A great start!

It is so hard to believe that we have already been in school for over 2 weeks! I have really enjoyed working with your 2nd graders. We have been quite busy! Here is some information about what we are studying at this time. Please check the bottom of this post for additional announcements and upcoming dates.

MATH: Students continue to work on strategies for addition and subtraction. Today, we looked at how to count on to find the answer in an unknown partner problem. I sent home a pack of practice cards for counting on today. We have a set in class that we will be using as well. We will be starting up our math leveled groups after Labor Day. Once we have those up and running, I will begin to send home flashcard practice about once a week.

LANGUAGE ARTS: In class, we continue to work on our study of fairy tales. We have been practicing various comprehension strategies with the stories that we have read. These include comparing and contrasting, sequencing, retelling, identifying important events, predicting, and forming opinions. Next week, we will be doing some goal mapping to get a little bit deeper into some familar (and also some new) fairy tales. During our writing time, students are working on learning and using the parts of a friendly letter. We have written letters to Mrs. Mickel as well as our author of the month, Kevin Henkes. Practice will continue next week as we write to fairy tale characters, former teachers, and friends. Reading groups are scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 15. Let me know if you have any questions about reading levels.

SPELLING: Students received their first spelling lists on Wednesday! They have been doing an excellent job of practicing their words in class in various ways. Our first spelling test will be next Wednesday. Please remember that all students are responsible for at least one spelling at-home practice a week (see my e-mail from Wednesday).

SCIENCE: Our Monarch caterpillars are becoming quite chubby! I expect that we will see a chrysalis or two next week. Students have really enjoyed observing our larvae and are very excited about their progress! This week, we studied life cycles. Next week, we will learn about insects and the parts of a caterpillar. From there, we will talk more specifically about Monarch butterflies and the differences between moths and butterflies.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

No school Monday or Tuesday! Enjoy the long weekend!

Thank you SO MUCH to all of you who purchased items from our class wish list! If you were unable to come to curriculum night and would like to donate something to our classroom, please contact me and I will let you know what remains on the list. If possible, please remember to send in a box of Ziploc bags (any size). We have already gone through a couple of boxes.

Grandparents' Day will be next Friday, September 9. A blue information sheet was sent home early last week. We hope to see many grandparents in our room at 2:45 for some book sharing, discussing, and snacks! If your child will be getting a ride home from his or her grandparents, PLEASE either return the blue form to me with that information of shoot me an e-mail letting me know.

Scholastic book orders will be due next Friday, September 9. Now is a great time to stock up!

Today is your child's first day with a calendar, star chart, and book log. Please remember to check folders every night and sign or initial on the correct date to let me know that you looked in your child's folder. Students will be rewarded for getting those signed every night and bringing them to school.

Please continue to talk with your child about the three "R"s of behavior at Langston Hughes...respect, readiness, and responsibility. Many students are having some difficulty with being responsible listeners and are wanting me to repeat directions multiple times. As the year goes on, consequences will become more frequent for failure to listen to and follow directions the first time they are given.

Thanks for all that you do to help our class. Each day is a fun adventure, and I am looking forward to a great year!