September News

Dear Parents,

Hello!  I wanted to remind everyone that Wednesday is our field trip to Botanica to learn about Monarch butterflies.  Everyone will need to bring a sack lunch, as we plan to eat there.  This is my very favorite field trip!

School is well underway now.  In writing, we are learning about "walking" stories and "climbing" stories.  Walking stories may be about summer, or their favorite place, etc.  Last week, students chose a topic and wrote a walking story.  This week, we will be concentrating on our butterfly informational books.

Reading groups are going well.  Some of the concepts we all work on are Main Idea, retelling, sequence, and answering who, what, where, when and why questions.

In math, we are starting Unit 2, which focuses on addition and subtraction strategies.  We are reviewing counting on, doubles, make ten, and will soon learn doubles +1 and  +2.

Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks.  Enjoy!

 Students are getting to know each other.  They completed a Venn Diagram with a partner to discover similarities and differences.

Students are working on creating a contraption that will shoot the pom-pom's the farthest.  We later went to the cafeteria and tested them out.   

Off to a Great Start!

Hello Everyone!  We are off to a great start in second grade.  I am going to try to post at least once a month here on my classroom blog to keep you updated about happenings in our room.  The first two weeks have been all about assessing and teaching routines and procedures.  I can honestly say that I have a GREAT class, and it is thanks to you all!  

We started our reading groups this week, so it finally feels like "real" school.  In writing, we are learning about sentences, and will soon start a report on butterflies.  Speaking of butterflies, our first field trip will be Wed. Sept. 23rd.  We will be going to Botanica to visit the butterfly garden.  We will bring our lunches and eat there, then the program will begin at 1:00.  In addition, I just placed our order for caterpillars from Insect Lore.  Each student will get her very own caterpillar to observe and record findings.  This is a favorite activity every year as we learn about life cycles.  

I will be sending home our first book order today.  Book orders are an excellent way to get quality literature at an excellent price.  It also helps our classroom, as we earn many books for free when you purchase!  Right now I am reading aloud Mrs. Nicholas is Ridiculous from the My Weird School series.  They are loving it!  There is a weird school book available on this book order for only $3.00! 

I only place online orders - so when you get your brochure, simply go to Scholastic Reading Club . Our class code is: GQLH7.    It's super easy!  The books come to the school, and I will make sure your child gets them.  This order will be due by Sept. 9, 2015. 

Dates to Remember:   Picture Day - Friday, Sept. 4

No School Sept. 7 & 8
Stat Night  Sept. 10, 2:00-6:30 - Come and Go
Sock Hop   Sat. Sept. 19

Here are some pictures from our first Fun Friday! 

Here are some pictures from our grade level wide character ed lesson on friendship: