Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Tuesday September 30

Hi again!  Our Special Person today was Jackson, who told us a great story about going snorkling in Hawaii and seeing sea turtles!  Fun!

Today we worked together on the mathematical concept of line plots.  Here is an example of a line plot:

Understanding and reading data in multiple ways is an important part of the second grade Common Core Mathematics Standards.  We will spend the next few weeks measuring different items with different measurement tools, then recording our data as line plots.

See you tomorrow!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Monday September 29

Happy 8th Birthday Sammy!
Today our Special Person was Peter and he told us a great story about catching a trout!  We enjoyed writing stories about fishing Peter, so thanks for the story idea!

Today we created a lovely piece of Fall art with Shaun helping - take a look in the hall during drop off to see their beautiful pieces.

  We also began a mini mathematical unit on the United State Customary measurement system.  The students were using a "foot" to measure after estimating the length of objects...here are some pictures!




We also learned an October poem, and our story of the week, Widget.  Please ask your child to tell you the story of Widget in their own words!

That's all for today!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Friday, September 26

Can you believe we have reached the last Friday of September?  Today was the 19th day of school!
Our Special Person was ZyZy and he told us a story about a great 4th of July setting off fireworks!

Here are some ideas about this week from the students:
" I enjoy writing special person stories because I enjoy drawing the pictures." Maddie
"I really like the iPads." Kaden
"I like story time everyday." Audrey
"Choice time is awesome because of the art center!" Thomas and Sydney
"Quiet reading is my favorite because my favorite thing to do is read." Mia
"I really liked the new math game, An Hour or Bust!" Emily

The math game is a fun way for students to work on counting by fives around the clock.  Having a face clock in your house is a great way to support this learning at home.

Have a great weekend- see you tomorrow!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Thursday September 25

Today our Special Person was Mia and she told us a story about watching her sister at a soccer game, and even though they cheered her on, the team still lost the game...awww...

Tomorrow, please return library books and homework!  See you then...

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Wednesday September 24

Hi everybody!
Today our Special Person was Asa, and he told us a great story about going boating with his dad in a boat that his dad refurbished...nice!

The book order is on the way, but we are at the mercy of shipping...looks like they will arrive by Monday the 28th.

See you all tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Tuesday September 23

Monday, the Special Person was Isabelle and she told a story about celebrating a birthday at Oak's Park.  Today, our Special Person was Emily, and she told a story about competing in a triathalon, where she won first place for her age bracket!  Wow!


If you were wondering, there is not usually a blog post on Monday because I am rushing off to our staff meeting/training most Mondays from 3:15-5:15!

This week, we are beginning a block of time devoted to literacy activities and small group instruction.  Your child will be reading and writing independently about poetry, non-fiction topics, art, and fiction stories.  While your child works, I will call others to work with me in small groups at an appropriate ability level for reading.  These groups are flexible, and will change as needed to help each child reach their full potential in reading.  Thanks to all of the volunteers helping me with this important instructional time.

See you tomorrow...hopefully the rain stop in time for recess...but dress for the weather!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Friday September 19

Yesterday, our Special Person was Elisabeth and she told a story about visiting a candy factory and going to a birthday party!


Today our Special Person was Sophie Jane and she told us about a special Christmas in Arizona.

Here are some thoughts from the students about their week:

"I enjoyed learning what words meant in the Pledge of Allegiance." Thomas
"I liked the story of Hero Cat." Emily
"Special Person time is nice." Zach
"I liked using the iPad." Peter & Kaden
"I liked using the computer." Brooke
"The substitute was nice." Audrey
"I liked listening to the Special Person Stories." Kelley
"The hanging name art looks great!" Maddie
"I enjoyed writing." Elisabeth & Sydney
"Quiet reading time is nice." Mia

Last day for book orders this month...Have a great weekend !

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wednesday September 17

Today Ayana was the Special Person, and she told us a story about finding the special, golden egg at an Easter egg hunt and winning an amazing prize! 

Today we worked on our first writing assessment.  This is a baseline piece of unassisted writing that will show a starting point for goals in writing.  It is also a great way to show growth as we compare writing from September to writing from June.

See you tonight!


Tuesday September 16

Hi Everyone!
Monday, our Special Person was Kaden, and he told us a great story about being a little nervous about riding a ride at Oak's Park, but then realizing it was really fun!

Kelley was our Special Person today, and he told us an amazing story about helping to release baby sea turtles into the ocean in Mexico...wow!

Book order forms went home on Monday.  Once a month, we will have the chance to order books through Scholastic.  When you buy books this way, the classroom account earns "points" that allow me to receive free books and materials for the classroom.  Ordering books is voluntary.  Please order books  and return books orders in person by Friday, September 19...thanks!

See you tomorrow after the late opening!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Friday September 12 - Fun Pictures!

Our Special Person today was Everett, and he told us a story about riding the subway in New York City.  He told us it was fun, but also kind of dirty!  Thanks for the story!

Please consider donating to Donors Choose - I have just written a grant for 2 new class iPads!  Here's the link! 
iPad Grant

Ideas from the kids:
"Field day was great!" Mia
"I like math." Ayana
"Firefighters came today and gave us stickers!" Thomas
"Art has been great!"Elisabeth
"I really appreciate how Bernadette and Elisabeth help me." Syndey
"I liked library time."Audrey
"I like Special Person time." Emily
"Music was fun because we played drums." Jack


Today was Field Day!  What a great time!  Thanks to all of the parents who helped out today.  Here are a few pictures...








