Week ending 12/15

Hi Families!  What a chilly week it has been!  Happy Hannukah to those of you that are celebrating! Are you a family that likes to get out there all that winter and snow has to offer or would you rather curl up on the couch with blankets and play family games together?

Important information:

• We have one more full week of school coming up.  If your child will not be here for part of that, please let me know. 
• Snow pants and boots are needed to play in the snow.  If there is snow on the ground, children without boots will need to stay on the blacktop during recess.  
• Supplies needed:  If you're out shopping this weekend...we would love it if you could pick up some tissues, paper towels, and cleaning wipes for the classroom!  There are many colds in our room and we're trying to stay as healthy as possible.  Thanks in advance for your help!

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our week...

3 math skills we have been working on reading, understanding, and sharing information from a bar graph, making change when shopping at the fruit market, and reviewing place value skills with the game, Race to 100 and Race to 0.  

* Ask your child to count up to $1.00 to see how much change they'd get back for a 40 cents pack of gum.

2 special visitors we had this week were guests from China who visited us for about two hours Tuesday morning.  The students enjoyed learning to count in Chinese, working with chopsticks, making a paper craft, and hearing the story of the Monkey King.  We also had a visit from illustrator, Ralph Masiello.  He is always funny and engages the kids throughout the whole presentation.  You may have seen their drawings they took home.  

*Ask to see your child's drawings and look for shapes within each one!

1 special activity we had this week was pajama day in Friday!  The students earned it say earning 9 baseballs.  They can earn baseballs by receiving compliments from other staff in the building and going above and beyond in their work, their problem solving, kind words, positive attitude, and putting for a strong effort.  Myself, Ms. Houston, and Ms. R. do not give baseballs even though we are with them all day...they earn them from others who notice.

Here's as few pics from our presentations this week!

 

Have a great weekend!

-Megan

Week ending 12/1/17

Welcome to December!
This is a busy time for many families and it's also a busy time in school for our class!  We have many exciting things coming up including visitors from China sharing with us and a visit from a great author/illustrator!

Important information:

• Thursday, December 7th, is an early release day with dismissal at 12:30.  
• If your child is going to be out as it gets closer to the holidays, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.  
• Be sure to send in the right clothes for outdoor play as the weather is getting colder!

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our week...

3 activities we worked on in math were focused on place value with hands on activities including estimating and counting cubes with different lines and shapes,  working with Base-10 blocks to show our understanding of hundreds, tens, and ones, and learning a new game called Race to 100 to understanding the meaning of what many of you probably call "regrouping".  

2 literacy skills we've been focusing on are identifying non-fiction features (such as labels, captions, index) and their purpose as it relates to the individual story and identifying what's most important in the text.  

1 activity we've been working on more often is using paintings from our country of study (U.S.A. right now) and delving into Visual Thinking Strategies.  The conversations between students has grown quite a bit and it is amazing to hear their ideas laid out clearly  and with meaning as they express WHY they THINK something.  They've developed skills on how to show agreement and disagreement and we've all realized that there are many different opinions in our class and that's what makes this strategy so interesting.  

Below is the painting from Grant Wood that we used this morning:

Week Ending 11/17/17

Hello families!
We've had a busy week in Room 250!  We've been working on finishing up different curriculum areas and visited the book fair!

Important Information:

• Wednesday, November 22, is an early release day with dismissal at 12:00 NOT 12:30 and no ASCA classes.  Please plan accordingly.  Thanks in advance!
• There is no school next Thursday and Friday. 
• Don't forget Integrating the Arts morning is Friday, December 1st. Hope you can join us!
• See the information in this link regarding a coat drive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HzIfwmLlI3qwyVEAczUH8Yet8_vZB7n8mvPwsEvlFTQ/edit?usp=sharing

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our week...

3 literacy activities we've been focusing on are comparing original version of The Three Little Pigs to James Marshall's version, learning about James Marshall's life, and practicing our reader's theater.  The students have done a great job working on fluency, a little acting, and working respectfully in a group.  *Ask your child which reader's theater play they have been working on.

2 math skills we've been working on are adding tens quickly as we play the Leapfrog and Fly Capture games and adding on an open number line.  The open number line helps the students focus on addition strategies such as adding tens, finding landmark numbers, and adding in groups.  

1 new activity we started was looking at a piece of artwork and using the Visual Thinking Strategy to have a discussion.  We view the artwork, have some think time, and then discuss what we notice, what we think, and why we think this.  We also work on how to disagree with someone if you feel that way.  We've only done one, on Thursday, but I was very impressed with their discourse ability and manner in how they disagreed respectfully with others.  The conversation was held by them...I simply just helped keep it moving along.  

