Thursday, Sept. 26

LEFT at Home:

• None

RIGHT Back to School:

• None

Our Day:

• Joke of the Day: Where do cows go on vacation?
• Daily 5/CAFE:
• Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It:  Today we did something really cool:  We became Super Spies!  I introduced four "Confidential" Math Missions to your children.  During any "free time," your child can now choose to 1) read, 2) write, or 3) complete Math Missions.  Every time they complete a Math Mission, they stamp their finger in the "washable" ink (we tried washing and it didn't come off!) pad and fingerprint their mission paper.  I also introduced a Double Agent/Top Secret Mission.  It is VERY challenging!
  
• Read to Self:  We didn't have much time for Read to Self, but we fit in 15 minutes! :)
  
• Writing/Writer's Workshop:  We are still working on our first draft of our "small moment."  I will be conferencing with your child next week to add details and to create a visual, descriptive beginning and ending.
  
• Phonics/Spelling:  Today we learned a super cool spy technique for writing our spelling words: Mirror Code.  We flipped our writing and checked our codes in the mirror.  Whoa!! This is neat!!
  
• Math: Unit 1 - Lesson 10: Solving Addition and Subtraction Word Problems.  We began reading word problems and repeating them for understanding (more than 5 times each!).  Some of us could even retell the problem in our own words!!  Tomorrow we will continue this lesson and use our favorite strategies to solve the problems.
• Art:  Your student is working on a self portrait and have been asked to bring in anything that inspires them (for the background image)
• Music: Music rocks!

For Friday:  Spelling Test on 2nd Grade sight words (Short a), Guidance

Wednesday, Sept. 25

LEFT at Home:

• Girl Scout (girls only)

RIGHT Back to School:

• Math Homework 1-9 (Evens)
• Rainbow Words Spelling Practice

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE:
• Wibble, Wobble:  We reviewed the strategies on our CAFE menu while reading Wibble, Wobble.  This is a story about a boy named William, and he couldn't wait to have a loose tooth and to have a terrific story to tell about how he lost it.  
• I remember walking to the ice rink during winter with my younger brother, Matt.  We both had our skates tied together and slung over our shoulders.  I slipped on the ice on the sidewalk, and when my brother bent down to help me up, his skate caught my tooth perfectly and it popped right out!!  We never did find it in the snow and ice.  
• What's your loose tooth story?
• Read to Self:  I began F/P testing this morning to find the level at which your child is reading.  This process will take up to 3 weeks to get around to everyone in class, and to determine their level to the best of my ability.  I will be individually conferencing with your child on Tuesdays (4-5 students each Tuesday) during our Independent Reading time to adjust their levels.
  
• Writing/Writer's Workshop:  We are completing our first draft of our "small moment."  I will be conferencing with your child next week to add details and to create a visual, descriptive beginning and ending.
  
• Computers/YPP Testing:  We are nearing the end of our YPP math testing!  Hooray!  Miss Pritzl showed up an AMAZING list of cool learning websites she's put together.  You can access this list as well by following this link: Miss Pritzl's Math and Literacy Learning Games
• Phonics/Spelling:  We began our Rainbow Words.  Some students finished, and others have some to take home as homework.
• Math: Unit 1 - Lesson 9: Adding 3 or 4 Numbers.  This is extremely difficult!  We always start by adding 2 numbers first, and then we add on.  One of the strategies we have, is to look for a sum of 10 (example: 9+1+3=10+3=13).
• MEGA Math: Click here to play a game with adding and subtracting Carnival Stories: Adding and Subtracting with Fish 

Tuesday, Sept. 24

LEFT at Home:

• none

RIGHT Back to School:

• Wilson Wear Order Form (White)
• Math Remembering 1-8 (#1-2)
• [NO RAINBOW WORDS TONIGHT ... Where is my brain this week??  I again forgot to send home the spelling work]

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE:
• Read to Self:  Today our stamina was: 15 minutes 14 seconds!  Wow!  We have SUPER readers!!  I will begin F/P testing on Wednesday to find the level at which your child is reading.  From there, your child will be bringing home books that are a good fit and at their level.
  
