Wow! I can't believe it is already Spring Break! We could definitely feel the "buzz" as we walk around the school.
The kids are very excited for Spring Break. :) There is a lot
of information in this post, please take the time to read over it.
Career Day
We had so many different careers in our classroom today! It was so much fun! I forgot to get a picture of our class, but everyone did a wonderful job dressing up today.
Friday Folders
Friday folders did not come home today. Any notes from the
school have been sent home throughout the week. I will send home Friday
folders home the Friday when we come back to school.
Spring Break
I know a lot of the students and families have excited plans for Spring Break.
I can't wait to hear about all the fun things the kids get to do! Your kiddo has wrote you a persuasive letter telling you about their opinion of the BEST thing to do for Spring Break - this is in your child's backpack, so take a few minutes to read it tonight!
If you have some extra time, please encourage your student to do some
reading and practice math facts. Even though it is only a week, the
students can get out of the routine and getting back into it for the last
stretch of 2nd grade can be difficult. Reading and math facts are a great
way to pass the time while traveling also.
Reading
This week, we reviewed story elements and morals of stories. The students
were able to identify the moral as well as give evidence from the story to
support the moral. These also bring up good conversations about how to
treat others in different situations.
The week after Spring Break, we will work on visualizing. This is fun
because the students get to draw pictures of what they imagine as they read the
book. I tell them it is like a movie playing in their head and they get
to draw it.
Writing
This week, we continued to work on opinion writing. Not only did the kiddos write to you about the BEST thing to do on Spring Break, but they also wrote an opinion piece about their favorite ice cream
toppings. We celebrated today our ice cream and ice cream toppings
writing with an ice cream party.
When we get back from Spring Break, we will continue working on our opinion
unit. The students will be doing research to support their opinion. This
opinion piece will be about what they think is the best pet.
Math
We took our post test over subtraction this week. These came home on Wednesday. If you have not already looked at this test, signed & returned it - please do so. This process is a way to communicate with you about how your child did on the test.
We will start our geometry unit when we get back after Spring Break. We
will identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and cubes.
They will also learn different vocabulary related to the shapes.
Science
Yesterday, the kiddos learned the steps of the Scientific Method and we wondered a question about plants. Today, the students designed an experiment today to test if plants need soil, water
and sunlight to survive. We will be setting up the experiment after break. This experiment will then testing our hypothesis that plants need all three to survive.
Reviewing Expectations
We had to do a lot of reviewing of expectations this week, and we struggled with following teacher directions (the first time), listening to others speak during classroom discussions, and working quietly. We had a discussion today about how important it is to continue to work hard and be the BEST students that we can during the next two months...Can you believe that we only have 2 months left together?!?!? Please reinforce this with your child the week we get back from Spring Break (this is typically a hard transition for kiddos).
Lovely Missouri Weather
Please double check the weather each day - one day might be 75 and the next day freezing. We makes it a point to go outside whenever possible, so please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather. We rarely reach the high
temperature for the day by our morning recess and it can be windy and chilly on
the playground.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, let me know and have a
wonderful Spring Break!
Friday, March 25, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
A Great Start to the Week!
We have had a couple of wonderful days. Read more about what fun things have been happening in room 26.
During Reading we worked on making compound words & turning those words into a poster! We learned that compound words are two words that can stand alone but are "smooshed" together to make one word. Checkout our picture collage!
We also had special nutrition class about making pretzels. We learned about wheat and the difference between white flour and whole wheat flour. The kids enjoyed making the pretzels, but enjoyed even more eating them! :) Checkout the pictures!
The kiddos who were able to stay for the Because of Winn-Dixie Movie Viewing Party enjoyed their snacks and watching the movie!
Brian's dad went to Kenya and Brian brought in some pictures, videos, and a few animal figurines that were made in Kenya. We learned about where Kenya was located, and also a little about what it is to live in Kenya. The kiddos were fascinated with learning that some kids run 5 miles to school every day!
We also had library checkout today. Please remember to send your kiddo with his/her books every Wednesday. There is a new addition to the Media Center - a Lego Wall!! The kiddos have loved being able to build on the Lego Wall the past 3 weeks!
