Week of 9/16

Yesterday, the first reading practice homework went home.  It should have been stapled to the reading log.  It is due on Monday along with the reading log.  The practice homework will periodically look different.  Sometimes it will be a fluency practice (practice reading like we talk), sometimes it will be reading and comprehension and sometimes it will be both. Almost every second grader turned in their homework the first week.  Great job!

Each Thursday students have a math test on skills.  We practice the skills together and I send home the practice paper on Tuesday each week.  You and your second grader can go over the practice page and make sure he or she understands everything before the test on Thursday.  The first completed test came home yesterday.  Students graphed their scores and looked at why they missed and what they did so they don't make the same mistake next time.

Because everyone learns at different rates and it is very important to me that students learn spelling patterns and not simply memorize words for a test, students are often on different lists.  Because of this fact, I don't send lists home.  Right now I have 3 lists in the class.  The class is practicing spelling words that have the "a" phonogram.  This phonogram has 3 sounds, but is always spelled with an "a."  Some words you will find on their lists are: pass, carry, capture, walk, almost, lake and black.  Students are encouraged to find more words that fit into the spelling patterns.  By finding patterns and noticing rhyming words, students are more likely to remember how to spell these words for a test, and more importantly, spell them in their writing.

Marble Party

Students have been working really hard to earn their first marble party.  Today was an exceptionally good day and they got all their marbles! 

They voted to have a stuffed animal/blanket party.  That means on Friday, September 13, they may bring EITHER a stuffed animal or a blanket to school.  It needs to fit inside of their backpack. 

As long as it isn't a distraction, they get to keep that item with them throughout the school day.  We'll have a special time when they can cuddle up with it and their book.

We are working especially hard on being trustworthy and respectful. 

Homework

The first of this year's homework is coming home today.  It is a reading log.  Students are expected to read 100 minutes each week.  This can be divided up however you like throughout the week.  

I will send the reading logs home each Monday and they are due the following Monday.  Students get a homework grade for completing the homework each week.  

Next week I will be sending home a reading practice page in addition to the reading log.

Welcome Back to a New Year!

We have completed our first week of school. Things are going great!

Students are learning what it looks like to be 2nd graders.

BEHAVIOR IN CLASS

In my classroom students earn classroom money.  If you hear them talking about the money they earned, it is not real money.  They get to spend that money special privileges and items.  A few purchases they can make are: sitting in a bean bag chair, sitting with a stuffed animal, using a clipboard, taking the class for a walk, choosing their job, choosing from the treasure box or using a special pen for the day.  Students earn money by showing responsibility like returning their blue home folder each day and by meeting classroom expectations like being respectful, following the rules and working hard.  Students lose money when they make poor choices.

I have a chart in my room with magnets on it. Each day all 2nd graders start on the blue owl.  When I catch them being a role model and going above and beyond the expectations, I ask them to move their magnet up, that is a good thing.  They earn more money if they end the day on the purple owl which is the role model.

If students make poor choices, I ask them to move their magnet down.  The first time is a warning, it is a reminder to stop and think about what you are doing.  The second time they need to fill out a refocus form and write down what they did and what they will do differently next time.  When students end the day on the orange (warning) or red (refocus) owl they owe me money.  If a student isn't able to refocus and make good decisions, the next stop is a referral to the office. 

The good news is students can move their magnets up and down all day.  Even if they make a poor choice, if I catch them making good choices their magnet can go back up.

Today students are going to bring home a practice refocus form for you to see.  It isn't real so you don't need to worry.

I am so thrilled to have each of these 2nd graders in my class this year!

Field Trip

This past week students have learned about different ways seeds travel in order to find a good place to grow.  They also learned about pollination and pollinators. 

When we went to the Botanical Gardens on Tuesday they were able to see their knowledge at work.  They planted flowers.  They learned how flowers attract pollinators.  They saw pollination in action and dissected a flower to see all its parts.

The students were also able to view different animals and their habitats at the zoo.  The could see animals from all over the world in one place.

Here are some pictures from our field trip.  It was a great success!

   

Week of 4/23

I have a lot of news for you.  It seems surreal that there is less than 5 weeks left of school.  Many of these dates you should know from the school newsletter, but I will include them here also.

We are beginning a new unit in science covering plants.  It will go nicely with our field trip in May.

I try to align the reading homework with what we are learning in class so it is beneficial for students to complete their homework.

Music Concert
This Friday, April 26th is the 2nd and 3rd grade music concert at 10 am in the gym.

Field Trip
May 7 is the 2nd grade field trip to the Botanical Gardens and the Boise Zoo.  If you didn't receive a permission slip, let me know and I will send another one home.  We will leave the school for the Botanical Gardens at 8:30. 

IRI
Students will take their IRI test on May 8th.  This is a good day to make sure students have plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast so they can focus and do their best.

Science Night
May 16 at 5:30 students will display their hard work in the gym.  Each student is working on their project with their partner.  I saw some great information come to class yesterday.  Students did a great job on their investigations.

Field Day
The second graders will have their activities from 1:30 - 2:30 on May 22nd.

Awards Ceremony
May 23rd is the awards ceremony at 8:20 in the gym.  You will receive an email prior to that day if your child is receiving an award.

Last Day of School
May 24 is the last day of school.  School ends at 1:45.

Canyons in 2nd Grade

This week students investigated the question, "What makes a canyon?"

Students hypothesized that it could be earthquakes, asteroids, tornadoes, or erosion.

Here are some images from our investigation.  We created a hill out of some "land" and simulated rain pouring down on it to see the result.

        

Here is an example of  the final product after 4 rainstorms.

Students discovered that erosion wears away at the rock and sand and creates new land forms like canyons, cliffs and landslides.

Here is a video after the final rainstorm for all projects: