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.

We made it through our first week!

We finished off our first week strong!  I am so impressed with these 2nd graders!  They have really settled into our routines and procedures well.

 We had our first memory work test today.  I am very understanding when it comes to memory work--I do not grade spelling, and I am fairly fluent in 2nd grade phonetic spelling. ;)  It is not meant to be high-stress--as long as they show that they know the Bible verse, I am happy.

The students also took a math diagnostic test today.  This test is low-key and serves to give me an idea of where the students are starting the year in their knowledge of math and its vocabulary. 

After silent reading and finishing up STAR tests, and then settled into silent reading.  Next week the students will get a bookmark with their AR levels on it to help them pick out books that will be easy enough for them to read independently without getting frustrated, while still challenging enough to help them continue to grow as readers. I will require that they read one book in their AR level each week, then do a short book report to show comprehension.  After that, they have the freedom to read whatever they'd like to read.

We ended our class time by doing an activity to help us apply this year's theme to our lives.  The students identified two ways they make a joyful noise.  We had a good discussion about some different ideas.  Some of their ideas were: singing at chapel, saying encouraging words to others, telling others about Jesus, thanking someone and using their manners, playing an instrument, and welcoming people.  I look forward to posting these in the hallway!

We packed up and ended our day with our second P.E. class of the year.  Ask them what they did!

Have a blessed, restful weekend!

 

Day 3!

 Ice Cream Social/Open House:  Tonight is our open house and ice cream social from 6-7 PM!  Classrooms will be open from 6:00-6:20.  We hope you can come by to enjoy some ice cream and fellowship!

Volunteer opportunities are still available!  Our areas of greatest need are Monday and Wednesday lunch parent (11:15-12:00).  Please let me know if you'd like to volunteer!

Today was another full day of learning procedures, getting to know each other, and getting into our routine!

We started the day off with reading buddies!  We met our buddies and did an "interview" with them to get to know them better.  If they finished early, they had a chance to start reading together.  We'll meet with our 6th grade buddies weekly, and it's fun to see the kids build a neat, close connection!

The students also did our first Math-a-Minute, which is a timed math test with 15 math facts on it.  They start on +0 (with all of the math problems adding 0), and work their way up.  They have one minute to complete the test.  If they don't finish, or if they get one wrong, they have the chance to do it again the next time we do Math-a-Minutes.  This is intended to help the students become fluent in their math facts.  I encourage them to do their best, I assure them that they will oftentimes have to do a Math-a-Minute more than once before they pass, and I remind them they aren't to share which one they're on with their friends.  It's a competition for themselves only. :)

We also took our STAR reading test.  This test gives me some valuable information about your child's reading fluency and comprehension.  I will send these reports home when all students have tested.  Please know, I understand that we are coming off of months of summer and they are still adjusting to a new class and teacher--these scores are just a starting place. I have other tools for assessing your student's reading skills and use many different observations and tools in order to assess your student.

After lunch, 2nd grade had their first Spanish class of the year.  Ask them what they did!

We also did Day 2 of our morning work together.  The students should check their work carefully as we go over it together.  If they get 100%, they get a sticker; 5 stickers gets them a reading log/flash card pass!  Some students have already earned their first three stickers!

We also did a practice memory work test (their first memory work test is TOMORROW).  I'm not picky about spelling on the memory work tests--as long as I can tell which word they put on the line, I mark it correct.

We also wrote in our Interactive Journals for the first time.  Interactive Journals are an informal way for me to get to know the students on a more personal level.  They aren't graded, and they serve as a weekly dialogue between me and your student.  I love doing them and know that they're a good use of our time!

We also discussed our Purple Hand Pledge.  We say this pledge in the mornings, along with our pledge of allegiance to the cross and to the flag, showing its importance to our school.  The pledge states, "I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others."  After discussing what this looks like, and what we should be using our hands and words for, the students take the pledge, outline their hand on purple paper, and sign it to indicate that they make this pledge.  These hands will be posted for the year, and we oftentimes come back to the pledge and discuss it as needed.

