Roell

March...in like a Lion!

It's amazing that here in Georgia our first, and probably last, snow of the season would begin in March!  We'll have to be sure to check the weather early Monday morning so that we're not in for any surprises.

Picture day is Monday, March 2nd.  We do not have to prepay, and all pictures will be taken.  If you wish to choose a pose for your child, please send the form with them in the morning.  Our class picture will also be taken at this time.

We plan to give our IMI math test Tuesday.  Any review of the math concepts that your child has had difficulty with is appreciated--fractions of a set, fractional parts of a whole, comparing fractions; measurement: inches, feet, yards, centimeters, and temperature...(some great connections may be made at home with measurement of snow height, and temperature); place value, representations of number, and making change with money are also come concepts that you may wish to practice.  The second grade math website offers some review as well.

Beginning next week, our homework will be assigned in a different format.  In order to save paper, we have compiled a homework menu for all second graders to complete.  The instructions will be sent home with your child tomorrow as well as explained in class.  They also appear in the homework section of the Second Grade website in case your child forgets to bring their spiral notebook/assignment home. 

I will continue to encourage your child to check out AR books.  Many of the children have pushed harder this past nine weeks to reach their goal.  I have asked them to write their book report in a persuasive writing format.  (their opinion, and facts to support their opinion about the book with a conclusion that sums up their argument)  Many of the children have also taken AR tests to demonstrate comprehension of the book that they chose.

Please continue to drill math facts at home.  I have explained to the children that practice does not always have to be in the form of a timed test.  Knowing & reviewing facts may be practiced with flash cards, games, and online math activities.  The second grade website also includes games that support math facts and spelling.

Have any of you been able to visit the CRCT review site yet?  The forms with student ID numbers were sent home in their red folders.  I recommend that they visit the site to become familiar with the test format and questioning techniques.  You may also support their learning at home by reviewing the concepts that are found difficult or confusing.

Thank you for all you do!

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

     What an outstanding response to our Box Top collection this past week!  I am anxious (as I know the children are) to find out the results.  Also, thanks to your support, the Sock Hop was a huge success.  I know that if you were able to participate—you'll be spreading the word for next year too.

     To continue our Measurement Unit in math this week, we'll be using standard and nonstandard units to measure length.  We will begin with inches and centimeters, and then move on to feet, yards and meters next week.  To support this unit of study, you may have your child visit the following website to practice these concepts.  They may actually move a ruler to measure the lengths via the internet!  http://www.harcourtschool.com/thinkmath/index.html 

     In Science we plan to begin our study of celestial bodies.  There are a number of excellent websites on the Second Grade blog to support this unit of study.  I hope you will enjoy visiting these sites with your child!

     We will be exchanging valentines after lunch this coming Friday.  The children love sharing valentines with their friends as well as receiving them.  Please be sure that if your child plans to participate that they share cards with all of the children in the class. They may wish to 'check their list twice' to be sure that no one is left out.  I will offer another list to children that may have lost the original one.  We do not want to have any feelings hurt on this special day of caring. 

     Don't forget that February 16th is President's Day and a holiday for students.  Also, March 3rd is an Early Release Day with students being dismissed two hours early.  These days provide an excellent opportunity for children to read a couple of favorite books at home.  Please encourage your child to take advantage of these opportunities to read to you.

 

New Report Cards!

I hope everyone had a safe and restful Labor Day holiday.  I certainly enjoyed my time with the family—the weather was great for cook-outs!

PTA will host an information session with Dr. Abraham Tuesday evening at 6:30 about SPLOST.  Following the meeting, all grade levels will present information about the new report card and GPS standards.  I hope that you will be able to attend.

Please continue to support your child's mastery of addition facts at home.  We will be reviewing strategies in class that will help your child become more successful in this endeavor.  Math Blaster folders are due on Friday as usual.  You may also wish to support your child's efforts to master addition facts by visiting the second grade website's math links.

    

It's a Blast!

    Thank you to all who have sent in the registration information packet that was sent home the first week of school.  If you have not sent in the information, please do so as soon as possible.

     Parents, as you are aware, the Sitton Spelling Program “recycles” words continuously throughout the school year so that the children will not forget how to spell core spelling words.   Please look over your child’s spelling test and have your child record words that they have missed for at-home study.  They will be tested on these words again—so they will have an opportunity for success!  I have found in the past that the more we revisit our words in this spelling program, the more proficient the children become in proofreading their work. 