• Writing:  Today our stamina was: 9 minutes 23 seconds.  We made a list of the different forms of writing:  Writing a letter, personal narrative, fiction or non-fiction story, silly stories, and poetry.  We will be adding to this list!  We've also come up with a variety of topics to write about, such as:  Launch Your Sister to China, Dragons, Super Heroes, If I Could Shoot Fire Out of My Mouth, Send Your Brother to Space, etc. :)  Writing is soooo much fun!!
  
• Phonics/Spelling:  We played "It's a Race!"  We 'raced' our favorite spider by rolling dice and writing our spelling words.  This was a fun and exciting way to practice our spelling words for the week!
• Math: Unit 1 - Lesson 8: Equations.  Today we learned about equations.  An equation can have only one number on each side of the equal sign (5=5), or it can have many numbers with many different symbols (7-2=1+1+1+1+1).  We also reviewed horizontal equations and vertical equations.
• MEGA Math: Click here to play a game with adding and subtracting at Block Busters: Equations

• Science: Today we read about the 2 groups that scientists divide animals into: Animals WITH Backbones, and Animals WITHOUT Backbones.
• Writer's Workshop: Today we reviewed a "Master" piece of writing.  We are paying close attention to our details in the beginning, middle, and end.  Our reader should feel like they are inside our small moment with us!

Monday, Sept. 23

LEFT at Home:

• Children's Day at the Haunted House (Green)
• Animal Safari Party (Orange)

RIGHT Back to School:

• Parent/Teacher Conference Letter (yellow paper):  Fill out the day that works best for you, write your child's name, my name, and sign the bottom half of the paper and send back to school. (Wow, I can't believe how quickly conferences are coming up!! :)
• Math Homework 1-7:  This should have been completed in class today
• [NO READING TONIGHT ... Ooops!  I forgot to hand out our reading folders.]

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE:
• Read to Self:  Today our stamina was: 8 minutes 18 seconds
  
• Writing:  Today our stamina was: 8 minutes 44 seconds
  
• Expand Vocab. Strategy: Voracious Reading.  We build our amazing vocabularies by reading Good Fit books.  The more we read, the larger our vocabularies become and the more intelligent we sound!  Read, read, read!

  

  moderngeorgeandmary.files.wordpress.com

• Math: Unit 1 - Lesson 7: Strategies Using Doubles.  Today we practiced doubles equations (ex: 2 + 2 = 4, 6 + 6 = 12, etc.) and used what we know to solve equations with doubles +/- 1 and doubles +/- 2 [ex: 2 + 3 = 2 + (2 + 1) = 5 or 3 + (3 - 1) = 5, 6 + 8 = 6 + (6 + 2) = 14 or 8 + (8 - 2) =14, etc.]
• MEGA Math: Click here to play a game with doubles at Counting Critters (Stacking Bird Pairs) 

• Gym:  We have a classroom of MONKEYS!!
• Science: Today we talked about different animal groups.  We really know a lot about animals already!!  On our K-W-L chart (What we KNOW, What we WANT to learn, What we LEARNED), we know about mammals, insects, flying animals, nocturnal animals, amphibians, reptiles, and dinosaurs.  Some of our questions we'd like to have answered:
• Tomorrow we have library check-out, and it's a POPCORN day!  Bring 50 cents!

  

  http://www.hudson.lib.ia.us/

  

  
  

  Have a MARVELOUS Monday!! :)  See you tomorrow!

TGIF!! Sept. 20

Another week has flown by!  Thank you to everyone who stopped in last night at our Open House.  It was an incredible and memorable evening.  I felt like a superstar! :)  I was photographed several times and even interviewed!!  LOVE it!!  We have such a great group of kiddos and extremely talented, helpful, and exciting parents!  You really feed my energy and creative juices!!

