February 1, 2021

Headphones/Earbuds

If possible, please check with your student to see if they have a pair of headphones or earbuds for school.  I have some for students to use, but they are rather flimsy and I've been told uncomfortable.  They are welcome to keep a pair here at school or in their computer bag to travel back and forth.  

Cleaning Computers

Some screens and keyboards are getting pretty messy.  You might want to consider using a computer cleaner once a week on your student's laptop.  If someone would donate the cleaning supplies I would be happy to clean them here at school.  

Math

Students are beginning to work on double digit addition and subtraction.  Please refrain from teaching your student the traditional method with borrowing and carrying at this time.  An important goal in second grade to to learn different strategies to add and subtract mentally.

Reading

This is our last week focusing on Folktales, Fables, and Fairy Tales.  Next week we will dive into informational text and vocabulary.

Science

Our class just finished up our unit on Water.  In last week's activity we explored how we could minimize erosion and stop a landslide.  This week we will alternate back to Social Studies.  

          

January 25th

NWEA- students finished their NWEA testing.  Look for reports to come home this week.  If you have any questions please reach out.  

Conferences- If you would like to sign up for a conference, HERE is the link.  If now isn't a good time or you don't have any questions that is ok.  You are welcome to request a conference at any time throughout the school year.  I will always make time to discuss your student with you.  

The week in review-

Math- We have continued working on telling time.  Students are doing very well identifying the placement of the hands on an analog clock; using the phrases "hour zone" and "minute mark" tend to help them if they are confusing the hands.  We are working on telling time to the minute.   

Our year long focus in math is understanding place value.  2nd graders are working really hard to master these concepts in regards to place value: 

• identify place and value of digits
• count by 1's, 5's, and 10's from any given number
• read, write, and represent numbers to 1,000
• compare numbers 

IXL, sections A, B, C, E, F, G, H, L, M, and N will support students in mastering these skills.  Practicing 5 minutes a day would be great. 

Reading- Students are working on Folk Tale and Fable reader's theater.  We have focused two components of reading when working with our scripts: accuracy and fluency.  

Writing- We have been examining the difference between simple and compound sentences.  We also looked at our writing to see how we could implement both to create a varied structure that is engages the reader.

Science- We discovered why there is sand at the beach by following rocks as they travel down a river.         

January 18, 2021

Conference time is approaching.  The second set of SJPS elementary conferences are primarily done on an  "as needed basis" for new students or students needing additional academic, social, behavioral, or emotional support. I will send notes home this week to request a conference if I believe that your student meets criteria. However, if you want to check-in please sign up. As a parent myself, I totally understand wanting to know how your child is doing at school.

Please click HERE to sign up for conferences.

Valentine's Day- Mrs. Bawks has informed staff that there will be no exchange of valentines this year. When I find out about any celebration plans I will be sure to let you know.

January 11, 2021

What a wonderful week back!  It was so nice to reconnect with your children.  We welcomed a new student this week as well, Sharifa.  That brings us to a total of 15 students.  We settled back into routines quickly and dove into academics.  Here are some highlights:   

Math: continued work with place value, continued addition to and from 20, beginning unit on telling time

ELA: rebuilt reading and writing stamina, worked on spelling days of the week

Science: began unit called Work of Water, will develop the idea that water is powerful and reshapes the Earth's surface  

Social Studies: we will begin to study civics next week

Homework: came home last Monday and should be returned on Monday.

 

Thank you to everyone for donating items for our New Year celebration.  There are a few pics below of our kids having fun.

We could use more disposable masks. If anyone would like to send in an unopened box of small masks that would be appreciated.  Sometimes our kids need a new one after a large sneeze or collected condensation makes their mask too wet to wear comfortably.  Thank you so much to everyone who is sending in cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer bottles.  These items are greatly appreciated and used constantly throughout the day.    

Scholastic Book Order forms went home Friday.  You are welcome to order online at any time.  Just go to scholastic.com/bookclubs.  Sign in with our class code GTLCJ or just search for my name.  

  

Conferences will be held January 28th and 29th.  This round of conferences is intended for students who are new, struggling socially, emotionally, and/or academically, or for families that just want to check in.  I have always been the parent who wants to check in- so please sign up if you want to do so.  I'm happy to meet via google meet, phone call, or communicate through email.  I will email a sign up sheet late this week.  

    

January 4, 2021

I am SOOOOOO excited to see all of your students on Monday! Please remind your student to bring a mask, the black and blue bag of stuff, and their charged computer. They will also need warm attire to wear outside for recess.

Hi Second Grade Families,

It was so good to see you kids today!  It was a very happy day in our classroom.  

Please have your student charge their computer tonight.  :)

Homework is being sent home today.  It should be completed and returned by next Monday, January 11th.  There is a blank writing page.  Students should write for 20-30 minutes about whatever they choose.  We are working on spelling days of the week and reading long e vowel teams.  Some examples include: beach, field, key, repeat, reason, and relief...      

If you would like to send in an item for our party on Friday we need the following items:

1. 14 tubs of playdough, any color

2. 4 bags of hershey kisses

3. 20 straws

5. 14 ice cream sandwiches

6. 4 bags of small marshmallows