6/8-6/12 Math: NO CENTERS. We'll be doing Saxon Math, making and playing pentaminoes (a geometry activity) and playing pico, fermi, bagels (a place value game). Language Arts: NO CENTERS. We'll be reading an Open Court story and doing various activities with it, as well as writing stories to go with the book The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Other: We'll be having a swim party, and making a graph of our favorite breads. Things and Dates to Remember: T 6/9: Second Grade Pool Party at RLCC F 6/12: Last Day of School--Party 11:00 & Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: I have one volunteer so far to help with laminating and hole punching the memory books during the last week; if you can help please let me know. Thanks, Ms. M. 6/1-6/5 Math: This week we will take facts tests and play Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, do a dinosaur math activity, take a math assessment, play pizza fraction bingo, and play sardines, a memory game. Language Arts: We'll be reading chapter books and AR books and answering questions, reading Scholastic News and answering questions, working in our spelling books on spelling patterns, taking a Language Arts assessment, and listening to another Open Court story and answering comprehension questions. I will also be finishing DRA assessments on the kids. Other: This week we will be working on in-class dinosaur reports. Each child will do his or her own report. The kids will select a dinosaur to study, do computer research, write a short report, and make a shoe box diorama. Things and Dates to Remember: M 6/1: AR Assembly 8:30 am W 6/3: Talent Show Th 6/4: Science Expo F 6/5: Golf Tournament M 6/8: Volunteer Tea T 6/9: Second Grade Pool Party at RLCC F 6/12: Last Day of School--Party 11:00 & Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: We will need supplies to put in the dioramas--plastic dinosaurs, fake grass and trees, cellophane (especially blue), etc. If you have any of these materials, please send them in. A HUGE thank you to Neelu Bansal for making the memory book sample, and to Gordon Lau and Lillian Yee for assembling the books. I will need help the last week of school to laminate the front and back covers. If you can help, let me know! Thanks, Ms. M. 5/26-5/29 Math: No math centers this week! We will finish up our fraction families and do Saxon Math. Language Arts: We'll be reading chapter books and AR books and answering questions, reading Scholastic News and answering questions, working in our spelling books on spelling patterns, taking the STAR Reading test on the computer, and listening to another Open Court story and answering comprehension questions. Our final group will practice and perform its chapter book scene. I will also be doing DRA assessments on the kids. Other: We will be learning about specific dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, illustrating our dinosaur diamantes from last week with chalk pastel, making pancakes and recipe books from our bread unit, and performing in the Dragons Assembly. Things and Dates to Remember: M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/28: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 5/29: End of the Year BBQ 5:50 pm M 6/1: AR Assembly 8:30 am W 6/3: Talent Show Th 6/4: Science Expo F 6/5: Golf Tournament M 6/8: Volunteer Tea T 6/9: Second Grade Pool Party at RLCC F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: I need shoeboxes for the kids' dinosaur dioramas! Please send them into class. Also, I have had no "takers" to help with Memory Books. They are just too huge of an undertaking for me to do alone. So if no one steps forward in the next few days, we won't make Memory Books this year. I will send home all the projects during the last week of school. Thanks, Ms. M. 5/18-5/22 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, making a picture for our fraction family, playing the games set and balloon ride, which are both logic games, and making pizza. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: We'll be reading chapter books and AR books and answering questions, reading Scholastic News and answering questions, working in our spelling books on spelling patterns, reading SRA and answering questions, and listening to another Open Court story and answering comprehension questions. We'll also write a diamante poem about dinosaurs. Other: This week we will learn about the Cretaceous period, illustrate our nature walk poetry from last week with oil pastels, make and age "fossils," and map the journey of bread from seed to loaf. Things and Dates to Remember: M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/28: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 5/29: End of the Year BBQ M 6/1: AR Assembly 8:30 T 6/3: Talent Show Th 6/4: Science Expo F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: It's Memory Book time again! I need a volunteer who will make the prototype. Please let me know if you are interested. I will host Memory Book evenings again towards the end of the year where you can make your child's book. If there is anyone able to make extra books for those not able to attend one of the evenings, please let me know that as well. Thanks, Ms. M. 5/11-5/15 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, making our May glyph and quilt square, making 3 bean