     The Sitton Spelling Website (below) is a great way to study for Thursday’s dictation sentence test.  Children may revisit words from previous units that were tricky for them.  I’m sure the children will enjoy practicing their words in many different ways.     

http://school.elps.k12.mi.us/donley/classrooms/berry/sitton_spelling_activities/2ndgrade_spelling/core_word_units.htm

   

     “Blast Off with Math” folders are sent home every Monday.  I have explained the assignment to the class. We are reviewing the addition facts first so that you can help support the mastery of addition before we jump into subtraction.  You may help your child achieve mastery of the addition facts with the use of flash cards and other games that support committing these facts to memory. Each child should set a personal goal of increasing the amount of facts completed correctly on their 5 minute timed test each week.  (You may wish to make this goal more exciting by offering an incentive when they reach their goal.) Please initial the graph sheet for the addition test and lightly color the graph. As they improve, they will be able to “see” their growth.  Specific instructions have been attached to the front of the folder.

A Nose for News

      I hope you enjoyed reading our hallway news!  We have had fun getting to know each other this week and learning about second grade expectations. 

     Thank you to those of you who have returned all of the student information forms sent home this week.  It is important to have current information on each child so that we can best meet their needs.

     Breakfast at school is becoming quite popular.  Remember, however, that it is served from 7:15 – 7:35.  If your child is a car rider, he/she must arrive by 7:30 to have breakfast at school.

     I have really enjoyed getting to know the class this past week and look forward to a rewarding and productive year of learning! 

Open House

It was great seeing so many parents at Open House.  I know that it was scheduled earlier this year which may have made it difficult for some of you to come.  I will send home the packet of information that we discussed to those of you who were unable to make it.  Hopefully, much of it is self-explanatory.  Also, as your children become more aware of the variety of materials that we will be using this year, they will be able to tell you more about each item on the list.  It takes a little while for us to get into our routine as many of the activities are new to the children this year.  The Orange Flyer that was sent home tells about a meeting we will be having September 2nd to go over the new report card and grading system.  We hope to see you there!

I appreciate all of the questions and comments that were shared this evening.  It is important to keep an open dialogue between home and school in order to best meet your child's needs. Please let me know of any further questions or concerns that may arise.

Welcome Back!

It was so great to see many of you at Sneak-A-Peek!  I think it's exciting to begin a new school year with lots of new friends--don't you?   I hope that you're enjoying the weekend and reflecting on the great times you have had over summer vacation.  I look forward to hearing about your adventures, favorite things, and learning all about you.  Have fun--I'll see you Monday!

Hooray!

     We have finished our CRCT testing.  Hooray!!  The children worked hard listening to directions and solving problems.  Thanks for all of your support at home reviewing class work, and reading with your child.  It does make a difference.

      We still have a lot of learning left—4 more weeks to go!  Please continue to support your child at home with spelling, reading, and math. This special time you spend with your child each day is very rewarding. 

Welcome Back!

     I hope that everyone had a wonderful SPRING BREAK!  Thank you to all who were able to attend our Japan Day presentations.  The assigned PowerPoint lesson became much more meaningful to the students when presented to such an important audience.  As stated previously, I will send home the printed version of their PowerPoint once I take them down from our hallway display.  (We want to share them with others before sending them home.)

     Next week the children will be having CRCT tests on reading and math WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, and FRIDAY.   We will not have homework assignments so that the children will be able to relax and get a good night’s sleep.  It is SO important that your child do these things to do his/her best work:

1.  Go to bed early and be well-rested.

2.  Have a good breakfast.

3.  Arrive at school ON TIME*

4.  Have a HEALTHY SNACK for the break during testing.

5.  Smile and do your best!

**Children who arrive late to school will not be able to enter the classroom while testing is in session—they will be held until the testing session is over.

Japan Day

      Thank you to everyone who was able to join us yesterday to walk and to all of you who helped us earn miles at home!  Having you involved in Walking Wellness Month sets a good example of a healthy life style for your child/children.

      Japan Day is almost here!  Each child has worked very hard to create a PowerPoint presentation to share on this day.  I hope that you will be able to join us this Thursday, April 3^rd, to celebrate from 8:15-10:00.  If you are only able to drop by for a short while before work, I plan to have your child be one of the first to share so that you will not miss their presentation. For those who are unable to attend, we should be able to find a time one day after school for you to drop by so that your child may share his/her presentation with you.  I will be sending home their printed copy in a few weeks.

     April 1^st is the 5^th grade performance at the PTA meeting and April 2^nd is Kindergarten registration.  April 7^th -11^th is Spring Break. I hope that you and your family have a safe and relaxing holiday break.  CRCT testing begins April 23^rd.