It finally feels like fall!

Agendas

Please don't forget to have your child bring their agenda to school every day!!  They need it to have their behavior chart, write down homework, and keep track of reminders!  Thanks for your help with this!

Reading Logs

Don't forget to have your child read/reading counts quiz for at least 15 minutes each night. Please sign the reading log nightly. Thanks for your help with homework!

Scholastic Book Order

Don't forget that this month's orders are due Friday, September 25th.  There is never any pressure to order, but it's a great way to add to your child's home library if you do choose to order.  Any books purchased by families can also give points to our classroom that I can use to buy books and materials for our classroom! You can also order online. If you have any questions about this please let me know.

math test
We will take our Unit 1 test Thursday!!  As soon as I get those graded and recorded, I will send them home!  Please help your child review for the test using the packet I sent home last week, if you haven't already done so.  

Writing

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

• 6 traits--voice and word choice

• writer's workshop routines

• asking for help while writing

High Ability

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

• how language changes over time

• comparisons

• similies and metaphors

• reading-- Frindle

Math

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

• multiplication stories
• division stories
• elapsed time
• measuring mass
• Unit 1 test is Thursday!

Wonders Reading

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

• essential question--How do friends depend on each other?
• genre--fantasy
• phonics--two letter blends
• Grammar--subjects
• vocabulary---root words
• writing--realistic fiction story
• comprehension--key details
• comprehension--visualize
• text features--use illustrations

Upcoming Dates

Here are some dates to add to your calendar:

• 9/17--hat day for walk a thon
• 9/18--PJ day for walk a thon
• 9/21-9/25--College GO week!  (Stay tuned for schedule of fun dress days and activities for the week)
• 10/12-10/14--E-learning days (more info TBA)
• 10/-15-10/18--FALL BREAK--NO SCHOOL

Happy Labor Day!

 Math Study Guide

Thursday, I will be sending home the math unit 1 review packet.  This does not need to be returned for a grade.  It can be kept at home and worked on as review this week, to make sure your child understands all the math concepts we have worked on so far.  This will be a very good review to complete at home, before the unit 1 math test.  The math test will be on Thursday, September 17th.  When working on it, if your child really struggles with something, please let me know so we can review at school too before the test next week.

Agendas

Please don't forget to have your child bring their agenda to school every day!!  They need it to have their behavior chart, write down homework, and keep track of reminders!  Thanks for your help with this!

Reading Logs

I am sending home a different reading log in folders today. The expectation is still the same that they read 15 minutes each night. But now instead of sending home a separate slip of paper each night, there is a spot for you to sign each night on the same paper. These papers can stay in folders all week and I will take out for the completion grade on Fridays. I thought this wouldsimplify things having it all on one paper. Thanks for your help with homework!

Walk A Thon

Don't forget that walk a thon money is due this week--no later than Thursday! We will also walk for the walk a thon on Thursday, so please make sure to dress your child in comfortable walking shoes and clothes.

School Picture Day!

Don't forget that picture day is Friday!  Please order online this year.  All students will have their picture taken even if they aren't buying pictures.

Scholastic Book Order

Going home today you will find the first Scholastic Book order form.   I will send home a book order every month from September-April.  You can either send the order form back to school with a check, or order online at scholastic.com using our class code: GVXMP.  This month's orders are due Friday, September 25th.  There is never any pressure to order, but it's a great way to add to your child's home library if you do choose to order.  Any books purchased by families can also give points to our classroom that I can use to buy books and materials for our classroom!

Writing

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

• 6 traits--Ideas and Organization

• writer's workshop routines

• asking for help while writing

High Ability

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

• adjectives

• sorting groups

• comparisons

• similies and metaphors

• We started our class chapter book, Frindle, last week  Ask your child what we have read so far--and about the dictionaries they also got today!

Math

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

• multiplication strategies
• arrays
• dividing groups (the introduction to division)

Wonders Reading

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

• essential question--How are famillies around the word same and different?
• genre--realistic fiction
• phonics--short e, o, u
• Grammar--commands and exclamations
• vocabulary---es, s, ing, ed endings on words
• writing--realistic fiction story
• comprehension--character, setting, events
• comprehension--visualize
• text features--beginning, middle, end

Upcoming Dates

Here are some dates to add to your calendar:

• 9/8--PTO meeting @6pm
• 9/10--walk a thon
• 9/10--walk a thon money due
• 9/11--school picture day

First week of September!

Box Tops

Did you know that Creekside collects Box Tops?!  We turn them in and get money to use for our school.  We also collect Coke codes on caps or cases, Tyson A+ labels, and School Spirit labels, which are found on Sunbeam and Aunt Millie’s bread products, as well as pop can tabs, which are just consolidated and delivered to Riley Children’s Hospital.  So send those in when you can!  I've heard that boxtops are now going digital and you can even scan them online now!