We took our Subtraction Post-Test on Tuesday. These tests are coming home for you to review today (Wednesday). Please sign these tests and return them to school.
I hope that you have a chance to get out enjoy this beautiful weather because a cold front is coming in tonight. :(
We had a very fun Tuesday!
During Reading we worked on making compound words & turning those words into a poster! We learned that compound words are two words that can stand alone but are "smooshed" together to make one word. Checkout our picture collage!
We also had special nutrition class about making pretzels. We learned about wheat and the difference between white flour and whole wheat flour. The kids enjoyed making the pretzels, but enjoyed even more eating them! :) Checkout the pictures!
The kiddos who were able to stay for the Because of Winn-Dixie Movie Viewing Party enjoyed their snacks and watching the movie!
We had a wonderful Wednesday!
Brian's dad went to Kenya and Brian brought in some pictures, videos, and a few animal figurines that were made in Kenya. We learned about where Kenya was located, and also a little about what it is to live in Kenya. The kiddos were fascinated with learning that some kids run 5 miles to school every day!
We also had library checkout today. Please remember to send your kiddo with his/her books every Wednesday. There is a new addition to the Media Center - a Lego Wall!! The kiddos have loved being able to build on the Lego Wall the past 3 weeks!
Math
We took our Subtraction Post-Test on Tuesday. These tests are coming home for you to review today (Wednesday). Please sign these tests and return them to school.
I hope that you have a chance to get out enjoy this beautiful weather because a cold front is coming in tonight. :(
Friday, March 18, 2016
Happy Friday
What a wonderful week. We have been super busy in room 26! We especially had an awesome, fun Friday!
Maker Space & Creative Writing
Today we went to Maker Space in the Media Center. The kids had fun making their own creation from one toilet paper roll, and a variety of other art supplies! Oh the creativity was flowing this morning! :) The kiddos were so super excited about their creation that they had to stay out on their table all day. We ended up writing about our creations (either a creative story, an informational story, or a how-to story). Their writing turned out SO GREAT! Be sure to check out our picture collage!
Dignity Kids Presentation
We had a fun movement assembly today for second grade. Carey Henson, a taekwondo teacher, came out to RBE to talk about how the body worked. The kids learned about some of the muscle names, did some balancing experiments, and also got to break a board! Be sure to check out the pictures!
Newsletter
I have uploaded this week's newsletter to the Newsletter section, please take the time to read over it. It has information about what we will be doing next week, as well as, important dates for the rest of the year.
Because of Winn-Dixie Movie Viewing Party
Tuesday, is our movie viewing party. If your child has not returned the permission slip to stay - I sent home a new one in his/her Friday Folder. Please return this slip by Monday because I have to let the office know who will/will not be staying. Thanks!
Earbuds
A lot of the kiddos have lost their earbuds or they have broken. Please check with your student to see if they need a new pair. Also, if you would like to donate an extra earbud or headphone to the classroom, we would greatly appreciate it!
Spring Break
I cannot believe we have only one more week of school before Spring Break! If your family is leaving early for Spring Break please make sure to let myself and the office know that your kiddo will be absent.
Reading
We have been reviewing story elements this week. The students are able to identify the character(s), setting (when & where), problem and solution of the story. This is something quick to review with your student after they do their nightly reading - this helps with their comprehension and also shows you that they know what they are reading. We will continue reviewing story elements and other concepts from the year next week.
Writing
We have been working on our opinion writing this week. We did a taste test of Hershey's Kisses and they decided which was their favorite. We practiced on providing valid reasons for why their flavor was the best. Then, the students started their second opinion piece over ice cream flavors. In this writing, the kiddos wrote two reasons why they like their favorite ice cream, and then wrote a counter argument about why their flavor of ice cream is better than another flavor. We finished up the writing part of this opinion piece today and we will be assembling our books next week. We will also do a quick opinion writing over ice cream toppings (this is kind of like a midway assessment on what they have learned about opinion writing). We will have an ice cream party next Friday (March 25) to celebrate their fabulous ice cream opinion writing. Yum! Yum! :) If you are willing to help donate any items for our ice cream party please check out this sign up. Thank you in advance for your help!
