HAPPY HALLOWEEN

We had a SUPER and fun party today. The students were in groups and they got to carve a pumpkin along with a parent volunteer....thanks parents!!!!! Along with carving, students had to guess how much their pumpkin weighed and how many seeds were inside it. Then they had to find out how much it really weighed and how many seeds were actually in it. It was easy to check the weight....not as easy to count seeds. Some of the pumpkins had A LOT of seeds!!! At least the students were counting:) Here are a bunch of pics from the party. Enjoy!

"Book-It" and Conferences

Wow!! What a busy and exciting week! The student sure were fired about about Halloween! I hope everyone is safe and has fun tomorrow. Don't eat too much candy!!!

Today a blue calendar went home. This is our new reading incentive. In the past, you might remember we've done Book-It. Well, Pizza Hut wasn't able to do it this year so we found a new reading incentive. Reading must go on!!! Please have your child read each night, or as often as possible. Record those minutes on the calendar. If your child brings home books from me, Mrs. Surface, or Mrs. Foster those reading minutes can go onto the calendar. At the end of the month sign the calendar and return it to school with your child. If your child meets the reading goal for the month he/she will earn a free slice of pizza from Casey's. If your child returns EVERY month's calendar and meets all the reading goals I will give those students a pizza party for lunch!!!!! I will be sending home reading calendars home through March. Happy reading!

Another reminder...parent-teacher conferences are next week. I cannot wait to meet with each of you! Report cards were sent home on Thursday so I will discuss those with you as well as your child's results from MAPs testing and DIBELS. If you are unable to make your conferences time, please let me know or let the school know. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy we we are able to meet next Tuesday and Thursday.

Nursing Homes

We went to the nursing homes today and the kids were super!! I took half of the class and Deb took the other half. While there we sang Halloween songs to them and read stories. It looked like the residents enjoyed our visit and I know the 2nd graders had a fun time as well. They really liked wearing their costumes as well!!!

Here is a slideshow of the students before we left for the nursing homes. I also took a few pictures of students reading to the residents. I didn't get everyone since I was only with half the class. Enjoy!!

Angelina's birthday

Today was a good day! Today was Angelina's birthday. We had music and we learned a new song. We sang really fast. We had really fun inside recesses. Puzzles are awesome! Everything is fun during indoor recess. We built two ramps out of legos. We also made our own lego guys. It was buddy test today. We tried really hard to get 6 out of 6. We did really good!! If we would get them all right we would get an M & M. The Smartboard is fun!! It helps us get smart because we learn on it. We do DOL on it now and our math test was on it too. We played a new game called Punctuation Campground.

What would you do if you had a Smartboard?

Posted by 2A students.

Check for Understanding

We have been practicing a lot with the reading strategy Check for Understanding. The strategy requires students to check what they have read frequently throughout the story. Often times when students read they do not realize they're' not remembering the story. Then they get to the end and can't remember what it was about! Often times, students are too concerned about saying all the words accurately that they forgot to take the time to think about what they're reading. Check for Understanding allows students to stop frequently and to ask 2 important questions: Who? and What?

How can you help your child with this strategy at home?
1. When reading to your child, stop periodically and say, “Let’s see if we remember what I just read. Think about who the story was about and what happened.” Do this 3 or 4 times throughout the story.

2. When reading to your child, stop and have them practice checking for understanding by saying, “I heard you say…”

3. Ask your child the following questions:
• Who did you just read about?
• What just happened?
• Was your brain talking to you while you read?
• Do you understand what was read?
• What do you do if you don’t remember?

Thank you for your continued support at home!

Punctuation Campground

Today we worked a bit more on punctuation. The best part was that we got to use the Smartboard. I found a website game that gave sentences. We needed to add the punctuation. The students LOVED it. Here is the site: punctuation campground

Smartboard

We have our Smartboard!! The students were SO excited to see it working this morning. I am going to do my best to use it as much as possible when I teach. We used it some today but I am still learning about it. I told my students I will do my best to use it when I can but they must bear with me!! Each student had the chance to choose their pen type today and write on the board. They loved it!! They did learn though that it's really different than writing on a regular whiteboard or chalkboard. I guess we'll all have to learn how to use it. More to come later on the Smartrboard...