Reading Counts

Keep reading at home!  When your child finishes a book, they can take a quiz on it on their chrome book to earn Reading Counts points!  Each 25 point level reached earns them special prizes.  Most books in our classroom library are reading counts.  If you have any questions about a book at home--let me know.  I can look it up and see if it has a quiz for it on the computer. 

I am happy to announce that our Scholastic Achievement Manager (SAM) and Scholastic Reading Counts Programs have been successfully migrated to a web-based format.  To access the new web-based version of SAM & Reading Counts, you will navigate to the following link: https://idp-awsprod1.education.scholastic.com/idp/

The students will log on using their 4 letter/4 number password.  The username and password are the same 4 letter/4 number password in both boxes. Click on the icon to launch the program. Once it opens, everything within will look exactly the same.  This link has been updated on the Elementary Educational Websites for the Reading Counts icon.  You should be able to now take quizzes at home, check how many points you have at home, and search for a book at home to see if it has a quiz in the system.

Spelling test on Friday

Due to not doing Wonders yesterday because of DIBELS testing, and the short week next week we will not have a spelling test on Friday.  Instead, the spelling test over the middle a, e, and u words will be next Friday, September 11.  I put the new list of words to practice in the back of their green folders yesterday.  

Labor Day

Don't forget--NO SCHOOL on Monday to celebrate Labor Day!

Beginning of year forms

Don't forget to return the stapled packet of back to school forms in your child's folder!  I need to turn these in to the office.  Please have them returned by Friday.  If you need another set, please let me know.  Right now I am missing about 3 students.

Don't forget!

Just a few reminders:

1.  Make sure to "like" Mrs. Dunn's 2nd Grade if you are on facebook so you can keep up with pictures of our learning!

2.  Sign those reading logs and return to school the next day.  I do keep track of them for a completion grade for report cards under the home/school skills section.  

3.  Make sure you check your child's agenda to see what the math homework is.  You can do it either online or on paper in the math home links book.

Specials

Yesterday we started our 2nd specials rotation.  The rest of this week and all of next week we will have PE.  Please make sure your child is dressed to go outside and has tennis shoes on each day!

Walk A Thon

We were very excited to kick off the walk a thon fundraiser today!  That's right, we still get to do it!  We watched a kick off video from Mrs. Sherry this morning, and the information sheet for you and collection envelope are coming home today.  Be sure to check folders or book bags!  Money is due Thursday, September 10, and we will walk that day as well!

Math

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

• rounding to the nearest 10 and 100
• estimation
• telling time
• bar graphs
• elapsed time

Wonders

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

• reading Big Red Lollipop
• reading A Look at families
• essential question--How are families around the world same and different?
• genre--realistic fiction
• writing--planning and writing our own realistic fiction story
• grammar--commands and exclamations
• spelling--short e, o, u sounds in middle of word
• rhyming words
• adding -s or -es to end of plural nouns
• comprehension--visualize
• text features--beginning, middle, end
• character, setting, events

Writing

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

• 6 traits
• writer's workshop routines
• asking for help while writing
• spelling anchor charts

High Ability

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

• 5 types of changes
• types of language
• how language changes over time
• emotion words
• writing nursery rhymes
• adjectives
• reading: Frindle

Upcoming Dates

Here are some dates to add to your calendar:

• 8/31--DIBELS beginning of year testing
• 9/1--walk a thon kick off
• 9/7--NO SCHOOL
• 9/8--PTO meeting @6pm
• 9/10--walk a thon
• 9/10--walk a thon money due
• 9/11--school picture day

Have a great week!

Happy Tuesday!

 A few notes for your information

*Your child has their first behavior chart stapled in their agenda.  It should stay in there all week.  Please look at it each day and talk with your child about their daily behavior at school--both positive and negative!

*In your child's folder is their first homework assignment.  Please fill out the reading log each night and return to school the next day in their green folder.

*In the back clear pocket of your child's folder is their spelling list for the week.  Please practice these words with your child.  Our first spelling test will be on Friday!  You can leave the word list in their folder, or take it out and keep it in a safe place at home.

*Also in the back pocket is a copy of their login cards for all the programs we use on the chromebook.  You can leave this in the pocket or put it in a safe place at home.  

