Hello Families! We have come upon the end of the third quarter and the beginning of spring. It is truly amazing how fast time flies (I especially notice now having a 7 month old!) Here is what we have been working on in school:
Reading: We continue to practice skills that good readers use: finding the main idea, and now we are even inferring (using clues from the book to draw conclusions- it's also predicting) This is a tough skill, but the kids are doing a beautiful job. Ask your child to make an inference when you read with him/her.
Math: We took our Unit 9: Measurement test on Tuesday. We have now started a unit on decimal points and money. Thank you for helping your child with their home links every night! Remember the answers to all the links are in the parent letter at the beginning of the packet!
Keep Practicing those math facts! It is a second grade goal to improve the test scores by 5 problems every month. By May, students are expected to score 51 out of 80 in both addition and subtraction for proficiency. Flash cards and computer games are great tools to use for practice!
Keyboarding: We took our first keyboarding assessment. Keyboarding is a standard that will be assessed on third quarters report card. A note was sent home earlier in the week asking you to please remind your child to use the "online" position to type. The district expectations fro proficiency are at least 90% accuracy with at least 9WPM (words per minutes)
Writing: We are just finishing publishing our How To books. The kids are creating slideshows in KidPix. I will post the slideshows on the website hopefully by spring break! Next month we will begin our poetry unit.
Science/Social Studies: We will begin a new science unit on Air and Weather next week. To help support the unit, talk with your child about the days weather- temperature, forcast. In social studies we have begun our last unit on Communities. We have discussed what a good citizen is and will soon study the similarities and differences between urban, suburban and rural communities.
Other: Our talent show two weeks ago was a blast. The kids earned this reward by filling up our class pebble jar. Our field trip to see Stellaluna yesterday was very fun. Thank you to our chaperones for volunteering their time.
Reminders:
No School Monday March 30
Conferences Tuesday March 31, Wednesday April 1st and Friday PM April 3rd
Students are released at 11:30 on Friday April 3rd
Scholastic Book Orders were due today- you can still order online tomorrow
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
March 13th-March 27th
Hello Families! We are as busy as ever having fun learning as the end of quarter 3 is quickly approaching. Here is what we have been up to:
Writing: I hope that you have been hearing a little more about school through the TGIF Journals. We have finished our letter writing unit (you should have seen some letters some home last Friday). We are now writing How-to books. Our next authors celebration will be open to families to come and join us. We will plan that celebration for Friday March 27th at 11:15 (before lunch).
Reading: The Biography projects were a huge success! Thank you to families for helping your child research and develop a final project to share with the class. We are continuing to analyze text through connections we make, questioning, predicting, and visualizing. We will be discussing Main Idea and Details next week.
Spelling: As I mentioned before, we had a stretch of really difficult spelling patterns that kids struggled with. Remember that these spelling patterns are not expected to be mastered in second grade- just so the kids have a knowledge and foundation for the future. Please keep practicing with your child at home.
Math: We just completed the Fraction Unit. I apologize for sending home the tests without recording them. I appreciate all the tests that were returned and thank you to the other families for looking! Fractions were definitely a difficult concept. A lot of the material was not expected to be mastered in second grade- it was more exposure. We are now using our knowledge of fractions to learn about measurement. Remember to check your child's answers on the home links using the key found in the parent letter.
Science: We took our Plant unit test this week. We will now begin our final unit on Air and Weather starting next week.
Reminders:
*Our Stellaluna field trip will be March 26. Remember to turn in the permission slip and $6 fee.
*Marcia Diane Arnold's (the author visiting our school in April) books are still for sale through PTO.
*No School March 30th
*Conferences will be March 31st, April 1st and April 3rd. Please turn in the blue conference forms- you will receive an extra reminder today if you have yet to turn it in.
Writing: I hope that you have been hearing a little more about school through the TGIF Journals. We have finished our letter writing unit (you should have seen some letters some home last Friday). We are now writing How-to books. Our next authors celebration will be open to families to come and join us. We will plan that celebration for Friday March 27th at 11:15 (before lunch).
