Reports went home today!! Please look for them in the orange folder.
Kids who did not return their homework completed today had to flip their cards, thus, we had a LOT more kids on yellow than usual. Please, please, please, help your child remember to do and bring their homework. It is important for them to learn responsible habits now so that they will be successful in 3rd grade and beyond.
Thank you! Have a great weekend :)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, March 24th
Today our mystery reader was Bella's mom!! She read a book about a dog to the class and it was certainly a hit. What is it about 2nd graders and puppies? Nothing is more exciting to them!
In reading we practice our play and worked on more expression, paying attention to punctuation, and doing movements. We also worked on reading comprehension activites after the read aloud. Encourage your child to take a 'slight pause' whenever the come to a period when reading aloud. Also, have your child reread a sentence if it ends in a question mark so that they can 'ask it like a question' with some inflection.
In math we played a game reveiwing place value and adding money. We did some more 'pretend shopping' and added up our bills. Additionally, we practiced making change.
Important Dates: Spring Concert is April 13th, Tin Can Auction is May 13th, Next Town Hall Meeting is April 5th, No School on March 31st, Conferences on the 30th and 31st of March, and TOMORROW report cards come home :)
In reading we practice our play and worked on more expression, paying attention to punctuation, and doing movements. We also worked on reading comprehension activites after the read aloud. Encourage your child to take a 'slight pause' whenever the come to a period when reading aloud. Also, have your child reread a sentence if it ends in a question mark so that they can 'ask it like a question' with some inflection.
In math we played a game reveiwing place value and adding money. We did some more 'pretend shopping' and added up our bills. Additionally, we practiced making change.
Important Dates: Spring Concert is April 13th, Tin Can Auction is May 13th, Next Town Hall Meeting is April 5th, No School on March 31st, Conferences on the 30th and 31st of March, and TOMORROW report cards come home :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wed. March 23rd
Our mystery reader today was Louis' dad! I think that Bob the Dinosaur was FOR SURE the favorite read aloud we've had during this month. We talked about Bob for the rest of the day! Only a week left of having Mystery Readers. I think the kids will be sad when April 1st comes.
In math today we started Unit 10 with some 'shopping' and adding money. I am so happy to see that this concept is coming back again and the kids are REALLY getting it now. We will continue with measurement in this unit and will have a LOT of measurement in our independent centers for the next 4 weeks.
In reading we did yet another play. Our word of the day was script and we talked about the use of parenthesis in scripts and why we don't say some things aloud when performing the play (like stage directions). We also learned that those little dots after the character's name is called a colon. They kids think this whole play-unit is SO VERY fun. A group of kids even decided to practice the play during inside recess just for fun :)
In math today we started Unit 10 with some 'shopping' and adding money. I am so happy to see that this concept is coming back again and the kids are REALLY getting it now. We will continue with measurement in this unit and will have a LOT of measurement in our independent centers for the next 4 weeks.
In reading we did yet another play. Our word of the day was script and we talked about the use of parenthesis in scripts and why we don't say some things aloud when performing the play (like stage directions). We also learned that those little dots after the character's name is called a colon. They kids think this whole play-unit is SO VERY fun. A group of kids even decided to practice the play during inside recess just for fun :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 22nd
Today our mystery readers was Sania's Aunt :) She read us a story about a special easter egg and it led to us brainstorming about the type of easter egg we would create to represent ourselves. Stay tuned for pics of our easter eggs we will be working on later this week.
In math we took a a test over Unit 9 and spent some extra time working on capacity (gallons, pints, cups, etc) We used the smartboard to make "gallon man" who help us remember how many cups in a pint, etc. As your child about it!
In reading we are doing plays, plays, plays! The kids are great with reading scripts and they are using a LOT more expression in their reading. I can see improvement in fluency and motivation already :)
In math we took a a test over Unit 9 and spent some extra time working on capacity (gallons, pints, cups, etc) We used the smartboard to make "gallon man" who help us remember how many cups in a pint, etc. As your child about it!
