It's Almost Christmas!

Early Release
Don't forget tomorrow is Wednesday!  That means Early Release day!  Dismissal will start at 1:40

Good Cheer Drive

Don't forget to send in canned goods for our good cheer drive basket!  The good cheer drive will run from Monday, December 2 until Friday, December 20th.  Don't forget to send in only cans, and check expiration dates!

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• multiplication facts
• measuring area and perimeter
• Our unit 4 math test is tomorrow.  I will try to get those graded and sent home before break!  We will wait until after Christmas Break to start unit 5.  Thursday is our second grade Jingle Jog (like the Turkey Trot we did for Thanksgiving) and Friday is our 2nd grade Christmas Party.
• Today we finished the math workbook for semester 1.  Your child is bringing this home today.  It can stay at home and doesn't need to be returned to school. 

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• Phonics: old/ōld/, ost/ōst/, ild/īld/, ind/īnd/, ea/ĕ/
• memory words: feather, weather, meant, breath, already, instead, healthy, heavy, breakfast, break, steak, great
• suffixes: -ful, -less
• editing marks
• similes
• comprehension
• Book Club--Wagon Wheels
• The spelling test is TOMORROW.  Please help your child study tonight!

Writing
Here is what we are working on in Writing this week:

• writing persuasive letters
• writing step by step directions using sequencing words

Holidays Around the World

For 15 days, we will "travel" to a different country, and learn how children in that country celebrate Christmas.  We will do a power point, story, writing journal, and craft for each day/country.  Students will bring home all their research before Christmas break.  Here are the countries for this week:

• America
• Africa
• India
• Canada
• Russia

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• reading the book Because of Winn-Dixie
• symbols and their meaning
• life changes
• wordless picture books

Christmas Info

1.  Your child will be bringing home a special gift for you this week that we made in class.  They are really excited about these!  Some want you to open it right away, and others want you to wait until Christmas.  :)  Merry Christmas!

2.  Thursday 2nd grade is having our "Jingle Jog" for Christmas.  This is like the "turkey trot" that we did for Thanksgiving.  The classes will rotate between all 5 teachers classrooms, and do special Christmas themed STEM activities, games, and crafts.  Then on Friday, each class will watch a Christmas movie and do some activities in our own rooms to celebrate the Holidays.  Should be a fun few days!  Thanks so much to all the parents that donated items for our party Friday!  I think we have everything covered!

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 12/20--Last day of 1st semester!
• 12/21-1/5/2020--Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/6/20--School resumes
• 1/23/20--Disney on Ice Field trip

Have a very Merry Christmas and Holiday season with your families!  See you in the New Year!

Happy Holidays!

We are in the last push until Christmas and the end of the semester!  The next two weeks will be a little different, with special Christmas activities, NWEA testing 2 days, and the field trip on the 12th.  For that reason, we will only do two Superkids lessons this week, and then finish them the last week before Christmas break.  Some important dates to note:

12/11--Math chapter 4 review packet coming home
12/12--Children's Museum Field trip
12/18--Math chapter 4 test
12/18 Superkids week 3 spelling test

C'Motion in PE
Permission slips came home for our C'motion program coming in January (JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 10).  This will take the place of skating for this year.  Other schools have used this program and really like it.  There is a cost.  Please return these slips to school ASAP.    

Christmas Party
We are having a Christmas party in class at 1pm on Friday, December 20th.  We are in need of volunteers and supplies!  If you would like to donate something, please let me know asap.  Also, please let me know if you would like to come help!  We will have 3 stations.  

poly fill stuffing

green and red pom poms

small colored buttons

black puffy paint (2 containers)

2 bags rice

juice boxes or caprisuns

holiday plates

holiday napkins

strawberries (washed 1 lb)

green grapes (washed and bagged 30)

bananas -8

cookies or rice krispie treats

wooden skewers

Good Cheer Drive

Don't forget to send in canned goods for our good cheer drive basket!  The good cheer drive will run from Monday, December 2 until Friday, December 20th.  Don't forget to send in only cans, and check expiration dates!

Toy Drive

We are also doing a toy drive for Christmas Angels.  Send in a new toy or an item for kids up to 17 years old.
The toy drive will run through Thursday, December 12th.

Field Trip

Don't forget we are going to the Children's Museum on Thursday, December 12.  All students and chaperones need to bring a sack lunch on the 12th.  Also, if a parent is driving separately, I have a pass that they will need to present to get in  and meet us (this is new).  Please let me know by tomorrow morning if you plan on driving separately and not riding the bus so I can send a pass home with your child tomorrow.  

