December 15, 2008

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. We will have a spelling unit on holiday words and a test on Friday.
Our next story will be about a girl who loves to draw and paint. To surprise her grandmother on her birthday, she hangs up her artwork up at the subway station where her grandmother works.
In phonics we will be focusing on the the vowel pairs ee, ea and the suffixes -tion and -ture.
Vocabulary words are booth, station, plaque, subway, token, collection.
Comprehension strategies are making inferences and evaluating.
In grammar we will be working on nouns and how they change when they are a plural.

MATH
In math we are continuing to work on 2-digit subtraction. The children are doing a good job with the understanding of regrouping with subtraction. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Social Studies
We started a new chapter on the Earth. We are learning about landforms, crops, climate, producers and natural resources. Next week we will be learning about Christmas Around the World. We will learn about the customs of six different countries in the world.

Student of the Week
Kristina is the Student of the Week! She likes snow, dogs, monkeys and money. Kristina wishes that she had a dog. Her favorite color is green. When Kristina grows up she wants to be an Olympic Game Swimmer.

Parties/Helpers
We are having a book exchange at our party. Please send in a wrapped children's book leveled for 2nd or 3rd grade to school by Dec. 18th. It should cost no more than $5.00.
On Dec. 19th we will have our holiday party. The helpers will be arriving to set up at 1:50. No siblings are allowed at school during parties, guest readers or helping in the classroom.

Field Trip
We will be caroling at the Fairview Nursing home on Thursday, December 18th. The children are to bring a bag lunch that day. No hot lunch will be served since our lunchtime will be after the caroling.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dec. 18 - 2nd grade Christmas Caroling
Dec. 19 – Holiday Party and book exchange
Dec. 22-Jan. 4 – Winter Break
Jan. 5 – Classes resume

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

December 8, 2008

READING
Next week we will be reading a story called The Big Bushy Mustache. It about a boy who gets a part in a school play. The mustache he wears in the play makes him look like his father, so he wears it home. Unfortunately, he loses it.
In phonics we will be focusing on the the vowel pairs ou, ow and the suffixes -ly and -ful.
Vocabulary words are bushy, costume, disguise, handsome, mirror, behind, soldier, story and mustache.
Comprehension strategies are predict/infer and problem solving.
In writing we will be working on writing a paragraph with a problem and solution.
In grammar we will be working on plurals.

MATH
In math we are continuing to work on 2-digit subtraction. Our chapter test will be on Wednesday. We will begin testing on math facts on Fridays. Watch for a letter coming home on Monday giving you the math facts that we are focusing on for the week. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Student of the Week
Emily is the Student of the Week! She likes cats, fairies, Webkinz and reading books. Emily wishes that she had a pony. Her favorite colors are blue and pink. When Emily grows up she wants to be a Veterinarian.

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. For inside recess, no Pokemon cards of any kind are allowed at school. Please keep all cards at home.

Monthly Reading Logs
Pizza Hut coupons and a special lunch and 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.

Parties/Helpers
On Dec. 19th we will have our holiday party. The helpers will be arriving to set up at 1:50. No siblings are allowed at school during parties, guest readers or helping in the classroom.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dec. 5 – No School Parent/Teacher Conferences
Dec. 12 – Pajama day
Dec. 18 - 2nd grade Christmas Caroling
Dec. 19 – Holiday Party and book exchange
Dec. 22-Jan. 4 – Winter Break

November 24, 2008

READING
Next week we will be working on fables, poetry and Thanksgiving activities.
After Thanksgiving, we will be reading a photo essay about a boy named David who visits a firehouse with his class. At the firehouse, they see different fire trucks and even help wash one!
In phonics we will be focusing on the the vowel pairs ai, ay and compound words.
Vocabulary words are chief, dispatch, emergencies, fire engine, firefighters, gear, clothes, guess and order.
Comprehension strategies are topic, main idea and details.
In grammar we will be working on special nouns.

