WELCOME TO 2013

January 2 - 4
Welcome back!  Can you believe it is a new year and we are still here despite the Mayan Calender?  I am grateful for the break but am ready to begin the new year.  Our family stayed in NC this Christmas.  One outing we enjoyed thanks to our son Esteban, was a trip to the Raleigh Art Museum.  I highly recommend this short venture if you would like your children to experience a bit of culture.  The museum was very child friendly and had a beautiful outdoor path to travel once the indoor artwork had been viewed.  Thumbs up Raleigh Art Museum!

BACK TO SCHOOL STUFF!

This week since it is a short week we will be doing a bit of review and mid-year assessing.  There will be math homework, but no written reading or spelling homework.  The math will be direct review for the mid-year assessment that will be given next week.

MATH!

It is time for a 2nd semester assessment.  The assessment will cover the following topics:

MONEY

TIME

STORY PROBLEMS

BAR/PICTOGRAPHS

ADDING/SUBTRACTING PLACE VALUE BLOCKS

 Homework for the next four days (not including Friday) will be in a math block form.  Each night the students will complete ONE math block to help review for next week's test.  If you see your child struggling with a concept, please take the time to review with them so that he/she is ready for next week. Especially be wary of the story problems.  Watch to see that your child is comprehending what the problem is asking.   The Assessment will be given on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

SPELLING!

This week I will be assessing the students for record's sake and next week we will

 Return to Words Their Way. 

I have made up some manila folders to help keep the homework straight.  These folders will have the nightly homework listed and explained so that your child will be able to study appropriately.  Words Their Way focuses on various English Language Norms.  

I also have included a helpful website that allows the children to digitally sort their words.  This might prove helpful to you as the parent.  (It helped me when I had a difficult time figuring out the oddball words!)

educationextras.com/withingwordpatternsorts.html

READING!

This week I will be assessing WPM (words per minute) as well a few other assessments.  In addition to this we will be looking at adjectives a bit more closely and writing some descriptive sentences while viewing some pretty cute and cuddly animal pictures.  Next week we will dive into our final Patricia Polacco text titled, When Lightning Comes in A Jar.  

Also, for small groups next week we will be studying SOUND through some solid non-fiction literature.  There will be homework twice a week based on this text.  There also will be a project due the first week in February concerning this Science Theme of Sound.

READING LOG!

Please continue to fill in December's reading log for January.  I decided to just continue this December log since December was so short.  EVERYONE should have if filled in by the end of January!  (No Excuses!)

SOCIAL STUDIES!

This week we will continue where we left off concerning our study of our three levels of  government.  

I'm looking forward to sleeping through New Year's Eve and seeing everyone Wednesday!

December 10 - 14

AN EXCITING WEEK AWAITS US!


This is the last full week before Christmas Break.  Yes, we will have school next week, but it will be filled with frivolous fun in place of our usual hard work.  The students deserve a few less strenuous days since we have been working very hard.
REMEMBER THESE DATES:

Monday, December 10th:   SCIENCE PROJECTS DUE!  Please return science notebook, take-home test, and project.  We will begin sharing these in class.

Tuesday, December 11th:   SUPPLIES FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSES DUE!  Everyone should supply their own icing - can or squirt bottle - as well as requested candy item.

Thursday, December 13th:  Parent Involvement.  We will be creating our Gingerbread houses here at school.  We will begin promptly at 1:45.  

Monday, December17th:    8:45 AM - 9:30 AM  SOUND SCIENCE FIELD TRIP!
ALSO NOTE!  I have moved our pajama day and movie to Monday afternoon.  Tuesday would have been tricky since it is an early release day (11:45).  SO MONDAY, DECEMBER 17th will be our PAJAMA DAY IN ADDITION TO SCIENCE FIELD TRIP!!  BUSY!  Tuesday will be a day of clean up and preparing for Winter Break.

This week in 2nd Grade:

READING:
We will be learning a bit about Germany this week since the idea of a gingerbread house originally came from the Grimms Brother's fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel.  In addition to learning a bit about the country and its language, we will be looking a two different versions of Hansel and Gretel and will compare these text using a Venn Diagram.

ADJECTIVES WILL BE OUR GRAMMAR FOCUS


MATH:
We have concluded our study of bar graphs and pictographs.  We will touch on the pictograph using our gingerbread house creations on Thursday.  However, now it is time to challenge the students' minds with some tricky pre-algebra story problems.
Yes, this week we will be looking at how to solve some very tricky problems.  Please take the time to review your child's homework.  It will reflect exactly what was covered in class.   The concepts presented this week are challenging, so be prepared to take the time to answer potential questions.

We will have one final 80 problem addition time tests this week.  After Winter Break we will move to subtraction.
SPELLING:
Last week (with the exception of make-up tests) for our high frequency words.  When we return from break we will also return to Words Their Way.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week will be filled with learning about our country's government, our state government as well as our local government.

