October 10, 2014

Reading During began rotations for Daily 5 this week. Students are doing a great job in their centers. We read a passage from Animal Friends, by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, called "Weird Friends". In our first read, we looked for the main idea and key details, using the strategy of text marking. Next week we will read the passage a second time with a different purpose, vocabulary.

Reading Logs Please continue to read and help your child record minutes in their October reading folder. Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month.  Students who read and return their logs after 21 days will be recognized with a special celebration. 

Language Arts This week we focused on what is a noun. Next week we will discuss proper nouns.

Spelling  Next week students will continue their word study with the words they brought home this past Monday. The focus will be on vocabulary activities.  Make sure to keep the words in the ziploc bag and in a safe place so they can be used next week. Students are being asked to choose a different activity from the Weekly Spelling Activity Card to complete each night (Mon-Thurs) to help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please fill out the spelling bookmark, indicating which activity they chose, initial it, and have them return it the following day. This will help them prepare for the assessment on Friday. Please keep the Weekly Spelling Activity Card in your child's green folder once they have completed the nightly activity.  

Math  We will continue to work with Subtraction Strategies. The lessons next week will focus on using addition facts to 18 to subtract, making a 10 to subtract and solving two question story problems. An assessment on Subtraction Strategies will be given by the end of the week.

Math Facts Math facts should be reviewed daily. The Math flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts as well as the one minute math practice worksheets that are brought home. Weekly timed tests are given. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math practice worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Social Studies Next week we will discuss a map scale.

Emily

Star Student of the Week  Emily was our star student of the week. When she is at school she enjoys reading, music and art. When she is at home she likes to play with her sisters and watch T.V. When she grows up she would like to be a dancer. Emily is a star because she tries her best and she tries new things.Thanks for sharing Emily!

Important Dates & Announcements

Music From Miss Wyse:

Please send in a small flashlight with your child’s name on it next week.

Also, Miss Wyse is in need of parent volunteers to help the students make headbands for the musical. Please contact her if you are interested at jwyse@ccsd66.org.

October Dates to Remember

13 - No School - Columbus Day
24 - Field Trip to the Darien Fire Station
24 - Family Halloween Party @ Ide from 6:30-8pm 

27-29 Parent/Teacher Conferences

31 - Classroom Halloween Parade and Party, 1:45 parade, 2-3:00 party

November Dates to Remember

 3 - No School- Parent Teacher Conferences
 4 - No School - Election Day
 5 - November Reading Log due
20- 2nd Grade Concert @7pm
26-28 Thanksgiving Break - No School

October 3, 2014

Reading During Daily 5 this week we continued building our stamina in Read to Self and Work on Writing and Word Work. Next week we will continue to work with the Daily 5 structure, Read to Self, and Work on Writing, and Word Work. This week we continued discussions on Friendship. We read The Name Game by Yangsook Choi. We learned how good friends treat each other. Students completed activities to promote diversity and friendship in our classroom. Monday we will revisit close reading(looking at a passage in a text for deeper understanding). We will be reading a passage from Animal Friends, by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, called "Weird Friends". The first time we read the passage we will be looking for the main idea and key details, using the strategy of text marking. When we read through it the second time, we will focus on the vocabulary.

Reading Logs October reading logs went home on Wednesday. Please continue to read and help your child record minutes in their October reading folder. Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month.  Students who read and return their logs after 21 days will be recognized with a special celebration. 

We had our first READING CELEBRATION on Wednesday. We celebrated with lunch in the classroom, a Magic School Bus Video and Popsicles. Way to go readers!!

Language Arts Next week we will focus on nouns. 

Spelling  We had a spelling assessment today. On Monday your child will be bringing home a new word list (sort). Your child should throw away the old words, cut apartand then sort the new words. Make sure to keep them in the ziploc bag and in a safe place so they can be used throughout the next 2 weeks. Students are being asked to choose a different activity from the Weekly Spelling Activity Card to complete each night (Mon-Thurs) to help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please fill out the spelling bookmark, indicating which activity they chose, initial it, and have them return it the following day. This will help them prepare for the assessment. Please keep the Weekly Spelling Activity Card in your child's green folder, once they have completed the nightly activity.  

Math  We had an assessment on strategies for finding addition facts on Thursday. Today we began our next topic Subtraction Strategies.We will focus on subtracting 0,1 and 2, thinking addition to subtract doubles, and thinking addition to 10 to subtract. 