In reading we are doing plays, plays, plays! The kids are great with reading scripts and they are using a LOT more expression in their reading. I can see improvement in fluency and motivation already :)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 21st
Our mystery reader today was Mr. Tim!!!! It was GREAT to hear the kids talk about how 'cool' it was to have him in the room today :) He read us a great story. Ask your child about it!
In math today we worked on some review problems (counting money, making change, dividing evenly, measuring, etc.) We also finally finished up those final drafts of the Leprechaun stories (yaye!) and were able to do some peer-editing :)
**I need your help! I need clean, empty and see-thru containers in the following sizes: Gallon, half-Gallon, quart, pint, cups. I need several of each item so if you have anything at home, send it to me instead of tossing it!! Thanks!
Picture day is Wednesday! A flier went home on Friday with the order form. Let me know if you need an extra.
In math today we worked on some review problems (counting money, making change, dividing evenly, measuring, etc.) We also finally finished up those final drafts of the Leprechaun stories (yaye!) and were able to do some peer-editing :)
**I need your help! I need clean, empty and see-thru containers in the following sizes: Gallon, half-Gallon, quart, pint, cups. I need several of each item so if you have anything at home, send it to me instead of tossing it!! Thanks!
Picture day is Wednesday! A flier went home on Friday with the order form. Let me know if you need an extra.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, March 18th
Today our mystery reader was Ms. Stocks!! The kids were so excited to see her and we were all so happy that she could take a break from her busy day to read to us :)
We finished our drafts for our leprechaun stories (we will have to do the final drafts on Monday! These stories are so loooonnnggg!!) and we also worked most on fact vs. opinion in reading.
In math we compared different capacities (quarts vs. pints vs. gallons, etc.) this was a little challenging so we did it all together. I did the demonstrations and the kids counted and recorded how many pints it too to equal a quart, etc. We will need to do some more explorations with this but so far I am VERY impressed how calmly and rationally the kids were able to think about these tricky concepts.
Homework went home today as usual! Make sure to check the backpack for a few other important fliers from the office (especially the half-sheet asking everyone to NOT park in the circle drive for fear of getting a ticket! yikes!) Please try to park down the street and walk up to the school, or, walk from home if possible! I know parking can be hard around the school but it will be easier for everyone if we all try to follow the rules. Thanks!!
We finished our drafts for our leprechaun stories (we will have to do the final drafts on Monday! These stories are so loooonnnggg!!) and we also worked most on fact vs. opinion in reading.
In math we compared different capacities (quarts vs. pints vs. gallons, etc.) this was a little challenging so we did it all together. I did the demonstrations and the kids counted and recorded how many pints it too to equal a quart, etc. We will need to do some more explorations with this but so far I am VERY impressed how calmly and rationally the kids were able to think about these tricky concepts.
Homework went home today as usual! Make sure to check the backpack for a few other important fliers from the office (especially the half-sheet asking everyone to NOT park in the circle drive for fear of getting a ticket! yikes!) Please try to park down the street and walk up to the school, or, walk from home if possible! I know parking can be hard around the school but it will be easier for everyone if we all try to follow the rules. Thanks!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17th
Today our mystery reader was Molly's mom! The kids loved the irish book she brought and couldn't wait to tell her about the leprechaun that had been in our classroom that morning sprinkling gold coins around and making messes! Most of our day, in fact, was spent focusing on leprechauns and working on our stories! Ask your child about all the things that the leprechaun did today at school :)
The kids had a sub for the last part of the day (during the irish dancer assembly and for part of science and math). I got a great note form her and was happy to hear that the St. Patrick's day excitement didn't prevent anyone from getting good work done :)
Thanks to those that sent in green treats today!
The kids had a sub for the last part of the day (during the irish dancer assembly and for part of science and math). I got a great note form her and was happy to hear that the St. Patrick's day excitement didn't prevent anyone from getting good work done :)
Thanks to those that sent in green treats today!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 16th
Today our mystery reader was Ciera's sister! She brought along her mom and aunt who also brought us donuts :)
We also had our town hall meeting today where our citizen of the month was honored- yaye Molly!! Many of our classmates were also honored for earning LOTS of scholastic reading points! We are espcially proud of LOUIS who is the school leader in points! They called his name like he was being announced at a sports game and the look of his face was pure joy :)
In the afternoon we practiced finding the area of different shapes using graph paper. Next we will start to measure volume by filling different size containers with water.
