Wednesday, Nov. 31st

Tomorrow is book exchange-- bring and old book and exchange it for a another book to take home and read!

Notes from the reading specialist about conferences will also be coming home soon--look for it on FRI if your child sees a reading reading specialist.

Today we had a town hall meeting and a LOT of our classmates got scholastic reading count charms!! I have a feeling that we are going to be earning even more points for the next town hall meeting-- I can't wait until everyone earns a charm :) Congrats to our reader, Keegan, and our citizen of the month, Ato!

We have been reading been reading a lot of legends.  Try asking your child about their favorite legend we read in class.  See if they can remember the 2 elements all legends must have.

Remember that HW is due on Friday from the week before Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, Nov. 29th

This morning the kids had a a sub for a little bit (because I had a little dental issue that needed some immediate attention!) who reread them the book, Paperboy.  They drew pictures of their 'visualizations' and talked about what they 'saw' while reading the book.  They also took their math test with the sub.

When I got back to school we played a fun phonics game (a variation of Candy Land) with partners to help us get better at sounding out unknown words using blend we know.  We also learned about "attributes," sorting, and rules in regards to math and geometry.  The kids had to look at a few groups of shapes and determine what the 'rule' was.  We will be doing this more and more throughout Unit 5.

Tomorrow we will be doing some snowflake activities for poetry so I sure do hope the weather man is correct and we get a little snow tonight! We will be brainstorming a lot of sensory words having to do with snow and snowflakes so a little motivation from the weather will go a long way :)

Stay Warm!

Ps- Here are a couple pics from the parade in NYC from last weekend-- a lot of kids told me about the Detroit parade they went to and the ones they watched on TV so I thought I'd share a few fun ones from my trip with you all :)

This is the day before the parade while they were inflating the balloons

Me watching the parade (the kids asked for a picture of me at the parade to prove I was there- haha!)

Monday, Nov. 28th

Today in class we did a TON of math (practicing adding 2 digit numbers like 39 + 87 and even some 3 digit numbers like 235+395)  The students who are not solid on their mental math skills had a hard time with this.  Please practice flashcards at home if you think your child does not have his/her facts memorized yet. We practice them at school and we also do Fast Math to help with this skill.

In reading we read about a paperboy.  We tried to visualize what was happening in the story.  I don't show the kids the pictures during this time.  Good readers can make their own pictures in their head. The kids are getting better and better at this-- they even know the word 'visualize' :)

In writing we wrote about our break.  The kids got a chance to share and I loved hearing about all the things they did.  They were so very excited to tell me about all the fun things they got to do over break. 

Have a good night!

Tuesday, Nov. 22nd

Happy Thankgiving to all my families!! (and a happy-break-from-school to my familiies who aren't celebrating this week but who will be enjoying time at home :)

Today in class we wrote poems, read poems, and presented poems with our partners to the class.  We also looked at pictures of parade floats and saw how they are inflated and then read a poem about a parade float.  My husband and I are headed to the Macy's parade in NYC this week and I can't wait to come back and show the picture to the kids!  They had a lot of requests about which pictures I need to come back to show them (take a picture of sponge bob! take a picture of spider man! ect.) haha :) 

Monday, Nov. 21st

What a great day! We had a ton of fun and the kids did SO GREAT with their little play, with their behavior, with their work--with everything!

I took a video of the two plays we performed for the 1st graders today but they are too big for me to upload on the website and too big to email! I would love to find a way to share them with you all so please email me if you have any ideas or technology know-how :)

Remember, HALF DAY TOMORROW! We get out at 11:30

Friday, Nov. 18th

Today in class we practicing our reader's theater (play) for Monday.  We also made hats for the Native Americans and Pilgrams to wear duing the play :)
In writing we finished a few on-going projects about what we have learned about PIlgrims and Native Americans. We also finished our Magic-E turkeys.  These all came home in the orange folder (a couple kids were not done so I had them take the pieces to their turkeys home so they could finshed up if they wanted)

New homework went home today.  This homework will not be due on Friday, Dec. 2nd. 

Remember not to send a lunch to school on Monday if your child is attending the Thanksgiving feast!

Half day on TUESDAY next week!

Have a good weekend :)

Thursday, Nov. 17th

Today in class we practiced estimating.  We talked about 'easy numbers' being those that end in a 5 or a 0.  Estimating with easy numbers makes it a lot quicker to add and subtract!

We also practiced out native american and pilgrim play :)  Practicing plays help kids gain better fluency when they read aloud. 

In writing we illustrated out big stories. They will be coming home tomorrow :)

***Remember to send me back the conference forms if you havnt!!
***Tuesday the 22nd is a half day. No school the rest of that week.