Math Facts Math facts should be reviewed daily. The Math flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts as well as the one minute math practice worksheets that are brought home. Weekly timed tests are given. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math practice worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Social Studies This week we discussed a compass rose. Using a map key and a compass rose, we were able to follow written directions and locate places on a map. Next week we will look at a map grid.

DYLAN

Star Student of the Week  Dylan was our star student of the week. When he is at school he enjoys computers, gym, recess and lunch. When he is at home he likes to be play on his tablet, play with LEGOS, play Battleship, and watch TV. When he grows up he would like to be a space man. Dylan is a star because he is a fast runner. Thanks for sharing Dylan!

Important Dates & Announcements

Music From Miss Wyse:

Hello 2nd Grade Parents,

I am excited to announce that our 2nd grade musical will be Thursday, November 20th at 7PM in the Lakeview gymnasium. Please mark your calendars! Students will be listening to their show this week in music class. Some students may even get a speaking part! Please use this link to get to the lyric sheets for this show and music to practice at home.

http://goo.gl/x1h9wE

They are in pdf format and very easy to view. Happy Practicing!

Also, Miss Wyse is in need of parent volunteers to help the students make headbands for the musical. Please contact her if you are interested at jwyse@ccsd66.org.

October Dates to Remember

 7 - Daily 5 Literacy Nights @ Ide from 5:45-7:35 pm

 8 - Picture Day

10 - Early Dismissal @12 pm - School Improvement Day

13 - No School - Columbus Day
24 - Family Halloween Party @ Ide from 6:30-8pm 

27-31 Parent/Teacher Conference Week

31 - Classroom Halloween Parade and Party, 1:45 parade, 2-3:00 party

September 26, 2014

Reading During Daily 5 this week we continued building our stamina in Read to Self and Work on Writing. Next week we will continue to work with the Daily 5 structure, Read to Self, and Work on Writing. We will also discuss Word Work. Students will learn the procedures for how to use our spelling materials, and spend time practicing vocabulary activities with their word sorts. This week we continued discussions on Friendship. We read Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes. We learned about character traits and why they are important to know when we read. Students compared and contrasted themselves to a friend in the class by completing a Venn diagram. Monday, we will complete a Venn diagram for the characters in the story. We will also be reading The Name Game by Yangsook Choi. We will be addressing the concept of acceptance and friendliness. 

Reading Logs  Please continue to read and help your child record minutes in their September reading folder. Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month.  Students who read and return their logs after 21 days will be recognized with a special celebration. Reading logs are due Wednesday, October 1st.

Language Arts We learned about the different types of sentences: declarative, asking, command and exclamatory. Next week we will work with complete and incomplete sentences. 

Spelling  Next week students will continue their word study with the words they brought home this past Monday. The focus will be on vocabulary activities.  Make sure to keep the words in the ziploc bag and in a safe place so they can be used next week. Students are being asked to choose a different activity from the Weekly Spelling Activity Card to complete each night (Mon-Thurs) to help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please fill out the spelling bookmark, indicating which activity they chose, initial it, and have them return it the following day. This will help them prepare for the assessment on Friday. Please keep the Weekly Spelling Activity Card in your child's green folder, once they have completed the nightly activity.  

Math  Our focus continues to be on strategies for finding addition facts. This week we focused on adding 0,1 and 2, doubles, near doubles, turn around facts, and adding in any order.  Students will be making 10 to add, and problem solving by drawing a picture and writing a number sentence. An assessment for Topic 2 will be given by the end of next week. 

Math Facts Math facts should be reviewed daily. The Math flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts as well as the one minute math practice worksheets that are brought home. Weekly timed tests are given. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math practice worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Social Studies This week we made a map of our own, given a written set of directions to follow. Next week will discuss directions. We will use a picture map to answer questions about directions. We will also use a map to plan a trip. 

ELLA

Star Student of the Week  Ella was our star student of the week. When she is at school she enjoys gym. When she is at home she likes to be creative. When she grows up she would like to be an artist. Ella is a star because she is good at soccer. Thanks for sharing Ella!