We ended our day with computers and MANY student decided to take a scholastic reading test before starting fast math and/or earobics 2 (a phonics computer game)
We also had our town hall meeting today where our citizen of the month was honored- yaye Molly!! Many of our classmates were also honored for earning LOTS of scholastic reading points! We are espcially proud of LOUIS who is the school leader in points! They called his name like he was being announced at a sports game and the look of his face was pure joy :)
In the afternoon we practiced finding the area of different shapes using graph paper. Next we will start to measure volume by filling different size containers with water.
We ended our day with computers and MANY student decided to take a scholastic reading test before starting fast math and/or earobics 2 (a phonics computer game)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 15th
Thanks so much to Nick B's mom who came in to read to us! The kids are going to be so sad when reading month is over and they have to go back to me just reading to them everyday! :)
Tuesday, March 15th
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
1. C-Day 1:00- Assembly- Hooper-Pistons for March is Reading Month | 2. D-Day Read Across America Day Dr. Seuss B-Day | 3. A-Day Citizens Breakfast After School Pizza Sale | 4. B-Day School Store Game Night | |
7. C-Day A.M. School Only Students start at 8:20 NO LATE START TODAY | 8. D-Day PTO Meeting 7:00 | 9. A-Day Costco- 11:30-12:30 8:35-11:35- Tar Wars 5th Grade | 10. B-Day Town Hall Meeting 8:40 After School Pizza Sale | 11. C-Day |
14. D-Day | 15. A-Day | 16. B-Day Burger King Night 4-8 | 17. C-Day 1:00- Irish Dancers St Patrick’s Day Readers of America- Heugh-2:30-3:15 After School Pizza Sale | 18. D-Day |
24. D-Day | 25. A-Day PBS Activity- Obstacle Course in the GYM all day | 23. C-Day Lifetouch-Picture Day Market Day pick-up 2:30-4 | ||
31. No School Conferences AM, PM,Evening | 30. D-Day Parent Teacher Conference/Evening |
March Calendar! I dont think I've posted the WHOLE calendar yet this month (sorry!) I know the notation about the ABCD days is helpful :)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14th
Todays mystery reader was Meghan's mom! She read us a Dr. Seuss book we hadn't shared in class yet and of course, the kids loved it :) I still have 5 days at the end of month without a mystery reader so EMAIL ME if you want to sign up :) We do mystery reader daily at 10:25 (except on Mondays it is at 10:45).
In reading today we started with some new vocabulary that will be introduced in the next 2 stories. The words are: grunt, compare, venn diagram, contrast, 'in common,' and unique.
In writing we started a Leprechaun story. We are started by developing the character first. Ask your child what he/she choose as their character traits :)
In math we are continuing to measure and today we measured distance using a map. The students had to compare different routes and determine which route was shortest/longest. This was a great tie-in to our new map skills lesson in social studies :)
Upcoming events:
Town hall meeting is this Wed. the 16th. at 10am.
St. Patrick's day assembly on the 17th at 1pm.
Conferences and Book fair March 30 and 31st
No school March 31st
In reading today we started with some new vocabulary that will be introduced in the next 2 stories. The words are: grunt, compare, venn diagram, contrast, 'in common,' and unique.
In writing we started a Leprechaun story. We are started by developing the character first. Ask your child what he/she choose as their character traits :)
In math we are continuing to measure and today we measured distance using a map. The students had to compare different routes and determine which route was shortest/longest. This was a great tie-in to our new map skills lesson in social studies :)
Upcoming events:
Town hall meeting is this Wed. the 16th. at 10am.
St. Patrick's day assembly on the 17th at 1pm.
Conferences and Book fair March 30 and 31st
No school March 31st
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday, March 11th
Today we had Darren's mom come in as our Mystery Reader- she was great!! The kids loved this and Darren was very happy. I have taken a picture with each reader and will be making a display in the hallway at the end of the month (after we have had all of our readers). Make sure to check it out when you are here for conferences.