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• playing the area and perimeter game
• measuring perimeter
• measuring area
• multiplication facts

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• Phonics: old/ōld/, ost/ōst/, ild/īld/, ind/īnd/, ea/ĕ/
• memory words: feather, weather, meant, breath, already, instead, healthy, heavy, breakfast, break, steak, great
• suffixes: -ful, -less
• editing marks
• similes
• comprehension
• Book Club--Wagon Wheels

Writing
Here is what we are working on in Writing this week:

• writing persuasive letters
• writing step by step directions using sequencing words

Holidays Around the World

For 15 days, we will "travel" to a different country, and learn how children in that country celebrate Christmas.  We will do a power point, story, writing journal, and craft for each day/country.  Students will bring home all their research before Christmas break.  Here are the countries for this week:

• Australia
• Sweden
• Netherlands
• England

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• reading the book Because of Winn-Dixie
• symbols and their meaning
• life changes
• wordless picture books

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 12/17--body safety lesson with Ms Brown (rescheduled date)
• 12/12--Children's Museum Field Trip
• 12/13--PTO U Paint Pottery Night @5:30-8:30pm
• 12/20--Last day of 1st semester!
• 12/21-1/5/2020--Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/6/20--School resumes
• 1/23/20--Disney on Ice Field trip

Have a great week!  Happy Holidays!

Happy December!

We are in the last push until Christmas and the end of the semester!  I am going to keep things pretty normal this week schedule wise.  The next two weeks will be a little different, with special Christmas activities, NWEA testing 2 days, and the field trip on the 12th.  For that reason, next week we will only do two Superkids lessons next week, and then finish them the last week before Christmas break.  Some important dates to note:
12/6--Superkids week 2 spelling test
12/9--NWEA testing
12/10--NWEA testing
12/11--Math chapter 4 review packet coming home
12/12--Children's Museum Field trip
12/18--Math chapter 4 test
12/18 Superkids week 3 spelling test

C'Motion in PE
Permission slips came home Monday for our C'motion program coming in January (JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 10).  This will take the place of skating for this year.  Other schools have used this program and really like it.  There is a cost.  PTO is paying a $1 and Student Activity Fund will pay $2 leaving parents responsible for $5. Please return these slips and Monday to school ASAP.    

Good Cheer Drive

Don't forget to send in canned goods for our good cheer drive basket!  The good cheer drive will run from Monday, December 2 until Friday, December 20th.  Don't forget to send in only cans, and check expiration dates!

Toy Drive

We are also doing a toy drive for Christmas Angels.  Send in a new toy or an item for kids up to 17 years old.
The toy drive will run through Thursday, December 12th.

Field Trip

Don't forget we are going to the Children's Museum on Thursday, December 12.  I am still missing a couple of permission slips.  Please get those in ASAP.  Let me know if you need another copy. All students and chaperones need to bring a sack lunch on the 12th. 

**Good news!  We found out that ALL chaperones who have paid and returned the form will be able to go to Disney on Ice!  Yay!  Sorry--we cannot take any additional chaperones if you haven't already paid.**

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• identifying special quadrilaterals
• measuring perimeter
• measuring area
• multiplication facts

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• silent letters in words
• memory words: teach, taught, catch, caught, bring, brought, think, thought, buy, bought, straight, listen
• prefixes: -re
• vocabulary: play words (script, dialogue, set)
• comprehension
• Super Magazine--Go, Go, Go!

Writing
Here is what we are working on in Writing this week:

• writing persuasive letters
• writing step by step directions using sequencing words

Holidays Around the World

For 15 days, we will "travel" to a different country, and learn how children in that country celebrate Christmas.  We will do a power point, story, writing journal, and craft for each day/country.  Students will bring home all their research before Christmas break.  Here are the countries for this week:

• Italy
• Mexico
• Greenland
• Germany
• Israel

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• finishing the book Charlotte's Web
• symbols and their meaning
• life changes
• personification

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 12/5--body safety lesson with Ms Brown 
• 12/9 and 12/10--2nd grade NWEA testing
• 12/12--Children's Museum Field Trip
• 12/13--PTO U Paint Pottery Night @5:30-8:30pm
• 12/20--Last day of 1st semester!
• 12/21-1/5/2020--Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/6/20--School resumes
• 1/23/20--Disney on Ice Field trip

Have a great week!  Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you all have a great Holiday!

Santa Projects
Don't forget to keep working on those Santa costume projects!  I would really like to have them turned in by Monday or Tuesday next week.  That way we can do the writing project to go wit hthem early next week.  The ones I have so far are really cute!