Thank you so much for sharing your 2nd grader with me this year!  I am thoroughly enjoying each day!

 

First Full Day of School!

It was a fun, long day in 2nd grade today!  Be prepared for your 2nd grader to come home tired!

Hot lunch:  The first hot lunch menu for the year is open and ready for you to order!  See Mrs. Jameson's email for more information about what hot lunch looks like here at BL, as well as how to register and order.  The first hot lunch orders are due by September 2.

We started off with a tour of our desk and a tour of the classroom so we could get acquainted with the important things we'll be using throughout the year. Then we reviewed some procedures and took a look at our classroom blog. 

Then we learned about each of the classroom jobs and the responsibilities the students will have throughout the year to help our classroom run smoothly.  2nd grade is a fun time of learning and growing, becoming not only more independent, but also branching out and noticing the needs of others and then working to meet those needs.

We got a chance to work on our morning work.  We'll do the first few together so the students can get the hang of it, and then they will start working independently each morning by the end of the week.  We will be doing this type of morning work most mornings, so we did it together today.  They'll transition into doing a page by themselves, and then checking it as a class, by Friday.

After lunch, we settled into silent reading, checking out classroom library books (which will stay at school).  I was impressed how quietly and responsibly the second graders looked for books and handled them! 

I also did an All About Mrs. Picker presentation so they could get to know more about me, beyond just what they see in the classroom.  The presentation ended with a game--since I'm an identical twin, I took childhood pictures of me and my twin sister and had the students guess which one was me.  Ask them how well they did!  (I usually get several wrong!)

In order to help us learn our three classroom rules (show respect, make good decisions, solve problems), the kids worked in groups to plan and perform short skits to demonstrate the rules.  Ask them which rule they demonstrated and what their skit was like!

After recess, we packed up and put our gym shoes on.  Then the 2nd graders started to decorate a nameplate that I will laminate and that will be put on the front of their desk all year.

We ended our day by starting our read aloud of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.  Then the 2^nd graders got to go to their first P.E. class of the year!  Ask them what they did!

Have a restful, low-key night!

 

First Day of School!

What a great start to the year we had today!

We started off the day with chapel.  Pastor Josh shared our year theme with the students:  Let's Make a Joyful Noise, based on Psalm 98:4.  Then Mr. Haan shared a message about Jesus always being with us, in the middle of all of our feelings.  He reminded us of the story of Jesus calming the storm and reminded us that God loves us so much, and He's always with us.

After chapel, your student learned about their homework sheet.  This week the reading log is pink and it is extra credit (this week only)--I am giving them a chance to get familiar with it and get in the habit of keeping it in their homework folder.  This sheet should stay in their homework folder all week and should go home each night and come back to school each day.  I'll stamp it each day they complete their homework/reading/flash cards, and then they'll turn it in on Friday to be graded.  If your child reads for 20 minutes each night, please initial for the night.  They will bring their sheet back each day.  We'll start flash cards next week, so no flash cards yet!

Then we did our first brain break!  I utilize these a lot during the year to get the students up and moving, get their blood pumping, and give their brains an opportunity to do something else to recharge. 

After that, we had a chance to go out to recess.  Those who brought a snack were able to eat it outside during recess.

After recess, we learned some procedures to help our classroom move smoothly.  We discussed our morning routine, how and when to use the restroom, how to make sure they have all of the materials they need, and what to do to end our day.  The students also had an opportunity to learn about our classroom management system, and the students also learned about our schedule for each day. 

Before packing up, the kids decorated music notes to add to our door decoration.  I hope you're able to check it out sometime this week!

We packed up and talked about how our dismissal procedure works.  It was a whirlwind of a day!

Note:  I will be updating the blog each day this week, but will update less frequently after that--about once a week for the rest of the year.