Important Dates & Announcements

Music From Miss Wyse:

Hello 2nd Grade Parents,

I am excited to announce that our 2nd grade musical will be Thursday, November 20th at 7PM in the Lakeview gymnasium. Please mark your calendars! Students will be listening to their show this week in music class. Some students may even get a speaking part! Please use this link to get to the lyric sheets for this show and music to practice at home.

http://goo.gl/x1h9wE

They are in pdf format and very easy to view. Happy Practicing!

Also, Miss Wyse is in need of parent volunteers to help the students make headbands for the musical. Please contact her if you are interested at jwyse@ccsd66.org.

September Dates to Remember

30 - Last Magazine Turn In Day

October Dates to Remember

 1 - September Reading Log Due

 7 - Daily 5 Literacy Nights @ Ide from 5:45-7:35 pm

 8 - Picture Day

10 - Early Dismissal @12 pm - School Improvement Day

13 - No School - Columbus Day

27-31 Parent/Teacher Conference Week

31 - Classroom Halloween Parties

September 19, 2014

Reading During Daily 5 this week we continued building our stamina in Read to Self.  We discussed Work on Writing, and generated a list of ideas to write about. We are working on building our writing stamina. Next week we will continue to work with the Daily 5 structure, work on reading, and work on writing. This week we began a unit on Friendship. We talked about what it means to be a good friend. We created recipes for 3 friendships. Next week we will read Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes. We will compare and contrast 2 of the characters in the story.

Reading Logs  Please continue to read and help your child record minutes in their September reading folder. Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month.  Students who read and return their logs after 21 days will be recognized with a special celebration. Reading logs are due Wednesday, October 1st.

Language Arts Students revisited what is a sentence. We discussed the the different types of sentences: declarative, asking, command and exclamatory. Next week we will continue activities centered around these sentences. 

Spelling  We had our first spelling assessment today. On Monday your child will be bringing home a new word list (sort). Your child should throw away the old words, cut apartand then sort the new words. Make sure to keep them in the ziploc bag and in a safe place so they can be used throughout the next 2 weeks. Students are being asked to choose a different activity from the Weekly Spelling Activity Card to complete each night (Mon-Thurs) to help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please fill out the spelling bookmark, indicating which activity they chose, initial it, and have them return it the following day. This will help them prepare for the assessment. Please keep the Weekly Spelling Activity Card in your child's green folder, once they have completed the nightly activity.  

Math  Students were assessed on Topic 1,Understanding Addition and Subtraction. W began our next topic, Addition Strategies. By the end of this topic students will be able to answer the question: What are strategies for finding addition facts? Students will be writing addition sentences for adding 0, 1 more, 2 more, and use doubles and near doubles facts to find sums. 

Math Facts Math facts should be reviewed daily. The Math flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts as well as the one minute math practice worksheets that are brought home. Weekly timed tests are given. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math practice worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Social Studies This week we discussed what symbols on a map represent and a map key. We made a map key for a map of Summerville.  Next week we will make a map of our own, given a written set of directions to follow. 

Important Dates & Announcements

I would like to make a shout out to the following families for donating funds to our classroom library. I was able to pick out some really great books. Thank you to The Gaidamavicius Family, The Garcia Family, The Heck Family, The Kobylarczyk Family, The Rerucha Family, The Scatena Family and The Scheck Family. Your generosity is appreciated!

Daily 5 Literacy Night

The Ide staff is inviting you and your student to The Daily 5 Literacy Night. Click on the following link to find out more information: http://goo.gl/Mmyu9v  The last night to sign up is Wed, Sept. 24th.

WESLEY

Star Student of the Week  Wesley was our star student of the week. When he is at school he enjoys recess. When he is at home he likes to play video games. When he grows up he would like to be a parent. Thanks for sharing Wesley!

September Dates to Remember

23 - 1st Magazine Turn In Day

25 - 2nd Magazine Turn In Day

25 - Early Dismissal @12 pm - School Improvement Day

30 - Last Magazine Turn In Day

October Dates to Remember

 1 - September Reading Log Due
 7 - Daily 5 Literacy Nights @ Ide from 5:45-7:35 pm

 8 - Picture Day

10 - Early Dismissal @12 pm - School Improvement Day

13 - No School - Columbus Day

27-31 Parent/Teacher Conference Week

31 - Classroom Halloween Parties

September 12, 2014

Reading During Daily 5 this week we have been building our stamina in Read to Self.  We learned how to pick good fit books. We've read a couple selections and have been working on the comprehension strategies checking for understanding, back up and reread and cross checking for accuracy. Next week we will continue to work with the Daily 5 structure, work on writing, to build independence when we write. 