Halloween Events!!!

Next week is Halloween...hurray!!! The students are starting to get really excited! Next Wednesday we will be going to the rest homes to read and sing songs to the residents. First and second grade teachers have decided to allow students to wear their costumes to the rest homes. If your child wishes to participate, have him/her bring the costume to school in a bag. Do NOT wear it to school. We will put them on right before we leave. Please do not send make-up, masks, or any type of weapon. Thanks!

We will have our classroom Halloween party next Friday in the afternoon. We will be carving pumpkins and having a special snack. Thank you to my 3 parent volunteers!! I really appreciate your help!

Writing

We have been able to have a great writing block three times a week! The kids really love this time of the day. For the last couple of weeks we have been discussing the writing process: prewriting, drafting, sharing, editing, and publishing. They learned that while sharing, good partners will give the writer positive comments and ask them good questions so the writer can improve their writing. The students record 2 questions on post-its so the writer will remember to add those detailws during the editing stage.

We have also been focusing a LOT of time on capitals and end marks. I can honestly say I think all my students know all about the 3 sentence stoppers. They know how to use them, when to use them, and how to change their voices when they see them. Hopefully they are reading this way at home also!!! We've also been discussing capitals and the difference between common and proper nouns. Give them a quiz at home and see how they do:)

Now that the students understand all of the writing process steps, we will FINALLY continue to focus on the "ideas" and "conventions" traits of writing. I want the students to practice writing about all types of ideas and to understand that they don't have to include every single details into their writing. A good writer will write a lot about a little!

Super Friday!

Today was a good day! Today was awesome because math was fun! We learned something new in math. We learned about function machines or in and out boxes. We learned a new song in music! It is called "Winter in America". We learned that Friday is a proper noun. We always have to capitalize proper nouns! The day was awesome! Recess was really fun because we got to play and have fresh air. Today we didn't talk a lot. Today we got a marble!

Parents, 2A students ask, "What would you do if you were in 2nd grade?"
Posted by 2A students

Ice Cream Sundaes

Wow!! It's amazing what an ice cream incentive can do to a 2nd grader!! I am very impressed with how well 2A students are learning their addition facts. I have found time to test students about 3-4 times a week. Almost everyone has passed the "easier" facts: 0's, 1's, and 10's. They are quickly learning that the other ones are a bit harder. Please make sure that your child is practicing each "family" at least 2-3 nights at home before coming to school to get tested on them. If students use their fingers or are stuck on a fact I will tell them to go home and practice some more before testing.

Thanks for practicing with your child and keep encourage them!!

Fall Fitness Day

Despite the cold temperatures, students had a blast at the Fall Fitness Day. We started walking on Friday around 8:45 at the softball field. We walked around that once and moved onto the baseball field. I continue to walk while all my students RAN around the field two times! Next was the practice field and then only the track. The track was definitely the favorite. All the classes were together there and they were able to walk/run together. Following our Fall Fitness activities we moved into the grandstands for the pep assembly. Students got pumped up for the big game and liked watching and cheering along with the cheerleaders.

This Wednesday

I just wanted to send out a quick reminder that there are 2 things due this Wednesday. The first is the fundraiser packet. If your child has been selling, EVERYTHING is due back this Wednesday. Please make sure that all the money and order form(s) are in the envelope. You and your child need to decide on prizes as well. You can seal the envelope and send it to school with your child. All of the sales will be delivered on Monday, November 16th. Please mark that on your calendar so you can pick everything up!!

Also, the fire station coloring contest is due this Wednesday as well. If your child wants to participate, (s)he needs to choose a page to color and return it to school by this Wednesday. The page does not need to be from the packet that went home on Friday. I have not heard anything about the pancake supper. Once I find out details I will pass those along as well.

Thanks and have a super week!!

