Week 1

Dear Parents,

         What a wonderful first week we had! We are all getting to know one another and working toward knowing expectations for a successful second grade year. In math we set up our notebooks and began learning our routines. We went over time to the hour, the two names of clocks we have in our room (digital and analog), the hand signs for being a part of number talks (a mental math strategy lesson), and how to independently work on solving word problems by finding multiple ways and tools to get an answer.

          In reading we learned about how to come to our gathering spot and what rug rule expectations. Are.  We read, listened to and discussed a few stories which helped us learn that we think as we read to understand the story. We made our friendship snack and had fun learning more about our classmates as they shared their Me bags.

           During guided reading we practiced read to self and buddy reading. We practiced what it looks like and what it doesn’t look like. We are building our reading stamina. The first try we only stayed focus as a class for two minutes. By Friday we were staying focused for almost nine minutes. As soon as someone looked around, spoke or got off task we would start the timer all over again. We sure had fun practicing!

             In writing we set up our writing notebooks, Wrote from two different prompts, then filled the pieces of a heart shaped puzzle with ideas that are close to our heart that we can write about.

             In science we set up our notebooks, learned the science safety rules, made an emergency plan and discussed what a scientist is and what he/she does. We had our first science investigation on Friday. Ask your child if he/she was able to save Sammy with his/her partner.

• Thank you parents for the wish list items you donated this week to our class as well as the ingredients to make our friendship snack. Your help is greatly appreciated.
• Starting the second week of school, reading logs will be going home  Mon.- Thurs. to be turned in on Friday. Directions are inside the logs. This is their nightly homework. I will provide 1-2 books a week which they can read nightly to help increase their fluency. They may also choose a book from home or the library to read instead. Those who return their logs filled out and initialed by a parent on Friday will receive a sticker for their reward chart.
• PE is on Thursday this week. Please have your child wear gym shoes. 😊