Thursday, September 5, 2019
Friday, August 30, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
January 14-18
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful break and that 2019 is starting off well for your family. Here's what you need to know this week!
Curriculum
Curriculum
Morning Meetings:
Community building and reviewing expectations and SMART goals
Reading:
Long vowels, drawing conclusions, realistic fiction, singular and plural nouns
Writing:
Technical writing, creating information books, using editing and revising to strengthen work
Math:
Place value review, adding and subtracting 2-digit and 3-digit numbers
Social Studies:
Comparing plains Indians, pioneers, and modern day Kansans (homes, schools, culture)
Technology:
Mid-year testing (e-mail me if you’d like specific dates)
Homework Schedule:
Mondays: Study spelling and vocabulary lists
Tuesdays: Respond to Kidblogpost
Wednesdays: Math practice page
Thursdays: Read for fun
Upcoming Dates
January 15 –Science Fair
January 21 –No School–Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 25 –Book orders due
January 30 –Birthday Breakfast –Landon and Cole
February 4-6 –Scholastic Book Fair
February 13 –2ndGrade Shark Tank
February 14 –Valentine’s Day Parties (3:00)
February 15 –No School
February 20-21 –Conferences
February 21-22 –No School
February 25 –KU Engineering Expo
February 27 –Birthday Breakfast –Jakub and Presley
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns! Have a GREAT week!
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
December News
It's hard to believe that winter is nearly here! The 2W Bobcats have been working hard and are ready for a break. Here's what's going on in our classroom!
Morning Meetings: Review of growth mindset, sharing information about our family traditions, working together
Reading: Long “e” spelling patterns, reviewing author’s purpose, reading about what it means to be creative. Please note that we will not be staring a new Reading Street unit next week.
Writing: The writing process, information writing, verbs, super-secret holiday projects
Math: Properties of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes, measuring length in centimeters and inches
Social Studies: Comparing life in the past with life in the present, studying the history of landmarks and buildings in Lawrence, comparing holiday celebrations around the world
Technology: Using iPads to show knowledge of math concepts, research strategies
Have a WONDERFUL winter break! I look forward to seeing your 2WBobcats again in 2019!
Please note the following dates on your calendars:
December 19 –Birthday breakfast –Happy birthday, Jonah and Eric!
December 19 –Gingerbread STEM –Volunteers needed
December 21 –Winter Parties
December 24- January 8–Winter Recess
January 15 –Science Fair
January 21 –No School
Monday, August 20, 2018
August/September News
I hope that you all had a wonderful summer and that your children are energized and ready for a great year! This blog will be the best place for you to find curriculum information and important dates throughout the school year. I will update it monthly, and will send out an e-mail letting you know when new information has been posted. I will also send weekly e-mails with reminders and important dates once I have full access on PowerSchool.
Math
We will begin the year with a review of first grade skills and a focus on addition and subtraction facts, as well as word problems. Please note that we will spend a considerable amount of time this year practicing strategies for not only solving word problems, but explaining them thoroughly and using various strategies for organizing work.
What can we do at home?
Let your child teach you some of the addition and subtraction games they learn at school. Get a deck of cards and make up a game together. Use daily experiences to create word problems together, and let your child teach you how to solve each problem. Allow your child time to play some of the addition and subtraction games on arcademics.com.
Reading
We will be spending a couple of weeks studying Kevin Henkes and sharing some of his books as a whole group. During this author study, students will practice many comprehension skills, make connections between stories, and write some of their own fictional pieces using Henkes' style as inspiration. When I have information about beginning of the year reading testing and an official start date for reading groups, I'll let you know! Our first Reading Street unit is on exploration and different types of communities, and will begin the first week of September. At that time, I will begin sending home weekly spelling pattern/vocabulary lists for practice.
What can we do at home?
Read with your child every day. As you read, pause to talk about events in stories. Check out some Kevin Henkes books together...they are so much fun, and many contain great lessons about friendship and responsibility.
Writing
Our first unit is on narrative writing, and will begin the first week of September. In preparation for that, we will spend the first couple of weeks reviewing sentence structure, basic writing conventions, and writing stories for fun.
What can we do at home?
Encourage your child to write in a journal or to compose letters to friends and family. Go through writing pieces together and practice editing (really pay attention to capital letters in the correct places, appropriate use of punctuation, and correct spelling of basic words). Allow your child time to explore keyboarding games on ABCYA.com.
