Classroom News

We had another busy week in second grade!  We started our first reading unit, "Second Grade Growth Spurt", by building our stamina to read for longer periods of time and picking "just right" books.

During our writing workshop, we started brainstorming topics and writing "small moments" narrative pieces. We talked about how writers choose meaningful stories to tell.  We have also been reviewing how to form capital letters and discussing when we need to use them in our writing, such as for names, at the beginning of sentences, and for the months of the year and days of the week.  Ask your child about his or her "small moment" story ideas!  It is great practice for students to tell their stories to others before writing them down!

My math class has been working on building, writing, and comparing 2-digit and 3-digit numbers.  Students have been learning about place value and working with partners to build numbers using base-10 blocks and Cuisenaire rods.  They have also practiced writing numbers in standard form (for example: 482) and expanded form (400+80+2).  Another fun way to practice these skills is to play Trash Can!  I will send home Trash Can game boards and a fun (but optional) geometry shape hunt soon.

During morning meeting and "discovery" times, we have been working on building our classroom community.  We created our class "expectations" tree, which lists our class rules/expectations that we have all agreed to follow, such as using kind words and actions, following the school-wide KHFOOTY (Keep Hands Feet and Other Objects to Yourself) expectations, and taking care of our classroom materials.  I have been so impressed with the way that students are learning new routines, collaborating, helping each other, and sharing their ideas with the group!

Important Dates:

Friday, September 29th:  All-School Hike
Please help your child come prepared with a lunch, plastic/metal water bottle, snacks, and appropriate footwear and clothing for walking/hiking all day. 

Wednesday, October 11th:  Our First P.E. Lab
We are looking for volunteers who can chaperone and drive students for this field trip.  If you are interested in participating in P.E. Lab or E.C.O. lessons, please let me know.  You will also need to complete the volunteer packet paperwork. Drivers will also need to fill out an additional form.  Please see Jane Badger in the office if you need this paperwork. You can also send me an email if you would like me to send it home in your child's folder.  We would love to have families join us!

Monday, October 16th:  Picture Retakes
Please let the office know if your child will need a picture taken on this day. 

Thursday, October19th:  Open House with Students 
Families are invited to join us for this special event!

Friday, November 3rd:  EMES Holiday Feast 
More info to come in an upcoming school newsletter.

"All About Me" books and Geoboards!

Sharing "All About Me" books:

Constructing and drawing polygons using geoboards and dot paper:

First Week of School!

It was wonderful to start a new school year with our amazing class!  Everyone participated well as we practiced important routines and expectations.  We listened to several read alouds, including First Day Jitters and Oh, The Places You'll Go.  Students worked on writing and drawing about themselves in their All About Me books, which they will share with each other next week.  My math class practiced counting forwards and backwards by ones and played the card game, Make 10.  On Friday afternoon, we wrapped up a busy first week by going outside for extra recess after we filled our first classroom "tree"!  Nice work, team! 

Please note that Wednesday is our first early release day with dismissal at 3:00 pm.  This Wednesday is also the EMES Information Night for parents.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Parent Information Night Schedule

Our Parent Information Night will be on Wednesday, September 6th.  Here is the schedule for the evening:

5:30-5:40 pm:  Everyone will join in the gym for welcoming remarks and an introduction to our all-new PE Lab.

5:40-6:00 pm:  Parents of students grades 4-6 who are interested in band will stay in the gym to meet with Samantha Gelfon, our music teacher.  All other parents will go to classrooms for classroom presentations.

6:00-6:30 pm:  All parents will be in classrooms for presentations.

6:30-7:00 pm:  Parents of students in grades 4-6 will go to the library for information on Digital Citizenship from Arlyn Bruccoli, Library/Tech Teacher; Mary Beth Langevin, Guidance Counselor; and Michael Sherwin, Behavior Coach.

As mentioned in the school newsletter, this event is an information night for parents and it is not the Open House for students.  The Open House with students will take place on October 19th.

I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday night!