This afternoon, we had a visit from Mr. Goldstein!  He shared a read-aloud story with us.

We enjoyed the story, and I think he did too!

Have a great weekend!  See you Monday!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thursday September 11

Our Special Person today was Finn, who told us a story about biking down the Springwater Corridor along the Willamette river with his dad!  Wow! 

Today we were busy completing the art, math and writing projects we have begun over the past 8 days together.  Hopefully most of them will be completed by Open House next week so you can take a look.

See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Wednesday, September 10 WEEKLY SCHEDULE!

Hi everybody!

Our Special Person today was Bernadette.  She told us a story about kayaking with her dad!  Sounds really fun!

Picture day is tomorrow!

Here is a general schedule for our class for the week.  Times might change due to special events, but this is the basic routine.  I hope this is useful to your family:


Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8:45-8:55
Morning Routine
Morning Routine
Morning Routine
Morning Routine
Morning Routine
8:55-9:55
Art
Literacy Block-
Differentiated Reading Instruction
Literacy Block-Differentiated Reading Instruction
Literacy Block- Differentiated Reading Instruction
Literacy Block- Differentiated Reading Instruction
9:55-10:15
Number Corner
Number Corner
Number Corner
Number Corner
Number Corner
10:15-10:40
Break (snack)
Break (snack)
Break (snack)
Break (snack)
10:10-10:40  Library
10:40-11:30
Math
Math
Math
Math
10:40-10:55 Break & snack
11:30-11:55
Writing
Writing
Writing
Writing
10:55-11:55 Math


12:00-12:45
Lunch & Recess
Lunch & Recess
Lunch & Recess
Lunch & Recess
Lunch & Recess
12:45-1:50

Story of the week
Poem of the week
Integrated Content Instruction-Language development/Reading & Writing Science/Social Studies & Project Work
Integrated Content Instruction-Language development/Reading & Writing Science/Social Studies & Project Work
Integrated Content Instruction-Language development/Reading & Writing Science/Social Studies & Project Work
12:45-1:15
Read Aloud & Independent reading

1:50-2:25
PE
Music
PE
Music
1:15-2:00 Integrated Content Instruction-Language development/Reading & Writing Science/Social Studies & Project Work
2:25-2:55
Read Aloud
Independent Reading
Read Aloud
Independent Reading
Read Aloud
Independent Reading
Read Aloud
Independent Reading
2:00-2:15 Recess
2:15-2:45 Choice time
2:55-3:00
End of Day Routine
End of Day Routine
End of Day Routine
End of Day Routine
2:45-3:00
End of Day Routine

See you tomorrow!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Tuesday September 9

Sydney was our Special Person today and she told us a story about watching Cirque du Soleil with her dad and brother- it was amazing!

Today we learned some new math games and continued to work on art projects about our names...

Don't forget picture day thursday!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Monday September 8

Hi everyone!  Today our Special Person was Maddie!  She told us a story about an amazing white water rafting trip this summer and it sounding both fun and bumpy!  Thanks Maddie.

In case the email did not work, please note that picture day is Thursday!

Today we were busy learning more classroom routines and expectations, writing stories, working with math tools, and creating works of art...your children are full of wonderful ideas and talents.

See you tomorrow!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Friday September 5

Happy first week of school!

Calvin was our Special Person today and he told us a great story about catching frogs in his grandparents pond!  Wow!

I asked the students today what they wanted to say about the first week of school  Here are their ideas:

"The popcicles were great!" Thomas
"School is a the best thing on Earth!" Peter
" I really liked quiet reading time." Sydney
"It's really nice of Brooke to push in my chair when I forget." Calvin
"I really like choice time!" Emily
"Math time is fun." Elisabeth
"I enjoy writing time." Mia
"ZyZy helped me when I was late." Kaeden
"Making the name art is fun." Brooke
"I like having lockers." Zach
"It was nice when I was reading with Ayana."Maddie
" I really like story time." Audrey

So...there is our week in their words...thanks for all of the support from home, and I hope you enjoy this wonderful weather!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Thursday, September 4 - Welcome to second grade!

Hi everyone!

This has been a busy three days getting to know each other, learning procedures, and catching up with first grade friends.  We have learned where the bathroom is and how to use lockers.  We have reminded ourselves how to sit quietly on the carpet so we can make ideas in our heads from the words of others.  We have relearned math tools and written stories.

We have started a daily time called "Special Person".  During this time, a student is chosen at random, then that student tells us a story about their family.  We write the story together on a large sheet of paper, then we all write a story about a similar experience.  All of the stories are then compiled into a book for the Special Person!  On Wednesday, our Special Person was Thomas (happy birthday!) who told us about visiting Disneyland.  Today, the Special Person was Audrey, who told us about visiting Oak's Park with her family - thanks Audrey!  Keep reading each day to find out who the new Special Person will be.

This blog will be used to give you a glimpse of what your child learns each day at school.  Read it together if you can.  Timely information will be sent to you via email.

You may have noticed that our class size is large; you were not imagining things, we have 29 students this year.  It will be helpful to talk with your child often about how they can remember their best manners at school each day so we have an easier time sharing our space!  Mostly, we all need to
 learn this year how to use small voices, which is no small task!  :)

Thanks for all of the kind words, beautiful flowers, and well-wishes for a wonderful year. 

Check back to see who our Special Person is tomorrow!