*Your child is bringing home their math homelink book today.  We completed our first math lesson today!  You can leave this homelink book in their bookbag or keep it at home.  It is your choice whether your child completes the math homework either in the book OR online like last year in first grade.  You do NOT need to do both.  You also do NOT need to tear the workbook pages out and return to school if you choose to complete the paper version.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Reading Counts
Keep reading at home!  When your child finishes a book, they can take a quiz on it on their chrome book to earn Reading Counts points!  Each 25 point level reached earns them special prizes.  Most books in our classroom library are reading counts.  If you have any questions about a book at home--let me know.  I can look it up and see if it has a quiz for it on the computer.  One note about quizzes--They are in the process of moving reading counts over to a web based program.  When this is finished (hopefully this week or next) you will be able to take reading counts quizzes at home, and look up book titles at home to see if they are reading counts.  Currently with the old system, neither of those is an option.  

5,000,000 words read!
Speaking of reading, the class has set a goal to read 5,000,000 words in second grade together!  The reading counts program will keep track of all the words read for us.   If we reach our goal, we will have a special celebration!

Wonders
This week in Wonders (reading) we will work on the following:

• characters
• setting
• plot (beginning, middle, end)
• realistic fiction
• short a and short i sound in middle of words
• inflectional endings

Math

This week in math we will work on the following:

• using math tools correctly
• rounding to the nearest 10 and 100
• number lines

High Ability

This week in our high ability unit we will work on the following:

• things that change
• things that do not change
• categorizing
• making generalizations

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

• writer's workshop routines
• asking for help while writing
• spelling anchor charts

Spelling Test

Don't forget to help your child practice the 15 spelling words. Our spelling test will be Friday morning!

Math Online

On nights that your child has a math homelink, they can either do it on paper in the workbook, or on the computer.  You do not need to have your child do the online version and the paper version in the same night.

BOY progress checks
You should see the beginning of year (BOY) math and reading tests in your child's folder later this week.  These were not for a grade, instead I will use them to help guide instruction and groups.  They also give me a good baseline for what your child knows already.

Have a great week!

Happy First Week of Second Grade!

 Welcome to 2nd grade!  It's going to be a great year of learning and fun!

Specials

This year, Creekside will be on a two week rotation for specials.  This is being done for two reasons.  The main one is it will limit exposure to the specials teachers and the entire building of students in one week, which will hopefully keep everyone healthier.  The second benefit to a two week rotation in specials is that it will allow for longer projects to be done in some of the classes like art.  Here is our rotation schedule:

Week 1/2--Library **Mr. Weimer told me today that he will let students check out books frequently during the 2 week library period.  So make sure your student brings their books (or leaves them in their back packs) to return during library time.  There will also be some free reading time in library.

Week 3/4--PE

Week 5/6--STEM

Week 7/8--Art

Week 9/10--Music

Daily Routines

Don't forget to send agendas and green Creekside folders to school daily.  Also, you can send in a water bottle for your child.  If it could already be filled to start the day that would be very helpful.  Don't forget to dress your child for the weather as we will be going outside for mask breaks and recess as much as possible!

NWEA
We are hoping to get all second graders their chromebooks by Friday of this week.  If so, next week we will take our beginning of year NWEA test.  Our class will do the reading test Monday morning, and the math test Tuesday morning.  Results will be sent home when the testing window closes.  

Homework
For 2nd grade homework, your child will bring home a reading log at the beginning of each week.  Their homework is to read their reading counts book or another book for at least 15 minutes.  There is a place for the parent to sign by each night.  Once we start math, there will be math home link page (you can complete either the paper version or online version).    There will also be the spelling test to study for each week.   And that's it for homework!  We will probably start this next week.  

**Reading Logs should stay in folders all week so I can check them.  Thanks!

Behavior Logs
Stapled in your child's agenda starting next Monday will be their behavior log for the week.  Be sure to check it nightly and see if they have any letters marked.  If so, please talk to your child about that behavior at home.

Agenda
Please make sure to return your child's agenda to school each day so that they can write homework, the quote of the week, and/or important reminders inside each day.

Spelling Tests
As part of the 2nd grade Wonders curriculum, we will have spelling tests once every 5 days in the unit.  I'll have the boys and girls write in their agenda when the test is most weeks.  Next week the spelling test will be on Friday (8/28).  Be sure to practice all the words!  There will be a list that comes home with the words on Monday.

Beginning of Year Benchmark Tests
This week we will take the beginning of year reading test and math test.  These tests are not going to be used for a grade in the gradebook, but for me to use as a starting point  to group students.  Once these are finished and graded, I will send them home for you to look at!

Crayola ColorCycle

Miss Records is still running the marker recycling program for Creekside. If you would, here is how you can help!  Send in any used, dried out markers to our classroom.  When our basket is full Miss Records will take care of sending them in to Crayola.  