December 3 - 7

DECEMBER IS HERE!  Today officially marks the first day of Advent - four weeks our family puts aside to focus on the Christmas Season.  In addition to our quiet time, we celebrated by traveling down to Meadow and viewed the Meadow Lights!  It was simple, but fun.  The kids enjoyed looking at the creative lights in the middle of, well - a meadow!


Our weeks leading up to Winter Break are filled with fun and many activities.  Be watchful as we near some important dates.

Reading:
This week we will continue to read Patricia Polacco's brilliant books.  Last week the students really seemed to enjoy The Keeping Quilt.  After summarizing the book using:
Someone
Wanted
But 
So
Then
we each made a quilt to remember the book.  I have connected the students' pieces to make a large quilt on our back wall.
We will enjoy My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother this week.  This is a charming book about sibling rivalry.  Polacco reminisces about the adventures her and her older brother had while trying to beat each other at various competitions.  In the end, they learn to appreciate each other.
Our focus will shift from nouns to adjectives this week.
                                               

Spelling:
At first I wanted to give the students all remainder 25 high frequency words, but presently have decided I will only give the students 15.  We will finish off the list next week.  Therefore. . . I have highlighted the words on the list that the students will be responsible for this week.  The homework is also slightly different.  Instead of sentences on Wednesday, the students will write each word in bubble letters.

Math:
Monday we will graph our November temperature.  The students will create a line graph with the data collected in the month of November.  Then, we will concentrate on Pictographs this week.



Science:
Science projects due Monday, December 10th.  Please return:
1:  Project
2.  Take Home Test
3.  Notes in Blue Folder
In House Sound Field Trip on Monday, December 17th!

Social Studies:
We will dive back into Social Studies this week looking at the country's government.  Since the election is somewhat fresh in our minds, I thought this would be a wise unit to begin to cover now.

Gingerbread Houses:
I will be sending home the information on Monday about the gingerbread houses.  I didn't want to overwhelm you all last week, so decided to wait to send home the note on Monday, December 3rd.  This will be a parent involvement activity.  All parents are welcome to come and enjoy this sticky-sweet project.  We will be creating the houses on Thursday, December 12th @ 1:45.  If things go well, we may even perform a small German song for the parents!

November 28 - 30

LAST WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS SEASON OFFICIALLY BEGINS!

Welcome back to school!  I hope everyone's time off was relaxing.  The next few weeks will be very busy as we celebrate a fun final season of the year.

READING:
This week we will read Patricia Polacco's book, The Keeping Quilt.  This is a unique story that looks into the importance of family and of keeping our family's history alive through the generations.   Polacco is from  a Russian immigrant's family that came to the United States a few generations ago.  We will follow a quilt that is passed down generation to generation.  Test will be on Friday.  Make certain that your child reads the book orally on the day he/she brings it home.


MATH:
This week we will begin a fun new unit on various graphs - bar graphs, line graphs, and pictographs.  Students will be asked to create as well as read in interpret these graphs.  We will review a bit this week as well and have a test on Friday on Clocks, addition with regrouping, as well as money sums.  Please review these concepts with your child if he/she struggles in one or more of these areas.

SPELLING:
We will continue our high frequency word lists this week.  Please make certain your child is taking the time to do his/her homework neatly.  This has become a bit of a problem. Thank you.

SCIENCE:
FINAL WEEK OF WEATHER:  Take home test and weather report on the way!
We will finish up our weather unit this week.  On Wednesday (or Tuesday) the student's will be bringing home his./her notes he/she has taken over the past few weeks.  With these notes the students will complete a take home test.  ALSO, a report is due as well on one of the weather concepts we have studied.  The explanation and requirements of this report and the take home test will both be in the students' blue weather folder.  BE ON THE LOOKOUT!
BOTH DUE Monday December 10th


GINGERBREAD HOUSES:

We will be celebrating the season by studying Germany and decorating gingerbread houses.  I need everyone to pitch in to help with this project.  I will be sending home a note with a request for icing and an item we will need to decorate these edible houses.  Please be watching for this note.  Our decorating will happen on Thursday, December 13th @ 1:45.  Parents are encouraged to come to help their children out with this fun project.


IN HOUSE SCIENCE SOUND FIELD TRIP:
Our in house science field trip will be on Monday, December 17th.  Please send in the $8.50 if you have not already.  This money is due now!


THE POLAR EXPRESS MOVIE:
We will have pajama day and watch The Polar Express on Tuesday, December 18th.  We will eat popcorn.  The only thing I need is the movie!  If you have the movie, please let me know!

THANKSGIVING WEEK!

This week will be more of an educationally fun week!  We only have two days until Thanksgiving Break!


