January 20-February 3

Hello Families! 2nd Quarter has officially ended. The start of the new semester begins Tuesday. Look for report cards next week. We did complete MAP testing this week. The kids worked really hard to do their best. I was very proud of their effort! Look at the right sidebar to see an overview of what we are learning in each subject. Here is what we have been doing this week:

Art For Youth: Beth's mom taught us about Franz Marc and Paublo Picasso's modern art cubism and collage technique- lots of straight lines. We created our own versions with vibrant, colorful settings and clippings of animal photographs. Ask your child about their masterpiece. (See some examples below)

TGIF Journals: We will continue to write letters to parents every Friday into March. Some kids seem to be forgetting to check in with me and not finishing their letter. If your child's letter is not finished, please have him/her finish at home before you write back.

HELP!: We are almost out of pencils for the year! If you are willing to donate a pack to the classroom, we would greatly appreciate it.

Classroom Calendar: I have posted our classroom calendar at the bottom of this blog. Just scroll all the way down to see Surprise Readers, classroom activities/field trips, open volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering, you just need to click on the event-more details- click the title (i.e 2:45 Math Games) Erase Math games and put your name (ie 2:45 Nicki) Click Save- Make changes to this event only. The your name should appear on the calendar.

Ask Your Child:

*What does your brassica plant need to grow?

*What is the purpose of reading nonfiction?

*What is a good and how does it get transported?

*What is a noun?

*What book club are you a part of and what is the most interesting fact you have learned so far?

*What is the difference between tattling and reporting?

Reminders:

*Nature Center Field Trip Fri. Jan 27 9-11am- please help your child to dress in boots, gloves, hats and heavy coats for the weather.

*The All School Field Trip slip to see Willy Wonka is due on 2/3. There is a $2.50 fee (it is hard to catch on the permission slip)

*If you are attending a conference this winter, please return the orange slip sent home on Friday, confirming the date/time of the conference that was chosen for you.

January 6-January 20

Hello Families! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year. Now that 2012 has begun, 2nd quarter is coming to a close very quickly- we are almost at the halfway point of second grade! Report cards will be sent home at the end of the month. We have learned so much already. I am so excited for all the wonderful learning experiences we will share the second half of the year! Here is what is happening in the classroom:

Typing: We just finished the explicit typing instruction- your child knows which fingers should be tapping which keys. Now we are working on increasing our speed, while maintaining accuracy. We will practice in the computer lab once a week. Please encourage your child to use the correct keys at home to help eliminate any old habits.

Reading Pilot: I am on a district committee piloting new reading materials (very exciting!) I am using the materials with my reading groups. Since the materials are borrowed, I can not label the books I send home with the kids, so it is very hard for me to keep track of the books. Please help your child return their reading book every day. I am currently missing 5 titles. Please double check for these books at home:

The Maple Thanksgiving
Shooting Star
Good Morning, Grandma
Soccer Sue

TGIF Journals: You will find a letter writing journal in your child's blue folder today. We will write letters to our parents in this journal every Friday for the next couple of months. We are asking that parents write back over the weekend in the exact friendly letter format. Please print so that the kids can read your letter independently at school. Enjoy reading your child's letter!

Flat Stanley: A yellow information sheet was sent home on Thurs. in home folders. The kids will be creating a flat version of themselves to send to a relative. We are asking that parents help their child chose a recipient and print the address, very neatly so that kids can copy it onto an envelope at school. We will provide the envelopes, but are asking parents to send a stamp. Thank you for your help! We can't wait to hear about the adventures our Flat selves take!

Penny Drive: We are collecting money for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission to feed men, women and children. Our grade level goal is $200. We are off to a great start!

Labeling Winter Gear: Now that winter has officially arrived, there are hats, boots, snowpants galore. We are finding lots of loose items that kids are not claiming or getting mixed up with others (especially black snowpants!). Please label your child's winter gear with their initials. Thank you!

Reminders:

Nature Center Field Trip- Fri. Jan. 27 9-11am

Ask Your Child:

What are the 5 parts of a Friendly Letter?

How many faces does a pyramid have?

Can you name 5 features of nonfiction texts?

What is a good?

What time is it?

Can you give me a summary of the read aloud Mrs. Dahms just finished- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane?

What is a noun, verb and an adjective?