December 9, 2011

READING

Next week we will be enjoying doing Christmas Around the world and holiday activities. We will not be reading a new story until January. Reading logs are due January 3^rd.

MATH

We started our new chapter on Data and Graphs. We have worked on surveys and bar graphs. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

We will be working on money soon.

**Please make sure you send in the following coins in a small container or baggie (with with your child's name on it) with the following coins: 20 pennies, 10 nickels, 10 dimes and 7 quarters.**

Social Studies

Next week we will be learning about Christmas Around the World. We will learn about the customs of five different countries in the world. We will be learning about China, Poland, Sweden, Israel and Mexico. Look for the Christmas Around the World folder to come home this week.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center

On Wednesday we were visited by the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. They brought with them a barred owl and a screetch owl. We learned about their feathers, bones, skulls, and habitats. It was exciting to see real owls!

Student of the Week

Abby is the Student of the Week! She likes to play the WII, play on her computer and help others. Her favorite animal is a puppy. Her favorite color is purple. When Abby grows up she wants to be a Lifeguard.

Field Trip

We will be caroling at the Fairview Nursing home on Thursday, December 15^th. The children are to bring a bag lunch that day. No hot lunch will be served since our lunchtime will be after the caroling.

Happy Birthday!

Michael – December 9

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dec. 15 - 2^nd grade Christmas Caroling

Dec. 16 – Holiday Party

Dec. 19 -Jan. 2 – Winter Break

Jan. 3 – Classes resume

 

I am wishing you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

December 1, 2011

READING

Next week we will be reading about a boy from Chinatown and everything that happens in Chinatown – a very busy place. We will learn something about Chinese culture, kung fu and tai chi.

We will be working on the comprehension strategies of summarizing and story structure.

Our vocabulary words are apartment, delivery, handcarts, market and celebrations.

In phonics we will be focusing double consonants, consonant digraphs, and reviewing the vowel sounds ai, ay, ow, ou, ee and ea.

In grammar we will be working on nouns and plurals.

MATH

In math we will be finishing our chapter on 2-digit subtraction. Our next chapter is on data and graphs. Our chapter test will be on Wednesday. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Student of the Week

Amuktha is the Student of the Week! She likes to help her mother, read books to her sister and is good at guessing games. Her favorite animal is a puppy. Her favorite color is blue-violet. When Amuktha grows up she wants to be a Doctor.

Recess

We go outside for recess unless the wind chill is below 20 degrees. The children need to bring snow pants and boots in order to play in the snow. Any child who needs to stay inside for recess will need a doctor's note.

Happy Birthday!

Max – December 3

Monthly Reading Logs

Pizza Hut coupons and lunch in our classroom with a movie reward was earned for turning in your reading log with 21 days of reading! Congratulations to all who earned the reward! Keep reading throughout the month of December.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

I enjoyed meeting with you this past week for conferences. If you have any questions, just send me an email.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dec. 19-Jan. 2 – No School – Winter Break

January 16 – No School – Martin Luther King Day

November 18, 2011

READING

Next week we will be working on fables, poetry and Thanksgiving activities. There will no no newsletter next week.

After Thanksgiving, Next week we will have theme wrap up for the Nature Walk unit. We will read a fiction and non-fiction selection on owls.

We will be working on the comprehension strategies of predict, infer, question, compare/contrast and monitor/clarify.

Our vocabulary words are clearing, echo, meadow, pumped, owling, shadows, threading, rarely, and curved.

In phonics we will be focusing on the long vowels o, u and e.

In grammar we will be writing telling sentences and questions.

MATH

In math we are continuing to work on 2-digit subtraction. We will be using addition problems to help us solve subtraction problems, estimating differences, problems solving and using mental math to find the differences. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Student of the Week

Michael is the Student of the Week! He likes to do karate, play video games and basketball. His favorite animals are a hamster and bird. His favorite color is red. When Michael grows up he wants to be a Zoo Keeper.

Social Studies

We are learning about the Pilgrims, the Native American Indians and the First Thanksgiving. Next week we will learn about the Pilgrims and how the First Thanksgiving was created.

Recess

We go outside for recess unless the wind chill is below 20 degrees. The children will need to bring snow pants and boots in order to play in the snow. Any child who needs to stay inside for recess will need a doctor's note.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nov. 23 -25 – Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 29th – Report Cards go home

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 – Parent Teacher Conferences

Dec. 19-Jan. 2 – No School – Winter Break

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 10, 2011

READING

Next week we will be reading a realistic story about a brother and sister who go blueberry picking around a pond with their dog named Sam. They see many different plants and animals.

We will be working on the comprehension strategies of categorize, classify and monitor/clarify.

