September 20- October 4

Hello Families! We have almost survived our first month of second grade together. I know I have told some parents, but it's worth saying again...This is a great group of second graders! It has been a wonderful start to a great year! Here are some classroom updates and news:

Book Bags and Logs- Your child should bring home their book bag and reading log EVERY day. The goal is for your child to bring home a Just Right Book (a book that he/she can read smoothly (with a talking voice), while also having to problem solve a couple words along the way-it may seem "easy" to you as you listen. You can support your child by talking about the book The book should be an independent level- your child should be successful reading it on their own. Books that are at their instructional level are read in class under my instruction and direction. Right now, the kids have been selecting their own Just Right Books. I am very aware that some kids are bringing home books that are too challenging. That will be an October goal for those kids. I am just beginning the daunting task of leveling my entire classroom library. This will help ensure kids are taking home the correct level to become better readers.
Surprise Reader- Thank you to our first 3 surprise readers- they kicked it off with great success. The kids were all surprised and super excited! Check the email I sent "Blog is Updated" for all the available dates.
Math Family Letter: You may remember that every math unit has an introductory Family Letter that is sent home before the unit begins. This letter is a wonderful reference tool for you to support your child at home. Please refer to this letter throughout the unit to check homelinks, extend learning and practice skills. You may want to keep this letter in the BEE folder (maybe in a sheet protector)
Writer's Tiny Notepads- you may have seen your child bring home a tiny memo pad. This memo pad is meant for them to collect ideas for writing. We are learning from authors that they get their ideas from their life and then jot them down to remember. So as writer's, I am encouraging the kids to bring their memo pads home to jot anything that inspires them to write a story. If they choose to bring it home, I ask that it be kept in their reading bag for safety:)
Water Bottles- Since we do not have a drinking fountain in our classroom, I encourage you to send a water bottle with a tight lid to school for your child to have in the classroom. I do ask that only clear WATER be brought into the classroom. Spills happen...water is an easy, non sticky clean up. Thank you!
Snacks- When helping your child pack a snack, please be aware that we are a Nut and Egg free classroom. Those items can be in the lunchroom, just not in our classroom. Thank you!
Flexible- It has been a great year of change in our school district from big changes like curriculum to small changes like homework routines. As I am trying new routines, I am realizing some things work and others do not. As I do make changes, I will keep you informed of those that directly affect homework routines and expectations. Thank you in advance for your understanding!
Ask Your Child
Who is your reading partner and what do you do during partner time?
What is a Small Moment?
Which reading strategy do use often? Which strategy are you trying to use more?
How many sounds can "ed" make at the end of a word? (3: "t", "d", "ed")
What is happening right now in Charlotte's Web? What is the main theme in the book? (Friendship)

Science: Balance the Pencil Trick

1st Post of the Year!

Hello Families! 

Welcome to our second grade blog. Please bookmark this site so you can refer to it weekly throughout the entire school year. 

Reading Bag: Your child will bring home a Just Right book and a red folder with their reading log in a special reading bag every night. The kids are currently choosing their Just Right Books without a lot of guidance from me. I help guide the kids a lot more in the next month. The goal is for them to chose a book independently without a lot of guidance from me.  After reading for 20 minutes, please help your child fill in the reading log with the book title and place the completed book bag in his/her backpack. It is vital to our reading program that your child brings the book back to school every day. Thank you for your help. *If your child is reading a Just Right book from home, it is ok for them not to read in the bag (unless otherwise noted i.e. a book club assignment)

Assignment Notebook: Please sign your child's assignment notebook every night. If your child forgets it at school, check the blog to see what the assignments for the day are (see right sidebar)
Homework: math homework will officially begin next week. You can expect your child to have math homework every night, Monday-Thursday, and 20 minutes of reading every night. As I mentioned at PIN, spelling and word study will begin in October. I will keep you informed on the new program, especially if there are homework expectations. 
MAP Tests: Your child will take the MAP test again in 2nd grade (a standardized test taken on the computer). We will take a Reading, Math and Language test. While it is only one tool, it gives me great information to meet each child's academic needs and help them flourish in second grade. You will receive results later this fall. 
Surprise Reader- Every Friday at 11:45, a parent surprise reader comes in to read one of their child's favorite picture books from home. It is my goal to have every family represented- it could be mom, dad, cousin, grandparent... I am flexible if the time/day does not work for your schedule. Please let me know and we can make special arrangements. I included all the open Fridays in the email I sent "The Blog Is Updated".
Healthy Snack- please have your child help you choose a healthy snack to bring to school each day. School is hard work and we move at a fast pace. It is important for your child to be fueled with foods that will give them energy and mind power to do their best. Foods high in sugar will cause their energy to spike and then plummet. Thank you for your support.
Ask Your Child:
Which read aloud did the class just finish? (Gooney Bird Greene)
How long is our class reading stamina? (22 minutes)
How do you know when an object is balanced? (it is stable, meaning it will wobble, but not tip over)
What does it mean to cooperate?

