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?