Wednesday, Nov. 16th

Thank you so much for sending all the conference slips back to me so promptly!! I have all but 3 children scheduled (so you better hurry up and pick a time if you havn't! :) )  I have been so impressed by how on-top-of-it all my parents are this year-- way to go!

Today I will be sending home another piece of paper that couldn't wait until Friday.  It is about our Thanksgiving feast and activities.  Pelase look for it in the backpack.

Also, I need to let you know that I made a HUGE mistake on the conference form!!!!! I thought that Dec. 8th was a hlaf-day for students but it is NOT.  I did not put morning times on the conference form because I thought we had kids in the morning- yikes!! I am so sorry about this-- I felt so silly when I realized my mistake.  I am going to keep all the times the same because the evening ones are usually the ones people perfer anyways but if you currently have an afternoon or evening spot and would like a morning one, please let me know; turns out I will be here at school WITHOUT kids that morning! My apologies.

Monday, Nov. 14th

Today in class we read a book about Sarah Hale and her contribution to history.  We also read a book about pilgrims and native americans and did a retelling activity.
In math we did a LOT of problem solving and this was tricky for many kids.  I had to remind them that they may need to try a few solutions before they find the right one.

**Please read my post from FRI for updates about the food drive and Thanksgiving.  Thanks!

Friday, Nov. 11th

Today in class we working on 'buying' items with money and making change.  We also reviewed estimating.  In reading we worked on the silent E and did some rhyming with silent E words.  I stress to the kids that when the silent E is added, the vowel sound changes to a long vowel (the vowel says it's name).  We start with a word like SIT (the I is a short vowel sound) and then add an E to make SITE (now the I says it's name--a long vowel sound).  Some students who are more advanced readers did not need to review/learn this so they worked in groups reading non-fiction texts.

Homework went home today (thanks to Robyn's mom for filling the binders up for us!).
PLEASE send back the dentist/teeth cleaning form if you have it! This is a totally FREE service so you might as well take advantage!

**We are doing a canned food drive for Thanksgiving right now! We need boxed potatoes, boxed stuffing, kraft mac and cheese, gravy in a can, canned yams, cranberry sauce, and basically anything else that can be eaten at a Thanksgiving meal!  Please start sending items if you are able.  All donations will be packaged up and given to Poupard families in need this holiday.

Also, I am planning a fun Thankgiving Meal for the class on Monday afternoon, the 21st.  We have been learning about the mayflower and pilgrims and will continue to learn about native americans and life during that time.  To wrap up our study, we will be having our own Thanksgiving meal as a 'classroom family.'  I will be making a turkey for the class and would like to also serve them stuffing, mashed potatoes, juice, and cornbread muffins.  I will be sending a note home to all parents letting them know that you will not need to pack your child a lunch on this day.  If you are able to make and send any of the food items or if you would like to come help me carve the turkey (I am not great at this!) and serve the little 'pilgrims' and 'native americans' that day, let me know!

Happy Veteran's Day to any veterans out there! My brother in law did a tour in Iraq two years ago and we are SO happy to have him home now.  I know that Veterans make a HUGE sacrifice for all of us and I truly appreciate it :)  I wasn't able to teach much about this topic today so I hope that you can chat about it with your student this weekend.  The concept of 'war' is hard for them to understand and can be a bit too scary but talking to them instead about having respect and appreciation for the men and women in the armed forces is a great way to celebrate the day.

Hope you all have a great weekend!! As always, thanks for giving me such awesome kids to work with each day-- I love all my 2nd graders :)

Thursday, Nov. 10th

It's been a couple days since I've posted here on the blog; we had no school on Tuesday and I was out sick yesterday.

Today in class we made little mini suitcases and filled them with writing and drawings of items that we would want to take with us if we were passengers on the mayflower.  Some students wanted to take stuffed animals, some wanted pictures, some wanted a coloring book, and some wanted a toothbrush (good choice!) Ask your child what they wanted to pack! The suitcases will be hanging up in our hallway soon :)

We also did a lot of work with thermometers in math today.  We found out that water freezes at 32 degrees.

I am interested in getting a little thermometer that you stick the window to measure the temperature outdoor to help the kids monitor the temperature this winter-- if you have an extra little outside one that you would be willing to donate, I would appreciate it!

The kids had a very short assembly today to introduce the fundraiser that we are doing this month.  The packets were also sent home today.  The PTO will be using the fundraising money earned to continue providing all the amazing resources and items for our kids and school.  Participate if you can!

Homework due tomorrow! Also, please send back that flier about the dental cleaning if you're interested! Thanks.