This week. . .

Math:
We have successfully learned about time this week and will finish up with a few review lessons this week.  When we return from Thanksgiving break we will dive into various graphs - bar graphs, pictographs, line graphs, etc.  This should be a fun break from our traditional math schedule.  Of course we will continue to work on addition with regrouping as well as money.
**There will be a small bit of math homework on Monday!


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LATEST ADDITIONS TO OUR MATH DUDE STATUS!
These are the students who successfully completed 95% of their 80 math facts in five minutes!  I was so proud of the students.  We will have one more try at our math fact addition test before Christmas break.  I am hoping we will add even more students to our "MATH DUDE CLUB".


Reading:
This week we will look into the tradition of Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Pies using our PROVE IT method.

Spelling:
NO SPELLING THIS WEEK.

Science:
We will be wrapping up our weather unit the week we return from Thanksgiving Break.  The students will have a take home test as well as a small project.  Be on the watch for more information to come!

MONDAY:
PIE TASTE BAR GRAPH DAY!
On Monday at 1:45 PM we will take time to taste various flavors of pies donated by the parents.  The students will decide which pie they enjoyed the most and we will cooperatively make a class bar graph with our results.  Parents are welcome to come and help pass out pieces of pie for this activity.

TUESDAY:
CRAFT/SNACK DAY
On Tuesday at 1:45 we will be working on a small craft (place mat) to take home as well as have a small Thanksgiving snack.  Parents are welcome to come in to help out.

Finally,
Don't forget to bring in the $8.50 due for the Sound Science Field Trip on December 17th.
Thank you.

November 13-16

Thanksgiving is on the way!

Wow - Can you all believe it?  Thanksgiving is next week!  I hope you all are planned for an exciting week with family.  Since all our family lives far away, we have made a Cabascango Thanksgiving tradition. . .
THE ZOO!
Yep!  We pack up and head off to the North Carolina zoo every Thanksgiving Day.  The weather is usually perfect animal siting weather and it's great exercise.  This year we plan to add to our celebration by stopping off at Golden Coral on the way home (in honor of you Emily!!)

OUR CLASS THIS WEEK WILL. . .

Reading:
We finished Flat Stanley and will be working on sending our Flat Stanley letters out this week.  We have some exciting places Stanley will visit such as Ecuador, Brazil and China!  Wish him luck as he journeys around our country as well as into other lands across the globe.




This week we will also return to our 2nd grade reading series and enjoy the story, A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING by Eve Bunting

This will be a perfect story to enjoy as we approach the holiday.  Yes, there will be a comprehension test on Friday.

Spelling:
We are on to our fourth list this week with only two more lists to go.  Forgo Monday's homework and continue to do Tuesday - Thursday homework.
PARENTS. . .Please check over your child's spelling homework.  I have noticed little silly mistakes and sentences that could use some guidance.  Thank you for your help.

Math:
This week we will be working on Time.  Practice at home!

Science:
Weather has been a blast!  Last week we enjoyed learning about wind by using feathers, bubbles and a few kites.  This week we will begin to learn about precipitation and the water cycle.

FIELD TRIP
Don't forget to send in the $8.50 required to attend our in-house field trip about sound.  This is due before Thanksgiving Break!

THANKSGIVING PIE TASTING:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19th @ 1:45 PM
We are in need of some more pies.  So far we have pumpkin pies donated.  I have heard some parents are bringing in some pies, but this has not been confirmed.  Please e-mail me.

November 5-9

NOVEMBER IS HERE!

November is here and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  Parents, I would like some ideas concerning our Thanksgiving Treat.  On Monday, November 19th, I'd like to have a pie tasting day where we would taste a variety of pies and as a class make a bar graph to record our results.  On this day I would like to have a variety of pies - homemade or store bought.  

Apple Pie

Cherry Pie

Chocolate Pie              

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Etc.

This day will be our "Educational/Thanksgiving fun day.  I would like some parents to volunteer to. . .

Bring in a pie or two

Bring in some paper plates

Bring in some forks

Let me know if and how you can help.  We will probably begin this pie tasting after lunch around 1:45 PM

E-mail me at scabascangoncs@gmail.org

THEN, on Tuesday, November 20th, I'd like to have a small treat (cupcakes or creative Thanksgiving cookies etc.) as well as a simple craft for the students to make.  If you have any ideas, please let me know.

This week in ACADEMICS:

Math:

We are on to regrouping place value blocks and will begin to connect this representation of numbers to actual regrouping by carrying in numeric form.  I really think the children are ready for this concept.  Make certain your child can explain to you why he/she is regrouping and how he/she is doing this in the homework.  

Next week we will venture into time!

Reading:

Our class will continue Flat Stanely and finish the book this week.  Our Flat Stanley test will be on Friday.

