Week of 1/28

Reminder
There is no school on Friday, February 1st

Homework
Since I have sent the same type of homework the last two weeks, I will not send the instructions again.  I have attached them here if you need them.  Homework is sent home on Mondays and due the following Monday.

This past month we have read 2 books about the Iditarod, including the story of Balto.  We have also read about sled dogs.  This week's homework just happened to include more stories about working dogs.  We are also discussing reasons why dogs should or shouldn't work.  This may create some interesting conversations if you ask your second grader about it.

Spelling
Each week students take a spelling test on their list.  Last week some students took the test on Tuesday, some took it on Thursday.  The date students take their test is dependent on the amount of time they have had to practice that particular spelling pattern.  I don't want to test them if they are not ready.

This past week a number of students did not pass their list.  In the grade book under Spelling Sort 1, you will see an X or an exempt next to their name.  They will remain on that list another week until they understand the pattern.  Students who scored a 70% were given a choice to remain on the list or move on.  They all chose to stay and practice more.

This is a learning process for them.  They are learning that they have to pay attention to the spelling patterns.  Memorizing a list of words will not help them.  I expect students to start noticing these patterns while they read at home as they get used to this practice.  You can ask them what their pattern is and keep your eyes open for it as well.

Reading
Right now students are reading different chapter books in class.  They each have a book at their level and they spend time reading it, then they take a test on it to check and see if they understood it.  Students are encouraged to pay attention to what they are reading, ask questions if something doesn't make sense or they come upon a word they don't know.  If students read through things they don't understand without stopping and checking the meaning, they will fail to comprehend the story.  As they practice reading at home, take a moment to ask them what the book or story is about.

Math
We are learning different strategies for addition and subtraction.  These strategies will help students add and subtract with regrouping.  Most of their brains aren't ready to do the fancy regrouping we, as adults, do.  They will have tools to help them solve any problem.  All students are moving through math skills at their own pace.  I want to make sure students understand and that I am not going too fast or too slow for their learning.  Students are always given opportunities to try more challenging work to see if they can do it.  Many of them take that opportunity.

Our weekly math tests cover some basic skills that everyone should have mastered by this point in the year.

Science
We are still learning about matter.  Students have been learning about the different properties of matter.  They have learned that matter is anything that has weight and takes up space.

Fun Friday
Some of you may have heard we have started doing "Fun Friday."  On Fridays, after lunch, all students who have completed all their assignments get to have some free time.  Students who have not finished their assignments must work on them.  This past week was our 3rd time doing this.  Each week students are getting better at completing their work.  The goal is to have everyone complete all assignments before Friday.  If you want to know exactly how your child is doing with this, send me an email and I will be happy to let you know.

Newsletter
Beginning this week there will be a separate elementary school newsletter.  We are hoping this will make it easier to find important information.

Instructions for Reading Practice Homework - Close

Week of 1/7

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

The second half of the year will bring with it a few changes.

Spelling
First, you will no longer receive spelling lists for students to practice at home.  Students will practice all spelling in class.  The focus will be on rules and spelling patterns.  Students will be working on specific spelling patterns that are appropriate for them.  If a student doesn't pass their test, they will have another week to practice and pass the following week.  Students will be able to move through the spelling patterns at their own pace.  You are welcome to talk about the patterns they are learning at home and practice finding them in texts, but memorizing a list of words will not help.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Homework
Second, students will be receiving a different kind of reading homework.  I will send the first one on Monday, the 14th.  The homework may change slightly from week to week.  I will always send instructions.  The reading homework will be better aligned to how students are tested on the state test and what we are learning in class.  Students need to keep reading for their reading log.  The reading logs will continue to come home each week. 

Science
In science we are going to be learning about matter and the different properties of matter.  Students are very good at thinking like scientists.

Social Studies and Reading
Students have been reading different articles about influential people in history.  This week the articles are about Sybil Ludington, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman.  Ask them what they have learned about them. 

Math Test
There is no weekly math test today.  We will resume those next week.