Reading Logs  Please continue to read and help your child record their minutes in their September reading folder. Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month. Reading logs should be returned to school at the end of the month after reading for 21 days. Students who read and return their logs after 21 days will be recognized with a special celebration. 

Language Arts Students will distinguish between different types of sentences.

Spelling  This week many word sort activities were modeled and practiced. Next week a couple more activities will be introduced and the students will be able to choose which activities they want to complete to practice their words. We will also be previewing vocabulary activities with our word sorts. On Monday look for the Spelling Activity Card with spelling choices. Please keep the Weekly Spelling Activity Card in your child's green folder, once they have completed the nightly activity. Students are being asked to choose a different activity from the Weekly Spelling Activity Card to complete each night (Mon-Thurs) to help them master their spelling words. Once your child has completed the activity, please fill out the spelling bookmark, indicating which activity they chose, initial it, and have them return it the following day. This will help them prepare for the assessment on Friday. 

Math  Students will continue working with the topic Understanding Addition and Subtraction. When students solve story problems, they will decide whether they need to add or subtract by using objects. Students will be assessed on this topic next week. The next topic we will focus on is Addition Strategies. 

Math Facts Math facts should be reviewed daily. The Math flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts as well as the one minute math practice worksheets that are brought home. Weekly timed tests are given. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math practice worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Social Studies This week we read There's a Map on My Lap. We learned the difference between a globe and a map, what a map shows and we looked at different kinds of maps. Next week we will discuss what map symbols represent.

Important Dates & Announcements

Daily 5 Literacy Night

The Ide staff is inviting you and your student to The Daily 5 Literacy Night. Click on the following link to find out more information: http://goo.gl/Mmyu9v

September Dates to Remember

16 - Magazine Drive Kick Off

18 - PTO Book Fair and Ice Cream Social @6:30 pm

23 - 1st Magazine Turn In Day

25 - 2nd Magazine Turn In Day

25 - Early Dismissal @12 pm - School Improvement Day

30 - Last Magazine Tun In Day

October Dates to Remember

 7 - Daily 5 Literacy Nights @ Ide from 5:45-7:35 pm

 8 - Picture Day

10 - Early Dismissal @12 pm - School Improvement Day

13 - No School - Columbus Day

27-31 Parent/Teacher Conference Week

31 - Classroom Halloween Parties

September 5, 2014

Reading This week we have been practicing our first Daily 5 station, Read to Self.  The students have been working hard to build their reading stamina. We reviewed the 3 ways to read a book. We also read aloud Rainbow Fish, by Mark Pfiister. Mrs. Riadi and myself modeled what it looks like to do a close read (looking at a passage in a text for deeper understanding). We focused on identifying unfamiliar words and finding their meaning, and identifying key words to answer a question, using text marking. Next week we will continue to practice Daily 5, learn how to pick a good fit book and begin a unit on comparing and contrasting.

Reading Logs  Please continue to read and help your child record their minutes in their September reading folder. Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month. Reading logs should be returned to school at the end of the month after reading for 21 days. Students who read and return their logs after 21 days will be recognized with a special celebration. 

Language Arts Students will identify parts of a sentence.

Spelling  Next week we will begin the spelling program Words Their Way. Words Their Way is a developmental spelling program aligned to the new common core standards.  It is a word study. The goal is not to memorize the words or the spelling "rules"  which have so many exceptions, but to understand or make sense of the words. The students will focus on making sense of words by looking for patterns in spelling and sound in order to categorize words.  All students were given a developmental spelling test. Based on their results they will be given a list (sort) of about 20 words to study over about a 2 week time period. During the week they are given a variety of activities to do with these words. They will be tested on 12 of them. Look for the word sort and activities in your child's green folder on MONDAY. I will discuss this further on Tuesday during Curriculum Night. 

Math  Students began the topic Understanding Addition and Subtraction. By the end of the topic students will be able to describe ways to think about addition and subtraction. Our focus this week was on 

• putting two parts together to make a whole and then showing this by writing an addition and number sentence
• writing addition number sentences to show stories about joining
• solving problems by writing subtraction number sentences.                     