MATH
In math we are starting the next chapter on 2-digit subtraction. We will be 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.
Student of the Week
Kelcie is the Student of the Week! She likes playing the guitar, Nintendo DS and Halloween. Kelcie wishes that she could be rich. Her favorite color is blue. When Kelcie grows up she wants to be a Singer.

Science
We will be finishing our chapter on animals, life cycles and plants. We will have our test on Tuesday.

Nov. 19th– Ian

Music Concert
The children did a great job at the music concert! I am very proud of them.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nov. 21st – End of the 1st Trimester
Nov, 26-28 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1st – Reading Logs are due
Dec. 2th – Report Cards
Dec. 1st-5th – Parent/Teacher Conferences
Dec. 5th – No School

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 17, 2008

READING
Next week we will be having a writer's workshop on persuasive writing. The children will be learning how to persuade someone of something through their writing.
In phonics we will be focusing on the digraphs th, wh, sh, ch and the long vowel sounds of e and a.
In grammar we will be working on combining sentences.

MATH
In math we going to be finishing our chapter on 2 digit addition. Our chapter test will be on Wednesday. Our next chapter will introducing 2 digit subtraction. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Parent Teacher Conferences
Today your child is bringing home a parent/teacher conference slip. Please sign it and return it to school as soon as possible. Conferences are the week of December 1st through the 5th.

Classroom Rules
Some of the children in the class are still having difficulty following classroom rules/manners. Parents please remind your children of the school rules and kindness to others. They should be polite and listen to our guest readers and teachers coming into our classroom teaching us.

Student of the Week
Chris is the Student of the Week! He likes ipods, digital cameras, club penguin and eating pie. Chris wishes that he could be the President of the United States. His favorite color is orange. When Chris grows up he wants to be a Dad.

Nov. 15th – Adam

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nov. 11th – Veterans' Day – No School
Nov. 19th - 2nd Grade Music Program
Nov. 21st – End of the 1st Trimester
Nov, 26-28 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 2th – Report Cards

November 7, 2008

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 are starting a new chapter on two-digit addition. We will be learning how numbers can be broken apart and grouped in different ways to make calculations simpler. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Social Studies
We started Junior Achievement this week. Our teacher is Mr. Coonce. He 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
Cameron is the Student of the Week! He likes wrestling and basketball. Cameron wishes that he could have a PSP or Xbox 360 game system. His favorite color is red. When Cameron grows up he wants to be a Basketball Player.
Nov. 5th - Bobbi

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nov. 11th – Veterans' Day – No School
Nov. 19th - 2nd Grade Music Program
Nov. 21st – End of the 1st Trimester
Nov, 26-28 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 2th – Report Cards

October 31, 2008

READING
Next week we will working on the theme wrap up of the unit Nature Walk. We will read a fiction and non-fiction story about owls.
We will be working on the comprehension strategies of predict/infer, question, monitor/clarify and contrast.
Our vocabulary words are clearing, echo, meadow, owling, pumped, shadows, threading, rarely, active, blend, outlined and curved.
In phonics we will be focusing on the long vowel sounds of o, u and e.
In grammar we will be writing telling sentences and questions.

MATH
In math we are working on adding two digits with regrouping. Our chapter test will be on Thursday. Our next chapter continues two digit addition with regrouping. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Science
We are working on animals and plants. If you have any old magazines we could use them for some activities in school.

Red, White and Blue Day
November 3rd is red, white and blue day. Don't forget to wear something with those patriotic colors. We will be voting and learning about elections.

Student of the Week
Ian is the Student of the Week! He likes to eat at Pizza Hut, legos and playing video games. Ian wishes that he could have a WII game system. His favorite colors are blue and black. When Ian grows up he wants to be a Football Player.