Fire Station Visit

Well...it was another successful fire station visit!!! Students got a tour of the station and they learned about all the different fire trucks. They sure had a lot of super questions to ask the fireman about the trucks. Next we went into the station "classroom" and reviewed fire safety rules. Please also discuss these at your house. Just a reminder that each home should have a fire escape plan and meeting place in case there is ever a fire there. Our last rotation was by far the FAVORITE for the students. As in years past, each student got to spray me with the fire hose. It's so funny to me that students think it is hilarious to spray me with the fire house. They are so sure they are getting me wet...good think I get to wear the fireman gear:)

Calling All Pumpkin Carvers!

I am searching for volunteers who would like to help at our Halloween party. I need pumpkin carvers:) The party is on Friday, October 30th from 1:00-2:00. If you are able to help, please send a note with your child and I will get back to you. I already have 1 volunteer and I need 3 more.

Also, in the past I have bought 4 pumpkins for students to carve during our party. However, if you would like to donate a pumpkin to the classroom that would be wonderful!!! Once again, please contact me.

Thanks in advance for your support and help!!

Homecoming Week Madness!!

Wow...what a crazy week we are having!! As you know this week is homecoming week so we've been having dress up days each day. Monday was jersey day/favorite team day and I must say we had a LOT of Minnesota Vikings fans in our room, including myself. Your child might have told you, but last night Nick and I were at the game. What an experience...Packer/Viking fans are CRAZY!! It was a ton of fun and I'm glad I had the chance to go to the game. Today was pink day and we had a lot of cancer supporters in our classroom...thanks!

Wednesday is going to be a chaotic day! First it is hat day so if your child wants he/she may wear a hat in school. In the morning we have an assembly in our gym about "Strength Training". I'm excited and curious to see what we will learn and to see how it ties into our Character Counts curriculum. After lunch we go to the fire station. This week is Fire Prevention Week and 2nd graders get the opportunity to walk to the fire station and take a tour. Please make sure you child is dressed appropriately.

Thursday is athletic clothes day (sweatshirts, running pants, etc...). The reason for athletic clothes is because Thursday is also our 1st Fall Fitness Day. The goal is to encourage kids to be more active. We are going to be paired up with another classroom and also a HS teacher and we will be walking/exercising at different stations. We will be walking from 2:20 until about 3:00. The theme for this is "Keep a positive attitude! Keep your bodies moving! Have fun!" I am very excited for this and think it's a very good idea to encourage a healthy lifestyle for children. Please be sure your child wears tennis shoes on Thursday.

Friday is the BIG day!! We have a 3 hour early out so students and families can attend the parade that starts at 2:30. In the morning we will have a pep assembly at the HS stadium. The jr. high cheerleaders will lead up in cheers and activities to get us pumped up for the big game.

Go Cadets!!

Daily 5

Now that we have 31 days of school under our belts I can honestly say that we have really gotten into a routine. For me, the best part of the day is the morning!! I just love our morning meetings and Daily 5 and after some feedback from my students I think they feel the same way. We made a wordle today all about the Daily 5. Evidently they think it's pretty COOL and AWESOME!! We can consistently Read to Self and Read to Someone for 20 minutes. They love to do their Word Work and have been doing really well on their Buddy Tests each Friday. I think it's because they want a treat if they get them all correct:) I have also added Listen to Reading. Students are able to choose 3 books and listen to them. Next week I will add the final component: Work on Writing. I'm hoping this will go just as smoothly as the others.

Between each Daily 5 session I've starting doing Daily CAFE lessons. Ask your child what CAFE stands for (hopefully you will find out)!! It stands for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanded Vocabulary. These short lessons introduce or review strategies that will help your child become an even better reader. As the year progresses, I hope to have each student set reading goals for themselves. They will need to decide which of the CAFE components they need to work on. I will meet with them individually and help them with this goal.

Since we've gotten into a good morning routine, I've finally begun pulling Guided Reading groups. Just as before, students are grouped by their reading levels. We read a guided reading book together and discuss various skills that are found in the book.

I have already seen excellent things happening during our mornings. I can honestly say, 2A students LOVE reading during this time and they are excited. It's unbelievable!!! Please continue to encourage your child to read and thank you for reading with them at home:)