IMPORTANT!!!

This week we will be working on Friendly Letters.  I will be sending home a form on which you need to write the address of a friend/relative that preferably lives in another state.  Your child will send Flat Stanely to this person who will, in turn, (hopefully) take Flat Stanley around his/her home town and record Flat Stanely's adventures.  After, Flat Stanley should be sent back to our school where we can share his adventures and record his travels on our U.S. map!

Small Groups:  Focus on Non-fiction - Mummies/Ancient Egypt

Science:

This week we will finish talking about temperature and continue to record our daily temperature patterns on our class November Weather Calendar.  The students will begin to investigate wind!

Social Studies:

ELECTION WEEK!  

Our class will take time Monday and Tuesday to discuss the elections!  We will have a mock election on Tuesday.

Spelling:

We are on to our third week of high frequency words.  I am seeing some great grades!  Keep up the good work.  Remember, we will have six weeks of high frequency word list and then will return to Words Their Way.

Writing:

Hopefully the editing process went ok.  If you need a couple more days, that is fine.  Please send in the final drafts by Friday!

Final Notes:

We will have another Science in house field trip on December 17th.  This field trip (about sound) is with Science for Fun - a great company that specializes in science for children.  I have seen this field trip in the past and my students have said, "this is better than recess!"  Be on the watch for the permission slip.

Also - our class will have our own "scientist" come into our room. We will not need to share this time!

October 29 - November 2

PUMPKIN PAINTING WEEK!

On Tuesday we will be painting our pumpkins to celebrate the Fall Season!  We will begin at about 1:45 (ish).  Some students may finish quickly, and others may take awhile.  Parents, you are welcome to join us, just please do not bring any children along.  This may be a messy project!




REPORT CARDS!
Please take the time to review your child's first quarter report card.  You may keep the report, but please sign and send back the envelope.  I have requested a conference with some parents.  I will schedule these conferences sometime in the next couple of weeks.
AWARDS DAY!
Friday November 2nd @ 11:00 AM  Each student will receive at least one reward for his/her first quarter work.


Reading:
This week we will begin reading Flat Stanley (the original story) by Jeff Brown.  This is a simple fiction chapter book that will be just plain fun to read together.  It should take us only about two weeks to complete.  When finished we will compose a friendly letter to send out to a relative far away.  Be thinking of someone - friend/relative - that would be willing to participate in our Flat Stanley project.
Each night - starting Tuesday October 30th - the students will bring home the Flat Stanley chapter book and read one chapter after which they will answer about five quick multiple-choice comprehension questions.
Schedule this week:                                                          
Monday - nothing
Tuesday -      Chapter 1              
Wednesday - Chapter 2
Thursday -     Chapter 3


Math:
This week we will continue to practice addition without regrouping into the hundreds and begin to dabble into regrouping.
Quiz on Tuesday

Spelling:
We will continue working on another second grade high-frequency word list.  Make certain the students are doing their homework each night.

Science:

WEATHER WEATHER WEATHER

The reasons for seasons as well as temperature will be our focus this week.

October 23 - October 26

REPORT CARDS GO OUT FRIDAY!
Report cards will go out this Friday.  Please review the grades, sign and send back in.
Note: Grading scale
77% - 100% = S
60% - 76%   = N
60% - Below = U
If your child receives an N, please make certain we take the time to schedule a conference to investigate how we can get your child on the track to success!


AWARDS DAY!
Friday, November 2nd @ 11:00 AM
All students will receive at least one award




READING:
This week we will take some time off our Reader and investigate our PROVE IT method.  PROVE IT is a method that helps the children turn their "I think" responses into "I KNOW" responses.  It encourages the students to look back into the text and find where they read to find the answer.  This method is important as the students mature into skilled readers.
Review of nouns/plurals/subject/predicate/punctuation

MATH:
Monday we will take a money quiz and then move into a deeper look at two digit addition using place value blocks.  Next week we will begin to extend our two digit addition toward regrouping.  There will be only a bit of homework this week.  It will be a great week to sharpen the students' addition fact fluency.

SPELLING:
For the next five weeks we will take a break from WORDS THEIR WAY and begin to familiarize ourselves with our second grade high frequency words.  I have attached a list with the daily homework to each child's spelling notebook.  The homework will be different for the next five weeks.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  We will take a break from social studies and move into science (weather).  OH YES!  The maps were fabulous.

SCIENCE:  WEATHER!  Our in-house field trip is this Friday October 26th @ 1:45 - 2:30.  You (parents) are welcome to come.  Please no siblings.

Final Notes:

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER DUE SUNDAY OCTOBER 28th.  Our class code is L3XTM.

FLAT STANLEY:

We will begin Flat Stanley next week.  Be on the look out for this book.  Every night the students will be required to read a chapter orally.