Cooperation: We have been talking and practicing what cooperation looks like and sounds like. Here are two of the activities we did in class:

#1 Puzzle Challenge

#2 Save Freddy

(ask your child what their goal was and why we did this activity)

Ask your child:

Final Post of 2012-2013

Thank you all for a wonderful year! It was my priviledge to be your child's second grade teacher. I wish you all the best as your children continue to grow and flourish. Have a Happy Summer!

Missing Books: Please check at home for the following titles:
Sam and the Lucky Money
George Washington
Rosa Parks
*Also missing from just last week: The Golden Fish Reader's Theatre and The Queen of the Jungle Reader's Theatre
Pizza Lunch: Your child earned a pizza lunch for improving on their math facts test- it is hosted by the second grade teachers. The party will be during lunch on Wednesday June 5th. We will provide the pizza and popsicles. We ask that each child bring in their own drink- milk will be available though school.
Kids are more than welcome to pass on the pizza/bring their own lunch and join us for the celebration.
Class Party: Our class party is scheduled for Friday, June 7th at 11am- all are welcome!
MAP: Your child's MAP scores are coming home today. Please go over the scores and celebrate your child's success this year!
Field Trip- Our field trip to Village Hall is rescheduled for Monday, June 3. Please send your child in comfortable shoes and with a portable snack- we'll eat our snack before walking back to school.
Field Day T-shirts: I am holding on to all field day t-shirts until Tuesday, June 4- the actual day. The kids can then change into their shirt that morning. I did confirm with the kids who has a t-shirt.
Reward- Special Breakfast: Our class met our goal in a school wide incentive. As a result, we earned a special breakfast on the morning of field day. The school is providing the breakfast.
Supplies coming Home: I have enough bags at school for the kids to pack up their supplies to bring home. I plan to have kids bring the majority of their supplies home on Wednesday. Please send a backpack with your child on the last day of school to collect the remaining supplies:)

May 17-May 31

Hello Families,
Our second grade year is almost complete. As we tie loose ends up, I am always amazed how truly far these 7 and 8 year olds come from September to June- it is truly remarkable. And yet just when we are in the groove of teaching and learning as a community, June arrives and they leave my room as third graders. (Then I get to start ALL over in September- haha) How quickly I forget and take for granted the independence that these kids have built throughout the year. I will truly miss each and everyone of my kiddos! Here are some important happenings in the classroom:
MAP Testing: MAP testing was a great success! I am SO proud of every student. Their effort and dedication to the test remarkable. In our 60 minute Reading period, only 5 students had finished when time was up- whereas the previous sessions only 1-2 had NOT finished at the end of 60 minutes. So our entire class actually went back for a 2nd session of reading to finish. The kids really focused and were close readers. I am excited to be able to share all the scores with you formally in the next coming weeks!
Human Growth and Development Lesson: Here is the standard lesson explanation from the district:

Second grade teachers will present the district's Human Growth and Development curriculum on May 24. This lesson includes vocabulary instruction related to male and female body parts. Boys and girls will be separated during this teaching. Curriculum materials are available to review at our school library. the public library and at the Central Administrative offices. If you have any further questions about the content or the opt-out process, please contact your child's classroom teacher.

Spelling- we have finished our formal instruction of spelling for the year! There will be no more tests or packets for homework. We will continue to learn about possessives and practice word work skills in class through the end of the year.
Village Hall Field Trip: Our walking field trip to Village Hall is the day after Memorial Day- Tuesday, May 28. Please send your child in walking shoes.  
End of the Year:
Surprise Reader: If you have not had a chance to be a Surprise Reader in our classroom this year, please consider coming any day of the week Mon-Thurs. at 12:00 to read a book to the class. I would LOVE for all kids to have a family member read to us this year. If 12:00 is not a good time, I am flexible on the time. Thank you!
Summer Birthdays: If your child has a summer birthday, please feel free to sen din a birthday treat anytime between now and the end of the year. I know how hard it is for summer birthdays, feeling left out on the school birthday traditions. :)

May 3-May 17

Hello Families! We have been enjoying the spring weather! Here are some classroom happenings:

Poetry Cafe: We had a great turnout for our Cafe. Thank you for celebrating and snapping along with us. I am so proud of the work the kids did as authors and presenters. Here are some photos of our celebration:

Sunset Playhouse Field Trip- Our walking field trip was a huge success. While we had some tired legs after walking to and from in 70 degree (I heard "It's hot!" multiple times:), the kids overall had a great time. The play we saw was called Super! It had a wonderful message and gave kids great tools to use when dealing with a bully or someone who is unkind. Ask your kids to sing to you: "I am Super, Super- Duper!"