Social Studies/Science
We will spend a lot of time over the next week weeks reviewing good citizenship and building our class team. We will be doing several collaborative projects that allow students to practice working together, and will be conducting research on real-world unlikely friendships. We have several STEM projects planned to kick off the school year, and will be introducing students to the various types of technology they will use in 2nd grade.
What can we do at home?
Encourage your child to tell you about his or her friends at school. Talk about ways to work through differences with friends. Get on YouTube and do a search for unlikely animal friendships...you'll find lots of fun clips to talk about!
Upcoming Dates...Mark Your Calendars!
August 23 - Parent Information Night - 6:00
August 29 - August Birthday Breakfast
September 3 - Labor Day - No School
September 7 - 2nd Grade Guest Day - 9:30
September 26 - September Birthday Breakfast
Math
We will begin the year with a review of first grade skills and a focus on addition and subtraction facts, as well as word problems. Please note that we will spend a considerable amount of time this year practicing strategies for not only solving word problems, but explaining them thoroughly and using various strategies for organizing work.
What can we do at home?
Let your child teach you some of the addition and subtraction games they learn at school. Get a deck of cards and make up a game together. Use daily experiences to create word problems together, and let your child teach you how to solve each problem. Allow your child time to play some of the addition and subtraction games on arcademics.com.
Reading
We will be spending a couple of weeks studying Kevin Henkes and sharing some of his books as a whole group. During this author study, students will practice many comprehension skills, make connections between stories, and write some of their own fictional pieces using Henkes' style as inspiration. When I have information about beginning of the year reading testing and an official start date for reading groups, I'll let you know! Our first Reading Street unit is on exploration and different types of communities, and will begin the first week of September. At that time, I will begin sending home weekly spelling pattern/vocabulary lists for practice.
What can we do at home?
Read with your child every day. As you read, pause to talk about events in stories. Check out some Kevin Henkes books together...they are so much fun, and many contain great lessons about friendship and responsibility.
Writing
Our first unit is on narrative writing, and will begin the first week of September. In preparation for that, we will spend the first couple of weeks reviewing sentence structure, basic writing conventions, and writing stories for fun.
What can we do at home?
Encourage your child to write in a journal or to compose letters to friends and family. Go through writing pieces together and practice editing (really pay attention to capital letters in the correct places, appropriate use of punctuation, and correct spelling of basic words). Allow your child time to explore keyboarding games on ABCYA.com.
Social Studies/Science
We will spend a lot of time over the next week weeks reviewing good citizenship and building our class team. We will be doing several collaborative projects that allow students to practice working together, and will be conducting research on real-world unlikely friendships. We have several STEM projects planned to kick off the school year, and will be introducing students to the various types of technology they will use in 2nd grade.
What can we do at home?
Encourage your child to tell you about his or her friends at school. Talk about ways to work through differences with friends. Get on YouTube and do a search for unlikely animal friendships...you'll find lots of fun clips to talk about!
Upcoming Dates...Mark Your Calendars!
August 23 - Parent Information Night - 6:00
August 29 - August Birthday Breakfast
September 3 - Labor Day - No School
September 7 - 2nd Grade Guest Day - 9:30
September 26 - September Birthday Breakfast
Monday, April 9, 2018
April and May...The Final Stretch!
I can't believe I'm passing information on to you about the end of the school year! It's been wonderful getting to know your families this year. We have a lot going on the next month and a half, so please be sure to mark your calendars with the important dates listed below. As always, let me know if you have questions!
Math
In our current math unit, students are learning about measurement and data collecting. They have practiced estimating and measuring using inches, centimeters, meters, and feet. Students have learned to compare measurements and to display them on line plots, bar graphs, and picture graphs. As a culminating project, students are working in small teams to design a pollinator plant garden plan for our 2nd grade garden box outside. In addition to researching gardening and pollinator plants in Kansas, students will be surveying another class about their visions for our garden box, displaying that data on a graph, measuring and partitioning our garden box, and putting together a design proposal to present to the Langston Hughes garden committee.
What can we do at home?
Allow your child time at home to explore the measurement and data activities on Blackboard. Work together to measure things in your house or outside. Conduct a family survey for fun, and help your child put results on a graph.
Reading Street
Next week, we will be finishing our 6-week long unit on creativity. Our next unit is on changes in the world around us. Students will study a variety of genres and will practice drawing conclusions, sequencing, looking at facts and opinions, and identifying plots and themes. As we approach the end of the school year, I will be meeting with reading groups less. The last spelling/vocabulary list for the year will come home the 2nd week of May.
