Week 2

Even though it’s not the first week of school anymore, we still have some firsts happening this week! 

Homework:
We’ll start this week with math homework.  Just a few things:

• ·       They have time in class almost every day to complete their homework
• ·       I give them time in class to study memory work and spelling (they may need additional time at home)
• ·       It is the 2^nd graders’ responsibility to get their logs signed, so I give them strategies for making it easy on the adults
• ·       Getting a daily routine in place for homework in 2^nd grade will equip them for future grades and the extra workload that comes with them

STAR Tests:
We took STAR tests last week.  Look for your child’s reading levels in their homework folder this week!

Reading Buddies:
We had reading buddies for the first time this week!  Check out Seesaw for a picture of your 2^nd grader with their 6^th grade buddy!

Flash Cards:
We’ll start flash cards this week for homework.  I provide addition flash cards to the students; however, they can use any flash cards or math fact practice they want for their 5 minutes of nightly flash cards.  Starting this week, the students will need two signatures on their homework sheets—reading and flash cards.

Christian Studies:
This week we start Christian Studies with the beginning of the world.  We’ll learn about creation and how God made everything “good.”  Then we’ll learn about humanity’s fall into sin and we’ll talk about our need for a savior.

Math:
This week in math we’ll begin our first module, which is all about fluency in addition and subtraction.  We’ll start off with using doubles facts to add, and we’ll add in some mental strategies to help become more fluent in adding.

Spelling:
This week we’re reviewing a spelling concept from the end of 1^st grade—contractions.  We’ll not only review the spelling concept, it will also give us an opportunity to re-establish our routines and remind ourselves of the layout of our spelling for the year.  Remember that they won’t have a spelling list to memorize each week; rather, we’ll focus on a spelling concept and practice several words throughout the week, then they’ll test on words in that concept.  Our first spelling test of the year is this Friday, September 6.

Language Arts:
We’ll start our language arts by reading our first passage, How Many Stars in the Sky?  We’ll focus on the realistic fiction genre this week, and we have a few new vocabulary words we’ll be discussing: backyard, treehouse, searchlights, daylight.