November 16, 2012

The Dinostars

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will discussing "The First Thanksgiving".  Our focus will be on understanding the hardships encountered by the Pilgrims on their voyage to the New World and in establishing a new settlement. We will also learn about how the first Thanksgiving came about.

Reading Logs   Please continue to log minutes with your child.  November Reading Logs are due Monday, December 3rd.

Math  We will begin Chapter 8, 2-Digit Subtraction. We will practice 2-digit subtraction and rewrite 2 digit subtraction problems.


Flash Cards  Students should be working hard to memorize their addition and subtraction facts. To check memorization of these facts, we are taking timed tests. Once your child passes a set of facts, they will move to the next level.  Look in your child's planner to find out what facts they should be working on at home. 

Science  We are learning how to make different sounds. We will be identifying the loudness and pitch of sounds, and learn how they can be changed. 

Star Student of the Week  Alexis was our star student of the week.  When she is at school she enjoys gym, art, music and math. When she is at home she likes to play with her sister. When she grows up she would like to be a professional soccer player.  Alexis is a star because she is nice to others. Thanks for sharing Alexis!

Important Dates & Reminders

What an amazing job your children did in the Dinostars performance! I am so proud of them!

Tues, Nov. 20 - Last Day to order a copy of the Dinostars concert
Wed/Thurs/Fri, - Nov. 21-23 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
Mon, Dec. 3 - November Reading Logs are due
Mon, Dec. 24 - Winder break begins

*Please send in your box tops!

November 9, 2012

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will be reading fables. We will be comparing two versions of the same story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Comprehension Strategies: Understanding Fables; Compare and Contrast; Predict/Infer
Vocabulary Words:  fable, lesson, moral
High Frequency Words:  hear, laugh, little, enough, hungry, people, water, idea, more, learn
Grammar Skills:  Writing complete sentences
Phonics:  Words with Final k and ck; VCV Pattern

Reading Logs   Please continue to log minutes with your child.

Math  We will continue with Chapter 7, Explore 2-Digit Subtraction. Students will solving problems by using the strategy make a model and model and record subtraction of 1-digit and 2-digit numbers from  2-digit numbers.

Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards.  Weekly facts tests are given.

Science  We are learning about how sound is made. We will be making our own kazoos. We will also be discussing how sound travels.

Jr. Achievement  Mrs. Schaal, a volunteer from Junior Achievement, came to our class this week to teach us about Our Community.  Mrs. Schaal is an employee of  Turtle Wax. Students will be discovering a variety of jobs, developing awareness of how  businesses operate and increasing their understanding of how citizens must be responsible for the well being of their community. This unit supplements our social studies curriculum. Mrs. Schaal will meet with our class once a week for the next 4 weeks.

Important Dates & Reminders

Mon, Nov. 12 - No School - Veteran's Day
Thurs, Nov. 15 - 2nd Grade Dinostars Concert at 7pm, at Lakeview. Students should arrive at 6:45pm and report to the gym
Tues, Nov. 20 - Last Day to order a copy of the Dinostars concert
Wed/Thurs/Fri, - Nov. 21-23 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday

*Please send in your box tops!

November 2, 2012

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will be comparing and contrasting two stories.  The first story, Owl Moon, is realistic fiction.  We will see what happens when a girl and her father look for owls on a cold winter night. The second story, Owls, is nonfiction. We will learn more about what owls look like, where they live, and how they hunt for food.

Comprehension Strategies: Compare/Contrast; Monitor/Clarify; Classify/Categorize; Fact and Opinion
Vocabulary Words:  owling, shadows, furry, clearing, echo, threading, meadow, pumped, rarely, active, blend, outlined, curved, swoops 
Grammar Skills:  Telling Sentences and Questions; Commands; Exclamations
Phonics:  Long vowels CVCe: o, u, e, 

Reading Logs   November Reading logs went home Thursday. Please continue to log minutes with your child.

Math  We finished Chapter 6 and will begin Chapter 7, Explore 2-Digit Subtraction. Students will count back by tens to subtract multiples of ten and model subtracting 1 and 2 digit numbers from 2-digit numbers.

Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards.  Weekly facts tests are given.

Science  We finished Chapter 11, Light and Heat. Next week we will begin Chapter 12, Sound.  We will discuss what causes sound.


Star Student of the Week  Jake was our star student of the week.  Jake lives in Darien. When he is at school he enjoys recess, gym and math. When he is at home he likes to play his PS3 and with his trains. When he grows up he would like to be in the Army.  Jake is a star because he is learning another language and plays sports. Thanks for sharing Jake!

