Newsletter for September 15-19, 2008
It was good to meet so many of you at Open House. We’re moving right along with our learning. Here is what we’ve been up to and where we are going in the next couple of weeks.
MATH
We’re reviewing counting strategies, place value, and using equality and inequality signs (=, >, <). Students are learning to represent numbers using a variety of models, diagrams, and number sentences. We started two digit addition with and without regrouping. We will start working on counting back change and using decimal notation and the dollar and cent symbols to represent money. Here is a site for extra practice at home: www.kidsites.com/sites-edu/math.htm
LANGUAGE ARTS
READING:
My goal is to encourage skilled and confident readers who read with fluency. Then students can build their knowledge of the world. Did you know that the target rate for a reader of second grade texts is 90 words correct per minute? We will use leveled texts which helps students recognize homophones (ex. eight & ate), homographs (bow 'to bend' & bow 'a decorative knot'), antonyms, and synonyms. Connecting reading with Social Studies, we will read about Sequoyah in guided reading.
SPELLING:
We are beginning Unit 6 of Sitton Spelling. Click this link for a good review website: Core Spelling Words
In addition, our spelling lists contain words from our study of phonics. We’re reviewing long vowels now.
WRITING:
Students are practicing writing in complete sentences and applying rules for singular & plural nouns and pronouns. All year we will focus on capitalization at the beginning of sentences and correct application of ending punctuation in our writing. Students are generating ideas and writing rough drafts which focus on a central idea. Your child is doing a good job of writing in complete sentences, and they are being reminded to write legibly and apply spelling rules independently.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In Social Studies the class has learned the 5 regions and physical features of Georgia, including the major rivers. The students will connect their learning to where the Creeks and Cherokees lived and how those cultures from the past used their surrounding resources to make a living.
SCIENCE:
We will begin a unit on Matter. Our science textbook can be viewed on line!
Click on these links: What are the three states of matter?
CHARACTER ED:
Did you know our school has mentors from Kennesaw Mountain High School that come once every month to help implement a character-centered approach to teaching? It is a teaching style that emphasizes positive character attributes. Our character education word for September is Respect/Integrity. Congratulations to Kyle Morse, our “Terrific Kid” Award Recipient for September, who embodies this character trait!
Congratulations also to our “Mustang of the Month” for August: Karsen Brantley. This student is chosen for positive citizenship traits and consistently following our school-wide rules.
P.S.
*The 5 geographic regions of Georgia: Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau.
* Georgia’s major rivers: Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Savannah, St. Mary’s, Chattahoochee, and Flint.
Upcoming Events:
9/23-9/29/08 - ITBS Testing (3rd & 5th)
9/25/08 - Chick-Fil-A Night
9/30/08 - Sparkles Skate Night (6-8:30 p.m.)
10/3/08 - Family Fun Night
10/6-10/10/08 - Fall Spirit Week
10/15/08 - Early Release
*Picture retakes are October 15th!
Newsletter for August 18-22, 2008
Dear Parents,
With the second week of school comes homework and a smoother routine for the kids. Bear with us as everyone on the 2nd grade team adjusts to collaboratively planned homework and new school-wide procedures.
Homework will consist of "Math on Monday"---a problem to solve with room for explanation, reading for 15 minutes each night, and spelling/writing the other nights. The bright orange "Problem Solving Strategies" sheet should be kept at home for reference along with the blue laminated "Spelling Activity List". At first, I will assign the spelling activities, and later students can choose once the process is understood.
Thanks for sending in those supplies...we all have agendas and are learning to use them. Feel free to add important dates or birthdays to the agendas...they are supposed to be personally meaningful. I am learning about each child's learning styles and how to best meet their needs. Feel free to contact me anytime with questions, concerns, or especially funny stories! I'm in the process of updating our class blog (http://hayhur.typepad.com/grable/) and getting ready for Open House on Sept. 2nd (7-8pm). Hope to see you then.
Sincerely,
Jill Grable
Hayes Elementary
Second Grade Teacher
678-594-8127
P.S.
Today I sent home a few Scholastic Book Club order forms for anyone interested... just send a check payable to Scholastic Book Clubs or you can place your Scholastic Book Club orders online too. This is completely optional.
To order online:
1. Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site.
2. Browse the titles with your child, and place your order with your credit card.
3. Your order will come to Hayes, and your credit card payment will go directly to Scholastic's secure server. There's no need to send money to school.
4. After I submit the entire class's order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.
www.scholastic.com/parentordering
Class User Name: mrsgrable
Password: lovetoread
Welcome to Mrs. Grable's 2nd grade class blog at Hayes Elementary School! I am happy that you are visiting our class blog and hope that you find it helpful, informative, and entertaining. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.
Mrs. Grable
Welcome Back
We're all excited about the new school year. Stay tuned for more information.
