view.  We will be reading books about the Hispanic, Japanese, Puetro Rican, Russian, and American cultures to name a few.  If your family has a holiday book you would like to suggest for our read alouds, please contact your teacher.  

FOSS Science:  Monday and Thursday

Social Studies: Unit 3 Map Skills

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, December 19th- PACK Assembly  K-2 at 1:30pm to 2:00pm

Friday, December 20th - 9:00am 2nd Grade Holiday Parties in classrooms

Monday December 23rd- Friday, January 3rd Winter Break

Please contact your teacher if you have any questions or comments.  

Thank you and take care,  

The 2nd Grade Team

Week of December 9th

Dear Families-

Thank you for supporting our community and school last week during Barnes and Noble and Cold Stone night!  We very much appreciate your time and fundraising enthusiasm on such a cold night.  Here's this week's lessons at a glance:

This week, you can expect:  

   
MATH:  For 2nd grade math-We are working on Unit 5 Geometry.  Our test will be on Wednesday, December 11.   In 3rd grade math- We are working on Unit 5 Place Value in whole numbers and decimals.  Stand Out Math Computation tests given every week and Stand Out Math taught on Friday.

WRITING:  We are working on Narrative Writing. Our prompt this week will be on the imaginative side..."Tell about a time you were stuck in a snow globe!"  We hope to engage and inspire our winter writers with this creative prompt!

PHONICS AND  VOCABULARY: 

Continuing to practice our FAST phonics.  Fast spelling test (lesson 13) will be on Friday, check out the spelling tab for the current list. 

Lesson 6 in Wordly Wise will be continued (badge, banner, corner, design, display, fold, parade, rectangle, salute, and tread )  don't forget about the wordly wise 3000 link as an extra resource.  Our Wordly Wise 6 test will be on Friday.  

LITERACY:  Continuing whole group reading and responding, as well as small group conferences around individual reading levels.  We are currently working on using information from illustrations to demonstrate an understanding of setting.  We will also begin to recount stories about the holiday season using different cultural perspectives and points of view.  We will be reading books about the Hispanic, Japanese, Puetro Rican, Russian, and American cultures to name a few.  If your family has a holiday book you would like to suggest for our read alouds, please contact your teacher.  

FOSS Science:  Monday and Thursday

Social Studies: Unit 3 Map Skills

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, December 19th- PACK Assembly

Friday, December 20th - 9:00am 2nd Grade Holiday Parties in classrooms

Monday December 23rd- Friday, January 3rd Winter Break

Please contact your teacher if you have any questions or comments.  

Thank you and take care,  

The 2nd Grade Team

Week of December 2nd

Dear Families-

Welcome to December!!  Amazing how time flies!  We cannot believe 2013 is nearing its end.  We look forward to learning and growing these last 3 weeks of 2013 with your child.  

This week, you can expect:  

   
MATH:  For 2nd grade math-We are working on Unit 5 Geometry.  In 3rd grade math- We are working on Unit 5 Place Value in whole numbers and decimals.  Stand Out Math Computation tests given every week and Stand Out Math taught on Friday.

WRITING:  We are working on Narrative Writing. Our prompt next week will be "Tell about your long weekend."

PHONICS AND  VOCABULARY: 

Continuing to practice our FAST phonics. Fast spelling test (lesson 12) will be on Friday, check out the spelling tab for the current list. 

Lesson 6 in Wordly Wise will be continued (badge, banner, corner, design, display, fold, parade, rectangle, salute, and tread )  don't forget about the wordly wise 3000 link as an extra resource.

LITERACY:  Continuing whole group reading and responding, as well as small group conferences around individual reading levels.  We are currently working on using information from illustrations to demonstrate an understanding of setting.  We will also begin to recount stories about the holiday season using different cultural perspectives and points of view.  

FOSS Science:  Monday and Thursday

Social Studies: Unit 3 Map Skills

Upcoming Events:

  

Wednesday, December 4th- Barnes and Noble Night

Tuesday, December 10th- Choir Performance

Thursday, December 19th- PACK Assembly

Monday December 23rd- Friday, January 3rd Winter Break

Please contact your teacher if you have any questions or comments.  

Thank you and take care,  

The 2nd Grade Team

Dear Families-
Thank you so much for joining in on the Turkey Trot.  The students sure enjoyed pajama day!  We will be resuming with school on Monday, December 2nd.  Your child will have a reading conference on their regular day.  Friday Folders are coming home on Tuesday.  There will be no school Wednesday 11/27 - Friday 11/29.  Have a wonderful and safe long weekend!

This week, you can expect:  

   
MATH:  For 2nd grade math-We are working on Unit 5 Geometry.  In 3rd grade math- We are working on Unit 5 Place Value in whole numbers and decimals.  Stand Out Math Computation tests given every week and Stand Out Math taught on Friday.

 

 

 

WRITING:  We are working on Narrative Writing. Our prompt next week will be "Tell about your long weekend."

PHONICS AND  VOCABULARY: 

 

Continuing to practice our FAST phonics. Fast spelling test (lesson 12) will be on Friday, check out the spelling tab for the current list. 

 

Lesson 6 in Wordly Wise will be continued (badge, banner, corner, design, display, fold, parade, rectangle, salute, and tread )  don't forget about the wordly wise 3000 link as an extra resource.

LITERACY:  Continuing whole group reading and responding, as well as small group conferences around individual reading levels.  We are currently working on using information from illustrations to demonstrate an understanding of setting.  

FOSS Science:  Monday and Thursday

Social Studies- Unit 3 Map Skills

 

Upcoming Events:

 

 

Wednesday, November 27th-Friday November 29th- No School Thanksgiving Break

 

Wednesday, December 4th- Barnes and Noble Night

 

Tuesday, December 10th- Choir Performance

 

Thursday, December 19th- PACK Assembly

 

Monday December 23rd- Friday, January 3rd Winter Break

Dear Second Grade Families-

We have had a wonderful and busy week.  There was a lot of excitement in the air with the snow and thoughts of the delicious meals and family time we will be enjoying next week.  We have been enjoying some wonderful classical music in our rooms.

 As a team, we decided not to do reading conferences next week since there are only 2 days.  Your child's reading will be due on the normal conference day the following week. 

We are due for some fun.... Tuesday is going to be a pajama day, and we are going to watch Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Tuesday afternoon. 



Remember the dance is tonight, November 22nd, at Fox Ridge Middle School at 5:30pm.   



Barnes and Noble and Cold Stone Night will be on Wednesday December 4th,  we hope to see you all there! 



Turkey Trot was moved to Monday during your child's recess, please come and join if you would like. 


We are so thankful to have the opportunity to work with your children and your families, and hope you enjoy the family time as there is no school Wednesday-Friday next week. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Turkey Trot date has been changed from this Friday during recess, to Monday during recess due  to the cold weather projection. Hope to see you there!