Important Dates & Reminders

Thanks to Mrs. Bende, Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Malatia and Mrs. O'Connell for planning a fabulous Halloween party.  A special thanks to all our parents, including Mrs. Adams, Mrs. O'Brien and Mrs. Zwart, who sent in yummy treats, drinks and supplies for our party.  The children had a blast!

Mon, Nov. 5 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tues, Nov. 6 - No School - Teacher Institute
Mon, Nov. 12 - No School - Veteran's Day
Thurs, Nov. 15 - 2nd Grade Dinostars Concert at 6:45, Lakeview Gym
Tues, Nov. 20 - Last Day to order a copy of the Dinostars concert
Wed/Thurs/Fri, - Nov. 21-23 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday

*Please send in your box tops!

October 26, 2012

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will be reading Around the Pond:  Who's Been Here? It is a realistic story about a brother and sister, William and Cammy, who go blueberry picking around a pond with their dog Sam. They see many different plants and animals. 

Comprehension Strategies: Categorize and Classify; Monitor/Clarify
Vocabulary Words:  edge, splash, shallow, fish, duck, bank, path, crater, moss 
High Frequency Words: across, brother, great, stand; homonyms
Grammar Skills:  exclamations
Phonics:  Double Consonants; VCV Pattern
Reading Logs   Please help your child record their minutes in their October reading log.  Reading Logs are due November 1st.

Math  We  will continue Chapter 6, Two Digit Addition. Students will use rounding to estimate sums of 2-digit numbers, practice 2-digit addition with and without regrouping, solve problems by using the skill use a table and use mental math to add 2-digit numbers.

Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards.  Weekly facts tests are given.

Science  We will continue learning about heat.  Students will identify heat sources and explain the transfer of heat and how heat is measured. 

Star Student of the Week  Sydney was our star student of the week.  Sydney lives in Downers Grove. When she is at school she enjoys recess and gym. When she is at home she likes to watch tv. When she grows up she would like to be a bird trainer. Sydney is a star because she plays with her friends when they are sad. Thanks for sharing Sydney!

Important Dates & Reminders

Halloween Activities:  Our Halloween parade is Wednesday, October 31 at 1:40 (weather permitting).  Please come and watch.  The students should bring their costumes to school in a bag on Wednesday.  No make-up will be applied at school and no toy weapons are allowed!  Please do not send in any treat bags with candy or food.  We have to be careful of food allergies. Thank you!

Tues, Oct. 30 - Report Cards go home
Wed, Oct. 31 - Class Halloween Party 2pm/Parade 1:40
Thurs, Nov 1 - October Reading Logs are due
Mon, Nov. 5 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tues, Nov. 6 - No School - Teacher Institute
Mon, Nov. 12 - No School - Veteran's Day
Thurs, Nov. 15 - 2nd Grade Music Concert

*Please send in your box tops!

October 19, 2012

     

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will be reading Exploring Parks with Ranger Dockett.  This is a story about a real park ranger from New York City and the things that he does each day as part of his job, such as keeping the parks clean and planting trees.

Comprehension Strategies:   Fact and Opinion; Evaluate
Vocabulary Words:   exploring, protect, tours, habitat, ranger, urban chipmunks, gathering, floating; Antonyms
High Frequency Words: busy, important, later, touch, young
Grammar Skills:  Commands
Phonics:  Consonant Clusters r, l, s; Two sounds for c

Reading Logs  Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night. Please help your child record their minutes in their October reading log.


Math  We will finish Chapter 5, Explore 2-Digit Addition. Our review and test will be next week. We will begin Chapter 6, Two Digit Addition. Students will add 2-digit numbers with and without regrouping.

Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards.  Weekly facts tests are given.

Science  We will continue learning about how light can pass through some objects and not others. Students will do an investigation using flash lights and mirrors. We will then move on to our next lesson:  What is Heat?

Star Student of the Week  Joshua was our star student of the week.  Joshua lives in the United States with his mom, dad and little sister. When he is at school he enjoys recess. When he is at home he likes to play on the computer. When he grows up he would like to be a money maker. Joshua is a star because he loves Skylanders and is a great reader. Thanks for sharing Joshua!

Important Dates & Reminders

*Please send in one paper towel roll.