In class we made good-bye cards for Ronald who moved away. We also completed our letters to the President and will be addressing the envelopes and sending them away on Monday. In addition, we took our spelling tests and started our "pot of gold" (knowledge is gold!) project. Ask you child about it!
In math we are continuing to measure EVERYTHING in the classroom. We are mainly using inches, feet, and cm but are also using some additional metirc units to help the kids get more familiar with these units.
Fianlly, we too kour science test for motion and everyone did wonderfully. I am very excited and happy to be moving onto the econmoics and (more) map skills unit!
Have a good weekend!
In class we made good-bye cards for Ronald who moved away. We also completed our letters to the President and will be addressing the envelopes and sending them away on Monday. In addition, we took our spelling tests and started our "pot of gold" (knowledge is gold!) project. Ask you child about it!
In math we are continuing to measure EVERYTHING in the classroom. We are mainly using inches, feet, and cm but are also using some additional metirc units to help the kids get more familiar with these units.
Fianlly, we too kour science test for motion and everyone did wonderfully. I am very excited and happy to be moving onto the econmoics and (more) map skills unit!
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 10th
Today I had a sub because of district Professional Development. I was, however, in the school for half of the day doing work in the conference room. I found a little time to peek in and say hi to the kids and WOW- I was so happy and impressed by their perfect behavior! I saw kids reading, working, being kind to each other....sigh...what lovely children you all have raised :)
I can't wait to get to school tomorrow and read the notes from the sub (I hope the whole day went just as well as the few moments I saw)! I missed the kids so much!
A little update on curriculum-
We are using decimeters in math now. We learned that 10 cm = 1dm. We have also been using yard sticks and meter sticks. The kids are required to work in both the metric and english systems of measurements. The homework requires you to measure items at home and comes with a paper ruler. If you'd like, I would recommend picking a real ruler up at the store whenever you get the chance. I bought 30 of them from office max that have ALL the units we need (one ruler for inches, cm, mm, dm) it has made things a lot easier for the kids. They hate not knowing which ruler to use.
In science we are wrapping up the motion unit by taking our 'unit test' tomorrow. The test mainly focuses on vocabulary such as: motion, force, gravity. The concepts were very easy for most of the kids to grasp right away and I think they will do fantastic on the test. Our next unit will be a Social Studies unit- Economics!
**As I mentioned here before, I want to do a little play/reader's theater at the end of our drama unit. If you are willing to help at all with this (simple props, simple costumes, helping the kids rehearse, etc) let me know. I want to make it fun for the kids but not too overwhelming for them :)
I can't wait to get to school tomorrow and read the notes from the sub (I hope the whole day went just as well as the few moments I saw)! I missed the kids so much!
A little update on curriculum-
We are using decimeters in math now. We learned that 10 cm = 1dm. We have also been using yard sticks and meter sticks. The kids are required to work in both the metric and english systems of measurements. The homework requires you to measure items at home and comes with a paper ruler. If you'd like, I would recommend picking a real ruler up at the store whenever you get the chance. I bought 30 of them from office max that have ALL the units we need (one ruler for inches, cm, mm, dm) it has made things a lot easier for the kids. They hate not knowing which ruler to use.
In science we are wrapping up the motion unit by taking our 'unit test' tomorrow. The test mainly focuses on vocabulary such as: motion, force, gravity. The concepts were very easy for most of the kids to grasp right away and I think they will do fantastic on the test. Our next unit will be a Social Studies unit- Economics!
**As I mentioned here before, I want to do a little play/reader's theater at the end of our drama unit. If you are willing to help at all with this (simple props, simple costumes, helping the kids rehearse, etc) let me know. I want to make it fun for the kids but not too overwhelming for them :)
Monday, March 07, 2011
Dr. Seuss Day!!
What a day! Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2nd) was SO busy and made Mrs. Stewart SO tired that I couldn't even blog about it until after I'd had several days of rest! haha
It was the BEST day ever for the kids- we had High Schoolers come read to us, we baked cakes (4 of them!) ate green eggs and ham, wrote Seuss-Like stories, identified rhymes, played games...wow! What fun :) Here are some pics from the day.