C'Motion in PE
Permission slips will come home Mondayfor our C'motion program coming in January (JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 10).  This will take the place of skating for this year.  Other schools have used this program and really like it.  There is a cost.  PTO is paying a $1 and Student Activity Fund will pay $2 leaving parents responsible for $5. Please return these slips and Monday to school ASAP.    

Good Cheer Drive

Don't forget to send in canned goods for our good cheer drive basket!  The good cheer drive will run from Monday, December 2 until Friday, December 20th.  Don't forget to send in only cans, and check expiration dates!

Toy Drive

We are also doing a toy drive for Christmas Angels.  Send in a new toy or an item for kids up to 17 years old.
The toy drive will run through Thursday, December 12th.

Field Trip

Don't forget we are going to the Children's Museum on Thursday, December 12.  I am still missing a couple of permission slips.  Please get those in ASAP.  Let me know if you need another copy. All students and chaperones need to bring a sack lunch on the 12th. 

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• measuring with a tape measure
• measuring with a ruler
• multiplication facts
• working with polygons

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• words that have the soft g sound and the soft c sound
• silent letters in words
• memory words: knew, know, knee, kneel, climb, thumb, comb, wrong, wreck, wrap, write, right
• prefixes: un
• using a dictionary
• comprehension
• Super Magazine--Go, Go, Go!

Writing
Here is what we are working on in Writing this week:

• writing persuasive pieces
• writing step by step directions using sequencing words

Holidays Around the World

Starting today, we are going to be doing a special writing/social studies unit.  For 15 days, we will "travel" to a different country, and learn how children in that country celebrate Christmas.  We will do a power point, story, writing journal, and craft for each day/country.  Students will bring home all their research before Christmas break.  Here is the first country we did today:

• France

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• reading the book Charlotte's Web
• sequence words
• personification

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 11/27-12/1--Thanksgiving break--NO SCHOOL
• 12/5--body safety lesson with Ms Brown 
• 12/9 and 12/10--2nd grade NWEA testing
• 12/12--Children's Museum Field Trip
• 12/13--PTO U Paint Pottery Night @5:30-8:30pm
• 12/20--Last day of 1st semester!
• 12/21-1/5/2020--Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/6/20--School resumes
• 1/23/20--Disney on Ice Field trip

Happy Monday!

I'm doing the blog a day early this week, due to no school tomorrow.

Field Trip permission slips
We are going to the Children's Museum field trip on 12/12.  Please return permission slips to school asap, and please consider chaperoning!  We will need lots of chaperones to make this day a great experience!

In folders, you should have seen a permission slip to our field trip on Disney on Ice in January!  Those permission slips are due NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY so we can turn in all money and order tickets.  Please return the slip and money asap.

Spirit Wear
PTO spirit wear order forms went home in folders Friday.  Those are due back to school no later than 11/26 if you are interested in ordering.  They will arrive before Christmas break.  

Specials Schedule

M--Library

T--PE

W--STEM

TH--Art

F--Music

Looking Ahead

I have all the needed grocery bags now.  Thanks!

Also, second grade is going to be doing a special Thanksgiving activity on Tuesday, November 26th.  The classes will be rotating to each 2nd grade teacher, and completing a special themed activity in each room.  We are in need of empty toilet paper tubes for one of the activities--if you could send in any you have before then, we would appreciate it!

Santa's New Suit
Today in folders you will see a "decorate a Santa paper".  We will be dong activities in class with this after Thanksgiving, including a story and a writing project.  I sent them home because I knew some of you would prefer to do them over break, and some of you will prefer to wait and not worry about school work over break.  Either way is totally fine with me!  Please have all decorated Santas back to school no later than Monday, December 2nd.  Be creative and have fun!

Early Release
Don't forget-- NO SCHOOL TUESDAY.  Wednesday is still  Early Release day!  Dismissal will start at 1:40.  Due to no school tomorrow, we will take the Superkids spelling test next Monday.  

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• words that have the soft g sound and the soft c sound
• silent letters in words
• memory words: knew, know, knee, kneel, climb, thumb, comb, wrong, wreck, wrap, write, right
• prefixes: un
• using a dictionary
• comprehension
• Super Magazine--Go, Go, Go!

Writing
Here is what we are working on in Writing this week:

• 6 traits--Conventions (finger spaces, capitalization, punctuation)
• writing a paragraph (at least 4 sentences)
• writing persuasive pieces
• writing step by step directions using sequencing words

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• measuring with a tape measure
• measuring with a ruler
• multiplication facts
• working with polygons

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• reading the book Charlotte's Web
• sequence words
• using the hamburger model to write a strong paragraph (introduction, 3 reasons, conclusion).
• personification

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 11/22--November book order due
• 11/26--spirit wear orders due
• 11/27-12/1--Thanksgiving break--NO SCHOOL
• 12/5--body safety lesson with Ms Brown 
• 12/12--Children's Museum Field Trip
• 12/13--PTO U Paint Pottery Night @5:30-8:30pm
• 12/20--Last day of 1st semester!
• 12/21-1/5/2020--Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/6/20--School resumes
• 1/23/20--Disney on Ice Field trip

Have a great week!

brrrr....