Miss Wyse introduced the fall musical to second grade entitled, DINOSTARS!  This year the music to practice for the show can be found on the following website:

www.ccsd66music.com/PVChorus.htm

Thurs, Oct 25 - Early Dismissal - Noon
Fri, Oct. 26 - Spooky Story Day - Wear black and orange and 
                   bring a  Halloween book from home to share
Fri, Oct. 26 - PTO Halloween Party
Tues, Oct. 30 - Report Cards go home
Wed, Oct. 31 - Class Halloween Party/Parade 1:40
Thurs, Nov 1 - October Reading Logs are due
Mon, Nov. 5 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tues, Nov. 6 - No School - Teacher Institute
Mon, Nov. 12 - No School - Veteran's Day
Thurs, Nov. 15 - 2nd Grade Music Concert

*Please send in your box tops!

October 12, 2012

                   

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will be reading Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night.  It is a fictional story about a boy named Henry who goes camping with his parents and his dog Mudge. Each one of them enjoys camping, but not for the same reasons. 
Comprehension Strategies:  Compare and Contrast; Question
Vocabulary Words:  backpack, campfire, camping, hike, lanterns, tent, guitar, doe, fawn, sappy, snuggled
High Frequency Words: quiet, even, straight beautiful, year
Grammar Skills:  Telling Sentences and Questions
Phonics:  Long Vowels CVCe, o, u, e; Sounds for g

Reading Logs  Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night. Please help your child record their minutes in their October reading log.


Math  We will begin Chapter 5, Explore 2-Digit Addition. We will be using mental math to add on multiples of 10 and regrouping for addition.

Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards.  Weekly facts tests are given.

Science  We will be learning what light is and how it moves.

Star Student of the Week  Natasa was our star student of the week.  Natasa lives in Woodridge with her mom and cat. When she is at school she enjoys playing outside. When she is at home she likes to play with her cat. Some really cool facts about Natasa are:  she once did 20 flips in the water really fast, she did 30 math cards fast and she played on a volleyball team that won. When she grows up she would like to be a volleyball player. Natasa is a star because she is nice to other people. Thanks for sharing Natasa!

Important Dates & Reminders

Last week Miss Wyse introduced the fall musical to second grade entitled, DINOSTARS!  This year the music to practice for the show can be found on the following website:

www.ccsd66music.com/PVChorus.htm

 Thurs, Oct 25 - Early Dismissal - Noon
Fri, Oct. 26 - Spooky Story Day - Wear black and orange and 
                   bring a  Halloween book from home to share
Fri, Oct. 26 - PTO Halloween Party
Mon, Oct. 29 - Conferences
Tues, Oct. 30 - Conferences
Tues, Oct. 30 - Report Cards go home
Wed, Oct. 31 - Class Halloween Party/Parade 1:40
Mon, Nov. 5 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tues, Nov. 6 - No School - Teacher Institute
Mon, Nov. 12 - No School - Veteran's Day
Thurs, Nov. 15 - 2nd Grade Music Concert

*Please send in your box tops!

October 5, 2012

                      

Reading and Language Arts  Next week we will be reading two stories to compare fantasy and nonfiction.  George and Martha, Round and Round is our fantasy story about two hippos.  Hippos is our nonfiction story from the magazine Ranger Rick.  Our comprehension strategy is connecting and comparing.  Our phonics lesson will review short vowels and the VCCV pattern.  The vocabulary words are cross, observed, thoroughly, unmoved, wicked, herds, mammal, moisture, nostrils, and relatives. Our high frequency words are bought, front, kitchen, until and roll. Our grammar lesson will review the naming and action part of a sentence.

Reading Logs  Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night. Please help your child record their minutes in their October reading log.


Math  We will continue with Chapter 4, Number Concepts and Patterns. We will be identifying patterns on a hundred chart, solving problems by using the find a pattern strategy and skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s, starting from different numbers. We will have our chapter test by the end of the week.


Flash Cards  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts with their flash cards.

Science  We are learning about light and heat energy.

Star Student of the Week  Ryan was our star student of the week.  Ryan lives in Darien with her mom and dad. When he is at school he enjoys gym and reading. When he is at home he likes to build with Legos and play games. Some really cool facts about Ryan are:  he caught a 4 foot, 80 pound shark in Florida, his uncle is a fire chief, he went on the field of the Sox and he is  a Lego architect. When he grows up he would like to be a professional baseball player. Ryan is a star because he is a good friend. Thanks for sharing Ryan!

Important Dates & Reminders

Mon, Oct. 8 - Columbus Day - No School
Fri, Oct. 26 - Spooky Story Day - Wear black and orange and 
                   bring a  Halloween book from home to share
Fri, Oct. 26 - PTO Halloween Party
Mon, Oct. 29 - Conferences
Tues, Oct. 30 - Conferences
Tues, Oct. 30 - Report Cards go home
Wed, Oct. 31 - Class Halloween Party

*Please send in your box tops!