LEFT at Home:

• 100% Papers
• Scholastic News Weekly Reader: Citizenship

RIGHT Back to School:

• Parent/Teacher Conference Letter (yellow paper):  Fill out the day that works best for you, write your child's name, my name, and sign the bottom half of the paper and send back to school. (Wow, I can't believe how quickly conferences are coming up!! :)

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE:
• Read to Self:  After reviewing "Good Fit" books, we again are working to achieve 20 minutes of reading stamina!  Today our stamina was: 22 minutes 9 seconds
  
• Writing:  We talked about the four parts of a simple sentence (Capital letter at the beginning, Ending mark, Noun, and Verb) and we are continuing to build our writing stamina.  Today our stamina was: 6 minutes 58 seconds
  
• Expand Vocab. Strategy: Voracious Reading.  We build our amazing vocabularies by reading Good Fit books.  The more we read, the larger our vocabularies become and the more intelligent we sound!  Read, read, read!

  

  moderngeorgeandmary.files.wordpress.com

• Scholastic Weekly Reader: Citizenship  Click here to access today's edition Scholastic News: Citizenship  
  
• YPP: We took our 3rd Yearly Progress Pro Test today for mathematics.  I will send out data as soon as it becomes available to me (as well as my best interpretation).  :)
• Math: Unit 1 - Lesson 7: Strategies Using Doubles.  Today we looked at doubles equations (ex: 2 + 2 = 4, 6 + 6 = 12, etc.) and used what we know to solve equations with doubles +/- 1 and doubles +/- 2 [ex: 2 + 3 = 2 + (2 + 1) = 5 or 3 + (3 - 1) = 5, 6 + 8 = 6 + (6 + 2) = 14 or 8 + (8 - 2) =14, etc.]
• MEGA Math: Click here to play a game with doubles at Counting Critters (Stacking Bird Pairs) 

Thursday, Sept. 19

I'm TOTALLY excited about adding images, videos and links to my blog!! It's so addicting!  Let me know if it's too much and I'll scale back. :)

LEFT at Home:

• School Pictures! :)  If your child did not get his/her picture taken, let me know and I can send an envelope home.  Picture retake is scheduled for Oct. 3 from 7:30am-12:00pm.  If your child had their picture taken, they will have come home with a "proof."  You can still order pictures with the proof.

RIGHT Back to School:

• Math Homework 1-6
• Reading folder/book bag: Your child should read for 15 minutes and an older sibling or adult should initial their reading log. :)
• I've finally set up my Scholastic account.  Your child will be coming home with an order form.  I'd like orders in by Sept. 30 (I know it's super soon!) to qualify for free books for our room.  However, I will still place orders through October.  On September 30, I will also be handing out 3 order forms for the month of October, so if you miss this one, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future to oder!  Orders can be placed through me (sending a check to Scholastic) or can be done online.  I will have a link on my blog very soon!

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE: 
• Read to Self:  We are still building our Read to Self Stamina.  When we get to 20 minutes, we will begin our super fun reading groups!!  Our stamina (how long we can do something before we get tired or bored) for Read to Self today is: 8 minutes 35 seconds.

  

  www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us

• Writing:  We have been learning to get our ideas down without worrying about exact spelling.  Remember, we do our best to sound out the word and underline it.  Spelling will be fixed when we do individual conferencing.  Our stamina for Writing today is: 2 minutes 33 seconds.

  

  http://teacherweb.com

• Comprehension Strategy:  Ask Questions Before, During, and After Reading. "Who is this story about?  Where does this story take place?  What is happening?  Is there problem that needs to be solved?"
• Art:  We are working on life drawing.  There are some FANTASTIC artists in this classroom!
• Math:  We are learning about even and odd numbers, as well as addition doubles.  An even number is made up of all pairs.  An odd number can have pairs, but will have one that cannot be paired.  We also practiced logging in to the mobile lab computers and played MEGA Maths games for review! 
• MEGA Math: Practice Even and Odd Numbers at  Cross Town Number Line Level L

  

  www.manhasset.k12.ny.us

• Music:  What do musicians eat?  (Answer: so-la-mi)

We don't have any specials tomorrow, however, remember our Friday dismissal is at 2:15pm.