What can we do at home?
Continue reading with your child on a regular basis. Allow your child time to get on Reading Blackboard. As summer approaches, encourage your child to sign up for the summer reading program at the Lawrence Public Library. I will be having a book club in Devictor Park in late June/early July...please look for that information in a few weeks if you are interested in having your child participate.
Writing
For the remainder of the school year, students will be learning about opinion writing. We will tie this writing unit in with our math and science projects. Students will practice stating an opinion, defending it with several good reasons, and using vocabulary that would persuade and audience to agree with their opinions.
What can we do at home?
Encourage your child to write in a journal at home, or to write stories. Explore the keyboarding activities on Blackboard.
Science
2nd graders are currently researching ecosystems and the adaptations plants and animals must have to survive in different places. We will wrap up the school year with a unit on personal care, the body systems, and living a healthy lifestyle.
What can we do at home?
Early this week, students are bringing home information about our final at-home connection project. Please assist your child in completing this project on time so that we are ready for our ecosystem zoo in just a couple of weeks!
Important Dates - Mark Your Calendars!
April 17 - 2nd Grade Music Program
April 23 - Reading MAP testing
April 24 - Lied Center Trip - "The Gruffalo"
April 25 - April Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Matthew!
April 25 - 2nd Grade Ecosystem Zoo - 12:30-1:30 - Please plan to attend if possible!
April 26 - Math MAP testing
April 30 - Body Venture field trip
May 2 - May Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Ruth and Donald!
May 9 - June Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Chelsea and Justin!
May 9-10 - Aimsweb testing
May 14-18 - Teach the Class Week - Information coming soon!
May 16 - July Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Ayana and Henry!
May 23 - Last day of school! Have a great summer!
Math
In our current math unit, students are learning about measurement and data collecting. They have practiced estimating and measuring using inches, centimeters, meters, and feet. Students have learned to compare measurements and to display them on line plots, bar graphs, and picture graphs. As a culminating project, students are working in small teams to design a pollinator plant garden plan for our 2nd grade garden box outside. In addition to researching gardening and pollinator plants in Kansas, students will be surveying another class about their visions for our garden box, displaying that data on a graph, measuring and partitioning our garden box, and putting together a design proposal to present to the Langston Hughes garden committee.
What can we do at home?
Allow your child time at home to explore the measurement and data activities on Blackboard. Work together to measure things in your house or outside. Conduct a family survey for fun, and help your child put results on a graph.
Reading Street
Next week, we will be finishing our 6-week long unit on creativity. Our next unit is on changes in the world around us. Students will study a variety of genres and will practice drawing conclusions, sequencing, looking at facts and opinions, and identifying plots and themes. As we approach the end of the school year, I will be meeting with reading groups less. The last spelling/vocabulary list for the year will come home the 2nd week of May.
What can we do at home?
Continue reading with your child on a regular basis. Allow your child time to get on Reading Blackboard. As summer approaches, encourage your child to sign up for the summer reading program at the Lawrence Public Library. I will be having a book club in Devictor Park in late June/early July...please look for that information in a few weeks if you are interested in having your child participate.
Writing
For the remainder of the school year, students will be learning about opinion writing. We will tie this writing unit in with our math and science projects. Students will practice stating an opinion, defending it with several good reasons, and using vocabulary that would persuade and audience to agree with their opinions.
What can we do at home?
Encourage your child to write in a journal at home, or to write stories. Explore the keyboarding activities on Blackboard.
Science
2nd graders are currently researching ecosystems and the adaptations plants and animals must have to survive in different places. We will wrap up the school year with a unit on personal care, the body systems, and living a healthy lifestyle.
What can we do at home?
Early this week, students are bringing home information about our final at-home connection project. Please assist your child in completing this project on time so that we are ready for our ecosystem zoo in just a couple of weeks!
Important Dates - Mark Your Calendars!
April 17 - 2nd Grade Music Program
April 23 - Reading MAP testing
April 24 - Lied Center Trip - "The Gruffalo"
April 25 - April Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Matthew!
April 25 - 2nd Grade Ecosystem Zoo - 12:30-1:30 - Please plan to attend if possible!
April 26 - Math MAP testing
April 30 - Body Venture field trip
May 2 - May Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Ruth and Donald!
May 9 - June Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Chelsea and Justin!
May 9-10 - Aimsweb testing
May 14-18 - Teach the Class Week - Information coming soon!
May 16 - July Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Ayana and Henry!
May 23 - Last day of school! Have a great summer!
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