Outdoor Recess Policy
Did you know this year our district has handbook language that covers all 5 elementary schools the same?  If it "feels like" 20 degrees or warmer then we have outside recess. Here is the approved handbook language:

OUTDOOR RECESS POLICY
It is always best for our students to enjoy as much physical activity during the school day as possible, and with this information in mind, outdoor recess is an important part of each child’s school day. Our elementary schools use the following guidelines to make a determination about going outside to recess during the winter months:
If the weather “feels like” 20 degrees and above (considers wind chill factor), then we will have outdoor recess. Students should wear appropriate winter coats, gloves/mittens, hats, and/or scarves will be expected. Medical conditions must have appropriate documentation from the doctor to deviate from the normal recess plan. Also, rain, lightning, slick conditions, or other outdoor hazards could cancel outdoor recess as well.

Book Order Home
The November book order came home yesterday!  If you are interested in ordering Scholastic books, please have orders in no later than Friday, November 22nd.  I probably will not send home an order catalog for December so I don't have to worry about them getting back to school before Christmas.  So if you want to order any presents, now is the time!

Field Trip permission slips
In your child's folder today you will find a permission slip for the Children's Museum field trip on 12/12.  Please return to school asap, and please consider chaperoning!  We will need lots of chaperones to make this day a great experience!

In folders yesterday, you should have seen a permission slip to our field trip on Disney on Ice in January!  Those permission slips are due by MONDAY 11/18, so we can turn in all money and order tickets.  Please return the slip and money asap.

E-learning Practice--Homework
In folders today, you will find a sheet with a special e-learning homework sheet.  Winter weather is here wheter we like it or not, and who knows if we will have any school cancellations or not.  In order to prepare for what students will be able to do at home, 2nd grade is sending home this special practice sheet.  Please look over it, and have your child use whatever device they would use to show you how they can log on to the online links.  More info is on the practice sheet.  If you have any issues or questions about google classroom or e-learning days please let me know.  This practice sheet is due by Friday.  Anyone who returns it gets a prize from Mrs. Dunn!

Specials Schedule

M--Library

T--PE

W--STEM

TH--Art

F--Music

Looking Ahead

I am looking for 26 paper grocery bags with handles, or large shopping bags with handles.  I need these by Monday, November 25th to prepare for a special Holiday social studies/writing project.  If you have any at home you would be willing to donate to our class, please send them my way!

Also, second grade is going to be doing a special Thanksgiving activity on Tuesday, November 26th.  The classes will be rotating to each 2nd grade teacher, and completing a special themed activity in each room.  We are in need of empty toilet paper tubes for one of the activities--if you could send in any you have before then, we would appreciate it!

Early Release
Don't forget tomorrow is Wednesday!  That means Early Release day!  Dismissal will start at 1:40.

Math
Here is what we are working on in math this week:

• making name collection boxes
• exploring equvilalent names for numbers
• multiplication facts
• subtracting a group strategy
• adding a group strategy
• The unit 3 test will be Thursday, November 14!

Superkids
Here is what we are working on in Superkids this week:

• words that have the soft g sound and the soft c sound
• memory words: city, circle, excellent, decide, pencil, excited, large, danger, change, strange, imagine, huge
• sequence words
• editing and rewriting
• abbreviations
• comprehension
• Book Club--Mercy Watson Fights Crime
• Spelling test Friday!

Writing
Here is what we are working on in Writing this week:

• friendly letter writing
• grading our writing using a rubric
• writing a paragraph (at least 4 sentences)
• writing personal narratives
• Veteran's Day poems

High Ability
Here is what we are working on in our high ability unit this week:

• homophones and homonyms
• using the hamburger model to write a strong paragraph (introduction, 3 reasons, conclusion).
• literature webs
• writing a haiku

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 11/14--picture retakes day
• 11/15--movie night
• 11/27-12/1--Thanksgiving break--NO SCHOOL
• 12/5--body safety lesson with Ms Brown 
• 12/12--Children's Museum Field Trip
• 12/13--PTO U Paint Pottery Night @5:30-8:30pm
• 12/20--Last day of 1st semester!
• 12/21-1/5/2020--Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/6/20--School resumes
• 1/23/20--Disney on Ice Field trip

Have a great week!