salads (a problem solving game), and making cornbread (for eating!). We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: We'll be reading chapter books and AR books and answering questions, reading Scholastic News and answering questions, working in our spelling books on spelling patterns, writing "If I Were in Charge of the World" poems and cinquain poems, listening to another Open Court story and answering comprehension questions, brainstorming descriptive words for use in poetry, and writing a nature poem. We'll also perform our chapter book scenes from last week. Our sound for this week is /oi/ spelled oi as in coil or oy as in boy. Other: We will be having our Mother's Day Tea, doing watercolors for our cinquains, and beginning our dinosaur unit by learning about the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Things and Dates to Remember: M 5/11: Mothers' Day Tea 8:00 M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/28: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 5/29: End of the Year BBQ M 6/1: AR Assembly 8:30 T 6/3: Talent Show Th 6/4: Science Expo F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: It's Memory Book time again! I need a volunteer who will make the prototype. Please let me know if you are interested. I will host Memory Book evenings again towards the end of the year where you can make your child's book. If there is anyone able to make extra books for those not able to attend one of the evenings, please let me know that as well. Thanks, Ms. M. 5/4-5/8 Math: No math centers this week! We will be playing time concentration. Language Arts: No literacy centers this week! We will be writing simile poems and practicing our chapter book scenes from last week. Other: We will be getting ready for the Mother's Day Tea, making pretzels, illustrating our haiku from last week with torn paper collage, and taking the STAR test. Things and Dates to Remember: M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 M 5/11: Mothers' Day Tea 8:00 STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/29: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* T 6/3: Talent Show Th 6/4: Science Expo F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: Send in those Mother's Day pictures and remember to sign up to bring a snack for testing. Again, make sure your child has a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast each day before testing. Thanks, Ms. M. 4/27-5/1 Math: No math centers this week! We will be playing fraction kit cover up and doing math test prep. Language Arts: No literacy centers this week! We will be reading and writing haiku, cinquains and alliterative poems, and planning scenes to act out from our chapter books. Other: Instead of normal centers this week, we will be doing "fun" centers after testing. Besides the activities mentioned above, we will make torn paper collage of the six parts of a plant and also make tortillas to go with our Bread Around the World unit. Of course, we will also be taking the STAR test. Things and Dates to Remember: M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 M 5/11: Mothers' Day Tea 8:00 STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/29: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: We will be doing fun centers from roughly 10:30-11:30 each day; I can use help at those times each day. Also, make sure to send in your Mother's Day pictures if you haven't done so already. Lastly, there is a sign up for testing snacks in the hall. Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast each day before testing! Thanks, Ms. M. 4/20-4/24 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing multiplication slap, practicing 2, 5 and 10 multiplication facts, playing multiplication tunnel baster on the computer, working on telling time to the quarter hour and to five minutes, and making a fraction kit. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, do a noun/verb/adjective science word sort, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Our sound for the week is /oo/ as in foot and good. Other: We will be going to the Ramona play, finishing up our study of volcanoes, and beginning a unit on poetry. Things and Dates to Remember: M 4/20: School Resumes Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 M 5/11: Mothers' Day Tea STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/29: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: We need more prize box toys please! Thanks, Ms. M. 4/6-4/10 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, exploring the probability involved in the Native American stick game from last week, making our April quilt square and glyph, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, write a poem about volcanoes, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Our sound for the week is /oo/ as in food. This sound can be spelled several ways: *oo as in food or tool *ew as in grew or stew *u_e as in rule or tune *ue as in glue or true *u as in duty or Rudy Other: This week we will learn about the three types of volcanoes, make a torn paper volcano, and continue with test prep. We will have our Egg Drop at 8:15 Friday 4/10. Please do not send in egg containers prior to the 10th! Things and Dates to Remember: M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 Th 4/9: Spring Pictures F 4/10: Egg Drop 8:15 