Halloween Party
Thank you to Mrs. Meyer and Ms. Zimmerman for organizing our party. Thank you to Mrs. Doss, Mrs. Cimbalista, Mrs. Maschio and Mrs. Peloso for helping with the party. We had a great time!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nov. 3rd – Red, White and Blue Day
Nov. 4th – Teacher Institute Day – No School
Nov. 6th – Picture Retake Day
Nov. 11th – Veterans' Day – No School
Nov. 19th - 2nd Grade Music Program
Nov, 26-28 – Thanksgiving Break

October 24, 2008

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

Science
We are working on Living and Nonliving things this week. We are using the vocabulary habitat, nutrients, oxygen, living and nonliving.

Student of the Week
Bobbi is the Student of the Week! She likes Hannah Montana, High School Musical, eating strawberries and eating at McDonalds. Bobbi wishes that she could star in High School Musical. Her favorite color is red. When Bobbi grows up she wants to be a Veternarian.

Halloween Party/Parade
Friday, October 31st
Parade-1:30, 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.

Please make sure you sign and return your child's progress reports.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oct. 31st – Halloween Parade and Party
Nov. 3rd – Red, White and Blue Day
Nov. 4th – Teacher Institute Day – No School
Nov. 6th – Picture Retake Day
Nov. 11th – Veterans' Day – No School
Nov. 19th - 2nd Grade Music Program

October 17, 2008

READING
Next week we will be reading about a read 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 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 Thursday. Our next chapter will be on 2-digit addition. Please remember to practice flash cards daily.

Science
We started our chapter on Living and Nonliving things this week. We are discussing what living things need in order to survive.

Student of the Week
Endia is the Student of the Week! She likes chickens, babies and teddy bears. Endia wishes that she could have a dog. Her favorite color is blue. When Endia grows up she wants to be a Day Care owner.

Happy Birthday!

October 18 – Chris
October 19 - Dave

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oct. 22nd – Early Dismissal Day
Oct. 24th – Halloween Fun Fest
Oct. 31st – Halloween Parade and Party
Nov. 3rd – Red, White and Blue Day
Nov. 4th – Teacher Institute Day – No School
Nov. 6th – Picture Retake Day
Nov. 11th – Veterans' Day – No School

October 10, 2008

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.

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

Science/Social Studies
We will be starting a chapter on Living and Nonliving things in Science. We continue to work on map skills in Social Studies.

Student of the Week
Brock is the Student of the Week! He likes London, Halloween, reading books and playing the violin. Brock wishes that he was rich. His favorite color is black. When Brock grows up he wants to be a Jet Fighter Pilot.

Fire Safety Assembly
Lt. Tabisz came to our school on Friday 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. He also showed us the special gear that firemen wear for protection.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oct. 13th – Columbus Day – No school
Oct. 22nd – Early Dismissal Day
Oct. 24th – Halloween Fun Fest
Oct. 31st – Halloween Parade and Party
Nov. 19th - 2nd Grade Music Program

October 3, 2008

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 will be finishing our chapter on Place Value. We will have a chapter test on Wednesday. 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.

Social Studies
We will be finishing our chapter on communities and where we live. We will have a test on Thursday this week.

Student of the Week
Antonio is the Student of the Week! He likes dogs, Hershey kisses, football and chocolate chip cookies. Antonio wishes that he could have a dog. His favorite color is red. When Antonio grows up he wants to be a baseball player.

Snack
Please make sure your child has snack. We have some snacks that parents have donated to our class for children who forget their snacks. Thank you for the donations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Oct. 10th – Robert Crown Field Trip
Oct. 10th – Gym Night
Oct. 13th – Columbus Day – No school
Oct. 22nd – Early Dismissal Day
Oct. 24th – Halloween Fun Fest
Oct. 31st – Halloween Parade and Party

Septmeber 26, 2008

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
In math we finished our chapter on subtraction. We have started a new chapter on place value. We will be counting, reading and writing numbers up to 100. We will identify the place value of each digit (ones, tens, hundreds). We will be comparing numbers. Remember to keep practicing the addition and subtraction flash cards at home.

