Week 20

Dear Parents,

         The children loved swim week but were happy to get back to a full day of learning. Our schedule has been changed around to accommodate the classes swimming this week. They will love to get back to our normal schedule next week. Math was a busy week with reviewing and assessing the math skills your children have learned thus far this year. Every second grader in the district has taken this assessment called our math CBA. Teachers use this information to look at what skills the children have learned and retained. It also shows if there should be reteaching in some areas.

          In writing we are learning how to persuade someone to believe our opinion. We compared it to a tug of war game, but instead of the rope going to one side or the other, the opinions do. They then partnered up to convince us of something like “ you should always be kind” or “It’s best to be honest”. We next decided to write a letter to someone to convince them to let them do something or get something. Beware, you might just get a letter to convince you of something from your child.

         In reading we read the story Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday  The children learned the value of saving money as well as learned some new vocabulary. We wrote about something we’d like to save up to buy. We also wrote about the story by reading quotes, thinking about them , then responding in our journals.

         In science we continued learning about bodied of water as we watched videos, a brain pop jr. episode, compared the properties of fresh /salt water and examined a scenario to decide what water the child was swimming in.

         In social studies the children have been learning about consumers, producers, wants and needs. We talked about the fact that needs help us stay alive. I promised them that their video games really ere wants! :)

         Daily the children are earning money for getting their job done at school, following directions, being on time, keeping an organized desk, and talking at appropriate times. They can also be fixed if these expectations are not met. They are trying very hard to earn a lot of money so they can be a consumer. They will use their money they earn this nine weeks to purchase snacks, treats, and a movie ticket to watch a much earned movie in our classroom at the end of this unit. 

         On Thursday the second grade got to SKYPE with author and illustrator Peter Raymundo. They had an opportunity to be the first children to hear him read aloud the beginning of his new book which will be released later this spring by Scholastic Books. They listened as he explained the process of getting ideas and writing a book. The questions the children asked showed how interested they were. They got to see him draw pictures live and on screen. Look at our blog for video clips and pictures.

I am also requesting that all children bring in 4 more large glue sticks, two large pink erasers, a new box of 24 crayons and more number 2 pencils as our supply is getting low. Thank you for your help. Only 11 children have brought new supplies. Everyone of them need of them. The children are borrowing from each other as all are running out of their supplies.

* Letters went home from the second grade teachers as well as our room mother, Tennille Massingale. Each child needs to bring in $3.00 to cover the cost of the supplies for the party. Each child also needs to bring in a shoe box decorated, with a large slit in the top of the box for the valentines to be put into. Please send the $3.00 by Friday February 9th. Please send in the decorated shoebox no later than Feb. 13th so we can make sure everyone has their box for the party.

• Ten students brought home a request for a snack item for our 100th day of school. The children will count out ten of each item to make a delicious snack next Friday. Please Check to see if your child has this note.