Monday, Nov. 7th

Don't forget- no school tomorrow!!
I sent home some information about the mobile dentist today.  Please read it.  I try not to send papers home on days other than Friday but this one was time sensitive so I wanted to give it to you right away.  We had this program at my old school and it was pretty neat for those who are interested/need the service! :)

Today in class we learned more about the pilgrims and life in the past.  We looked at their clothes and talked about chores and games that the pilgrim children played.  The kids were pretty horrified when I told them that the kids had to work all day just like the adults! You should have heard their responses-- haha!

Some of us also made some cute Thanksgiving themed place mats and centerpieces today for the senior living/nursing home nearby.  They are having a Thanksgiving feast for the residence and needed something to add a little cheer :) The kids wrote the sweetest things on their little notes to them--I wished I had my camera so I could post pictures for you to see!! Kids are so so precious!

In math today we practice added 2 digit numbers.  We will be doing the traditional algorithm this week (stack the two numbers on top of each other, add the ones place, add the tens place) without carrying.  We will start to do it with carrying in about a week and half!

Hope you all have a great night-- don't forget to place any book orders that you would like to place by the end of next week! Im putting in a bunch of new books for the classroom along with your orders and would like to get them ordered before Thanksgiving break. Thanks!

Friday, Nov. 4th

Happy Friday!! We had a great day today and I was especially excited to see that EVERY CHILD turned in a full reading log today in the homework binders!! All that reading at home and at school IS going to pay off for your child :)  They are going to be the smartest 2nd graders around :) Thank you for helping to get all that homework completed each week.
We also had a great day today because ALL of us were on green! Yaye!
In class we wrote the beginning of our "big story" we will be doing the middle of the story on Monday.  We also added and subtracted weight using pretend fish--ask your child about the fish in math today :)

Those who brought a dollar in today got to order a bagel.  The bagels will be delivered Monday morning.

Have a great weekend!
No School next Tuesday for kids.

Insect Projects :)

All the insects were so cute!! The kids loved sharing their work with eachother and with the 1st graders in our 'insect museum.'  We invited the 1st graders over to walk through our classroom and look at our insects.  We set up the displays like they would in a museum and played soft music.  They kids sat with their insects and answered quesitons about their creations.  Here are a few pictures of the day:

Thursday, Nov. 3rd

Today in class we took our math test.  Ask your child how they think it went!
We also talked about Native Americans and Pilgrams.  We will be learning a lot about American history in the next couple weeks.

We also got to the computer lab today! Lots of kids took Scholatic Reading test today-- ask your child how many points they have!

HW binders due tomorrow.
Have a great night :)

Wednesday, Nov. 2nd

Today in class we wrapped up our insect unit with a compare-contrast insect venn diagram.  We will be starting a new social studies unit tomorrow about history and the settlement of America.  This is a super fun unit and I know the kids will love it :)

In math we finished Unit 3 and will be taking our test TOMORROW! The unit is mostly based on adding and subtraction patterns, graphing, and mental math.  As always, the test will also include some review about money and time.  On Friday we will be starting Unit for with some weight and measurement activities.

In writing we are making our first REAL BIG writing project!!  We brainstormed today (ask you child what the problem and solution of their story is going to be!) and will start drafting on Friday.  Next week we will be doing revising and then onto editing and publishing! Writing a 'real big' writing project take a lot of time and hard work!

Friday will be the first day of a new fundraiser for the Reading Specialists.  We will be setting bagels and cream cheese (from Eastside Deli) for $1.  The kids have to order and pay on Friday and then will get the bagels Monday morning.  All the classrooms are doing the delivery of the bagels a little different but I will having the kids eat theirs first thing in the morning like a little breakfast OR they can save it for snack.  The money raised is going to go toward buying books for EVERY student in the school to take home--wow! Participate if you can.

**The book order finally came in today!! I sent them home in the backpacks.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

THANK YOU so much to all the parents who sent in snacks and treats for the halloween party yesterday!! Thank you also to those parents who came to help and a HUGE Thank you to Robyn's mom for sending out the flier, bringing treat bags for the kids, planning a fun treat-bug for the kids to make, and making our party a success :) I hope all of my families had a great night last night.

Today in class we read a Poppleton book about a helpful friend.  We are focusing on the reading strategy of "picturing the story as we read."  When I read to the children I do not show them the pictures.  They are supposed to visualize the story themselves and use the TEXT (sometimes they want to use their imaginations!) to create an imagine.  The book also taught us a lesson about being helpful to our friends :)

In math we practiced making change using a pretend vending machine.  Some students are able to do this so quickly! Others still need practice. 
Try handing your child a bunch of change tonight and letting them count it independently.  See how they do!