Week 29

This is the last week before spring break, and we have some exciting things going on!

Read In!
We have a special day on Friday!  We’re doing a read in!  The whole day will consist of reading activities.  This year we’ll be focusing on the Easter story.  The kids can wear pajamas and can bring a blanket, pillow, and stuffed animal.  They can also bring a snack to eat at our afternoon recess, if they choose to!  More information is on the bright orange note coming home on Monday!

Spring Break/Easter Monday:
We have no school next week (March 30-April 3) for spring break, and we also have no school Monday, April 6 (Easter Monday).

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll be talking about a couple of things that set off Holy Week—Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and Palm Sunday.  We’ll be talking about calling on God in all of our problems, and we’ll be identifying ways in which we praise God. 

Math:
This week in math we’ll be starting our module on three-digit subtraction.  We’ll be representing subtraction with three digits, we’ll specifically look at regrouping and what that looks like with three digits, and we’ll regroup with zeros.  We’ll review these concepts before we finish up the module after spring break.

Language Arts:
We are almost all the way done with our book.  Those who are still finishing up their pages will finish this week, then I’ll ship it off and the books should arrive sometime after spring break!

This week’s phonics concept is using “y” as a vowel.  We’ll be practicing lots of words with that concept, as well as our new red word: hall.  This week our test will be on Thursday, since our read in is on Friday!

Science:
This week we should be finishing up our science unit about how we can find the best place for a plant to grow.  We’ll look at range maps, showing the habitats of plants and animals.  We’ll use those maps to identify plants and animals that work together.  We’ll also use what we’ve learned to help find the best place for a plant to grow in a schoolyard.

Week 27

We’re Publishing a Book!

Every second grader will contribute a page of writing and a picture that goes with it to our class book!  You’ll have the opportunity to order a copy, if you want to!  Look for more information soon.

 

Early Dismissals

We have two half days this Thursday and Friday, with dismissal at 11:15 both days.  The students will still be doing lots of learning and work, so they’ll still need their backpacks, water bottles, and they can still bring a snack for morning recess.  If your child is going to Eagles’ Nest on those days, please also send them with a lunch.

 

Christian Studies

This week in Christian Studies we’ll discuss a couple of parables Jesus told, as well as their meanings.  First, we’ll look at the parable of the rich fool.  We’ll discuss greed and we’ll examine our own hearts.  Then we’ll look at the parable of the sower.  We’ll analyze the parable and will identify what each type of soil stands for.  We’ll then apply it to our own faiths.

 

Math
This week we’ll finish off our module, using bar models and boxes to determine the unknown number in an equation.  We’ll have a practice test as homework on Thursday, and we’ll take our test on Friday.

 

Science

We’ve been discussing pollination and the features of a bee that makes it good at pollinating.  The students worked in pairs to design a pollinator using certain materials.  They then built their pollinators.  We’ll test them out and evaluate how effective they were next!

 

Language Arts

This week we’ll be learning about several reasons a word might have a silent “e” at the end of it (other than it just being a magic “e”).  We’ll not only spell the words, but we’ll also discuss why it has a silent “e” at the end.  The reasons we’ll be discussing are below:

-English words don’t end in “j” or “v” (i.e., love, hinge, judge)

-to distinguish the word from a plural noun (i.e., mouse, house)

-to change an unvoiced “th” to a voiced “th” sound (i.e., “breath” becomes “breathe’)

-to change the “s” at the end of a word to make a “z” sound (i.e., impose, compose)

-to soften the “c” at the end of the word to make an “s” sound (i.e., absence)

Week 26

Book Fair!

This week is the book fair! We will preview the fair on Monday, so students have an idea of what is available for purchase. Students will be able to shop the book fair Tuesday-Thursday, 8:00 am-8:15 am, with a parent. Or after school on Thursday from 3-4 pm with a parent. Friday, the Book fair will be open for students and their Grand friends from 8 am-12 pm. Students will also have the opportunity to shop during recess on Tuesday through Thursday. If you are ok with having your student shop alone, you can send them with cash in a marked envelope, and I will send them during their recess.