Week ending 11/3/17

Hello families!
We've had a great week!  Despite the weather outside earlier this week, we've been plenty busy inside the classroom!
Important Information:

• Information regarding homework will be coming home Monday.   Please be sure have books at home that are just right for your child or ones you plan to read together.  The Newton Public Library came earlier this week so they know all about it and that may be an option for books. Also, if you need  books, please let me know.
• Next Friday, November 10, there is no school.
• Wednesday, November 22, is an early release day with dismissal at 12:00 (NOT 12:30).
• Some of you have been asking about class emails.  The PTO directory is set up and is a great way to find our class contact information.   
• Save the date: Integrating the Arts morning is Friday, December 1st. 

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our week...

3 reading skills we have been working on writing summaries, using the book Goggles, understanding cause and effect, and problem and solution as part of our author study on James Marshall we began this week.

2 math activities we've worked on were measuring different paper sizes using cubes and discussing not only the total number of cubes, but also how did they measure, did they use a corner, or did they organize the cubes a particular way.  The students had a great discussion regarding their thinking and different ways to measure.  

1 activity we completed on Tuesday am was pumpkin observation and seed counting.  HUGE thank you to those that sent in pumpkins and to those that could join us this time in the classroom.  I was amazed at their different counting strategies, how well they worked together, and their observations about the number of seeds and pumpkin sizes in our discussion.

Here's a few pics: 

Have a great weekend!

Megan

Week Ending 10/23/17

Hello families!
It's been starting to feel a little bit like Fall these days!  I hope you've all had a chance to enjoy some of the wonderful Fall activities such as apple picking, pumpkin picking, and leaf jumping.

Important information:

• Thursday, November 2, is an early release day with dismissal at 12:30.  
• Friday, November 10, there is no school.

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our room...

3 reading strategies we've worked on this week were visualizing, making predictions, and identifying character traits.  *Ask your child which character they chose from the story, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, either Manyara and Nyasha, and which character traits they chose.  

2 math skills we finished up our second math unit and focused on number facts and solving doubles and doubles plus 1 quickly.  

1 writing workshop skill we worked on was using precise words when writing.  For example, instead of using "happy", we brainstormed a list of more exciting words, such as "thrilled".  

Week Ending 10/13/17

Hi Families,
We had a busy week last week in second grade!
Important information:

• Be sure you have signed up for a conference, if you have not done so yet.  
• If you'd like to donate books to the classroom, you can check out our Amazon wish list right here:  Amazon Wish List
• A big thank you to those of you that have donated already...the students are so excited and I very much appreciate it!
• Please remember that Thursday is our library day.  It's really important for books to be returned then, so students can choose new books as well.

3, 2, 1 things happening in Room 250...

3 read aloud we listened to during literacy to practice  making connections were When the Relatives Came, Knuffle Bunny, and Matthew and Tilly.  The more students can make connections to their books, the deeper their comprehension will be. 

*As your child is reading with you, be sure to ask them if they can make a connection to their life or to another book.  

2 math skills we worked on were addition with in 20 and learning an easier way to add 9.  

*Practicing math facts daily (in the car on the way to school, while making dinner, etc) will help your child gain automaticity. 

1 fun activity for the end of the week was with Ben L.'s mom who came in to math puzzles with us!  The students loved in!  Thank you for coming in!

Week Ending 10/6/17

Hello families!
We've started Fall though this week has felt wonderful like late summer.  It's been beautiful out and I love seeing all the students play and enjoy themselves at recess!

Important Information:

• If you have not signed up for conferences yet, please do so.  Here is the Sign Up Genius Link: Conference Sign Up
• Tuesday, October 10th is picture day.  Forms were sent home the same day as Open House.
• Reminder...please have your child keep toys or cards of any kind at home.  They can be a distraction, be lost, or damaged.  For their safety, keep them home.  Thanks!

3, 2, 1 things you should know...

3 math skills we've been working on this week were number combinations to 10 when we played the game Build a Floor, number facts with doubles and doubles +/- 1 when we played Doubles More or Less, and addition number stories.  * Ask your child to share with you an addition number story.  

2 read aloud books we heard this week were Sheila Rae the Brave and When Vera Was Sick to focus on making connections to our own lives.  We think about what happened in the story and what that reminds us of in our own experiences.  * As you read with your child each night, ask them if they've thought of any connections.  This helps to deepen their comprehension of their book.  

1 science concept we learned about was How Seeds Travel.  * Ask your child to tell you 2 ways that seeds travel.  

We also learned about bike safety today during our assembly.  * Ask your child to tell you 1 thing they learned.  

Week Ending 9/22/17

We've had a great week in room 250!  Our routines are getting solidified, students are following expectations, and our learning throughout the day is amazing!  

