Peek at the Week October 25, 2015

Welcome to one of the busiest weeks of second grade!!

 Your child might have shared with you that out class had a sub last week for a couple of days - I was unfortunately at home sick, fighting off pneumonia. But never fear, I am MUCH better now and really glad to be back with the kiddos tomorrow. I missed them!!

There are so many exciting things going on this week, so please take a minute to read through the notes below.

In reading, we are continuing our work with nonfiction texts. We are learning all about the different text features that authors use and how they teach us different information. Readers use a different lens to read diagrams, maps, charts, and photographs. We are working hard to use the text to learn lots of new information!

This week we will be playing catch-up with word study. I missed a few test being sick, so we are going to take this week to catch up.

We are also continuing our work as nonfiction writers by writing as experts. It has been really neat to learn about what the kids are experts at - they have taught me a lot!

In math last week, we skipped ahead to Chapter 5 to study "place value" before we begin more complex addition and subtraction. They are doing a great job working with numbers. We will continue to practice writing numbers in standard form, expanded form, and in word form. We have also been practicing decomposing numbers. This is all setting the foundation for adding and subtracting larger numbers in the weeks to come.

There is a LOT of information this week... please read carefully!

Monday and Wednesday - Parent Teacher Conferences!

I'm thrilled to welcome all parents to our classroom for a conference about your fabulous children! I can't wait to show-off how hard they are working in 2nd grade!

You can check the schedule here online! If you need to reschedule, please contact me by phone at 314-729-2400 ext 3712 or by email ASAP.

You can view the schedule here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BWqZqW7PPqt7rjSeK141o9gyNHx-6TnUXyk0eOl0l2M/edit?usp=sharing

Monday we have LIBRARY with Mrs. Graeff! Please help your child remember to bring back their books. They can't get new books until they are returned. 

This week is Red Ribbon Week!

Mindful Monday - Read Heart face-painting at lunch!

Totally Red Tuesday - Wear ALL red!

Soulful Sock Wednesday - Wear your whacky socks!

Tuesday- Powell Hall Field Trip

On Tuesday, all Lindbergh 2nd Graders will be visiting Powell Hall to see the St. Louis Symphony! It is VERY IMPORTANT that all children arrive to school on time on Tuesday. We leave at 8:45 sharp in order to get downtown for a 9:30 performance time. 

Thursday - Halloween Parties and Fall Festival!

Here is the schedule of events for second grade:

Mad Scientist Assembly -- 10:00

Pumpkin Run -- 12:05 - 12:25  This event is down the street at Sperreng Middle School. We will run the course and enjoy the fresh air!! You are welcome to run with your child! Afterwards, we will come back to the patio for dancing and fun!

Costume Change --1:20 - 1:30 Please send your child's costume to school in their backpack or a separate  bag. They should not wear their costume to school. Please show your child how to dress in their costume independently. There will be a few parents around to help, but it's helpful if the kids know how to get it on by themselves.

Halloween Costume Parade --1:40 - 2:00 Parents are welcome to find a spot around the school to get pictures! Party volunteers will also have access to the classroom to set up at this time.

Classroom Parties -- 2:00 - 3:00 Please check out the sign up genius or contact Megan Boyd if you have any last minute questions about the party. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44a9a62ca2fd0-2ndgrade 

Friday -- NO SCHOOL!!!

If you have any questions or concerns, let me know! 
Have a great week!

Laptop Friday!

We practiced starting up laptops, logging into the network, and shutting the computer down. We also learned how to log into our Google account to access the drive. 

Peek at the Week for October 12th

Fall is officially here!! I hope you were able to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather! It was so fun seeing some of the girls at the Girl Scout's troop round up this weekend! I also ran into some boys on the soccer field last week!! I even got to see a few of you at Trivia Night! It was a blast!!!

WELCOME IRIE!!!!

Our class is excited to welcome our new classmate, Irie and her family, to second grade at Concord Elementary! Irie will be coming to visit us this week and join our class next Monday! We are so thrilled to welcome a new friend into our class! Welcome!

This week, every child should have come home with a "Word Study" list of cards.
We have groups Tuesday - Friday working on new spelling patterns and applying this into our writing. While we have a "spelling test" every week, I know they have a full understanding of that spelling pattern when they consistently use it correctly it in their writing. It is really neat to see their understanding of words and how they work "take off" in second grade!


This past week we started learning about all of the brainy work that non-fiction readers do! They may have been digging through the mail, reading the nutrition facts on cereal boxes, and carefully looking at details of a dollar bill. It has been FASCINATING looking at the world around us and learning from things we see all the time.  We learned that non-fiction readers are always reading carefully, noticing details, and asking questions. Reading non-fiction is different than remind fiction, and we are loving it!

In writing this week, we finished up our unit on Personal Narratives. We also did some intense work with technology. We used laptops as a class to log into the network and locate Google Drive! Each student has begun typing on the Drive. Some parents have asked what apps they can download to let their child use this on their own device:

Google Drive
Google Slides
Google Docs
Gmail

 If you'd like more information on their log-in or how it works, visit the parents page of the blog.

This week in math, we took our Chapter 2 test. We will finish up correcting our tests on Monday and they should come home Monday night for you to see. Please be sure to send the test BACK to school so we can put it in their Leadership Binder!
We will continue to work on arrays while we start the next chapter on place value this week! This was a tricky topic! We still needed some practice together. Here is an array, in case that word isn't familiar:

In science, our caterpillars have turn into a chrysalis! This week they will emerge into Painted Lady butterflies! I can't wait for the kids to see!!

Tomorrow we have LIBRARY with Mrs. Graeff! Please help your child remember to bring back their books. They can't get new books until they are returned. 

Starting Monday-RACE FOR RECESS-Box Top Collection

Start collecting those Box Tops from everyone you know! We are holding a grade level competition.   The winning grade will receive an extra recess. All proceeds will go towards the new iDiscover project: http://idiscoverproject.weebly.com/

Monday-Cookie Dough Fundraiser Kick Off: Our fundraiser will start on Monday.  More info coming soon!

Friday is a Half-Day!!!!
Dismissal is at 11:50 - this is different from the typical Early Release. There is no lunch served, but my class is welcome to bring a snack! I'm sure they will be starving at 11:00 ;)
If your child will have a different dismissal plan, please send a note or email by Friday.

Friday we will also have an all-school Assembly and take a school picture! Please have your child wear their purple leadership shirt!!

Monday, October 12: Boxtops and Cookie Dough Fundraisers begin!

Tuesday, October 13: Dad's of Concord Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 16: Half-Day {11:50 dismissal}; End of First Quarter 

Monday October 26 & Wednesday October 28: Parent Teacher Conferences 

Tuesday October 27: Field Trip to Powell Hall

Thursday October 29: Fall Festival and Halloween Class Parties
Friday October 30: No School!

If you have any questions or concerns or even just a funny story, I'd love to hear from you! 
Have a great week!

Field Trip {Powell Hall}

Today your child is bringing home a permission slip for Powell Hall. We will be going to see the Symphony on October 27th to see "Hoot and Howl at Powell!" 

Unfortunately, this is not a field trip that parents can attend. There just aren't enough seats available. Please return the permission slip and $5.00  as soon as possible! Scholarships are available if you need assistance with the cost of the field trip.

For more information about Powell Hall, you can visit their website at:

https://www.stlsymphony.org/en/edu/education-concerts/ypc11/