Wednesday, Sept. 18

Wacky Wednesday, for sure!!

LEFT at Home:

• Nothing today! :)

RIGHT Back to School:

• Reading folder/book bag: Students read 15 minutes and have reading log initialed by an older sibling or adult.
• Fundraiser Packets will be due in 2 weeks.  We will be wearing our mustaches on Friday for the last hour of the day. :)  Remember to bring your mustache!

Our Day:

• Assembly: Today we had our Chip Shoppe Fundraiser Kick-off!! Holy buckets are there some neato-amazing prizes!!  We are raising money for our school playground (replacing the pea-gravel/pebbles with artificial turf).  Remember, we NEVER sell to strangers! 
• Daily 5/CAFE:  We worked on our Read to Self Stamina - we are consistently reading for longer than 15 minutes.  Fantastic!!

  

  www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us

• Library: We reviewed the differences between fiction and non-fiction stories and Miss Pritzl read 2 books on bats.  Bats are pretty amazing creatures!  We also checked out new books.  Our next book check-out will be next Tuesday.
• Math: We ever-so-briefly talked about even numbers today.  We started by circling pairs.  We will continue this lesson tomorrow (Unit 1: Lesson 6).

Tomorrow:

• Pickle Day!!  

  

  http://impruvism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tumblr_mb7n16Duhu1rodc6q.gif

• Art & Music!!  
• AND FINALLY Open House!!!  Open House starts at 6:00p.m. in our classroom, and we will be eating 6:30-7:30.  See you there!!

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Terrific Tuesday!!

LEFT at Home:

• Wilson Kids Cook (half sheet/white paper)!  If you want to submit a recipe to Wilson's very own cookbook, please do so before Monday, September 30. 

RIGHT Back to School: 

• Math Homework 1-4:  Some of my kiddos have only the ODD numbers to complete (I wrote this on the top of their paper), but MOST of my kiddos were instructed to complete #1-7 all. 
• Reading Survey:  I've gotten several surveys back already.  I'd like them by Friday, Sept. 20. :)  Thank you!!
• Reading Log:  Your child will be bringing home their reading folder AND a book or two to read.  I only ask that they read 15 minutes each night (Mon.-Thurs.).  Good times to read?  Right after school, right after supper, or right before bed. :)  Initial their log to show that they read each night.

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE: Today we learned about good fit books (or "just right" books).  The best way to determine if a book is a good fit is to follow the I-PICK strategy.  I-can choose the book, P-urpose (why do I want to read this?), I-nterest (am I interested in this book?), C-omprehension (do I understand what I'm reading?), K-now (do I know most of the words?).  For the K-now section, we use the 5 Finger Rule.  If we have to stop on 5 words (or more), it probably means that it is not a good fit right now.

  

  ischool.fcps.net
• Phonics/Spelling: We practiced spelling some short a words with our dry-erase markers and boards.

  

  www.starfall.com

   Starfall: Read a story with the short a
• Handwriting: o, a, d - We have some FANTASTIC handwriting in this class!
• Math: We are really learning our math facts!! We used our Math Mountain Fact cards today (both independently and with a partner).  Wow, are we AMAZING mathematicians!  We have also been using our Math Journals to express our thinking in words.  
• MEGA Math: Practice more partners and totals (moving fish!) in Carnival Stories Level N

  

  www.manhasset.k12.ny.us
• Writer's Workshop:  Today we used our SUPER eyesight to magnify details on sea shells.  We then talked about how it is important to ZOOM in to important details in our personal narratives (stories about ourselves). 

  

  www.buythesea-bymail.co.uk

• Science: We began Chapter 2 in our Science text books and learned some important key vocabulary terms that we will be using the next few weeks.  We are going to be learning all about animals!

Tomorrow we have an early release @11:30a.m.  Students may choose a "grab and go" PB&J lunch.  On early releases, we do not serve a traditional lunch.

