Week 6

It’s definitely feeling like fall these days!  I’ll be reminding the kids to bring jackets and to dress in layers, since it’s colder in the morning and warmer in the afternoons most days.

Pumpkin Day:
We have a fun day ahead this week!  On Wednesday, October 1 we have Pumpkin Day!  After chapel, the kids will get to go pick out a pumpkin, have a pumpkin donut for a snack, and play some pumpkin games.  We’ll end the morning with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”  We’ll get to spend most of the morning with our 6^th grade buddies, so we’ll also get some great bonding time with them.

Christian Studies:
This week, as we continue to work our way through the Old Testament, we’ll learn more about Joseph and how he forgave his brothers, and how God provides.  We’ll also learn about God calling Moses through a burning bush.

Math:
This week we’ll start a new module in math about gathering and showing data.  First, we’ll record data with tally marks.  Then we’ll learn how to interpret and draw picture graphs.  We’ll end the week by learning to interpret and draw bar graphs.

Language Arts:
This week our phonics concept is Bossy R-ir.  This is the second most common way to spell the “er” sound.  We’ll also work on the red words “water” and “watch.”

This week we’ll be looking at a new genre of text: informational text.  The students will learn about some characteristics of informational text, and we’ll discuss the main idea and supporting details of the text.

Science:
In science this week we’ll learn about patterns of solid water on Earth and where to find it.  We’ll also learn about other patterns on earth involving land and water (i.e., mountains are often found side-by-side, islands are often found in groups, etc.).  Then the students will plan on how they’re going to add two patterns to their models.

Week 5

It’s starting to feel like fall!  This is a great time of year for your child to dress in layers and to encourage them to bring a jacket to school, since the mornings are cool and the afternoons can be warm.

No School Friday:
We have no school Friday for a professional day!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’re going to look at some different family dynamics.  First, we’ll briefly learn about Jacob and how he tricked his brother, then our lesson will focus on Jacob returning home and Esau greeting him with forgiveness.  Then we’ll talk about Joseph in Potiphar’s house and we’ll talk about how God works all things for good.

Math:
This week in math we’ll finish our module on repeat addition and arrays, and we’ll take our test on Thursday.

Language Arts:
Our phonics concept this week is Bossy R: -er.  We’ll spell words with -er and will discuss the new syllable type, Bossy R.

We’ll also finish looking at our text from last week and we’ll practice some writing.

Science:
This week we’ll learn about five different kinds of water.  Then the students will use blue clay to add two kinds of water to their models.

Week 4

The weather is changing, but it looks like we have a pretty sunny week ahead of us.  I talked with the 2^nd graders last week about starting to bring a jacket to school, as the weather can be unpredictable.

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll talk about Abraham’s faithfulness to God and obedience, even when he didn’t understand.  We’ll also learn about Isaac and Rebekah.  We’ll focus on God’s faithfulness in the midst of His people’s unfaithfulness, and we’ll talk about how God can use us, even when we don’t always make the best choices.

Math:
This week in math we’ll finish off our first module about adding and subtracting fluently.  We’ll then start our next module.  We’ll identify even and odd numbers, write equations to represent even numbers, and represent equal groups.

Language Arts:
This week our phonics concept is a tricky one: schwa.  I like to call this a “lazy vowel,” and it’s found in a lot of English words.  We’ll practice identifying the syllable in which we’ll find the schwa (it’s always on an unstressed syllable), and we’ll practice spelling some words with schwa.  This week, our practice test will have the same words on it as the spelling test, since it’s such a tricky concept.

In reading, we’ll read a different realistic fiction text.  We’ll focus on understanding and describing the characters in our story as we practice comprehension strategies.

Science:
This week in science we’ll learn about different types of land on Earth.  We’ll discuss five different types of land, with examples.  Then the students will choose two of those types of land to show on a model made out of clay.  We’ll be adding to our models as we learn more in science.

Week 3

This is our first full week of school, and I’m excited to get into a routine and get rolling this year!  I’m excited for our first full week with our whole schedule, including our first library and technology time of the year!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll be learning about the Flood and God’s protection of Noah and his family.  We’ll also talk about Sodom and Gomorrah.  Throughout both of these stories, we’ll discuss consequences, as well as God’s grace and salvation in the midst of the consequences.  (We’ll keep it 2^nd grade appropriate.)

Math:
This week in math we’ll keep building fluency in addition and subtraction.  We’ll use strategies to become more fluent in subtraction.  We’ll also use the make-a-ten strategy to help add.  We’ll talk about how tens facts can help us subtract, and we’ll add three numbers using mental strategies and properties.

Language Arts:
Our phonics concept this week is three-consonant blends, like scr-, shr-, spl-, etc.  We’ll practice words with three-consonant blends all week, as well as our new red words for the week: away, after.

In reading, we’ll continue with our realistic fiction text from last week, focusing on reading it closely for understanding, pointing out evidence and clues to answer questions.  We’ll also examine the setting of the story in depth.

Science:
We get to start our first science unit, where we’ll be exploring the question, “What can maps tell us about land and water on earth?”  We’ll start off by discussing science safety, then we’ll talk about what a map is and move into different types of land.

Week 2

This week we’ll start to settle into our normal routine.  We have our first full week next week, and then we should be settled in pretty well!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we get to learn about the beginning of the world.  In 2^nd grade, we go through our Bible stories in chronological order, so we’ll start with Creation and the fall into sin (with the promise of a Savior).

Math:
This week in math we’ll start to develop fluency in addition and subtraction.  This will be something we work on throughout the year. This week we’ll work on strategies, like using doubles facts to add, as well as using other mental strategies to become quicker and more fluent.

Language Arts:
Our phonics/spelling concept this week is contractions.  We’ll practice some words throughout the week using this concept, then we’ll take a practice test on Thursday and our spelling test on Friday.  Rather than a traditional spelling test, where students memorize the spellings of set words and test at the end of the week, our spelling program focuses on mastering spelling concepts.  This indicates a deeper understanding of the rules of the English language, which will help students in both reading and spelling.

We’ll also start our language arts reading comprehension, beginning with realistic fiction.  We’ll talk about the characteristics of realistic fiction, and we’ll do a close reading of a text to actively read and answer questions as we go.