If you haven’t already heard from your child, a few weeks ago we started working on independent learning projects during our science and social studies time. These projects are based on our science and social studies content expectations and cover a variety of nonfiction reading and writing content expectations as well. Students are encouraged to be independent learners, thinkers, problem solvers, and planners, all skills that will be important as they grow. Ask your child what their independent learning project is about and what they are working on for it right now. They will amaze you!
2nd Grade
Winter Clothing
What an unpredictable winter it has been so far! I just wanted to remind everyone that we go outside for recess twice a day unless it is raining or the temperature (or windchill) is below zero. This means that it is VERY important for kids to come to school dressed for the weather. This includes boots, snow pants, gloves and hats. Students without snow pants and boots will not be allowed to play in the snow. On days what the temperature is below freezing students without gloves will have to use extras we keep here at school. If your child does not have these winter items please contact me or Mrs. Dover and we can help make sure your child has what they need to participate in recess. If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Thank you very much!
Math Fact Homework Practice
Starting today (1/23) students will be expected to practice their math facts for 5 -10 minutes each day as homework. The type of practice that students complete is open ended, but they must be practicing these facts. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Classroom Store
Students have been busy earning money (Cuddle-bucks) by staying on task, completing work and doing their jobs, etc…. Students are becoming quite “rich” and are anxious to begin spending some of their hard earned money. My plan is to open a classroom store on Friday 1/27 where students can spend the Cuddle-bucks they have earned.
I have been busy collecting items for the store, but realize that we will still need a lot more items that will interest 2nd graders. Therefore, I am asking for your help by donating items that I could sell at our store! If you have anything around your house (gently used items) or have access to any interesting items that you think would be “great sellers,” please send these items in. Keep in mind, that these items need to be appropriate for school (i.e, no fake weapons). My plan is to have a large variety of priced items, so that students can save up or really clean out their wallets. You can send items in anytime, but I will need items for sure by January 26th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
We will also need 2 – 3 parent volunteers to set-up the store, help the students count their money and help them shop. The store will be from 9:15 – 11:00 on Friday, January 27th. If you are able to volunteer please let me know asap!
Math Fact Tests
A month or so ago we began weekly math fact tests. Each Friday students take a 50 problem math fact test. All students start with addition, if they pass addition they move on to subtraction, then multiplication 0-5, multiplication 0-7 and multiplication 0 -10. After multiplication comes division and then a mixed test with all four operations. To pass their test students must complete all 50 problems in less than 5 minutes and miss 2 or less. There are many ways you can support your child at home with these facts:
- flash cards
- math games
- online computer games
- writing their facts out 3x each
- practice tests
- workbooks
Mastering these basic facts is much like knowing all your letter sounds, they make the math we are doing easier because students do not have to spend time figuring out 5 + 4 and instead can think about the math behind the problems we solve. Thank you for your support in this!
Matter Matters!
This week we started a new unit in science all about matter! We learned last week that matter is anything that has weight and takes up space. We also learned about the 3 states of matter – solid, liquid and gas. Lastly, we learned about the particles in the 3 different states of matter. Ask your child about how the particles in a solid, liquid and gas are different.
MAP Testing
Starting next week we will begin our winter session of the MAP test. We will be testing on the next 3 Wednesdays (1/11, 1/18 & 1/25). Please help your child do their best by making sure they get enough rest, eat a healthy breakfast and bring a healthy snack to school each test day. Thank you very much!
Reminders
Just a few reminders:
- book orders are due Friday 12/9 – the orders will be in before break
- please make sure your child comes to school dressed for the weather, we will go outside everyday unless the windchill is below 0
- Ms. Rowe’s last day is Friday 12/9
Bucket Filling Night
Don’t forget that this Friday 12/2 is Lakeland’s Bucket Filling Celebration! Plan on attending as a family to spend time together filling buckets, seeing Santa and enjoying a pizza dinner. All week we are collecting light colored, new and used pillow cases, baby and infant socks and continuing our canned food drive. On Monday our class went down the the giant bucket by Mrs. LaRosa’s office and hung the rain drops that students had brought in telling how their family had filled buckets. Keep these rain drops coming in! If you need more stop by the office or let me know. Happy bucket filling!
Pumpkin Pie in a Cup
Thanks to everyone who donated items for our pumpkin pie in a cup activity today! It was a huge success! The students really enjoyed doing this little “cooking” project in the classroom and almost everyone liked it! Here is the recipe in case you want to try it at home.
Pumpkin Pie in a Cup
1 single serve cup of vanilla pudding
2 tbsp pumpkin pie mix (the kind with sugar and spices already in it)
teddy grahams for dipping (optional)
whipped cream (optional)
Dump vanilla pudding into a cup. Spoon in pumpkin mix and stir to combine. Add teddy grahams and/or whipped cream as desired. ENJOY!
Happy Thanksgiving!
