I've been very impressed by how well my students have done on their speeches! I can tell a lot of planning and preparation is going into these speeches, and I'm really enjoying listening to all of them.
In the next couple weeks, we're preparing to take the CogAt (Cognative Abilities Test). This test will not be used to grade your child. It’s a test that measures how your child thinks and learns, and it’s one of the factors that is taken into account when considering students for the GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) program. It also tells us, as educators, a lot about how your child learns, so we can better accommodate him/her academically. Because this test can be difficult, I’m encouraging my students to relax and just do the best they can. I urge you to do the same at home.
The CogAT will be given to all second graders the week of March 1-5. Also, we will be giving the practice CogAT the week before (Feb. 22-26). Please do not schedule any appointments/trips during these two weeks if at all possible.
OTHER CLASSROOM ANNOUNCEMENTS....
* Read-a-thon is going on now until February 8. If your child completes a total of 6 or more hours of recreational reading, he/she can earn a ticket to Six Flags. Students are encouraged to log any mintues they read in their free time. Unfortunately, this doesn't include the reading they are required to do for homework. However, I have told them that they can log the minutes they choose to read as a busy bee activity in school (when they finish their classwork early). A
big thanks to Jaxson's mom, Kim Valentino, for organizing the
read-a-thon packets for our students! Your child should have received
information about the read-a-thon, as well as a reading log. If you have any questions about the read-a-thon, please contact Kim Valentino (kmvlntno@yahoo.com).
* Children's Art Auction-
This Thursday, February 4th is the Greenbrook Children's Art Auction from 6:30-8:00pm in our MPR. This event is family friendly and free. The classroom creations and teacher treasures will available for auction as well as other fun goodies! I'm planning to attend...I hope to see you all there! 
* Valentine's exchange- I'm planning to have a simple Valentine's exchange on Friday, February 12. We aren't having a class party, but I would like to invite students to bring in Valentines to exchange with their classmates, if they would like. It's not required to participate in the exchange. However, if your child chooses to participate, please make sure they bring enough valentines for the entire class. I'll be sending home a class list this Friday.