Thursday, September 3

Volunteer opportunities are still available!  We have lunch parents signed up for every day of the week (thank you so much!), but I'm always glad to have more than one person in the classroom at lunchtime, so let me know if you'd like to double up with someone!  I'd also love to have one more person help out with library on Thursdays from 1:45-2:30--let me know if you'd like to help out with that!

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

We started the day off with P.E.  If your student hasn’t brought in their gym shoes yet, please do so by next week!

Then we did our first Math-a-Minute.  This is a timed, one minute test that helps students become more fluent in their addition math facts.  They have one minute to correctly answer 15 addition problems.  It starts with +0 and, as they pass them, moves up.  This is an individual thing—they move at their own pace and it is not part of their math grade. 

We also took our STAR reading test today.  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.

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!

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!

After recess, we did a practice memory work test (their first memory work test is TOMORROW).  We went over this together and is coming home today.  They can use this to help them study and prepare for tomorrow.

We ended the day by listening to The Rainbow Fish.  This story teaches a lesson about being generous and looking beyond yourself.  We’ll also use this story for our first book report.

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!  (I know they wore me out!)

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.

 

After recess, we learned about the jobs in our classroom and what they all entail.  Ask them which job they’re most excited about!

 

Next, we did our first “morning work” page together.  Every morning, the second graders will have a daily language review to complete independently; then we’ll go over it together some mornings.  In order to get them comfortable doing them independently, we did the first one together today.

  

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!)

 

After that, we discussed our classroom rules: 1. Show respect, 2. Make good decisions, and 3. Solve problems.  We discussed what these look like in the classroom, and we all signed the rules, agreeing to follow them throughout the year.

 

We ended the day by decorating a leaf that will become part of our door decoration.  Then we packed up and were introduced to our read aloud: The Tale of Despereaux, then heading to P.E.  If you haven’t sent your second grader’s gym shoes with them yet, please do that ASAP.  They’ll stay at school for the year. 

 

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 and Mr. Haan shared a great message about our theme this year: Rooted in Christ based on Colossians 2:6-7.

After chapel, your student learned about their homework sheet.  This week the reading log is blue 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.  If your child reads for 20 minutes each night, please initial for the night.  They will bring their sheet back each day.

Then we had a chance to go out to recess.  They got to explore the basketball courts, softball field, and Gaga Ball pit.  Ask them what they did at recess!

After recess, the 2nd graders 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 the materials they need, and what to do to end our day.

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

Reminder:  We have P.E. for the first time tomorrow.  Please remember to have your 2nd grader bring their gym shoes ASAP!  Thanks!

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.  Just so you're prepared. :)

Welcome to 2nd Grade!

Before School Starts
Welcome to the blog for Bethlehem Lutheran's 2nd grade class!  I am excited to be using this website to communicate with you this year, keeping you in the know about upcoming events, as well as sharing what we are doing throughout the school year with you. Below are a few things to be ready for before school starts.

About Mrs. Picker:
The bio at the bottom of this page has some general information about me and how I came to teach at Bethlehem.  Please take some time to peruse it and get to know me!  I'm happy to answer any questions you have about me!

Supplies:
All school supplies are taken care of through your registration fee.  Below are the only supplies that the second graders need to bring (if you haven't brought them in already):

• water bottle with pop-up lid
• backpack
• 2 large boxes of Kleenex
• 3 large containers of sanitizing surface wipes
• gym shoes with non-marking soles (these will stay at school throughout the year—slip-on or Velcro preferred)

First day:
Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 1.  It is a half day, so dismissal is at 11:15 AM.  Please review our drop-off and pick-up procedures (at the bottom of this post) to help it run more smoothly.  We will not be having lunch at school that day, unless your child is going to Eagles' Nest, so please keep that in mind when planning.

The first day of school starts with chapel.  I'd like to invite you to stay and worship with us on our first day, if you are able!  It is truly a wonderful thing to hear so many children singing and worshiping together with their teachers and classmates!

Pick-Up:
2nd grade lines up on the curb for pick-up line, closest to the school.  Students who go to Eagles' Nest will do so before the rest of the class heads outside.  Students with older siblings will go with their older sibling to that grade's line; those with younger siblings will pick up their sibling and sit with them in our line.  Thank you in advance for your patience in pick-up line this first week as we all get the hang of the procedure!

Volunteering:
We still have some open volunteer opportunities in our class.  Check out the pink sign up sheet on the desk outside of our classroom this week!

Our greatest need is for lunch parents--11:15-12:00 on Mondays.  You will take the kids out to recess, come in and monitor them in the classroom, reminding them to clean up at about 11:55.  It's fun, and I have some procedures in place to make it as easy as possible.  Please let me know if you are able to give the kids a break from me.  ;)

A volunteer packet will need to be filled out by each volunteer each year, regardless of how many times you are volunteering during the year.  I have packets available in the classroom.  You will read the packet, fill out and return the first three pages, and you're ready to go!  Please let me know if you would like a packet sent home with your student.  Every two years, you’ll also need to complete the online Sexual Abuse Awareness training.  If you’re due to complete that training, after your packet is turned in, you'll receive an email with a link for that training.  It takes about an hour and must be completed before volunteering in the classroom. 

Important Schedule Information:
Below is the list of specials for this year.  Please send your child with appropriate shoes and a water bottle on P.E. days. 

·       Monday: 

• P.E.
• Tuesday: 
• Reading Buddies
• Spanish
• Wednesday:
• P.E
• Thursday: 
• P.E.
• Library
• Technology
• Friday: 
• Spanish  

I'm looking forward to a great year with these fabulous 2nd graders!

Mrs. Picker