Grand-Friends Day!

Grand-Friends Day is this Friday, March 6! 
A few things to note:

·       It’s a half day.  Dismissal is at 11:15 AM.

·       Click the link to register your child—this gives us updated numbers so we can better plan:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvg8_43h3lPu-hAgeeVI7loBOXPeOMg2KSr1_KaDaS3jdJcQ/viewform

·       Parking Info:

o   Grand-Friends can walk out with their students from the closing in the gym.

§  Students who don’t walk out with a Grand-Friend will be brought out the pick-up line or sent to Eagle’s Nest.

§  The normal 3-5 line will be closed.  Please use the pick-up line closest to the playground to pick up all students.

§  Please let whoever is picking up your student know that as usual, the lane closest to the road traffic travels east to west, and the other 2 lanes west to east.

Aside from all of the craziness happening this week, we will also be doing some great learning!

Christian Studies: 
This week we’ll learn about a couple of healing miracles Jesus did: healing ten with leprosy and healing a blind man.  We’ll connect this healing with our lives and we’ll discuss gratitude and how we can praise God in all circumstances.

Language Arts:
Our phonics concept is contractions, specifically those using “have,” “will,” and “would.”  We’ll practice shortening the words and will discuss where to put the apostrophe.

We’ll also be diving into our informational text, A Home on the Prairie, and we’ll focus on using text features and graphics to better understand the text.

Science:
This week the kids get to design and build a pollinator!  We’ve already done some analysis of what makes a good pollinator; we’ll use that information to choose materials and design a pollinator.  We’ll get to test them out, too!

Week 25

We have some full weeks ahead of us! 

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll be learning about Jesus calming the storm.  Then we’ll discuss how Jesus calms the fears and “storms” in our lives.  We’ll also learn about the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000.  We’ll talk about how God provides for our needs, both physical and spiritual, and also gives us good gifts.

Math:
This week in math we’ll finish off our module on adding two-digit numbers fluently.  We’ll use properties and strategies to help us add 4 two-digit numbers.  We’ll review the module before taking the test on Thursday.  We’ll transition into our new module, continuing to practice addition and subtraction word problems.

Language Arts:
This is a review week in phonics, so we’ll be reviewing the concepts of Consonant-le endings, kind old words, Bossy R “or” and “ar,” and the vowel teams “au” and “aw.”  All of our spelling words for our test will come from the practice we do this week.

We’ll also be looking at an informational text about animals that live on the prairie.  We’ll discuss the components of an informational text, and we’ll use text features to help us better understand the text.

Science:
We’ll continue looking at what plants need to grow.  We’ll plan an exploration, testing seeds that either get light or water, with a control set that get both.  We’ll look at the effect of light and water on the seeds.  We’ll also look at pollination and what type of animals help pollinate plants.

 

Week 24

I hope everyone had a restful, fun long weekend!  We’re back to learning and jumping right into the week today!

Free Dress Day!
The kindergarten through fourth graders earned a free dress day through their Kids Heart Challenge fundraising!  Our free dress day for all kindergarten through fourth graders is on Thursday, February 19!  See page 31 of the handbook for the free dress guidelines.

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll look at Mary and Martha.  We’ll discuss their choices and will talk about how we can make good choices that include Jesus and the Bible.  We’ll also learn about Jesus and Zaccheus and how Jesus surpassed Zaccheus’ expectations when it came to His grace and forgiveness.

Math:
This week in math we’ll continue looking at addition and subtraction.  We’ll rewrite subtraction problems, practicing subtracting with and without regrouping.  We’ll also use addition and a number line to subtract, finding missing numbers.  Then we’ll add three two-digit numbers using strategies and properties to become more fluent in addition.