Math
We continued to work on subtraction in math. We worked on word problems this week. Our current plan is to test on Tuesday. We will be reviewing on Monday and if it appears we need some additional review, then we will push the test back a day or two. After we take the test, we will spend the rest of the week reviewing concepts from the year.
Fun Eagle Website
Mrs. McKinzie sent out a link of a live camera from Washington D.C. of a bald eagle's nest. The eagles are currently sitting on eggs and one hatched last night. If you would like to watch it at home (the kids enjoyed watching this today during art) - here in the link.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Maker Space & Creative Writing
Today we went to Maker Space in the Media Center. The kids had fun making their own creation from one toilet paper roll, and a variety of other art supplies! Oh the creativity was flowing this morning! :) The kiddos were so super excited about their creation that they had to stay out on their table all day. We ended up writing about our creations (either a creative story, an informational story, or a how-to story). Their writing turned out SO GREAT! Be sure to check out our picture collage!
Dignity Kids Presentation
We had a fun movement assembly today for second grade. Carey Henson, a taekwondo teacher, came out to RBE to talk about how the body worked. The kids learned about some of the muscle names, did some balancing experiments, and also got to break a board! Be sure to check out the pictures!
Newsletter
I have uploaded this week's newsletter to the Newsletter section, please take the time to read over it. It has information about what we will be doing next week, as well as, important dates for the rest of the year.
Because of Winn-Dixie Movie Viewing Party
Tuesday, is our movie viewing party. If your child has not returned the permission slip to stay - I sent home a new one in his/her Friday Folder. Please return this slip by Monday because I have to let the office know who will/will not be staying. Thanks!
Earbuds
A lot of the kiddos have lost their earbuds or they have broken. Please check with your student to see if they need a new pair. Also, if you would like to donate an extra earbud or headphone to the classroom, we would greatly appreciate it!
Spring Break
I cannot believe we have only one more week of school before Spring Break! If your family is leaving early for Spring Break please make sure to let myself and the office know that your kiddo will be absent.
Reading
We have been reviewing story elements this week. The students are able to identify the character(s), setting (when & where), problem and solution of the story. This is something quick to review with your student after they do their nightly reading - this helps with their comprehension and also shows you that they know what they are reading. We will continue reviewing story elements and other concepts from the year next week.
Writing
We have been working on our opinion writing this week. We did a taste test of Hershey's Kisses and they decided which was their favorite. We practiced on providing valid reasons for why their flavor was the best. Then, the students started their second opinion piece over ice cream flavors. In this writing, the kiddos wrote two reasons why they like their favorite ice cream, and then wrote a counter argument about why their flavor of ice cream is better than another flavor. We finished up the writing part of this opinion piece today and we will be assembling our books next week. We will also do a quick opinion writing over ice cream toppings (this is kind of like a midway assessment on what they have learned about opinion writing). We will have an ice cream party next Friday (March 25) to celebrate their fabulous ice cream opinion writing. Yum! Yum! :) If you are willing to help donate any items for our ice cream party please check out this sign up. Thank you in advance for your help!
Math
We continued to work on subtraction in math. We worked on word problems this week. Our current plan is to test on Tuesday. We will be reviewing on Monday and if it appears we need some additional review, then we will push the test back a day or two. After we take the test, we will spend the rest of the week reviewing concepts from the year.
Fun Eagle Website
Mrs. McKinzie sent out a link of a live camera from Washington D.C. of a bald eagle's nest. The eagles are currently sitting on eggs and one hatched last night. If you would like to watch it at home (the kids enjoyed watching this today during art) - here in the link.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, March 11, 2016
An AMAZING Read Week!
Wow! We have had an AMAZING Read Week! Our class was so incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful readers! I forgot to take pictures during some of our readers (sorry!) but I did put together a collage of some of our fun this week. Thank you to everyone who was able to work coming in and reading to us into your schedule. The kids loved hearing and seeing everyone. Thank you to everyone who helped with costumes for the different theme days and support reading at home! We are incredibly lucky to have such supportive and wonderful families at RBE!