Important information:

• The conference Sign Up schedule was released earlier this week.  If you have not signed up for a slot yet, please do and remember that it's a time for you and your child to attend. Here is the link: Sign Up Genius
• If your child has a dismissal change, please be sure to let me know.  Also, there is no riding the buses if you are not assigned to that bus so please make other arrangements for play dates.
• Our Flu Clinic is on Tuesday, September 26th...please be sure to return your forms if needed.  
• Wednesday, September 27, is an early release day at 12:30.  
• Wednesday, September 27, is Open House.  This is an adult evening where you will learn from the 2nd grade team what the year will look like and then have an opportunity to visit our classroom.  6-6:40 is grades 3-5, 6:45-7:15 is PTO and our principal, and 7:20-8:00, you will meet with our team.  For the first part, we will meet in the auditorium, and then continue on to classrooms until 8:00.  
•  I have started an Amazon wish list for books for the classroom.  If you would like to help, you can check out the wish list here: Amazon Book Wishlist

3, 2, 1 things you need to know about our week...

3 books we read this week were Going on a Book Hunt (to talk about choosing just right books), Chrysanthemum (as part of our Bulletproof lessons), and Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth (to talk about how to sound out words).  *Ask you child one way they can sound out a difficult word.  

2 math skills we worked on completing hundreds charts with a team and using <, >,  and = signs to compare numbers.  Ask your child to compare two numbers, such as "Which is larger?  343 or 123?"

1 writing activity we completed for writing was the narrative writing prompt. Students worked hard and though it was difficult for some...that information lets me know where they are in their writing and how to move forward with what they need to know and build on what they already know how to do.  

Week ending 9/15/17

We've had our first full week of school!  The class has been getting along really well, learning about each other, expectations, and the classroom.  We've also started some real work and I've been getting to know them a little bit more each day about their academic strengths.

Important Information:

• Next Thursday, September 21, there is no school.
• Tuesday, the 26th, is the flu shot clinic.
• Wednesday, the 27th, is an early release day at 12:30.  
• Please keep in mind there is no climbing on the large tree outside the art room.  
• If you'd like to send in extra clothes in a zip-loc bag for your child, you may and it will stay in their lockers.  Sometimes extra clothes are needed due to spills, mud at recess, etc.  
• I will be setting up a conference schedule over the weekend and will post in Monday morning.  Conferences are held the end of October during the time given to us by the district.  I will be posting it early so you have to time to adjust schedules if needed.  This will be a time for you and your child to discuss work and behavior.  
• Our AD and OO buses are full, so there is no riding another bus or going on a play date with a student who takes the bus.  If you have a play date with students who ride the bus, please make other arrangements for pick up.  Thanks!

3, 2, 1 things happening in room 250...

3 math skills we worked on this week were counting the value of coins, counting the value of bills, and learning to play Top-It and Number Squeeze.  

*Ask your child at home to play number squeeze with you!

2 books we read during reading workshop were Wild About Books and Mrs. Brooks Loves Books.  We are spending this time setting up reading workshop routines, talking about choosing just right books, and starting to begin reading groups.  

1 Responsive Classroom activity we completed were writing our hopes and dreams for the school year.  

First Week of School!

Hello families!
We have a had a great first week of school!  It's been wonderful to get to know your children and I look forward to learning more and more about them as the year goes on.  Almost each week, I write a short blog so you can see what we've been working on and use it as a start to a discussion about your child's day and week.

Important Information:

• Please follow this blog by entering your email address in the "Follow" section on the right of your screen.  That way, you should receive updates automatically. 
• Please continue to send in yummy and healthy snacks each day.  We have lunch at 11 so on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we will have snack in the afternoon.  On Tuesdays it will be in the morning.  
• Specials: Monday is PE and music, no special on Tuesday, Wednesday is PE, Thursday is library, and Friday is art.

3, 2, 1 things you should know about room 250 this week...

3 morning meeting activities we did were the clap game, hula hoop around the group, and the game 4 Corners.  It's so important your child is here on time so they will able to join our morning meeting.  It's a time to check in with each other, share and learn about each other, and play a cooperative game to begin working as a community.  

2 read aloud we heard this week were First Day Jitters and Wemberly Worried.  We talked about how many of us were really excited about school to begin...but also a little nervous as well.  

1 closing circle activity we shared was "What was something you felt proud of yourself for this week?".  Ask your child what they said.

Also, I need your help!  I would like to do one big Scholastic book order just for September and then I won't ask again!  When families order books, not only do their children receive books, but as the classroom teacher I receive points based on how many books were sold.  Those points...I then use to shop for books to add to our classroom library!  It's a fabulous way to put new and fun books in the students' hands to read and enjoy all year.  I also may be looking at doing a book raffle at the end of each month but still need to think about the details!  :)

The shopping link is right here and it will stay open till Friday, the 22nd, then I will send it all in.  

Ordering link: https://orders.scholastic.com/H6JBB