MAPS testing next week

Happy rainy Thursday!!!  :(  I sure had a lot of quality time with my kiddos today (he he) since it was raining AND we didn't have access to a gym during recess.  I actually don't mind indoor recess...I get to the kids interact with each other and it's fun to see that side of them as well.  They played a lot of board games and we were setting the timer for computers since everyone wants to use them.  The best part of indoor recess is that they get to listen to music - and sometimes bust a move!!

I want to let you know we will start our MAPs testing next week.   Just a reminder, this is the assessment students take at the beginning and end of each academic year.  The test are done on the computers and not timed.  The computer adjusts the difficulty of questions based on how students answer the previous question.  We will be taking reading, language arts, and math assessments.  We will be taking a test Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon, and Thursday morning.  Please try and make sure your child is here on those days.  I appreciate your cooperation with this.

I must say THANK YOU to those who have sent donations to school for Cadets for a Cause!!!!!  When we started this competition we never thought we would bring in so much money.  We have already surpassed our goal of $100...and it's only been a week!!  I have gotten some bigger bills and I did double check with the kids to make sure their parents knew.  We encourage kids to continue donating - but we don't want you to feel pressured to send money.  We also discussed that the bragging had gotten a little out of control in all classes.  We will continue to collect money until May 8th but we will only update the thermometers once a week.  Thank you for your support with this!!

Help Wanted

With the end of the year getting closer we have 2 field trip that I will need parent volunteers.  If you're able to help with one or both please contact me or send a note with your child.  I will get back to you to confirm if I still need help or if I have enough volunteers.  Thanks in advance!!

Wednesday, May 16: We are swimming at the fitness center from 12:35 - 1:20.  I would need you to get in the water and swim with the kids.  We swim with 1A, 1C, KA, and 1D.  You would be able to meet us at the Fitness Center if you can help.

Friday, May 18: All Cresco 2nd graders are taking an end of the year field trip to Lake Meyer in Calmar.  We will leave school at 9:30 and return around 3:00.  I need 3-4 parents for this day to help out. 

What have we been doing??

Wow...time sure is flying by!!  I hope everyone had a super Easter break!  I sure got a lot done around the house, spent time with my family, and ate a lot of yummy food and candy!  We are in the final stretch of the school year and I have A LOT to get accomplished!!

Your child may have mentioned that we are playing BINGO in here - they are correct!  As always, students are asked to show Cadet Pride while at school.  Unfortunately, this has sometimes been a struggle...so I decided to make it more fun with a game.  I put my 2A students into 4 groups and they named their group.  They need to work together and ALL show me Cadet Pride and if they do they earn a group ticket.  If a group earns 5 tickets they can choose a spot on the BINGO board.  The best part for them is that there is a reward in each spot.  The best part for me is that I have students showing me amazing Cadet Pride.  Keep up the good work 2A friends!!!!

Literacy: We are continuing our Community exploration in Lead 21.  We are learning how communities have changed and how people can change a community.  In two more weeks we will start our final Inquiry Project for the school year.  The comprehension strategies that this unit focuses on are listed on the right side of the blog.  When your child is reading please encourage him/her to make predictions and also summarize the story when finished.  Summarizing is a really difficult skill for most students!!

Writing: I introduced a new unit in writing: nonfiction and biography writing.  Your child read about several famous people and chose one they wanted to learn more about.  They started researching that person last week and taking notes.  We will continue with that and they will start writing a paper on their person.  We will work on paragraph skills and writing in complete sentences!!  Ask your child which famous person they are learning about - most were REALLY excited to learn about them.

Math: You may have noticed we are learning different metric and U.S. system measurements in math.  I am teaching the conversions between the different units and which unit they would use for different types of measurements.  Please continue to help your child with their homework if needed.  These last units are getting difficult.  Please remind your child they will have to THINK to solve some problems.  I have reminded them that school will continue to become more difficult and they will have to use their problem solving skills to get answers!!!

Our snack cupboard is empty!!  If you haven't sent a box of crackers to school lately please try and send one with your child.  Their stomachs will thank you!!

I hope everyone has a super week.  Remember...we have a 3 hour early dismissal tomorrow, April 11.

Cadets for a Cause...Update

As many of you know Cadets for a Cause is will be here before we know it!!  I have had several questions from students so I will pass along the information that I know so far.  When I find out more I will let you know.  Thank you in advance for your support!!

• Cadets for a Cause is Wednesday, May 9.
• T-shirt order forms are due Friday, April 13.  They can be turned into the office or the classroom teacher.
• Yellow bracelets are for sale for $1.  They are sold at school.
• Each classroom has a bucket for monetary donations.  If you wish to donate your child can bring the money to school and put it in the bucket.
• Each child is asked to bring a canned or boxed food item the day of the event.  This will go to the local food pantry.  I will have a collection box in the classroom so you can send this to school whenever it is convenient.
• ANYONE is welcome to attend the event.  As an entrance fee everyone is asked to bring a food item for the food pantry.