Reading: The Biography projects were a huge success! Thank you to families for helping your child research and develop a final project to share with the class. We are continuing to analyze text through connections we make, questioning, predicting, and visualizing. We will be discussing Main Idea and Details next week.
Spelling: As I mentioned before, we had a stretch of really difficult spelling patterns that kids struggled with. Remember that these spelling patterns are not expected to be mastered in second grade- just so the kids have a knowledge and foundation for the future. Please keep practicing with your child at home.
Math: We just completed the Fraction Unit. I apologize for sending home the tests without recording them. I appreciate all the tests that were returned and thank you to the other families for looking! Fractions were definitely a difficult concept. A lot of the material was not expected to be mastered in second grade- it was more exposure. We are now using our knowledge of fractions to learn about measurement. Remember to check your child's answers on the home links using the key found in the parent letter.
Science: We took our Plant unit test this week. We will now begin our final unit on Air and Weather starting next week.
Reminders:
*Our Stellaluna field trip will be March 26. Remember to turn in the permission slip and $6 fee.
*Marcia Diane Arnold's (the author visiting our school in April) books are still for sale through PTO.
*No School March 30th
*Conferences will be March 31st, April 1st and April 3rd. Please turn in the blue conference forms- you will receive an extra reminder today if you have yet to turn it in.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
February 28th-March 13th Newsletter
Hello Families!
We have had a great couple of weeks at school. We are glad that February is ending- spring is now within reach! Cassie said to me last week "You know Mrs. Dahms, I really can't wait until I don't have to wear all this winter stuff anymore." Me too Cassie!
Math: We are finishing our unit on Fractions this week. I am really impressed with how well the kids are understanding fractions. We will have the test on Wednesday and then move on to the next unit: Measurement. Please continue to practice addition and subtraction math facts. Remember a score of 54 is proficient for 2nd grade.
Reading: We are finishing our biography study this week. As a reminder, projects are due- we will be presenting them on Thursday. We have also been working on making connections as readers: text-to-self, text-to-text and text-to-world. These connections helps us understand the story better.
Spelling: You may have noticed that the past 3 or more spelling tests have been rather challenging. I just want families to know that word patterns we have been studying the past couple weeks are not expected to be mastered. Rather, we expect that your child is now exposed to these spelling patterns and will hopefully make deeper connections in grades to follow.
Science: We will be completing our study of Plants this week. It was a fun unit- the kids enjoyed learning about plants and having the opportunity to care for their own.
Writing:We also just completed our letter writing unit. We have received about 5-6 Flat Stanleys in the mail. We look forward to receiving the rest of them. I was so pleased with the creative energy kids were using to write fictional letters. We will continue the TGIF journals until the end of the year. Kids are still working on using the friendly format.
Reminders: Please return your conference forms asap.
Other News: Peter was Star last week and Joey will be this week. Have your child vote for their favorite Dr. Suess book on the new poll located to the right!
We have had a great couple of weeks at school. We are glad that February is ending- spring is now within reach! Cassie said to me last week "You know Mrs. Dahms, I really can't wait until I don't have to wear all this winter stuff anymore." Me too Cassie!
Math: We are finishing our unit on Fractions this week. I am really impressed with how well the kids are understanding fractions. We will have the test on Wednesday and then move on to the next unit: Measurement. Please continue to practice addition and subtraction math facts. Remember a score of 54 is proficient for 2nd grade.
Reading: We are finishing our biography study this week. As a reminder, projects are due- we will be presenting them on Thursday. We have also been working on making connections as readers: text-to-self, text-to-text and text-to-world. These connections helps us understand the story better.
Spelling: You may have noticed that the past 3 or more spelling tests have been rather challenging. I just want families to know that word patterns we have been studying the past couple weeks are not expected to be mastered. Rather, we expect that your child is now exposed to these spelling patterns and will hopefully make deeper connections in grades to follow.
Science: We will be completing our study of Plants this week. It was a fun unit- the kids enjoyed learning about plants and having the opportunity to care for their own.
