October 25-November 8

Happy Fall to all! Here is our classroom news:
Word Work: We are rolling out Word Study next week. The first week will be routine focused. The second week will begin with differentiated, just right sorts your child complete based their individual assessment. In addition to weekly word study patterns, your child will get 6 high frequency words to study- these are individualized based on assessments. Any words your child missed will
Conferences: Parent Teacher Conferences are right around the corner as Quarter 1 comes to a close. You can sign up for your conference date and time on the Tonawanda website.
Sunset Playhouse Field Trip: We will go on our first field trip on Thursday October 31 to Sunset Playhouse. We will be walking so please send your child to school with a warm coat and possibly hats and gloves depending on the weather.
Fall Party: Our Fall Party was a huge success! Thank you to ALL parent volunteers who sent in items for the party, planned, prepared and/our chaperoned the party. The kids had a GREAT time. We did not get a chance as a class to say a BIG THANK YOU!

Ask Your Child:
Who are you getting to know in reading? (Which character?) What do you know about him/her? Why do you think that?
Retell your story using SWBS...Somebody, Wanted, But, So
How does an object get set in motion? (a force)
Name the similarities and differences in Twirlers and Zoomers. (Both spin...Zoomers are set in motion by hands spinning the zoomer in circles, twirlers are set in motion by gravity and air resistance)
What is happening in Charlotte's Web?
What is a 3 Star post It? How is it different than a 1 star Post It?
Reminders:
Please return the assessment envelope that your child's MAP scores were delivered in on Monday Oct/ 21st (I apologize for the delay in sending them home!)

October 11-25

Hello Families! We have had a great couple of weeks in second grade. Busy, but great. Here are some happenings and information for you:

NEW FEATURE
Kid Chat: "Catching Complements"- We challenged ourselves to compliment our classmates. At the end of the day, we shared the compliments we received. Mrs. Dahms placed a baseball on the mitt everyday. Finally, when we reached 20, we earned an extra recess. (written, edited and revised by Mrs. Dahms' second graders)

Spelling Bee Date mix up!: On your October calendar, I put the spelling bee on October 18th. It is really scheduled for November 18th. This is an optional event. Your child can decide whether to participate or not. Here is the link to the spelling lists on the school website:
http://www.elmbrookschools.org/tonawanda-elementary/item/index.aspx?linkid=561&moduleid=34
Field Trip Permission slip: In your child's BEE folder, you will find a new field trip form. The School district is sending one main field trip permission form home with all of our field trips for the year. Please fill out and return the form along with the one fee for all the field trips listed. Thank you!
Scholastic Book Orders: I apologize to all the families that placed a September order. I realized after I entered all the orders, I must never have clicked Submit. I realized a week later after the books hadn't arrived. So sorry for the wait.
I will send home the Oct./Nov catalog next week.
Mrs Dahms Store- It finally opened last week. The kids earn pennies throughout the week for complete homework, reading logs and bringing their books back to school. In addition, I will give out pennies when someone does a job for me or helps someone else with their job. The kids then exchange their pennies for nickels, dimes,  or quarters to shop at Mrs. Dahms store. Along with little things like pencils, sticker sheets, fun erasers, I sell coupons for things like "Show and Tell, "Bring a Stuffed Animal to School". If you see a coupon like this come home, then you know that your child bought it from the store and fulfill the coupon any day he/she chooses.
Reminders:
Our Fall Party will be on Oct. 24 11-11:45. This is a half day of school.
Oct. 25- No School
Oct. 31- Sunset Playhouse Field Trip AM
Ask Your Child:
What patterns do you see in your book character's behavior?
How much time has passed in this story?
What does your character want?
As a writer, can you give me an example of a story ending that is not exciting? Can you give
Tell me about one of the small moments you have written in class.
What is happening in Charlotte's Web?
What is a turn around fact?
Explain how you would solve this problem...Team A has 14 kids, Team B has 11. How many more kids are on Team A?

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?