We also have a brief assembly for The Chip Shoppe, a fundraiser for Wilson 8:30a.m. - 9:00a.m.

Tomorrow night, I really look forward to seeing all of you at our Back to School Night!!  We will start in the classroom at 6:00p.m. and then head on over to the cafeteria for a pot-luck style meal. Don't forget to bring a dish to pass!  Yum Yum!!

Library tomorrow. :)  Lots to do, and so little time! Whew!! 

Monday, Sept. 16

My, oh my!  I've almost forgotten to post again.  Happy Monday to all! :)

LEFT at Home:

• Spelling List and Spelling Pre Test: We are working on the short a sound for the next two weeks. Your child should have brought home their Pre Test (not graded) stapled to their words for the week.
• 100% papers

RIGHT Back to School:

• Homework 1-5 (Ooopsies, I handed out tomorrow's homework today, so tomorrow I'll be handing out today's Homework 1-4.  Yep, it's a Monday)  Your child will complete the ODD numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.  For Question 9, Your child should explain how to solve 8 + ? = 14 using ANY strategy.  We are beginning to use words to explain our thinking. :)
• Reading Survey: I'd like these back by the end of the week (Friday, Sept. 20th).  I'm interested in your child's interests as a reader! :)

Our Day:

• Daily 5/Cafe: We reviewed our CAFE strategies from last week, and increased our Read to Self stamina to 16 minutes and 19 seconds! Wowza!!  We are starting our second Daily 5 choice, Writing!  Tomorrow we will be working on our Writing stamina, as well as going over "Good Fit Books."  Expect our first Reading assignment tomorrow!  Hooray!!
• Phonics/Spelling:  We are learning the short a sound, and spelling words with the short a.
• Reading Foundations: We are also learning about nouns (people, places, or things)!
• Speaking and Listening: What is a question?  How can we ask question to clarify?  We're learning all about it in the next few weeks.
• All About _______: We're working on a special project to put in the hallway!  We are learning all about our classmates!
• Math: Unit 1, Lesson 4: We are adding and subtracting, and discussing different strategies to solve problems.  We've also worked in our Math Journals to create word problems that match an equation.  This is an amazingly creative class!!  We had many interesting word problems!!  I accidentally sent home HW 1-5, but no worries, both assignments are remarkably similar.  HW 1-4 will be sent home tomorrow for homework and we'll be all caught up! :)
• MEGA Math: Practice Partners and Totals with Carnival Stories Level N
  
• Writer's Workshop: I am reading the AMAZING book, Owl Moon, to showcase a Master Writer.  We are working on ZOOMING into details and including them in our personal narratives.
• Science: We are starting a new experiment: Do Plants REALLY Need Sunlight to Survive?  I'll be adding a photo tomorrow of our two plants, named Cutie and Frank.  Poor Frank is getting a makeover - it looks like he's getting his roots done (hehe), and we'll be checking on him again in one week.
  
  
  
  
• Gym: Your child ran the half mile today, and they were TERRIFIC!! Everyone got to "pin up" after showing awesome DILIGENCE!  Way to go!!!

Tomorrow is popcorn day - yummy yummy!  If you haven't paid ahead, send 50 cents with your child tomorrow for an afternoon snack. 

Wednesday is an early release (11:30a.m.) as well as Back to School Night!  Meet in our classroom at 6pm to have a peek at what we're working on, and to get a neato informational packet!  At 6:30, we'll move to the cafeteria for an amazing pot-luck style supper.

Thursday is pickle day! 

Have a sensational Monday evening, and an even better Tuesday!!  See you tomorrow!

