November 4-18

Hello Families! Happy November. The weather has definitely changed and the trees are almost bare. I have to face it- winter is coming! As quarter 1 of second grade draws to a close, I am amazed how much these kids have learned and grown since the beginning of the year! I am just so excited to see where we will go as learners this year! I must say that I have been delighted to be able to try new lessons and activities this year, all with the confidence in knowing that this class will embrace any new challenge. I am very thankful to have such a wonderful group of second graders!

Reading Homework: Thank you to all parents for helping your child bring their reading book back in their reading bag everyday and completeing the book log with a signature. The kids have been very responsible!

Character Book Clubs: We will be starting charcter book clubs next week. The kids will chose a character from a book series to study for the week. Everyone will read at least 5 books from the series and dicuss character traits, feelings, changes, ask questions and make predictions. It will be a great opportunity to read books, evaluate characters and discuss books in a small group (much like we do as adults when we read books and dicuss it with friends).

New Social Studies Unit: We just started a new unit on How Do We use Maps.

Math Tests: After every math test I will send home the test for you to go trhough with your child. It will not have to be retuned to school anymore. I will let you know via the blog or assignment notebook when to expect the the test to come home.

Facts Tests: We will take a facts test every week. When the test comes home, have your child complete the remaining problems and retuun to school- there is no due date. Your child's goal is 54 facts in 3 minutes.

Changes to the November Calendar:

*Author's Celebration- I pushed the celebration back from Tuesday to Thursday next week. The kids are publishing their favorite Small Moment story. Look for their published piece in the reading bag next Friday. Please return the story to school so we can put them in our classroom library.

*Scholastic Book Order- I am moving the Nov/Dec scholastic book order due date to Fri. Nov. 18. Books make great gifts for the holidays. If you are interested in ordering any books for your kids, I can keep them secretly at school when they arrive and you can pick them up in the office. Just send me an email to let me know.

Thank you to all parent volunteers who chaperoned and donated items for the Fall Party. It was a great success. The kids enjoyed it very much! Thank you!