September 14, 2012

Reading  Next week our story is Julius. We'll read about Maya's pig, Julius. Julius and Maya learn a lot from each other. Julius teaches Maya fun activities like trying on hats and dancing to jazz, and Maya teaches Julius how to be polite.  The comprehension strategies and skills that we will focus on are monitor, clarify, how to scan for information, and fantasy/realism.

Reading Logs  Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night. Please help your child record their minutes in their September reading folder. Reading folders should be returned to school at the end of the month after reading for at least 21 days.

Spelling  In addition to the 12 word spelling test, we had a dictated spelling sentence test which included some of our spelling words from this week. Each week your child will be taking this dictation spelling test along with their 12 word spelling test. Your child will earn the following points on this test:  2 points for each spelling word spelled correctly(these can be from previous spelling lists), 1 point for each capital letter, 1 point for each end mark and 1 point for all the other words in the sentence. This will be a part of their language arts grade. Next week, we will focus on short e, o and u words. The children will have a pre-test on the week's spelling words on Monday.  They need to study the highlighted words during the week and be ready for a spellilng test on Friday.

Math We will finish up Chapter 2 on subtraction. Students will use addition and subtraction to identify missing addends and solve problems by using the skill choose the operation. The test will be Wednesday.  We will begin Chapter 3, Place Value to 100.

Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards. They will be taking weekly math facts tests.

Social Studies  We are locating communities, states and countries on a map. Next week we will finish Unit 1, Where We Live, and take a test. 

Important Dates & Reminders

Tues, Sept. 18 - 1st Magazine Drive Turn in Day
Tues, Sept. 25 - 2nd Magazine Drive Turn in Day

Thurs, Sept. 27 - Picture Day and last Magazine Drive Turn in Day

Fri, Sept. 28 - Early Dismissal - 12pm
Mon, Oct. 1 - Reading Logs are due
Mon, Oct. 8 - Columbus - No School

Happy Birthday

Timmy - September 15

Book Fair   It was nice seeing many of you at the Book Fair/Icecream Social last night. Thank you to all the students who gave our class gift certificates to purchase books. We will enjoy reading them. It was very thoughtful!

Star Student of the Week  Alice was our star student of the week. Alice lives in Darien with her Mom, Dad and brother. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite animal is a dog. When she is at school she enjoys math and reading. When she is at home she enjoys playing games, playing chess and reading. Some really cool facts about Alice are: she is American born, Chinese, she plays the piano and has really pretty fish. When she grows up she would like to be an art teacher. Alice is a star because she listens to other people.