Reading
We talked a lot about books this week and we had so many to choose from! :) I was so impressed by the kiddos when they were talking about books and using all the different concepts that we have covered during the school year. Next week, we will be reviewing writing summaries and story elements.
Writing
We began working on our opinion writing unit. The students had to form an opinion about what their favorite book that was read to them each day and support their opinion with 3 reasons. We talked again about that powerful evidence word of "because" and the importance of giving evidence to our reasons. An example, instead of saying, "The book was funny," saying "The book was funny because the (then tell what happened in the book." Opinion writing is our big writing unit during third trimester.
We also continued to develop our friendly letter skills. We started writing to a pen pal classroom in Kansas City. We are excited about this!!
Math
We will be finishing up our subtraction unit before spring break (current plan is to test on Tuesday, March 22). Next week we will be continuing to practice solving subtraction problems (we are carrying this over into money) and solving word problems (addition or subtraction). We took a math quick check every day as a measure for me to see what the kiddos have retained from the beginning of the year. I will be using these checks to pull small review groups during the next 2 weeks; however, please look over these quick checks (3 are coming home in Friday Folders) and if there is a skill that your child is struggling on spend a few extra minutes practicing.
I am really proud of how hard students are working on their math facts. We had several students pass another test today! We are wanting students to know their addition and subtraction facts within a snap. If your child is still on addition please add a few extra minutes each night help them learn these facts. Knowing your addition and subtraction facts is an expectation that 3rd grade teachers have for their students.
Coats/Jackets
Please send your child with a coat or jacket even if the temperature is going to be warm. Both of our recesses are in the morning and it can still be fairly chilly (especially if it is windy) and the kiddos sometimes get cold.
Spring Picture Day
Spring Picture Day is Wednesday, March 16. Information on spring pictures came home in a previous Friday Folder.
Can you believe that we only have two more weeks until Spring Break? I hope that your family has a wonderful weekend!
Reading
We talked a lot about books this week and we had so many to choose from! :) I was so impressed by the kiddos when they were talking about books and using all the different concepts that we have covered during the school year. Next week, we will be reviewing writing summaries and story elements.
Writing
We began working on our opinion writing unit. The students had to form an opinion about what their favorite book that was read to them each day and support their opinion with 3 reasons. We talked again about that powerful evidence word of "because" and the importance of giving evidence to our reasons. An example, instead of saying, "The book was funny," saying "The book was funny because the (then tell what happened in the book." Opinion writing is our big writing unit during third trimester.
We also continued to develop our friendly letter skills. We started writing to a pen pal classroom in Kansas City. We are excited about this!!
Math
We will be finishing up our subtraction unit before spring break (current plan is to test on Tuesday, March 22). Next week we will be continuing to practice solving subtraction problems (we are carrying this over into money) and solving word problems (addition or subtraction). We took a math quick check every day as a measure for me to see what the kiddos have retained from the beginning of the year. I will be using these checks to pull small review groups during the next 2 weeks; however, please look over these quick checks (3 are coming home in Friday Folders) and if there is a skill that your child is struggling on spend a few extra minutes practicing.
I am really proud of how hard students are working on their math facts. We had several students pass another test today! We are wanting students to know their addition and subtraction facts within a snap. If your child is still on addition please add a few extra minutes each night help them learn these facts. Knowing your addition and subtraction facts is an expectation that 3rd grade teachers have for their students.
Coats/Jackets
Please send your child with a coat or jacket even if the temperature is going to be warm. Both of our recesses are in the morning and it can still be fairly chilly (especially if it is windy) and the kiddos sometimes get cold.
Spring Picture Day
Spring Picture Day is Wednesday, March 16. Information on spring pictures came home in a previous Friday Folder.
Can you believe that we only have two more weeks until Spring Break? I hope that your family has a wonderful weekend!
Friday, March 4, 2016
Wow! What a Great Week!
