April showers bring May flowers?

Happy (rainy) Friday! I have lots of news to share with you about curriculum and upcoming events. We are definitely in the home stretch for the school year! In math, students were assessed on place value, money, and three-digit addition and subtraction on Wednesday. Yesterday we began a unit on basic multiplication. So far, everyone seems to be picking the concept up fairly quickly! After multiplication we will visit fractions, 3-dimensional shapes, and finish up with time for some review. I have really been pleased with each 2nd grader's progress in math this year! Everyone has picked up some wonderful strategies. I definitely have some junior herpetologists in my class. So far, we have studied frogs, toads, and salamanders in the amphibian category and snakes and lizards in the reptile category. In the next couple of weeks, students will learn the difference between alligators and crocodiles and will also learn about turtles. Please hang on to any reptile/amphibian sheets you see come home. These will be helpful for review when the time comes to study. Many students are in the process of wrapping up and illustrating their animal research projects. They have learned so much, and I have been so proud to see how independently they have learned to work. Most students are following the writing process very well. You are going to love reading their books when they bring them home! After research is completed, we will spend the remainder of the school year reviewing some key writing concepts, doing some descriptive writing, and reviewing the 6 trait model. The last day of reading groups will be Thursday, April 28. I can't believe it is that time already! After reading groups have wrapped up, we will take 2 weeks for DRA testing and some in-class reading lessons. The week after that will be "Teach the Class" week. Each student will have the opportunity to teach the class how to do something. This is always a SUPER fun week! Information will be coming home soon. We have been having many conversations this week about the phrases "End the year strong!" and "Put your best foot forward!" Now that the weather has been getting nicer and summer is in sight, some students have had a challenging time remembering some of the basics that they have learned this year. There has definitely been an increase in careless mistakes, nameless papers, less-than-neat handwriting, friendship conflicts, and rushed assignments. Please continue to encourage your child and praise him or her for work you see coming home that is truly his or her best work. We will continue to press on here at school! A letter will be coming home on Monday with information about the zoo field trip. All money and permission slips have been turned in...thank you for that! Please see Monday's note for details about packed lunches, appropriate attire, etc. This note will also have information about the music program on Tuesday night. I look forward to seeing all of you there! Next Thursday will be the first annual Langston Hughes family fitness event! The event will kick off at 5:45 with a family walk for interested families. Meet at the front doors for the walk. The fitness event will be held in the multipurpose room, gym, and field from 6:00-8:00. I hope that many of you will be able to make it! I think it's going to be a great time! The week of April 25-29 will be Wellness Week here at our school. That Wednesday, April 27, will be a "Walk to School with Your Teachers" day. Cross your fingers for nice weather, and plan to walk to school on that day if you are able! It's always a lot of fun seeing my students and talking with them as we make the trek to school for the day. Thanks, as always, for all that you do. Stay dry out there!