December 6, 2010

Hi all,

Can you believe it's December? One-third of our school year is over!
Last week we read The Enormous Turnip. We also began writing stories of our own based on the folktale.

This week our featured story will be Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane, Part 1.  This is a fun story about the love of pets and hobbies.
Last week in math, the kids learned or revisited several strategies for solving words problems. They did very well with their first assignment using the traditional algorithm for addition.

This week in math, we'll continue with Topic 5: Adding and Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers. We'll work more on problems using regrouping and showing our work.
In writing we'll write weekend news letters and finish our own repeating stories patterned after The Enormous Turnip.

In social studies we'll continue to work on  Ch 6: How are goods made and brought to us?

We'll also do more holiday art.

Some requests:
 - On December 8, the second grade will enjoy a visit from The Toymaker. Please let me know if you would be available to help with this in-house field trip. It will be from 8:30-10:00. If you can help, please report directly to the multipurpose room at 8:30.
 - Also, please let me know if you'd like to provide individual packages of hot chocolate or a can of whipped cream for our Polar Express party.

Special thanks to:
 - All of you for being so flexible about conference schedules
 - Mrs. Baker for the St. Nicholas celebration
 - All of you who are sending in donations of food, coats, and school supplies to help needy families
 - All of you who supported the book fair. The fair will still be available to students on Monday and to parents during conferences.
 - All of you fabulous volunteers for giving of your time & your talents!

Enjoy your week!
jd

Week of November 29, 2010

Hi all,

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving! My family had a good one...and oh the shopping!

This week we will continue with Daily 5 and our enrichment reading groups. Our featured story will be The Enormous Turnip. We will be working on sequencing through this story.

In math, we'll continue with Topic 5: Adding and Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers. We'll work on addition and subtraction strategies, including the traditional algorithm.

In writing we'll write weekend news letters and our own repeating stories patterned after The Enormous Turnip.

In social studies we'll work on  Ch 6: How are goods made and brought to us?

In art, we'll finish the turkeys we started before the snowstorm.

Instead of regular specialists, the kids will be learning dances from the Danceman. Please plan to attend Family Fun Night on Friday evening to enjoy your student's new dancing skills.

I haven't heard what we'll do to make up conferences, but I'll let you know soon.

On December 8, the second grade will enjoy a visit from The Toymaker. Please let me know if you would be available to help with this in-house field trip. It will be from 8:30-10:00. If you can help, please report directly to the multipurpose room at 8:30.

Enjoy your week!
jd