Thursday, Sept. 12

LEFT at Home:

• 100% papers 

RIGHT Back to School:

• Math Homework 1-3: Homework side only (not #8)

Our Day:

• Tornado Drill 
• Daily 5/CAFE:  We are Reading to Self for 11minutes 49seconds!! Wow!!  That's incredible stamina!
• Spelling:  We have tested nearly all of our first grade sight words.  Our final spelling test for first grade sight words will be tomorrow. :)
• Art! Hooray!
• Music! Woohoo!
• Math: Today we covered Unit 1, Lesson 3.  In this lesson, we learned specifically a new addition strategy called "Make a Ten."  Studies show that the more strategies our brains have to solve a problem, the better we are at solving problems. :D 
• MEGA Math: Practice "Make a 10" Strategy with Birds in Counting Critters Level Q
  
• Writer's Workshop:  We are busy thinking of small moments in our life that are worthy of creating a published story (personal narrative).  These ideas are being put into the little notebooks that you may have seen come home.  When we feel as though we are ready to write, write, write, we begin our first draft!  
• No Science today :(  Bummer, dude.

Tomorrow we will be taking our second YPP, and we also have Guidance. :)

Have a terrific Thursday!! 

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Another hot day and hard-working students!!

LEFT at Home:

• Parent Letter (Math): Find out what we'll be working on in the next part of this unit - especially with our work with Math Mountains.
• Math Mountain Flash Cards pages: Cut these out and keep them at home to practice finding totals and/or partners!  Keep them in a ziplock bag for safe-keeping and easy access.
• YMCA Workshop letter (Yellow)
• Dance Classes (Pink)
• 100% Math Papers! :)
• GirlScout information (for some of my special friends) :D

RIGHT Back to School: 

• Mini Notebook: We're keeping track of "small moments" for our writing.
• Math Homework: Remembering 1-2 (Odd):  Students should have highlighted #1, 3, and 5

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE:  Today we reviewed our reading strategies and continued to build our Read to Self stamina.  We are up to 8 minutes!! WOW!
• Computers:  We took our first timed (15-minute) YPP test today.  We will be taking 3 more in the next few weeks.
• Practiced our Fire Drill
• Math: We are still working on Math Mountains and writing equations, relating addition and subtraction.  There are 8 different equations they may choose to write for each Mountain (and sometimes they provide one), but are only required on their homework to write up to 2 different equations for the same Mountain.
• MEGA Math: More Counting Critters Practice Counting Critters Level U
  
• Writer's Workshop:  Today we received our mini notebooks to keep track of "small moments." This will be coming home most nights - just in case!!!  You never know when an AMAZING small moment will come along.
• Gym: After 3 years of calling this special "P.E. or Phy. Ed.,"  I am now re-learning to call it "Gym."  Please work with your child on tying their shoes!  By Winter Break, I am hoping all of my students will be great resources for tying shoes!

Tomorrow we have art and music! :)

Tuesday, Sept. 10

It was a tad-bit hot today, but we really worked hard!

Look for these papers coming home: 

LEFT at Home: 

• Corrected Math Homework: Remembering 1-1 (for some)

RIGHT back to School: 

• Math Homework 1-1 (Front Only)

Tomorrow we have Computers, and we'll be taking our very first YPP Math Test during that time. :)

We also have Gym (P.E.).  Thank goodness the temps will be cooler!!

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE:  Today we learned a new strategy "Back up and Reread".  If we are reading too fast and can't remember what we've just read, we go back and reread at a slower pace.  
• Library Check-out:  There are so many interesting books in our school library, it's hard to just pick a few!  Remember you can still bring back your library books anytime, and check out in the morning during breakfast/morning work or after school.  The next time we check out again as a whole class will be next week Wednesday.
• Spelling:  We are still testing the top 100 first grade sight words.  
• Handwriting:  We practiced our uppercase L, I, and Ts.
• Math:  We are learning all about math mountains, partners (or addends), totals, and creating equations.  This is our first day in Unit 1, where we will focus on the building blocks of addition and subtraction and working on our mental math strategies.
• MEGA Math:  Go to this website to practice counting!  Mega Math: Counting Critters Level I
  
• Writer's Workshop:  We are learning about the beautiful and descriptive language of Master Writers, and will be planning to create our own beautiful and descriptive personal narratives.  Expect to see a little notepad coming home in the near future.
• Independent Reading:  We have a half hour each Tuesday set up for Independent Reading, during which time I will individually conference with your child on their reading.  We will work together to identify strengths and to plan reading goals.
• Science:  The egg experiment was super fun, but we said goodbye to our rubbery-egg in high fashion - with a good ol' splat!  Now on to our first unit in Science - and more experiments!! :D

Stay cool!