This Week
We have been super busy! In reading, we learned about common themes in books, and the kiddos are doing an a great job being able to identify those themes in the stories that they read. In writing, we worked really hard on a writing post-test for informational writing. The kids researched and published a book on tulips. I will be grading these and this will be coming home to see what your child can independently write an informational piece of writing. In math, we have continued to work on subtraction with regrouping and borrowing. If students have mastered 2-digit, they have moved on to 3-digit, and then 3-digit with a 0 in the tens place (borrow across a 0). We have related subtraction to money also - making sure that the decimal points line up & of course remembering the qualifier! :) In word study, we have been learning about how to write a friendly letter. We wrote a few interactive writing letters (as a whole group) and have practiced independently writing a letter to a family member. We also have started to write to a pen-pal classroom in Kansas City. The kiddos are really excited and we hope to receive letters back from them soon!
Read Week is NEXT WEEK!!!!
The kiddos are super excited about Read Week next week! We have SO many wonderful readers coming in to read to us!! Also, each day has a special "theme." So start planning those outfits! :)
Because of Winn-Dixie Movie Viewing Party
We finished the book Because of Winn-Dixie and we have scheduled a Movie Viewing Party for after school on Tuesday, March 22. The watch party will be 2:45-4:30. A permission slip came home in your child's Friday Folder today. If your child is able to stay, please return the signed permission slip by March 18.
Friday Folders
There are LOTS of things that in your child's Friday Folder. There are several graded papers from last week and this week during our subtraction unit. Please look through these. If your child is struggling with subtraction with regrouping (borrowing) then try to add a couple of extra problems each night to their nightly homework. Also, be on the lookout for the letter that your child wrote to a family member. Please take the time to read this letter - we have been working hard on identifying the different parts of the letter and what goes in each part!
We have been super busy! In reading, we learned about common themes in books, and the kiddos are doing an a great job being able to identify those themes in the stories that they read. In writing, we worked really hard on a writing post-test for informational writing. The kids researched and published a book on tulips. I will be grading these and this will be coming home to see what your child can independently write an informational piece of writing. In math, we have continued to work on subtraction with regrouping and borrowing. If students have mastered 2-digit, they have moved on to 3-digit, and then 3-digit with a 0 in the tens place (borrow across a 0). We have related subtraction to money also - making sure that the decimal points line up & of course remembering the qualifier! :) In word study, we have been learning about how to write a friendly letter. We wrote a few interactive writing letters (as a whole group) and have practiced independently writing a letter to a family member. We also have started to write to a pen-pal classroom in Kansas City. The kiddos are really excited and we hope to receive letters back from them soon!
Read Week is NEXT WEEK!!!!
The kiddos are super excited about Read Week next week! We have SO many wonderful readers coming in to read to us!! Also, each day has a special "theme." So start planning those outfits! :)
Monday: "Hats Off to Reading"
Students may wear hats.
Tuesday: "Reading Rainbow"
Students wear as many colors as they can.
Wednesday: "Relax with a Good Book"
Students can wear PJ's.
Also, on Wednesday, it will be our school-wide "Drop Everything and Read" Day. If your child would like to bring a special book to read on this day that would be wonderful! :)
Thursday: "Lasso a Good Book"
Students can wear Western Wear.
Friday: "Book Character Day"
Students can dress as their favorite book character.
In addition to dressing up as our favorite book character on Friday we will be visiting the Media Center for a few Mystery Readers! Next week we will get clues to who will be listening to read and then we will guess who will be reading to us. I can't wait to find out who we get to listen to read! :) Also, on Friday in our own classroom we will be doing "Flashlight Friday" Reading. The kiddos can bring in a flashlight and we will read with the lights off! I shared this with the class today & they were really excited!
We finished the book Because of Winn-Dixie and we have scheduled a Movie Viewing Party for after school on Tuesday, March 22. The watch party will be 2:45-4:30. A permission slip came home in your child's Friday Folder today. If your child is able to stay, please return the signed permission slip by March 18.
Friday Folders
There are LOTS of things that in your child's Friday Folder. There are several graded papers from last week and this week during our subtraction unit. Please look through these. If your child is struggling with subtraction with regrouping (borrowing) then try to add a couple of extra problems each night to their nightly homework. Also, be on the lookout for the letter that your child wrote to a family member. Please take the time to read this letter - we have been working hard on identifying the different parts of the letter and what goes in each part!
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