Writing:We also just completed our letter writing unit. We have received about 5-6 Flat Stanleys in the mail. We look forward to receiving the rest of them. I was so pleased with the creative energy kids were using to write fictional letters. We will continue the TGIF journals until the end of the year. Kids are still working on using the friendly format.
Reminders: Please return your conference forms asap.
Other News: Peter was Star last week and Joey will be this week. Have your child vote for their favorite Dr. Suess book on the new poll located to the right!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 13- 26 Newsletter
Hello Families! I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather. The 60 degree day gave me spring fever. Punxtatawney Phil says we still have 5 more weeks of winter! There are a couple additions/changes to the blog. The assignment notebook section now shows you the homework for the entire week, including each color day. Also, the Nature Center pictures are displayed and there is a new poll for your child to participate in about Planting. We had a great week in school. Here's where we've been and where we're headed:
Reading: We continue to learn how to think as we read. This week we are making Text to Self Connections. Starting next week, you will start to consistently see your child bring home a reading bag. Please help your child return the bag to school everyday.
Math: We have been working very hard on measurement and number patterns in Unit 7. We will have our Unit test on Tuesday. Your child's MRB (My Reference Book) will be coming home every night(except weekends) as it is a tool to help explain the homework. On every link, there is a book icon that indicates what page will help you and your child understand the problems. Please help your child return this every day. Please make sure you are checking your child's answers using the key from the family letter in the front of the link packet. Fact test scores are rising-keep up the good work at home!
Writing: Remember to write your child a letter back every weekend. TGIF journals should be returned every Monday. We continue to work hard at keyboarding. We are focusing on being in the "online" position (hands on home keys, good posture)
Science: We continue to watch our brassica plants and grass grow. Most kids have brought home their grass. We also planted wheat seeds to observe their growth. This unit continues to excite our little scientists.
Upcoming Dates: Next Friday is our Field Trip to the Domes
Tonawanda is fortunate to have a guest author, Marsha Diane Arnold, coming to visit. Her books are available to buy through the school. Check out some of the titles on the bookshelf to the right. Also check out her website: http://www.marshadianearnold.com/
Reminders: Read to Succeed Forms (Reading Log to earn a Free Great America Ticket) are due next Friday, Feb 20th. School will be starting earlier and ending a little later starting next week!
What's New?:
Reading: We continue to learn how to think as we read. This week we are making Text to Self Connections. Starting next week, you will start to consistently see your child bring home a reading bag. Please help your child return the bag to school everyday.
Math: We have been working very hard on measurement and number patterns in Unit 7. We will have our Unit test on Tuesday. Your child's MRB (My Reference Book) will be coming home every night(except weekends) as it is a tool to help explain the homework. On every link, there is a book icon that indicates what page will help you and your child understand the problems. Please help your child return this every day. Please make sure you are checking your child's answers using the key from the family letter in the front of the link packet. Fact test scores are rising-keep up the good work at home!
Writing: Remember to write your child a letter back every weekend. TGIF journals should be returned every Monday. We continue to work hard at keyboarding. We are focusing on being in the "online" position (hands on home keys, good posture)
Science: We continue to watch our brassica plants and grass grow. Most kids have brought home their grass. We also planted wheat seeds to observe their growth. This unit continues to excite our little scientists.
Upcoming Dates: Next Friday is our Field Trip to the Domes
Tonawanda is fortunate to have a guest author, Marsha Diane Arnold, coming to visit. Her books are available to buy through the school. Check out some of the titles on the bookshelf to the right. Also check out her website: http://www.marshadianearnold.com/
Reminders: Read to Succeed Forms (Reading Log to earn a Free Great America Ticket) are due next Friday, Feb 20th. School will be starting earlier and ending a little later starting next week!
What's New?:
- You can now view and purchase class photos at Snapfish.com Look for the link to the right.
- MRB- Math Reference Books will be coming home to help with Home Links
- TGIF Journals- please write a letter back to your child every weekend
- Home Book Bags- your child will be bringing home a book every night
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