Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Extra Set of Clothes

With the cool weather, I would recommend sending in an extra set of clothes.  Even though jackets and snow pants say waterproof, the kids can still get wet.  It is no fun learning in wet clothes.  We will also do a locker clean out this Thursday.  Be looking for a pile of things to come home.

Merry Christmas

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.  May you and your families spend time together and make many memorable memories.  Happy holidays and I will see everyone again in 2017!

Monthly Reward

The students have once again reached their monthly goal of collecting 150 Irish Pride tickets for being respectful, responsible, and safe.  The class voted and if students choose, they may bring 1 stuffed animal along to school with them this Thursday.

Upcoming Dates

Friday, Dec. 23rd- Jan. 2nd- No School
Tuesday, Jan. 3rd- School Resumes

Spelling Words

Jan. 3-6
  1. brew
  2. soup
  3. blue
  4. clue
  5. blew
  6. group
  7. cashew
  8. cartoon
  9. pursue

Writing

Your child has started learning about a new genre of writing called Realistic Fiction.  In a Realistic Fiction story there are real characters, real settings, and sometimes the story is written in a first person perspective by using the pronouns I, me, etc.  In the upcoming weeks your child will write a Realistic Fiction story from start to finish.

Math

In math, students are continuing to work on learning basic addition and subtraction math facts quickly within their head.  By knowing addition and subtraction facts, your child will have an easier time solving two-digit addition and subtraction problems after Christmas break.  Over Christmas break also spend some time counting money with your child up to $1.00.

Scissors

Some students still do not have a scissors to keep at school.  Please ask your child if he/she needs a new pair of scissors purchased to keep at school.  Thanks!

Dry Air



The air is dry indeed.  Several students have come to me with chapped lips or dry hands.  It might be a good idea to send to school with your child a small bottle of hand lotion and some chap stick to keep in their locker.

Just a Reminder



On Thursday, December 22nd our classroom will be having a read-a-thon in the morning.  The read-a-thon will last for one hour and your child may bring in books from home to read, your child may choose books from within our classroom to read, or your child may choose to read books that he/she has checked out from the library.  Everyone within our classroom will be reading the entire time including myself.  Every fifteen minutes the entire class will stop with what they are reading and two students will have the opportunity to give a book talk on the book they are reading.  With Christmas right around the corner the excitement level is rising within our classroom.  Your child has worked extremely hard already this year in his/her guided reading group.  This read– a-thon will be a nice, relaxing way for your child to relax and enjoy reading some of his/her favorite books before going into Christmas vacation.  If your child chooses he/she may bring in a healthy snack and/or a beverage to enjoy during the read-a-thon. 

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, December 21st- Wellness Wed. (Wear Workout Clothes)
Friday, December 23rd- January 2nd- No School

Spelling Words



Week Of:
Dec. 19-22
One-Syllable Words
1. down
2. shout
3. mouth
4. town
5. sprout
6. south
Two-Syllable Words
7. surround
8. powder
9. outside

Spelling



As your child studies his/her spelling words all next week, have him/her say each word carefully and picture how it looks before they actually write the word.  This will help your child visually remember what letter and where each letter goes within each word.
Spelling test on Thursday of next week! 

Read-a-Thon



On Thursday, December 22nd our classroom will be having a read-a-thon in the morning.  The read-a-thon will last for one hour and your child may bring in books from home to read, your child may choose books from within our classroom to read, or your child may choose to read books that he/she has checked out from the library.  Everyone within our classroom will be reading the entire time including myself.  Every fifteen minutes the entire class will stop with what they are reading and two students will have the opportunity to give a book talk on the book they are reading.  With Christmas right around the corner the excitement level is rising within our classroom.  Your child has worked extremely hard already this year in his/her guided reading group.  This read– a-thon will be a nice, relaxing way for your child to relax and enjoy reading some of his/her favorite books before going into Christmas vacation.  If your child chooses he/she may bring in a healthy snack and/or a beverage to enjoy during the read-a-thon. 

Math Problem of the Week



Sandy learned 6 math facts yesterday.  Today she is studying 6 more.  How many math facts will Sandy know altogether?

Math



Please spend time practicing with your child as often as you can basic addition facts such as: 7+7, 6+4, 3+7, etc.  Being able to solve basic math facts quickly is an important part of second grade math.  Using flashcards or shaking a pair of dice are great ways to reinforce these basic facts.  Also counting money and telling time are additional areas you can work on at home with your child.

Guided Reading



Guided Reading is going very well within our classroom.  Please make sure your child is spending time every night reading one of their guided reading books that are sent home in their book bag.  The most important thing to remember about guided reading is that your child is reading books at his/her own level!

Phonics



In phonics your child sorted words containing oy and oi.  Your child also worked on fluency by reading several short passages that contained words that had the spelling pattern oy or oi within them.


Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, Dec. 13th- 2 Hour Late Start (Wear an Irish Shirt), Trash to Cash Collection Day
Wednesday, Dec. 14th- Clubs Choice Delivery Day

Spelling Words



Week Of:
Dec. 12-16
One-Syllable Words
1. point
2. broil
3. boy
4. joint
5. spoil
6. toy
Two-Syllable Words
7. enjoy
8. poison
9. oyster

Box Tops



Keep collecting box tops!  Our school makes a substantial amount of money just by collecting box tops!  Some of the money that our school makes from collecting box tops is used to purchase additional items for individual classrooms.  The next box top collection date is December 13th.

Spelling



Next weeks spelling focus is working with words that have oi or oy within them as in:
point
broil
boy
toy

Math Problems of the Week



¨ I am a number between 70 and 90.
¨ I am an even number between 50 and 60.
¨ I am a number that is 12 more than 46.

Guided Reading



As you are reading with your child at home ask him/her what the main idea of the story is.