Dear Room 9 Families,
It's finally beginning to feel like autumn! Please make sure your child is coming to school with a jacket for recess.
As part of our staff meetings, we meet in small collaborative groups and choose 1 topic to focus on. I am working on spelling with Sharon Kim (the other second grade teacher), Wendy Mason (special education teacher), and Tania Phillips & Sorelle Cohen (reading teachers). I have done a check-in on all of the K and 1 words. Last week, I did in a check-in on 20 second grade words (which students were not yet exposed to.) We will be implementing our new spelling study tomorrow!! Each child will get a list of the words that they have not mastered. They will get to choose 3 words a week to study. They will study them during Work Board using hands-on materials (sand, felt, sandpaper, stamps, etc.) They will also bring home a spelling homework bag tomorrow. Each child is responsible for studying their 3 words in 2 different ways each night. There is a direction sheet in the bag that will explain the 5 different ways to study their words. Their spelling words will be on the front page of their homework packet. There also is a recording chart that they are responsible for filling in. The spelling homework bag should stay at home. There will be a spelling check-in on Friday, and also the following Monday. We want to make sure they have retained the word even after the weekend. If students have mastered the word (got it correct both on Friday and Monday), they will get to move it to their spelling ring which will have all of their newly mastered words. If they get it wrong on either Friday or Monday, the word will remain as one of their spelling words. I'm really excited to see how this new individualized way of spelling will work out! Please send me feedback as to how it's going at home. It's definitely a work in progress and I'd love to hear your ideas on ways to make it more effective.
Our classroom is very dry. If possible, please send your child to school with a labeled water bottle. Students may bring in cough drops in a labeled bag. I keep them by my desk. I usually allow them to have one in the morning and one in the afternoon, unless if you put a note in there that states something else.
The Frog and Toad musical was awesome!! The rain didn't stop us! The kids had such a great time and it was a nice way to see many of the Frog and Toad stories in action. Thank you to Julia and Kathy for chaperoning.
Our tadpoles have arrived!!! The kids (and I!) are very excited to see the little guys grow and change! The students did observation 1 in their science log.
Our jack o'lantern carving turned into much more than just teamwork and decorating pumpkins. We saw our pumpkins grow mold and watch the side of one fall in. Each child planted 3 pumpkin seeds and with the help of sun and water, we are going to see if anything grows.
In Math, we started our study of shapes and symmetry. The students have been exploring shapes and patterns. Ask them to see if they can find any shapes around the house, on the walk to school, at the store, etc. Many students need to continue to practice math facts (10 facts, doubles, doubles +1). If an opportunity arises, let your child count out the change that you receive at the store. Another fun way to count coins is to play store at home with real coins.
Writer's Workshop is in full swing! Students are working from their story organizers to write personal narrative stories. Many students have finished writing their first story and some have even edited with Liz or I. Once every student has an edited piece of writing, we will begin to publish our stories. It's so helpful to have volunteers in during Writer's Workshop!
In Social Studies, we will begin a "journey" around the continents.
Thank you to all of the many volunteers who are coming into our classroom and doing jobs at home. There are a few slots left for volunteers in the classroom. There always are jobs that can be sent home. Just send me an email if you have some free time and would like to help out.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Room 9!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. ~Nicole