Character Counts
The Character Counts pillar for the month of October is Responsibility. Have your child show spirit by wearing green every Friday in October. We will be discussing responsible behavior at school and at home.

Library
Due to scheduling for our RTI classes our library check out day changed from Tuesday to Mondays. We will still have library time with Mrs. Bouton on Thursdays.

Student of the Week
Sarah is the Student of the Week! She likes teddy bears, eating apples, watermelon and candy. Sarah wishes that she could have a baby bird. Her favorite color is pink. When Sarah grows up she wants to be a Mom.

Scholastic Books Order
If you would like to order books from Lucky Book Club, please fill out the form. Return it to school with a check made out to Scholastic Book Club. This needs to be returned to school by October 2nd.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 10th – Field Trip to Robert Crown
October 10th – Gym Night
October 13th – Columbus Day – No School

September 19, 2008

READING
Our story for next week will be Mrs. Brown Went to Town, by Wong Herbert Yee. This story is about a woman whose farm animal move into her house while she is away. They have a lot of fun.
We will be working on the comprehension strategies of predicting outcomes and connecting and comparing. Phonics lessons will include the long vowels a and i following a cvce pattern (consonant, vowel, consonant, silent e) Vocabulary words will be commotion, wearing, delivered, tire, feathers, releases. High-frequency story words are floor, letter, move, poor and word. Our grammar lessons will focus on verbs.
We will be starting our RTI reading groups on Monday. Please read the letter that is going home.

MATH
In math we began working on subtraction. We are working on fact families, counting back and using addition to solve subtraction problems. Next week we will finish our chapter on subtraction.
Please remember to review math facts with your child.

Student of the Week
Dave is the Student of the Week! He likes to play soccer. Dave wishes that he didn't have to clean up. His favorite color is pink. When Dave grows up he wants to be a Verizon Wireless worker.

Snack
Just a reminder that snack is to be a healthy snack. Fresh fruit, cheese, goldfish crackers, pretzels, and 100% juice are the choices for snack. Please remember this when packing snack for your child.

Stoplight
We are following the stoplight behavior program in our classroom. We have a chart in the front of our green folders telling you what your child's behavior was for the day. Please review this with your child.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 24th_ Book Fair 6:30-8:00
September 25th -School Pictures
October 10th – Gym Night
October 13th – Columbus Day – No School

September 12, 2008

READING
We have been working this past week on the writing process. We started out with topic selection, characters, problem and solution. Next we wrote our sloppy copy which was revised. We finished with our final story.
We concentrated on who the character is in a story and what the problem is and how it is resolved in the story.
Next week our story is Julius by Angela Johnson. We'll read about Maya's pig, Julius. Julius and Maya learn a lot from each other – Julius teaches Maya fun activities like trying on hats and dancing to jazz, and Maya teaches Julius how to be polite. The comprehension strategies will be fantasy/realism, rereading for understanding and drawing conclusions.
In spelling, we will be focusing on the short vowel sounds of e, o and u. The children will have a pre-test of the week's spelling words on Monday and study the missed words and challenge words during the week for a Friday test.

Curriculum Night
Thank you for attending Curriculum Night and signing up to help in the classroom. If you were unable to make it to Curriculum Night, I have sent home the information that was handed out that night.

MATH

In math we worked on adding numbers to 18. We reviewed the strategy adding three numbers and draw a picture to solve a story problem.
Next week we will work on subtraction facts and strategies. Please remember to review math facts with your child.

Student of the Week
We will be starting Student of the Week in our classroom. The children are chosen randomly to be our “Student of the Week”. When it is your child's turn please make sure you return the poster to us on Monday. On Friday of that week you can come in at 2:45 to read to our class. They can bring in something to share with the class any day during their special week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 16th - Early Dismissal we will have school until 12:00.
September 24th_ Book Fair 6:30-8:00
September 25th -School Pictures