Language Arts:
This week’s phonics concept is the “aw” sound, spelled “au” and “aw.”  We’ll learn some rules for when to use each spelling, and we’ll practice spelling words with those vowel teams in them.

Charlotte’s Web:
We’ve been reading Charlotte’s Web over the last couple of months, and we’re set to finish it this week.  I plan on showing the class the 1973 version, which is very close to the book.  I’m excited to hear which one they like better—the book or the movie!

Week 23--LEST

For a short week, we sure have a lot of new things happening!  For more information about the week, take a look at the "This Week" page at the top of the blog.  Here’s a look at the week ahead:

Christian Studies:
This week we’ll learn about Jesus teaching Nicodemus.  We’ll discuss how Nicodemus came at night and his curiosity.  Then we’ll discuss what we know because it’s in the Bible.

Chapel:
2^nd grade leads chapel this week!  We’ll get a chance to practice with microphones in the worship area.  Then we get to perform our chapel for the afternoon Pre-K class on Tuesday.  We’ll perform on Wednesday morning—we hope you can join us to see it!

Movie and Stuffed Animal Day!
2^nd grade earned a movie and stuffed animal day!  We’ll be watching Toy Story 2 on Monday afternoon, and the students are welcome to bring a stuffed animal to snuggle during the movie.

LEST Shirt Day:
In order to hype up our 5-8 graders going to LEST, students can wear an LEST shirt and free dress bottoms on Tuesday this week.  If they don’t have an LEST shirt, please have them wear standard of dress.  This can be an LEST shirt from any year, including this year’s blue shirt.

Tri-City Americans Assembly:
Tuesday morning from 9:15-10:00 we have our Tri-City Americans assembly.  The top earners in each class for Fall Fest will be playing hockey with/against some Tri-City Americans players.  Feel free to join us to watch!

LEST Preview Assembly:
Tuesday afternoon from 1:45-2:45 we have our LEST preview assembly.  During this assembly, each LEST team will be introduced and the school will learn a little bit about what they’ll be doing at LEST.  We’ll also hear some musical performances and will get to watch the dance team do their routine.

Valentines Party:
Our Valentines party is on Wednesday morning!  Thanks to the parents who are coordinating and working it!  If students want to bring valentines to pass out for the class, they need to bring them by Tuesday morning.  Valentines will be sent home on Wednesday.

Wednesday Half Day:
Remember that Wednesday is a half day, with dismissal at 11:15.  

No School Monday:
No school Monday due to Presidents Day.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Week 22

After a crazy week ending in Indoor Olympics last week, we have a full week ahead!  We’ll be spending lots of time preparing for our chapel (remember, we’re leading chapel next week!) and some time getting ready for our Valentine’s Day party.  We have a fun week ahead!

Christian Studies:
This week in Christian Studies we’ll dive right in to Jesus’ early ministry.  We’ll talk about Him calling His disciples.  We’ll talk about some of His instructions for us as His disciples by looking at what He said in the Bible.  We’ll also learn about Jesus healing a man at the pool, who had been waiting decades for healing.  We’ll discuss sin-sickness vs. physical sickness and talk about how Jesus heals both.

We’ll also spend a lot of time preparing for our chapel skit, which we’ll be doing at chapel next week.

Math:
This week in math we’ll add and subtract two-digit numbers using regrouping.  We’ve learned the foundation behind it; this week we’ll practice using the process to add and subtract, with and without regrouping.  We’ll finish the week starting our next module on addition and subtraction word problems.

Language Arts:
This week our phonics concept is Bossy R: or.  We’ll practice spelling and reading words using that concept, and we’ll learn three new red words this week: these, those, and took.

This week we’ll start a new informational text.  We’ll compare places based on pictures and information presented.

Science:
This week in science we’ll plan an investigation.  We’ll plant radishes and plan which element our plant will receive—either water or light.  We’ll also have a control group that receives both water and light in order to help us determine the cause and effect of light and water and plant growth.