Monday, Sept. 9

Just another AWESOME day in Second Grade!!!

LEFT at HOME: 

• Some students will have corrected math homework to bring home! :)

RIGHT Back to SCHOOL:

• Math Homework Contract (Parent Letter): Make sure you keep the top half and send the bottom half back to school with your child
• Initial each day in your child's agenda so that I know you have looked at your child's homework and their behavior for the day. :)

Our Day:

• Daily 5/CAFE: We learned 2 new strategies today to help us become SPECTACULAR readers!  We learned an accuracy strategy, Cross Checking, to make sure that the words we read LOOK right, SOUND right, and MAKE SENSE.  We also learned an expanding vocabulary strategy, Tune into Interesting Words.  It is important that we continue to exercise our brains with new and interesting words!!  The more words you know and use, the smarter you are!  We also worked on our class stamina for Read to Self.  Wowza!! We are at 7min. 23sec.!
• Spelling (Phonics): We are continuing to test our first grade sight words. 
• Handwriting:  We are working on BEAUTIFUL handwriting.  Today we practiced lowercase l, i, and t.
• Math: We completed our Unit 1 PreTest.  This pretest is not graded, but instead will give me a pretty good idea of how to BEST help your child in the upcoming unit.  
• Writing:  We used our best writing skills to produce a "small moments" personal narrative.  Writing is SO much fun!  
• Science:  It is the moment you've all been waiting for:  We have a rubbery, bouncy egg!!  This was a super easy experiment to do.  In fact, you can do it at home!!  All you need is an egg (either hard boiled OR raw), a glass (clear to watch it transform), and white vinegar.  Put the egg in the glass, pour in the vinegar, and let it sit for a few days (or until it sinks/has no more bubbles).  Take it out and enjoy!  (P.S. you will have hands that smell like vinegar...)  :)  Enjoy!

Totally forgot to mention to the kiddos today that tomorrow is LIBRARY CHECK -OUT.  Ooops!  Be sure to have your child bring their library books back from last week! 

T.G.I.F!

No Homework for the weekend, but don't forget to sign/initial your child's Agenda/Assignment Notebook (Hooray, they came in!!!).

Look for these papers coming home:

LEFT at Home: (Take these papers out!)

• Letter from Mr. Hammerschmidt
• Neenah Parks and Recreation Fall Guide

RIGHT Back to School:

• Sign/initial your child's Agenda/Assignment Notebook in their BEE Binder

Our Day:

• We practiced our ideas for Read to Self.  Our class stamina is at about 4 minutes.  I wonder if we can beat that time on Monday??
• We learned our first CAFE reading strategy "Check for Understanding."  That means we stop after reading a couple pages to ask ourselves questions to see if we are understanding what we are reading.
• Some of us were able to log into the mobile computers.  We will practice again next week and will be taking our Fall YPP (Yearly Progress Pro) tests to measure student performance in math. :)  We LOVE math!!
• We also finished taking a skills inventory test in math, and received our TIGER math workbooks (Student Activity Books).  We are super excited to learn about money and measurement this year!!
• Sometimes Science is a slow process of observations and predictions, but we have again noticed some changes in our egg.  I wonder what it will look like on Monday??
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Thursday, Sept. 5 - Day 3

Another TERRIFIC day in Second Grade!

Homework:

Math: (Remembering) 1-1 EVEN numbers only  :)  We had 6 minutes to work in class, so your child may be finished with the assignment already.


