February 3, 2017

News From Second Grade - 2/3/17

Dear Parents,

Valentines Party - Valentines Day falls on a Tuesday this year.  Your child has a Valentines list with names of all second graders and support staff in case you want your child to give a Valentine to a special teacher.  They do not need to give a Valentine to students in the other second grade classes, but they do need to have a Valentine for each member of their own classroom.  (We don’t want to hurt feelings on such an important day!)  If your child needs help in purchasing Valentines’ let your child’s teacher know and we can help with that.

NWEA Update: NWEA testing takes place prior to February vacation.  Below is our second grade tests being taken and the dates and times.  Please make sure your child comes to school on-time and well rested on each testing day.

         

Sincerely,

The Second Grade Teachers

NWEA Testing Schedule

	Lavoie	Lee	Wight
Reading	2/13 (Mon.) 8:00-9:10	2/15 (Wed.)  8:00 - 9:10	2/14 (Tues.)   8:00 - 9:10
Math	2/14 (Tues.) 9:15-10:20	2/13 (Mon.) 9:15 - 10:20	2/16 (Thurs.)   8:00 - 9:10

Calendar of Upcoming Events February Grades 2 & 3 Cross Country Skiing is every Wednesday & Thursday 2/7 (Tuesday) Last Day for Rugrats Skiing 2/7 Wave -in-a-bottle due 2/20-2/24 February Vacation

Valentine’s Exchange - Snack/Party

Our Valentine Exchange - class party is scheduled for February 14 from 9 - 10am for Mrs. Lee’s class (1pm - 2ish for students in Mrs. Lavoie and Wight’s classes).  If you can supply a drink, healthy snack, or a sweet treat, please cut and return the slip below. Thanks

I can donate _____________________________________ for the snack party.

Parent’s signature_______________________  student’s name ______________________

News From Second Grade - 1/27/17

Dear Parents,

Literacy: Work continues on practicing the important skill of how to write a summary. Second graders are getting lots of structured practice and are coming along nicely with this skill.

Math: Math units (Lee - Graphing, Lavoie - Money, and Wight - Geometry) are well underway and students are learning and practicing the skills needed for success in these units.

         Science: Second graders are learning and reviewing for completion of our next science standard focusing around the Structures and Properties of Matter including. Solids, Liquids and Gases. Students are being exposed to investigations that allow them to describe and classify different kinds of materials based on their properties.

         Other:  Kate, our Pick a Better Snack Lady, came today.  Please find information on her lesson along with the new Bingo sheets in your child’s folder. Remember Bingo sheets need to be in before the next Pick a Better Snack date to receive a prize for completing a row on the bingo card.  Our next date coming right up on 2/10.  It is early this month due to February break.

Also, please don’t forget that we are still collecting donations for the Valentine Project to support Rumford and Portland Homeless Shelters. There are collection boxes located in the lobby of CPS. Thank you for helping your children learn about kindness and compassion for others! :-)

Sincerely,

       The Second Grade Teachers

Calendar of Upcoming Events            January/February Grades 2 & 3 Cross Country Skiing is every Wednesday & Thursday Rugrats Dates: 1/30 (Monday) 1/31  Mystery Liquids due 2/1 PTA Meeting @ 6pm 2/6 (Monday) 2/7 Wave -in-a-bottle due 2/13 (Monday) 2/20-2/24 February Vacation Rug Rat pick up - Please arrive at the River-House at Sunday River by 3:50pm or at The Crescent Park School by 4:20pm.  It will be helpful if you can pack your child an extra snack on Rugrat days.

January 20, 2017

News From Second Grade - 1/20/17

Dear Parents,

Although we have had another short week, we were able to accomplish a lot.  

Literacy: Being able to retell a story and write a summary is a skill that second graders should be able to do by the end of the year.  We began looking at short stories this week writing summaries for them using the S.W.B.S.T. strategy.  This stands for Somebody, Wanted, But, So and Then. Learning this strategy allows for kids to be successful in telling the important parts of a story. We are also working on fact and opinions and understanding how to tell them apart. This is an important skill for students to understand as they work on their opinion pieces in writing.

Math: We have all begun teaching different math units to our whole class.  Once we have completed our study within our own classroom, we will rotate students and teach the lessons to another class (Lee - Graphing, Lavoie - Money, and Wight - Geometry).  We are also spending some time each morning to practice our addition and subtraction with and without regrouping.  

Geometry Padlet: Thanks for your patience with the padlet.  I forgot to add writing rights - OOPS.  It is now all set! In case you lost the link: http://wightsblog.blogspot.com/  Go to the tab marked Geometry Padlet.  It seems that this blog is not supported by I-Pads or Tablets. Keep in mind that the activities will change and new ones will be put in place on the weekend.

Sincerely,

       The Second Grade Teachers

Calendar of Upcoming Events            January/February Grades 2 & 3 Cross Country Skiing is every Wednesday & Thursday Rugrats Dates: 1/23 (Monday) 1/30 (Monday) 2/6 (Monday) 2/13 (Monday) Rug Rat pick up - Please arrive at the River-House at Sunday River by 3:50pm or at The Crescent Park School by 4:20pm.  It will be helpful if you can pack your child an extra snack on Rugrat days.