Pencils- Thank you! We collected enough pencils to make it through the rest of the year- thank you!
Scholastic Book Order- The orders are due Friday May 9th. This is the last order of the year. Think summer reading and take advantage of the low book prices.
MAP Testing Coming up!- Please note the dates that we will be MAP testing the next two weeks. The MAY calendar was sent home yesterday in your child's blue folder. Our first MAP testing is this Tuesday May 7 at 9am.
What I am is...Special-Our last school theme this year. We are focusing on what makes each of us special. In addition, school wide, we are starting a new incentive to earn PAW slips. For the first time, kids will be able to give other kids PAW slips for outstanding behavior. We will each set our own class goal. The classroom that reach their goal will earn a special breakfast the morning of field day.
Ask your child:
What happened to Edward Tulane at the end of the book?
What is the new class read aloud?
What is the value of 7 in the number 4, 370? (70)
What is your personal fact test goal?
What strategy will you use when taking the MAP test?

April 12-26

Hello Families! We have been working hard since we returned from Spring Break. Here are some classroom happenings:

Ronald McDonald House Performance: What an amazing experience! The second graders proudly represented Tonawanda at the Ronald McDonald Groundbreaking of their new addition. The kids sand beautifully, moving the crowd with their words and voices. I heard numerous comments about the beautiful lyrics and the joy our second graders brought to everyone. It was an honor to be part of such a wonderful celebration.

High Interest Day- The kids are very excited about the opportunity to rotate to 3 different classes to learn something new at High Interest Day. Ask you child how their experience was today.
Poetry Cafe- Mark your calendars for Friday May 3 at 2:45- Families are welcome to come listen to all the wonderful poetry we have written!
Spring MAP Testing Schedule: Our final round of MAP testing is coming up. Here are our three dates:
Tues May 7-Reading 9 am
Wed. May 8- Math 11am
Tues. May 14- Language Arts 11am
Checking Our Work- As we get ready for third grade, I am concerned that kids continue to turn tests in with skipped problems even when I ask if they checked their work for accuracy and completeness. Please have your child practice checking their work every night with homelinks. It is an important skill to make routine.
Ask Your Child:
How has Edward changed in our class read aloud?
What is the difference between a want and a need?
What different types of poetic language have you learned about? Why do authors use those techniques?
How do you write $5.04 in dollar and cent notation?
What is the difference between a prefix and suffix?

March 22-April 12

Hello Families! Happy Spring...? Despite the cold weather I hope the sunshine is brightening your days! Please read what we are learning in 2nd Grade the right sidebar. Here are some other important happenings in our room:

New Assignment Notebook in the Sidebar: I have added an extra week to the assignment notebook so that all assignments between blog posts will be listed. If your child ever forgets his/her assignment notebook, please check the blog for homework.
Nonfiction Celebration: Thank you to all families who were able to join us for our celebration last week Friday. The kids were super excited to be able to share all their hard work with an audience. Thank you again for the treats!
CLAW slips: I hope everyone was able to read the yellow information sheet on CLAW slips that came home on Wednesday. Our class is piloting the use of CLAW slips for every minor behavior that does not follow our 5 school rules. CLAW slips will be stapled in assignment notebooks- a parent should sign and then I will collect the slip the following morning for documentation. Every 4 CLAW slips results in an office referral and a call home.
What I am is...A Good Sport: Our school focus is being a good sport. I am so happy to say our group of second graders really exemplifies good sportsmanship. While other grade levels have to focus on what a good sport is, our second graders play fairly, take turns, accept each other's differences and use positive words. Yay second grade!
Classroom Community Incentive: We are working on walking silently in the halls- in a line.  The line part seems to be very difficult for this group. We are also working on eliminating disruptions in the classroom- noises, shouting out, talking when should be listening... So we are adding flower petals everyday that we successfully walk silently or have no disruptions. When the flower petals are all on, we will have a class reward.

Mrs. Dahms' Store: The kids earn pennies daily for returning homework, having a positive day and being helpful in the classroom. I encourage the kids to save up their pennies to earn a dollar. For every dollar earned, the kids get a Dahms Dollar to spend at my store, plus a bonus prize for earning the dollar:
1st Dahms Dollar: Lunch in the classroom with me and a friend
2nd Dahms Dollar: Free Magazine
3rd Dahms Dollar: My Computer Chair for the day
4th Dahms Dollar: Free Book $3 or less from the Scholastic Book Order
5th Dahms Dollar: