Happy holidays and a leap into the new year!

As 2012 draws to a close, I reflect on how hard your 2nd graders have worked during this first half of the year and how proud I am of all their progress!  Right now, I am planning on my last work day before Baby Williams makes his grand appearance being this coming Thursday, December 20.  If he decides to dawdle a bit, I will be back at Langston Hughes from January 2-January 4, but don't anticipate returning after that until the first or second week of March.  I will certainly miss seeing all of my students during those two months...their smiles, hugs, curious questions, and sweet comments.  Students are welcome to e-mail me, send letters, or write stories for me to read when I return.  They are going to be in wonderful hands with Mr. Koerner and Mrs. Heck!

I am not sure how dedicated I will be in getting our blog updated for the next couple of months...my understanding is that a baby can take up quite a bit of time and energy!  Here's a brief overview of our curriculum for the winter.  If you have any questions about things that are coming up while I am away I know that Kathy Rathbun, Brenda Hatesohl, and Karen Johnson will be great resources and will be happy to help you.

January/February Math:
*  Graphs/data
*  Comparison story problems
*  Shapes
*  Subtraction with grouping
*  Continuation of math break-out groups

January/February Health and Science:
*  Medicine and Drugs
*  Weather

January/February Social Studies:
* Kansas Day/Kansas symbols
* Martin Luther King Junior
* Presidents

January/February reading, writing, and language arts:
* Reading groups
* Mid-year testing
* Shel Silverstein author study
* Mr. Popper's Penguins
* Continuation of spelling
* Poetry writing and comprehension unit

Other:
* I will not be sending out Scholastic book orders in January and February.
* Please touch base with Dale Koerner if you would be interested in helping him out with any needs that come up while I am away (supplies, extra clerical support, etc.)  I know he would appreciate the assistance, especially when Kansas Day rolls around!
* If you are scheduled to come in and volunteer during January or February, please plan to come in even though I am away, even if it is just to support Dale with the lesson he is teaching on that day.
* In the past, I have worked with students to make Valentine holders for Valentine's Day in the classroom.  I thought it would be fun, this year, to let students make their own at home and bring them in.  This is such a creative group!  A note about this will be coming home at the beginning of February, so please watch for it.
* I will plan to check e-mails when possible while on maternity leave, but please limit questions that are in need of immediate attention, as I won't be checking often.  If an emergency or urgent question comes up, please forward it to the office or another 2nd grade teacher.
*  This isn't related to 2nd grade at all but I, along with our school's wellness committee, are beginning to prepare for this spring's annual Fitness Fair.  If you would be interested in helping in some way with this (either as a medical professional or a parent volunteer), please let me know.  We can always use help, ideas for booths, or donations.
*  Thank you, as always, for all that you do!

Upcoming Dates:
* December 20 - Second grade Reindeer Day, winter parties at 3:00, pajama day
* December 21-January 1 - Winter Break
* January 2 - Back to school
* January 21 - No school - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
* January 22 - Science fair
* January 29 - Kansas Day celebration
* January 30 - Birthday Breakfast
* February 8 - No school
* February 13&14 - Conferences - I plan to be there if possible, but will contact everyone in January to let you know for sure
* February 15 - No school
* February 27 - Birthday Breakfast
* March 18-22 - Spring Break