Many thanks to those who were able to attend Wednesday's Back to School Night. I know this is a busy time of year for all and I appreciate your dedication to your children! If you were unable to come or if you need a review of the info presented, you can find our BTSN slideshow on our Back To School Night page. When you have some time, please peruse our website to familiarize yourself with resources and info as well.
Homework:
As mentioned at BTSN, in an effort to encourage a healthy balance of work, play, and family time, the 2nd grade team has decided we will not have traditional hard copy homework packets. Instead, we would like to have students read at least 25 minutes daily from a variety of genres in a variety of ways. Parents, please be vigilant about this since we are all developing readers at this point in our reading lives! I have just activated our RAZ-Kids account on our Resources Page (student passwords are their initials) to help encourage this reading. Storyline Online is also a great "listen to reading" activity that can be found on our Resources page. Also, please have students read "real books" (non-screen time); regular visits to our local libraries and bookstores are a great way to stock up on books and establish a reading routine and family activity. Independent reading, choral reading, taking turns, and reading aloud are ways of "mixing it up" for nurturing your blossoming reader. Thank you for your support!
Aside from daily reading, you can also expect Spelling to be a consistent homework item, with pre-tests on Mondays and final spelling tests (or a spelling activity like a spelling bee) on Fridays. Please support your speller at home by studying the week's spelling words via Spelling City on our Resources Page or using any other method that is helpful for your student.
In terms of Math, you will see occasional items come home in blue folders that might indicate extra practice or unfinished work. Also feel free to utilize the math resources such as Front Row and McGraw Hill Math on our Resources Page for continued practice and enrichment. Students received passwords for Front Row in class; I will give them their McGraw Hill passwords next week.
NWEA update:
Two tests down (Reading and Language); one more to go on Monday (Math)! Kudos to our class for persevering through two very long testing sessions. I am so proud of the growth mindset they demonstrated throughout testing time. Much to be proud of!
Curriculum Highlights:
*Daily 5--we continue to work on the elements of "Read to Self" and "Work on Writing" and "Word Work." We have started our Daily Language routine as well. We are dong an amazing job in Writer's Workshop!
*Math--we concept-mapped what we know about addition and completed our Beginning of the Year Math test.
*Technology--we re-visited our tech procedures and being Digital Citizens. We logged into our accounts, took a selfie picture for our log-in, navigated our way to our website and resources page, logged into Front Row Math, and practiced our facts! We are getting techie!!
2nd Grade Quote of the Week:
It's been a busy week of work and tests! It is the afternoon of a long day and I am circulating around the class while students are working independently. I overhear a voice in group 4 whisper in frustration, "I can't do this; I don't get it!" to which Rayyan leans over and encourages his classmate, "C'mon! You can! Have a growth mindset!"
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. A