Next week we will focus on:

• writing subtraction sentences to solve stories about separating groups and comparing groups
• writing related addition and subtraction facts
• using counters to model and solve addition and subtraction problems.

Math Facts Math facts should be reviewed daily. The Math flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts as well as the one minute math practice worksheets that are brought home. Weekly timed tests are given. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math practice worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Important Dates & Announcement

2nd Grade Curriculum Night is Tuesday, September 9th at 6:00pm. Sign up sheets will be available for holiday parties and copy helpers. Don't forget to bring your calendar so you can volunteer.  This night is for parents only. If you have a concern about your child prior to Tuesday, please don't hesitate to contact me at szurales@ccsd66.org. 

Copy Helpers
If you are interested in copying for our class, please email me. If I get a few more volunteers I will set up a rotating schedule. Thanks in advance!

September Dates to Remember

*Note: OUR MAPS TESTING DATES WERE CHANGED

  9 - MAPS Math
  9 - Curriculum Night - 6:00-7:00pm (PARENTS ONLY)
11 - MAPS Reading
16 - Magazine Drive Kick Off
18 - PTO Book Fair @6:30pm
23 - 1st Magazine Turn In Day
25 - 2nd Magazine Turn In Day
25 - Early Dismissal @12pm - School Improvement Day
30 - Last Magazine Tun In Day

August 29, 2014

It was wonderful meeting many of you at Open House! I am very excited to be your child's teacher this year.

We've had a great start to our first week in 2nd grade. We've been involved in many activities to help us get to know each another. We've also been going over our new routines and procedures.  We jumped right into the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) program by reviewing our cool tools that reinforce our school's behavior expectations. Today we completed the PBIS stations and celebrated the great job they did of listening and learning the various school expectations with freeze pops in the classroom. 

It is here that you will find what's happening in our classroom. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Education is a partnership between the school, parents, and community. Together we can make your child's educational experience positive, fun and challenging. 

Reading Next week we will begin to revisit and practice the Daily 5 structure which will help fully engage our students in reading and writing. Students will also be assessed in reading so that we can monitor their progress.

Reading Logs  Reading logs went home yesterday. Second graders are expected to read 20 minutes each night, for a total of 21 days per month. Please help your child record their minutes in their September reading folder. Reading logs should be returned to school at the end of the month after reading for 21 days. Students who read and return their logs after 21 days, will be recognized with a special celebration. 

Language Arts Students will review sentence structure.

Math  Students will review addition strategies. We will practice our addition facts. The flash cards that you purchased should be used to practice math facts. Weekly timed tests are given. Students will also be assessed in math as well this week. 

Click on the following link to print copies of the math facts worksheets:

http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/Teacher_Pages/Schultz/Math/

Important Dates & Announcement

Our Schedule

Gym - Every day - Please make sure your child wears or has a pair of gym 

                          shoes to change into every day.

Art - Mondays

Library - Tuesdays

Computer Lab - Wednesday

Music - Thursdays

SNACK TIME
All students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack from home to eat mid-morning. The following foods may be eaten at snack time: fruits, vegetables, cheese, and fruit juice. Please no junk food. Pretzels and crackers, like Goldfish are also allowed. Food should be ready for consumption and not require peeling, washing, slicing, etc. There is only a limited time for snacks. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Help us to keep snack time healthy!

Copy Helpers
If you are interested in copying for our class, please email me. If I get a few more volunteers I will set up a rotating schedule. Thanks in advance!

Scholastic Books

A Scholastic Book order was sent home today. This is a wonderful opportunity to order books at reasonable prices. Ordering is optional. Book orders are usually sent home monthly. Every book you buy earns FREE books for our classroom library. There are two ways to order:

*Register at scholastic.com/readingclub

*Enter our Class Activation Code LD48H

*Choose from thousands of books

                  or
*Return your order form and payment, checks only, payable to Scholastic 
  Books

All orders are due by Thursday, September 4th.

September Dates to Remember

  1 - Labor Day - No School
  3 - Aimsweb Testing
  4 - Scholastic Book order due
  8 - MAPS Math
10 - MAPS Reading
  9 - Curriculum Night - 6:00-7:00pm
25 - Early Dismissal @12pm - School Improvement Day

I am looking forward to a great year in 2nd Grade!