January 13, 2017

News From Second Grade - 1/13/17

Dear Parents,

Most importantly, Rugrats starts a week from today.  Please make sure your child has warm and appropriate clothing to go to the mountain.  We will be sending a letter home on Thursday, January 19th, so that you can let us know who will be picking up your child and at which location.  Please arrive at the River-House at Sunday River by 3:50pm or at The Crescent Park School by 4:20pm.  It will be helpful if you can pack your child an extra snack on Rugrat days.  

We have noticed that there are many more children coming to school without a snack.  If anyone is willing to donate individually wrapped peanut free snacks (not drinks) to the classrooms it would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

       The Second Grade Teachers

Calendar of Upcoming Events            January/February   Grades 2 & 3 Cross Country Skiing is every Wednesday & Thursday Rugrats Dates: 1/16 No School- MLK Jr. Day 1/20 (Friday) 1/23 (Monday) 1/30 (Monday) 2/6 (Monday) 2/13 (Monday)

January 6, 2017

News From Second Grade - 1/5/17

Dear Parents,

It has been a quick week in second grade!  If you returned the parent blue survey we appreciate your thoughtful responses. Your feedback is very helpful for us to best meet the needs of your child.  If you have not returned it, please send it in as soon as possible.   

       It has been so nice to see everyone and catch up on the happenings of holidays and vacation.  We have been easing back into our routines and skills so we can be right on track for next week with new units.  

       Next week the whole school will be meeting to kick off the addition of a new core value.  This month’s core value is Dedication. Students will be exploring and practicing this new core value along with being Responsible, Respectful and Safe for Coyote Coupons.

       Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

       The Second Grade Teachers

Calendar of Upcoming Events            January    Rugrats Dates: Cross Country Skiing is Wednesdays & Thursdays 1/16 No School- MLK Jr. Day 1/20 (Friday) 1/23 (Monday) 1/30 (Monday) 2/6 (Monday) 2/13 (Monday) 2/27 (Monday)

December 16, 2016

News From Second Grade - 12/16/16

Dear Parents,

Season’s Greetings from second grade!  Monday night is our K - 2 music concert.  Mrs. Stowell has been working hard preparing the students for the show.  It is very important that your child attends this annual concert.  Please send your child to their classroom at 5:45pm.  It is helpful if you hold onto their coats.  We will be dismissing students from the concert after the final song.  

If you plan to send in food, beverage, or paper products to your child’s classroom for the holiday party, please let their teacher know.  The party is taking place on Tuesday, December 20th at 1:00pm.  Secret Santa gifts should arrive by Monday, December 19th.  If you need any help with this, let us know.  

Our first Rugrats date is Friday, January 20th.  More information will be coming home when we are back in session.  You will have the opportunity to pick your child up at Sunday River or at the Crescent Park School.  

There will be no official homework until after vacation, but please keep your child reading while they are on break.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

       The Second Grade Teachers

Calendar of Upcoming Events           December/January 12/19 - Gr. K -2  Holiday Concert @ 6pm            12/21 - Last student day before Christmas Break (dismissal at 11:30)     Rugrats Dates: 1/20 (Friday) 1/23 (Monday) 1/30 (Monday) 2/6 (Monday) 2/13 (Monday) 2/27 (Monday)

Merry Christmas to all!

December 2, 21016

News From Second Grade - 12/2/16

Dear Parents,

  

Spelling - What a great job everyone did on their spelling review projects.  They thoroughly enjoyed sharing their creative efforts.  Next week we begin our lesson 10 with the spelling rule “ew” says  “oo” as in dew, grew, etc.  Students will also be receiving the next No Excuses Word List to work on for the next eight weeks.  

         Pick a Better Snack -   Reminder - Our next nutrition visit is on December 9th.  If your second grader is to receive a prize, he/she needs to return the BINGO card on or before this date.  

Writing -  Students are enjoying some persuasive stories that we are reading in class.  We have also begun working on what a persuasive/opinion piece of writing looks like.  One of our second grade writing standards is: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1

Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.  We are working as a whole class to write our first piece and then students will try a few on their own.  Their goal in their opinion writing is to have three supporting reasons, reach the readers emotions, include facts, show how it will benefit the reader, and to avoid threatening.  

Reading/Math - We are working to progress monitor students in addition to moving ahead in reading to compare/contrast stories and work on our expression and fluency.  Math continues to find us working on mastering our facts, practice regrouping in addition, clock practice, and reviewing math concepts previously taught, but not mastered by all.

        Holiday Plans - We will be planning for our class parties/gift exchange and will give you that information in next’s weeks class letter.  

Sincerely,

       The Second Grade Teachers

Calendar of Upcoming Events           December 12/2 - Trimester 1 Grades Close 12/3 - Breakfast with Santa 12/9 - Rug Rat forms due (You will be receiving a revised schedule prior to the start of Rugrats.) 12/15 - Gr. 3 - 5 Holiday Concert @ 6pm                    12/19 - Gr. K -2  Holiday Concert @ 6pm            12/21 - Last student day before Christmas Break (half day)