It was the BEST day ever for the kids- we had High Schoolers come read to us, we baked cakes (4 of them!) ate green eggs and ham, wrote Seuss-Like stories, identified rhymes, played games...wow! What fun :) Here are some pics from the day.
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| There's a Wocket in My Pocket Project ("There's a Zocket in my Pocket" by "Dr. Molly") |
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| One Fish, Two Fish... |
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| Red Fish, Blue Fish! |
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| Graph Making with our fish |
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| We ate Green Eggs and Ham! |
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| Mrs. Ranieri made the green eggs and ham for us while we made Dr. Seuss' Birthday cake for her class! |
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Frosting the cake after they made the WHOLE THING all by themselves!!! (yes, they measured the oil & water, cracked the eggs and stirred it!)  |
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| 2nd Graders frosting cake-- yum! |
Monday, March 7th
Happy Half-Day!
What a tiny class we have today- only 12 students so far!
This week we will be ending our study of the Presidents and beginning to read plays and practice Drama! reading aloud in a play helps students to develop good fluency- which enables them to read aloud with ease and confidence. This should be a great unit considering all the talent in this class! We have singers, actors, dancers-- I am hoping to do a final production (something small, nothing BIG) at the end of the unit and I will keep you posted when I decide the date of that (towards that end of April).
We are also starting a new math unit this week- probability and more measurement.
What a tiny class we have today- only 12 students so far!
This week we will be ending our study of the Presidents and beginning to read plays and practice Drama! reading aloud in a play helps students to develop good fluency- which enables them to read aloud with ease and confidence. This should be a great unit considering all the talent in this class! We have singers, actors, dancers-- I am hoping to do a final production (something small, nothing BIG) at the end of the unit and I will keep you posted when I decide the date of that (towards that end of April).
We are also starting a new math unit this week- probability and more measurement.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Scholastic Book Orders
PLEASE order books from Scholastic if you're planning to purchase some for your child! The prices are WAY better and it will help us buy books for the classroom :)
go to this link
http://pcool.scholastic.com/parentordering/login.jsp?ESP=SBC/ib//acq/pcool_slimnav_Parents///nav/txtl////
Then click on "Register"
Enter the activation code: HT2MW
This is a great site to use because you can enter your child's lexile level or grade level to find books that are "just right." Use can also pay online so that you never have to send money to school or anything. The books will be sent to me and I will give them to you.
It's so easy!
go to this link
http://pcool.scholastic.com/parentordering/login.jsp?ESP=SBC/ib//acq/pcool_slimnav_Parents///nav/txtl////
Then click on "Register"
Enter the activation code: HT2MW
This is a great site to use because you can enter your child's lexile level or grade level to find books that are "just right." Use can also pay online so that you never have to send money to school or anything. The books will be sent to me and I will give them to you.
It's so easy!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Tuesday, March 1st
Today was the kick-off for "March is Reading Month" and it was aswesome!! Coach Aaron from the detroit Pistons came for an assembly and the kids LOVED LOVED LOVED it! He talked about doing the right thing and putting school work first. There will be fliers coming home about buying discounted Pistons tickets for a game on March 16th in the Friday HW binder
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We also had our first mystery reader- Nick's mom! The excitement was too much! They loved this! It was great to have another adult they look up to reading in the classroom :)
Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss' birthday so we will be having Green Eggs and Ham AND a birthday cake for Dr. Seuss! I want the students to practice measuring so they are going to help make the cakes (we will make 4 total- some to share with the other 2nd graders!) and bake them in the teachers lounge. We are also going to do several rhyming activities that accompany some of Dr. Seuss' books. I told the students to bring their Dr. Seuss books from home to read tomorrow :)
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We also had our first mystery reader- Nick's mom! The excitement was too much! They loved this! It was great to have another adult they look up to reading in the classroom :)
Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss' birthday so we will be having Green Eggs and Ham AND a birthday cake for Dr. Seuss! I want the students to practice measuring so they are going to help make the cakes (we will make 4 total- some to share with the other 2nd graders!) and bake them in the teachers lounge. We are also going to do several rhyming activities that accompany some of Dr. Seuss' books. I told the students to bring their Dr. Seuss books from home to read tomorrow :)
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