Look for these papers coming home:

LEFT at Home:

• Punt, Pass, & Kick:  Fill this out and send it through the mail to the address shown if you'd like your child to participate in this program

RIGHT Back to School:

• Math Homework! :)

Today we:

• Toured Wilson and learned about procedures for using the cafeteria, bathrooms, and playground
• Had our first ART class!
• Tested first grade spelling words
• Tested first grade math skills
• Made predictions and observations in SCIENCE
• Had our first MUSIC class!

Our Science Experiment: What Happens to an Egg in Vinegar?

We noticed several changes from yesterday to today.  What is YOUR observation?

So far no explosions and no baby chick.  What is your prediction for tomorrow?

Second Day of Second Grade!! :)

Again, there will be no homework tonight! :)

Look for these papers coming home:

LEFT at Home:

• Open House Information

RIGHT Back to School:

• Keyboarding
• Calling All Cooks
• P.E./Wellness Information

Here's a little bit of what we did on our AWESOME second day of second grade:

• Learn 2 Ways to Read a Book
• Practice Stop, Look, Listen
• First Library Check-out
• Practiced using different math manipulatives (or counters)
• Took a brief PreTest on basic math facts (up to 20)
• First gym class! 
• SCIENCE EXPERIMENT!!

We put an egg in vinegar and observed any changes.  What do you see?  

I wonder what the egg will look like tomorrow!!

(Will it explode? Hatch a baby chick??)

FIRST DAY of GRADE 2

Wow!!!  Today went by in a blur!!!

There is no homework tonight for your child, but make sure to check out the BEE Binders coming home tonight.  Here are some of the papers you'll see:

LEFT at Home:

• PTO Welcome Letter (White Paper)
• PTO Volunteer Opportunities (White Paper - stapled)  This should have been put in the RIGHT Back to School side if you plan to volunteer for PTO
• PTO Calendar (Brown Paper)
• Miscellaneous activities from today (Find Someone..., and 4 Things...)

RIGHT Back to School:

• Popcorn and Pickles Pre-Pay

Today we:

• Learned about our classroom rules (Respect, Responsibility, Resourceful, 51/49, and Directions will be given 2 times)
• Learned our friends names (Cookie Jar)
• Played cooperative games (Duck, Duck, Goose and Tag)
• Whole School Assembly (Kick off the first day of school! New Teachers, Rules, etc.)
• Used our NEW Behavior Chart!!
• Organized our desks
• HAD FUN!!!

Reminder for tomorrow: BRING GYM SHOES :)

See you tomorrow for a SUPER SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL!

Mrs. White

Mrs. White's Helpful Hints

The first day of school is just around the corner, and I can hardly wait!!  I have a few "Helpful Hints" to give before then to help our day and year run smoothly.

Snack - We will have a snack each morning.  You will be responsible for providing a healthy snack for your child each day.  Wilson Elementary only allows healthy snacks to come to school, so if an unhealthy snack should manage to find its way to school, your child will have to keep it in his/her backpack and bring it home.  I will be providing snack for your child on the first day of school. :)

Toys - Please do not allow any toys to come to school.  Electronic toys, stuffed animals and trading cards are some of the items that make it to school and cause distractions; even on the playground!  I have a June Bag in my room where I will collect any toy that I see in the classroom and it will not be returned until June.  To avoid this, I encourage you to please be aware of what your child is bringing to school and remind him/her of this very important rule.

Clothing - Label any sort of clothing that comes to school (snowpants, sweatshirts, etc.).  Unmarked clothing/belongings will be kept in the classroom for one week, and then it will be sent to the Lost and Found.

Water Bottles - I allow water bottles as long as they don't become a distraction.  Your child will bring his/her water bottle home each evening.  Please take the time to clean your child's water bottle frequently, as it can become a breeding ground for germs! :)

P.E. shoes/Gym shoes - Please make sure your child has an extra pair of sneakers to wear for P.E.  Street shoes can scratch the floor and create a mess in our Gym.  Let's work together to keep it squeaky clean!

I hope this information helps you and your child get ready for a new and very exciting school year!
See you Tuesday, September 3rd!

Sincerely,
Mrs. White