About Me

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Carrollton, Texas, United States
Welcome to my blog! My name is Beth Carpenter! I am a 2nd grade teacher at Coyote Ridge Elementary. I majored in Early Childhood Education and have taught for 22 years. I have taught grades K- 3 which gives me a unique ability to know where my second graders fit within those grades. Teaching is more than a profession to me, it is a calling. I love to help light the fire of curiosity to help all my students become lifelong learners!

Schedule

Math 8:00-9:30 Brain Break 9:30-9:40 Enrichment 9:40-10:30 Guided Reading 10:30-11:30 Lunch 11:30-12:00 Writer's Workshop 12:00- 1:00 Recess 1:00-1:30 Reading/Social Studies 1:30-2:00 Science 2:00-2:50 Pack/Stack/Dismiss 2:50-3:00

Friday, October 23, 2015

Week 9

Dear Parents,
      We had another great week! Our book study of Stellaluna was a success. The children wrote a summary, analyzed the text for words that described how the character changed throughout the book and learned how authors carefully choose their words to help with describing a character and his/her actions.
       We finished our study about communities, culminating in our building day. I have great pictures to show of the communities and their builders, but I’m waiting until I have permission from all of you to do so. If you received an e-mail from me earlier this week, Please go onto skyward and check to see if you filled out the AUP section. This allows for your child to be photographed and the pictures shared on my blog and in our year book.
         We are continuing our unit on changing matter. The children had two fun learning opportunities to change matter this week. We made paper airplanes, choosing our own materials, then getting to test them by flying them outside. I have a short video of their fun. We also chose materials to meet a challenge: build the tallest structure in small groups keeping a cotton ball as high in the air as they could. There were some frustrations, but a lot of team work. As soon as the AUP section is filled out I can do so.

          I am so proud of all their hard work this week. I can’t wait to see our pumpkin projects next week. 

Saturday, October 17, 2015

                                            Izel and Joshua are our first Prideful Paw Winners!

Friday, October 16, 2015

Week 8

Dear Parents,
           I really saw the class get excited about writing this week. They love Mo Willem’s Pigeon books! They compared two of his books. They wrote about why or why not they would let pigeon drive the bus. They have even been challenged to write a letter to Mo giving him a new idea for him to use. I can’t wait to see their creative writing! 
           We also focused on our three types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural. The children chose their favorite one to write about. They were then paired up with others who like the same type of community. We will wrap up this unit with a building project. Please help us by collecting empty cereal boxes, milk cartons, or oatmeal containers to send to school next week. Our building day is Friday. I have construction paper, card stock, tape and glue for them to use as well. The board they will build  on is about 3x2 ft. Thank you in advance for your help.
            Thank you for watching our Pumpkin Project calendar and getting the parts in on time. I have sent the final copy paper for the project home in your child’s coyote folder today.

             I am looking forward to seeing you all tonight at our Fall Festival! I will get there as soon as I can. I’m dropping off one of my sons at the airport, then I will be back at CRE passing out candy by our classroom.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Week 7

Dear Parents,
            Our seventh week of school is concluded. We are learning to always do our best effort on our work. I am pleased with the quality of work your children are putting forth! There is a huge change in the work load from first grade to second grade. Your children have made the transition and are settling down to second grade expectations. Please still encourage your child to pack up his/her own backpack and be responsible for turning in homework, math/reading logs/ and special projects themselves. Please make sure that they are bringing home their book bag with the books we are reading in reading groups. Those books need to return the next day as we use them for more than one day to practice several different skills.
             I have not been able to post all my pictures on our blog as I need your permission to do so. Please see the red message at the bottom of this e-mail. I would love to show you what fun we have learning together.
            I hope you are having fun working on the pumpkin project together ! Enjoy your long weekend with your family!

Picture retakes are 10-19-15, Monday.  The only reasons for retakes are as follows:

Student is new to school or was absent on picture day
Anyone who purchased a picture package and returned the package (not a proof)
Eyes closed on first picture day


Students who did not like their picture are not allowed to go to retakes.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

                                                                  Me Bags
Reading to self

                                                                     Read to self
Our first Star Student
                                                                   Outside at recess

Week 6

Dear Parents,
     We are ready to settle down and get serious about second grade. I was so proud of my class on Friday. I saw many self directed learners as well as small groups working together to complete a task. The room was humming with wonderful learning opportunities. 
      I had my first six conferences this week and look forward to speaking to all of you about your children and how we can work together to make this your child’s best year yet! If you have not scheduled your conference please send back the conference form with your top three choices. I have sent another letter home with the times that are left to be scheduled.
      The book fair begins Monday. You may visit with your child at lunch, before school, or after school and go together, or send money with them any day next week. I will send them to the library at a convenient time. Our class will be going to the book fair on Tuesday from 1:00-1:20. Your child can purchase books then as well.
      The Pumpkin Book Project packet went home in your child’s coyote folder today. Please look at the calendar inside so that you know when the different parts of the project are due. One piece is due each week with the final project being turned in on Oct. 28th. This week. The Pumpkin Book Project Blueprint and supply list are due on Thursday October 8th. This is a project I hope you and your child will enjoy! Please e-mail me with any questions that you may have.