Our vocabulary words are bank, crater, edge, moss, path and shallow.

In phonics we will be focusing on double consonants (summer, pocket) and how to divide words into syllables.

In grammar we will be writing exclamation sentences.

MATH

In math we started our chapter on 2 digit addition. We are exploring how to subtract 1-digit numbers from 2-digit numbers and then subtracting 2-digit numbers from 2-digit numbers. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Social Studies

We started Junior Achievement this week. Our teacher is Mrs. Patrice. She is teaching us about “Our Community” to supplement our social studies curriculum. We are discovering a variety of occupations, developing an awareness of how businesses operate within the community, and increase their understanding of how citizens must take responsibility for the well-being of the community.

Student of the Week

Gabrielle is the Student of the Week! She likes to dance, take tennis lessons and has a big stuffed animal collection. Her favorite animal is a zebra and her favorite color is blue-violet. When Gabrielle grows up she wants to be a Great Dancer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nov. 11 – Veteran's Day – No School

Nov. 16 – Kids on the Block Assembly

Nov. 18 – End of first Trimester

Nov. 23 -25 – Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 29th – Report Cards go home

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 – Parent Teacher Conferences

November 11, 2011

READING

Next week we will be continuing with our story and activities from this week. We will continue to read Exploring Parks with Ranger Docket. We will not have a spelling test or spelling homework next week.

MATH

In math we are continuing to work on adding two-digit problems. Our test will be on Monday. Our next chapter will be on two-digit subtraction. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Social Studies

We are starting a new unit on our country long ago. We will be learning about the Native American Indians, pilgrims and the beginnings and growth of our country.

Reading Logs

Congratulations to all the children who read for 21 days in October. We celebrated by watching a movie while eating in our classrooms. I hope we can have 100% participation in November.

Student of the Week

Claire is the Student of the Week! She likes to sing, play monopoly and her favorite singer is Katy Perry. Her favorite animal is a penguin and her favorite color is blue. When Claire grows up she wants to be a Movie Star.

Halloween Party

Thank you to Mrs. O'Connor and Mrs. Schoeberle for organizing our party. Thank you to Mrs. Aldaqaq and Mr. Rodriguez for helping with the party. We had a great time!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nov. 8^th – Picture Retakes

Nov. 11^th – No School Veterans' Day

Nov. 23 -25 – Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 29th – Report Cards go home

Nov. 28-Dec. 2 – Parent Teacher Conferences

October 28, 2011

READING

Next week we will be reading about a real park ranger from New York City and the things that he does each day as part of his job.

We will be working on the comprehension strategies of fact and opinion, rereading for understanding and making generalizations.

Our vocabulary words are exploring, protect, tours, habitat, ranger and urban.

In phonics we will be focusing on consonant clusters (r, l, s) and the two sounds for c.

In grammar we will be writing command sentences.

MATH

In math we finished our chapter on adding two digits with regrouping. Our next chapter continues two digit addition with regrouping. When we have a group of 10 ones we “regroup” the ten to the ten's place. Knowing our math facts is helpful in adding two-digit numbers. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Student of the Week

James is the Student of the Week! He is a fast runner, good at playing video games and is a cub scout. His favorite animal is a cheetah and his favorite color is black. When James grows up he wants to be a Video Game Maker.

Halloween Party

Monday, October 31st

Parade-1:40, Party-2:00

Please come and watch the parade The students should bring their costumes to school in a bag. We will put them on prior to the parade starting. No makeup will be applied at school and no toy weapons are allowed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 31st– Halloween Parade and Party

November 1^st – Reading Logs are due

November 4^th – Movie Night

November 8^th – Picture Retakes

November 11^th – Veteran's Day – No School

November 23-25 – Thanksgiving Break

October 21, 2011

READING

Next week we will be working on a Reading/Writing Workshop. We will be concentrating on Descriptive Writing. We will be using descriptive words to write a paragraph about our own Halloween costumes.

We will follow the writing process of topic selection and use our five senses to describe our costumes.

In grammar we will be working on run on sentences. We will be doing a variety of Halloween activities and our spelling words are Halloween words.

 

MATH

In math we started our chapter on two digit addition. We will be using the math vocabulary regrouping. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Student of the Week

Sarah is the Student of the Week! She is helpful, caring and has a lot of friends. Her favorite animal is a dolphin and her favorite color is pink. When Sarah grows up she wants to be a Teacher.

Happy Birthday!

Gabrielle – October 17

Halloween Partries/Parade

Monday, October 31st

Parade-1:40, Party-2:00

Please come and watch the parade The students should bring their costumes to school in a bag. We will put them on prior to the parade starting. No makeup will be applied at school and no toy weapons are allowed. We will not be passing out candy at the party. If you child wishes to bring in something for the party they can bring in non-edible things, such as pencils, erasers, etc.