The one key reminder I have is that the program takes ALL plastic markers of any kind:  Crayola, non-Crayola, hi-lighters, dry erase, Do-A-Dots, Sharpies!  As long as it is all plastic, you can put it in the basket. 

Thanks in advance for your help in this simple way to take care of the earth!

Have a great week!

It's almost spring!!

I'm loving the warmer weather this week!  I hope it sticks around!  

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:

• multiplication facts
• comparing fractions
• finding fractions less than 1 and more than 1 on a number line

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

• memory words: afternoon, backpack, homework, playground, sunlight, summertime, grasshopper, birthday, popcorn, pancake, toothbrush, weekend
• prefixes: -mis, -dis
• compound words
• comprehension
• main idea
• Book Club--Pinky and Rex and the Bully 

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

• hamburger model for persuasive writing
• identifying the 8 persuasive strategies
• identifying what strategies both print and TV commercials use to persuade us to buy their products
• compare and contrast two things we have a connection to
• reading: Marvin and the Mean Words

Writer's Workshop

Here is what we are working on in Writer's Workshop this week:

• book reviews
• Cursive writing--review of letters already learned, plus how to write cursive n, m, x, z.

Reminder--PTO Reading Counts Award

Again this year the PTO will be rewarding students that have earned the most Reading Counts Points. The top two students from each classroom (Grades 1-4) will receive a "Creekside Top Reader" t-shirt, get their picture taken, and be recognized at Awards Day. The top two students from each grade level will receive a certificate during awards day and will get $10.00 to spend at the BOGO book fair in May. The cut-off date to earn points for this reward is May 1st.

Upcoming Dates
Here are some dates to add to your calendar:

• 
  
• 3/13--report cards home for 3rd 9 weeks
• 3/13--movie night
• Riley spirit week:
• 3/16--hat day
• 3/17--green day
• 3/18--PJ day
• 3/19--dress up day
• 3/20--red for riley day
• 3/24--Creekside Spelling Bee @ 1pm
• 3/27-4/5--SPRING BREAK--NO SCHOOL!

Have a great week!

Happy March!

Can you believe it's March already?!  Only 3 months left of 2nd grade!

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:

• multiplication facts
• multiplication strategies
• writing two-step number stories
• fractions
• measuring liquid volume.

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

• memory words: wrong, write, warm, wash, water, woman, we're, were, want, would, wheel, we'll
• prefixes: -mis, -dis
• editing marks
• comprehension
• Book Club--Love and Roast Chicken

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

• reading analyzers
• Venn diagrams
• compare and contrast two things we have a connection to
• reading the book: The Girl with 500 Middle Names

Writer's Workshop

Here is what we are working on in Writer's Workshop this week:

• research projects--we are continuing our work on our animal research reports.  We hope to have them done and ready to share with you by the end of the week.  Be sure to keep an eye on Facebook to see the cool tech piece of the final projects!
• Cursive writing--review of letters already learned, plus how to write cursive b, w, o, and v.

Reminder--PTO Reading Counts Award

Again this year the PTO will be rewarding students that have earned the most Reading Counts Points. The top two students from each classroom (Grades 1-4) will receive a "Creekside Top Reader" t-shirt, get their picture taken, and be recognized at Awards Day. The top two students from each grade level will receive a certificate during awards day and will get $10.00 to spend at the BOGO book fair in May. The cut-off date to earn points for this reward is May 1st.

Writing
I found this on a blog I follow, and thought it was interesting.  This is exactly why I am introducing cursive, and why we are typing our final research reports.  My goal is to expose the class to all different types of writing, both to help them develop the skills of writing, but also a love for it! 

Cursive is a lifelong fundamental skill that is beneficial beyond elementary school. Check out our top five reasons to teach cursive!

1. Cursive promotes speed and fluency in daily assignments and note-taking.
2. Writing in cursive results in higher standardized essay test scores.
3. Vertical cursive encourages legibility.
4. Cursive helps students become better communicators by focusing on content instead of the skill of writing.
5. Cursive provides children with a fresh and engaging approach to handwriting.

Upcoming Dates

Here are some upcoming dates to add to your calendar!

• 3/3--PTO meeting @6pm
• 3/4--Donuts with Dad grades K-2
• 3/5--Jump Rope for Heart (during specials--have your child wear comfy clothes and shoes!)
• 3/5--Children's Museum Night & Dinner @5:30-8:00 PM
• 3/6--end of 3rd 9 weeks
• 3/6--Donuts with Dad grades 3-4
• 3/13--movie night
• 3/20--Creekside PTO Spring Carnival @5:30-8:30pm
• 3/27-4/5--SPRING BREAK--NO SCHOOL

Have a great week!