Progress Reports

Progress reports are coming home today. Please sign them and send them back to school.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 24^th - 2^nd Grade Music Concert

October 27^th – Early Dismissal

October 31st– Halloween Parade and Party

November 4^th – Movie Night

November 8^th – Picture Retakes

November 11^th – Veteran's Day – No School

Reading Logs

Reading Logs are due on November 1^st. We will have a lunch in the classroom reading party for all the children who have turned in completed logs by November 1^st.

October 14, 2011

READING

Next week we will be reading a fictional story about a boy named Henry who goes camping with his parents and his dog Mudge. Each one of them enjoys camping, but not for the same reasons.

We will be working on the comprehension strategies compare and contrast.

Our vocabulary words are backpack, campfire, hike, lanterns, camping and tent.

In phonics we will be focusing on the long vowel sounds of a, o and u., and the sounds for g.

In grammar we will be reviewing telling sentences and asking questions.

MATH

In math we have been working on number concepts and patterns. Next week we will be finishing our chapter on number patterns. Our chapter test will be on Monday. Our next chapter will be on 2-digit addition.  Please remember to practice flash cards daily. This will help when we are learning 2-digit addition and subraction.

Fire Safety Assembly

Lt. Tabisz and Firefighter Jamie Tunk came to our school on Wednesday and talked about fire safety. We learned about choosing a special meeting place in case of a fire, how to “stop, drop and roll”, and that we should never go back inside to get something we forgot. They also showed us the special gear that firemen wear for protection.

Student of the Week

Alex is the Student of the Week! He knows a lot about cars, likes to play video games and is good at acting. His favorite animal is a tiger and his favorite color is blue. When Alex grows up he wants to be a Plastic Surgeon.

Happy Birthday!

Gabriela – October 15

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 21^st – Family Halloween Party

October 24^th - 2^nd Grade Music Concert

October 27^th – Early Dismissal

October 31st– Halloween Parade and Party

November 4^th – Movie Night

November 8^th – Picture Retakes

November 11^th – Veteran's Day – No School

October 7, 2011

READING

In reading we will not be reading a new story. We will be doing a variety of reading/writing activites on a Fall theme. There will be no spelling words or test next week.

MATH

In math we will be focusing on odd/even numbers, greater than, less than and equal to when comparing numbers (<,>,=) and number patterns on a 100's chart. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Science

We have been learning about the heat and light energy. We will finish this chapter and have a test Thursday. Our next chapter will be about sound. What causes sound, how does sound travel and how do we make different sounds?

Student of the Week

Dustin is the Student of the Week! He has thirteen cousins, helps his uncle on his farm and has visited the St. Louis Arch. His favorite animal is a cheetah and his favorite color is blue. When Dustin grows up he wants to be in the Armed Forces.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 10th – Columbus Day - No School

October11^th–Teacher Institute Day-No School

October 21^st – Family Halloween Party

Oct. 31st– Halloween Parade and Party

Nov. 8^th – Picture Retakes

Nov. 11^th – Veteran's Day – No School

September 30, 2011

READING

Next week we will be reading two stories to compare fantasy and nonfiction. The fantasy story is about two hippos named George and Martha, Round and Round. The nonfiction story is from the magazine Ranger Rick called Hippos.

We will be working on the comprehension strategy of connecting and comparing. Phonics lessons will review the short vowels and concentrate on the long vowel a vccv pattern. Vocabulary words will be cross, observed, thoroughly, unmoved, herds, mammal, moisture, nostrils, relatives, moisture, sunscreen and wicked. High-frequency story words are bought, front, kitchen, until and roll. Our grammar lessons will review naming and action part of sentences.

MATH

Our next chapter is on number concepts and patterns. We will be learning about ordinal numbers, greater than, less than, odd and even numbers and skip counting. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Science

We learning about energy in motion. We are learning how heat and light are forms of enery and can change matter.

Student of the Week

Fariha is the Student of the Week! She is from Bangladesh, she has visited 15 states in the United States and plays the guitar. Her favorite animal is a cat and her favorite color is pink. When Fariha grows up she wants to be a Teacher.

Reading Logs

Our reading party for those who turned in a completed September Log will be Tuesday, October 4th. The children will eat their lunch in the classroom and watch a movie together. They can still purchase a hot lunch that day. Your logs will be sent home on Monday with a new reading sheet for October.

Happy Birthday!

Brenna – Sept. 27

Crystal – Sept. 30

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 10th – Columbus Day - No School

October 11^th – Teacher Institute Day-No School

October 21^st – Family Halloween Party

October 31^st – Classroom Halloween Party