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 M 5/11: Mothers' Day Tea STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/29: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: We need more prizes for the prize box. If you have any happy meal type toys you can send into the class, I would appreciate it! Thanks, Ms. M. 3/30-4/3 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, making and playing a Native American stick game, playing a multiplication game, practicing addition and subtraction regrouping, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, read about volcanoes and answer questions, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: We will present our Hero Reports, make a model of the insides of a volcano, learn about the 3 major types of volcanoes, continue with test prep, and go on our field trip to the California Academy of Sciences! Remember to pack a sack lunch for Wednesday! We'll also start reading Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary to get ready for our trip to see the Ramona play. Things and Dates to Remember: W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences Sa 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 Th 4/9: Spring Pictures F 4/10: Egg Drop 8:15 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 M 5/11: Mothers' Day Tea STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL W 5/27: Sandia Family Science Night F 5/29: Dragons Assembly *Second Grade Performs* F 6/5: Golf Tournament W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: Thanks for all you do! Thanks, Ms. M. 3/23-3/27 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, exploring the mathematics behind our two dice probability results from last week, playing a multiplication game, practicing addition and subtraction regrouping, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, read about how rocks are formed and answer questions, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. All students will be starting new chapter books this week. Other: We will continue working on both our Rock and Soil books and our Hero Reports. We'll also be attending a Magic Show assembly and continue working on test practice. Things and Dates to Remember: S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 F 4/10: Egg Drop 8:15 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes W 4/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *We perform!* Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL F 6/5: End of Year Carnival W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: Thanks for attending your child's conference! Thanks, Ms. M. 3/16-3/18 Math: NO CENTERS THIS WEEK! We will be doing Saxon Math and preparing for Student Led Conferences. Language Arts: NO CENTERS THIS WEEK! We will be writing in journals, reading AR books and taking tests, and preparing for Student Led Conferences. Other: We will be doing test prep, working on our rock and soil booklets, and working on our Hero Reports. Things and Dates to Remember: Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes W 4/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *We perform!* Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL F 6/5: End of Year Carnival W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: If you can send in a ream of white copy paper, I would appreciate the donation! Thanks, Ms. M. 3/10-3/13 I will be gone at The Charter Conference in Long Beach W 3/11- F 3/13! Thanks ahead of time to all classroom volunteers who I know will help make the week go smoothly! Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, exploring the mathematics behind our two dice probability results from last week, playing an elapsed time game, practicing addition and subtraction regrouping, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, learn more about adjectives, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: We'll continue working on test prep and learn more about igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Things and Dates to Remember: M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL W 3/11- F 3/13: Ms. M. out for Charter Conference Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes W 4/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *We perform!* Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip M 5/4: Early Release 12:10 F 5/8: Sunol Field Trip 12-2 STAR TEST TIMES: T 4/28, Th 4/30, F 5/1, M 5/4, W 5/6, and Th 5/7 in the AM! M 5/25: Memorial Day--NO SCHOOL F 6/5: End of Year Carnival W 6/10: Volunteer Tea F 6/12: Last Day of School--Early Release 12:10 Help We Need: Please turn in your conference sign up sheet ASAP! Note I will only be holding conferences on Thursday 3/19 and Friday 3/20. Also, please do not schedule vacations on the above STAR testing days. No Independent Study will be granted during the STAR Testing Window. Thanks ahead of time for you cooperation! Thanks, Ms. M. 3/2-3/6 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, analyzing the probability of rolling two dice, making a March quilt square and glyph, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, take the STAR reading test on the computer, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: This week I will continue to do various assessments with the children. We will also work on our hero reports and do test practice. Things and Dates to Remember: M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL T 3/10- F 3/13: Ms. M. out for Charter Conference Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes W 4/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *We perform!* Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip Help We Need: I could use donations of reams of white copy paper, please! Thanks, Ms. M. 2/23-2/27 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, analyzing the probability of rolling a single die, doing a multiplication activity called multiplication designs, practicing 3 digit subtraction with regrouping, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, learn about syllabication, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: This week we will work on our hero reports, learn about the rocky cycle with a cool crayon melting activity, have an EEK! presentation on plants, and begin working on preparation for the Big Nasty Test. I'll also be doing assessments with the kids this week for report cards. Things and Dates to Remember: M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes W 4/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *We perform!* Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip Help We Need: Thanks for all you do! Thanks, Ms. M. 2/17-2/20 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, analyzing the probability on two new 3 way spinners, playing a multiplication game called tax collector, practicing 3 digit addition with regrouping, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, learn about suffixes, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: This week we will work on hero reports, learn about the 3 types if rocks, and go on a field trip to Charles Chocolates. Things and Dates to Remember: M 2/16: Presidents' Day--NO SCHOOL W 2/18: Field Trip to Charles Chocolates S 2/21: Crab Feed M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences 4/4: Boys' Bowling M 4/6: Early Release 12:10 M 4/13- F 4/17: Spring Break M 4/20: School Resumes W 4/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *We perform!* Th 4/23: Ramona Field Trip Help We Need: Please make sure you have turned in your child's pink permission slip for the field trip to Charles Chocolates! Thanks, Ms. M. 2/9-2/13 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math War, playing a regrouping game on the computer, analyzing the probability on a 3 way spinner, playing a multiplication game called cover the paper, and working on addition and subtraction with regrouping versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math and do a valentine math activity. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, learn about syllabication of words, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: This week we will begin our study of rocks. All students will need to bring a rock THEY CAN CARRY to class on Monday. We will do pet rock center experiments with them on Tuesday. We will also begin to brainstorm topics for our Hero Reports, as well as make valentine bags. Things and Dates to Remember: M 2/9: Early Release 12:10 F 2/13: Valentine's Party 1:00 M 2/16: Presidents' Day--NO SCHOOL W 2/18: Field Trip to Charles Chocolates S 2/21: Crab Feed M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences Help We Need: Please contact Aimee Yamamoto or Minerva McKenzie if you can help with the Valentine's Party. Thanks to everyone for contributing to and organizing the Crab Feed basket! Thanks, Ms. M. 2/2-2/6 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, graphing the results of last week's penny flip experiment, making a February quilt square and glyph, and working on 3 digit subtraction with regrouping. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, work on our Cinderella stories, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: This week we will again practice our Penguin Power Points for the presentation on Thursday night, work on our Egyptian Cinderella monart, and practice handwriting. We'll finish up reading Cinderella stories this week. Things and Dates to Remember: Th 2/5: OPEN HOUSE--Penguin Power Point Night 6:00 pm M 2/9: Early Release 12:10 M 2/16: Presidents' Day--NO SCHOOL 2/21: Crab Feed M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences Help We Need: I am in need of people willing to help with typing the kids' Cinderella stories. Please let me know if you can help. Thanks, Ms. M. 1/26-1/30 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and doing wrap-ups, beginning a unit on probability with a penny flip experiment, playing a multiplication game called how long, how many, and adding three digit numbers with regrouping. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, work on our Cinderella stories, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: We will practice presenting our penguin power points, finish our Cinderella graphs, and draw and color an Egyptian Cinderella monart project. We will also do a comprehension packet on Martin Luther King Jr. packet, and finish up reading our Cinderella stories. Things and Dates to Remember: Th 2/5: OPEN HOUSE--Penguin Power Point Night M 2/9: Early Release 12:10 M 2/16: Presidents' Day--NO SCHOOL 2/21: Crab Feed M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences Help We Need: Thanks for everything you all do for me every week! Thanks, Ms. M. 1/20-1/23 Math: NO CENTERS THIS WEEK! This week we will be doing an investigation into the concept of multiplication by making rectangular "candy boxes" for each number 1-36. From this activity, we will create the multiplication chart. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: NO CENTERS THIS WEEK! We will be starting our two Cinderella projects this week: writing our own Cinderella stories and making a literary element "quilt" about 5 Cinderella stories. We will also be traveling to the other second grade classrooms to hear Cinderella stories and add to our "key chains." Other: We will be working on handwriting this week. Things and Dates to Remember: M 1/19: MLK Jr Day--NO SCHOOL S 1/24: Princess Ball S 1/25: Read-a-Thon Ends Th 2/5: OPEN HOUSE--Penguin Power Point Night M 2/9: Early Release 12:10 M 2/16: Presidents' Day--NO SCHOOL 2/21: Crab Feed M 3/2: Early Release 12:10 M 3/9: Teachers' Work Day--NO SCHOOL Th 3/19 & F 3/20: Conferences--NO SCHOOL S 3/28: Walkathon W 4/1: Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences Help We Need: Here is the list of bus riders and wait listed bus riders for the CAS trip: 1. Samantha Leggat 2. Patti Koning 3. Terri Sharbach 4. Patti Royster 5. Saeko Joba-Mount 1. Michelle Beringer 2. Diana Moseley 3. Rebecca Moore Also, THANK YOU for the Amazon gift certificate! I got a wonderful pair of fuzzy warm boots with it. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Thanks, Ms. M. 1/12-1/16 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math War, adding sound, animation, and transitions to our penguin power points, playing fraction war, practicing 2 digit addition and subtraction with regrouping, and doing multiplication and division versatiles. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, read a penguin packet and answer questions, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: Read-In Day will be Tuesday 1/13. The kids should all wear pajamas that day. If you would like to read a story to the class on Read-In Day, please let me know so I can schedule a time! Thanks! Things and Dates to Remember: M 1/12: Early Release 12:10 M 1/12: Read-a-Thon Starts T 1/13: Read-In Day--Wear Pajamas! M 1/19: MLK Jr Day: NO SCHOOL S 1/24: Princess Ball S 1/25: Read-a-Thon Ends Th 2/5: OPEN HOUSE--Penguin Power Point Night I added links to the STAR test released test questions for 2nd grade ELA and Math to the "Links" page on this website. These questions will give you an idea of how the students will be tested come May. Don't panic--we will spend LOTS of time preparing and practicing for the test, and the kids will be well-prepared. But if you'd like to look at the questions, the link is now up! Help We Need: Homework for the next several weeks will have covers "out of synch" with the current holidays/month. We are a bit "off" from the other loop's homework pace due to the turkey, gingerbread man, and train homework we did before break. Please bear with the out of synch covers! I need several helpers: * Read-a-Thon Tallier * Read-In Day Readers * Crab Feed Basket Coordinator If you can help, let me know! Thanks, Ms. M. 1/5-1/9 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and doing wrap-ups, making our January quilt square and glyph, choosing the backgrounds and importing photos for our penguin power points, and doing multiplication and division versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and answer questions, read a penguin packet and answer questions, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. Other: We will begin our Cinderella unit this week. We will be reading Cinderella stories from around the world, and analyzing them in terms of main and supporting characters, the main character's wish and task that must be done to make the wish come true, the animals and magic in the story, how the main character's identity is revealed, and what happens to the evil characters at the end of the story. We will also be making another class book of letters to go along with the book Dear Polar Bear--but our book will be Dear Penguin! Things and Dates to Remember: M 1/5: School Resumes M 1/12: Early Release 12:10 M 1/19: MLK Jr Day: NO SCHOOL Help We Need: There is no extra help needed right now. Thanks for all you do! Thanks, Ms. M. 12/15-12/19 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing math war, doing a holiday hidden picture, working on fractions--1/2, 1/3, 1/4 and 1/5, and doing multiplication and division versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. We'll be typing our penguin reports into power point during math centers as well. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read SRA and answer questions, practice singular & plural nouns, and read a gingerbread man story and answer comprehension questions. We'll also be writing Gingerbread Man letters. Other: We'll be making, decorating, and wrapping our holiday presents for our families. Things and Dates to Remember: F 12/19: Winter Party 1:00 F 12/19: Last day before Winter Break M 1/5: School Resumes M 1/12: Early Release 12:10 M 1/19: MLK Jr Day: NO SCHOOL Help We Need: Contact Aimee Yamamoto if you can help with the Winter Party. Thanks to both Aimee and Minerva McKenzie for coordinating the party! Thanks, Ms. M. 12/8-12/12 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, doing a holiday hidden picture, practicing 2 digit addition and subtraction with regrouping, working on fractions--1/2, 1/3, and 1/4, and doing multiplication and division versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read SRA and answer questions, write our final draft for our Jolly Postman letter, complete spelling pages in our workbooks, and complete a comprehension packet for our Open Court story. In Open Court, we will work on homographs and quotation marks. Other: We'll finish up the artwork for the Jolly Postman project and work on our penguin reports. Things and Dates to Remember: M 12/8: Early Release 12:10 F 12/19: Winter Party 1:00 F 12/19: Last day before Winter Break M 1/5: School Resumes Help We Need: We now have lots of lead, but could use more mechanical pencils for 0.7mm lead. I can still use some typists for the next two weeks in the afternoon. On M 12/15, we will be making a project in the afternoon with which I could use extra hands, as long as you don't mind seeing your holiday present a bit early! Let me know if you can help. Thanks, Ms. M. 12/1-12/5 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, making a December quilt square and glyph, finding different color combinations for the restaurant project, and doing multiplication and division versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will read chapter books and answer questions, read AR books and take AR tests, read Scholastic News and SRA and answer questions, write a creative story using 4 pictures as a pre-write, and do a Bear Find It Web Quest on the computer. We'll also be reading The Jolly Postman and beginning our letter writing project this week. Other: This week we'll work on penguin reports and do art for the Jolly Postman project. Things and Dates to Remember: S 12/6: Cereal with Santa S 12/7: PTO Baseball Camp M 12/8: Early Release 12:10 F 12/19: Winter Party 1:00 F 12/19: Last day before Winter Break M 1/5: School Resumes Help We Need: Starting this week and next week, I would love extra help with typing for the penguin reports! We'll be working on them from 1:00-2:00 most days. Also, thanks to all who attended conferences! Thanks, Ms. M. 11/17-11/21 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer,practicing 2 digit addition and subtraction with regrouping (carrying and borrowing) with pencil and paper only, designing restaurant layouts to accommodate different sized parties, a bathroom and a kitchen, and doing multiplication/division versatiles. We'll also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will work on chapter book work, read SRA and Scholastic News and answer questions, read an article on Pilgrim children and answer questions, and listen to Thanks for Thanksgiving at the listening center and do a follow-up paper. Other: This week we will finish our family quilt square project, and do a new project in which we compare our 2008 day to the day of a pilgrim child; we'll make a book that explains the differences in words and pictures. We'll also begin our penguin reports by choosing the type of penguin each pair will research, as well as begin researching both in books and on the internet. Things and Dates to Remember: M 11/17-F 11/21: Conferences M 11/24 & T 11/25--Conferences--No School W 11/26-F 11/28: Thanksgiving Break Help We Need: As we are studying quilts, if any of you have new or old family quilts that you could bring in to share with the class, I would love to have the children see them! Thanks, Ms. M. 11/12-11/14 Math: NO CENTERS THIS WEEK! We will be doing Saxon Math and some mapping skills. Language Arts: NO CENTERS THIS WEEK! We will be doing handwriting and working on our family history quilt square project. Other: We will be learning about Rockhopper and African penguins, as well as reading quilt stories. Things and Dates to Remember: M 11/10: Work Day--No School T 11/11: Veterans Day--No School M 11/17-F 11/21: Conferences M 11/24 & T 11/25--Conferences--No School W 11/26-F 11/28: Thanksgiving Break Help We Need: I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences!! Thanks, Ms.M. 11/3-11/7 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, analyzing 3-D shapes for their numbers of faces, edges and vertices, doing a November quilt square and glyph, and making combination plates for our restaurant project. We'll also continue with Saxon Math and take a math assessment. Language Arts: This week we will work on chapter book work, take the STAR reading test on the computer, do a reading fluency assessment with me, read SRA and answer questions, and read Scholastic News. We will also work on synonyms, antonyms, commas in dates, and abbreviations of months, days and titles. Last, we will take a language arts assessment. Other: This week we will begin studying about quilts to go along with our family history unit. We will also begin our penguin report research. Things and Dates to Remember: M 11/3: Book Fair Starts M 11/10: Work Day--No School T 11/11: Veterans Day--No School M 11/17-F 11/21: Conferences M 11/24 & T 11/25--Conferences--No School W 11/26-F 11/28: Thanksgiving Break Help We Need: Fall conference sign ups will come home F 10/31. Please fill them out and send them in ASAP; I will schedule conferences on a first come, first served basis! I will be conferencing M 11/17, T 11/18, and W 11/19 after school from 3-5 pm, and on M 11/24 from 8 am-12pm. Thanks also to all who helped with Trick-a-Dooring!!!! Thanks, Ms. M. 10/27-10/31 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, determining the mean, mode and range from our tostada graph from last week, continuing to work on 2 digit subtraction with regrouping, doing multiplication and division versatiles, and playing target addition, an addition logic game. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will work on chapter book work, read AR books and take AR tests, read SRA and answer questions, practice spelling words, read Scholastic News, read a new Open Court story and do comprehension questions, and take a spelling test,and practice using commas in a series. Other: This week we will perform a readers' theater for "Spider and the Fly," watercolor our spider drawings, and watch a spider video. Shlok and Shwena's families will also be presenting about the Indian holiday, Diwali. Things and Dates to Remember: F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 F 10/31: Halloween Party 11:00 F 10/31: Early Release 12:10 M 11/3: Book Fair Starts M 11/10: Work Day--No School T 11/11: Veterans Day--No School M 11/17-F 11/21: Conferences M 11/24 & T 11/25--Conferences--No School W 11/26-F 11/28: Thanksgiving Break Help We Need: Thanks for the pencil lead and the help with Trick-a-Door and the Halloween Party! Thanks, Ms. M. 10/20-10/24 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, graphing the tostada prices from last week, continuing to work on 2 digit subtraction with regrouping, doing addition and subtraction versatiles, and playing rush hour, a logic game. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will work on chapter book work, read AR books and take AR tests, read a book about spiders and answer questions, practice spelling words, read Scholastic News, read a new Open Court story and do comprehension questions, and take a spelling test. Other: This week we will write reports on different types of spiders in groups, and do a spider drawing. We will also perform at the Dragons Assembly! Things and Dates to Remember: F 10/17: Scarecrow Day 8:30-10:00 MPR W 10/22: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *WE PERFORM!* DATE CHANGE!! F 10/24: Trick-a-Door 6-8 pm F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 Help We Need: I will be out F 10/24 and M 10/27 for a family trip. I still do not have any volunteers to organize our room for Trick-a-Door, and as I will be gone that evening, I won't be able to do it either! If you can help, please let me know. We also need 0.7mm mechanical pencil lead! Thanks, Ms.M. 10/13-10/17 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, calculating the costs for different tostada combinations, beginning to learn 2 digit subtraction with regrouping or "borrowing", doing addition and subtraction versatiles, and doing a beginning spider multiplication activity. Language Arts: This week we will work on chapter book work, read AR books and take AR tests, read a passage on how spiders use silk and answer questions, practice spelling words, read Scholastic News, read a new Open Court story and do comprehension questions, and take a spelling test, and write a spider diamante poem. Other: This week we will make a spider drawing/watercolor to go with our diamante, and perform at the Dragons Assembly. Dates and Things to Remember: F 10/17: Scarecrow Day T 10/21: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *WE PERFORM!* DATE CHANGE!! F 10/24: Trick-a-Door in PM (Time TBA) F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 Help We Need: I need a few parents who are willing to plan and decorate our door for Trick-a Door Night, 10/24. I also would love it if you could send in mechanical pencil LEAD. The size we are using in class is 0.7mm. Thanks, Ms. M. 10/6-10/10 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, making different tostada combinations with different ingredients, which is a logic activity, making an October quilt square and glyph, and doing addition and subtraction versatiles. We'll also do Saxon math. Language Arts: This week we will work on chapter book work, read AR books and take AR tests, read SRA power builders, practice our spelling words, practice dictionary skills, read Scholastic News, read a new Open Court story and do comprehension questions, and take a spelling test. Other: This week we will begin learning about spiders. We will be doing a spider art project as well as reading books about spiders. Things and Dates to Remember: M 10/6: Early Release 12:10 T 10/14: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *WE PERFORM!* F 10/24: Trick-a-Door in PM (Time TBA) F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 Help We Need: I need a few parents who are willing to plan and decorate our door for Trick-a Door Night, 10/24. I also would love it if you could send in mechanical pencil LEAD. The size we are using in class is 0.7mm. Thanks, Ms.M. 9/29-10/3 I WILL BE AT CAMP ARROYO THIS WEEK! MRS. PURDY WILL BE MY SUBSTITUTE. Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, doing the second part of the four toothpick activity in which kids learn to make all 16 figures in the series by changing one toothpick at a time, playing the Think Fun game River Crossing, which is a logic activity, practicing 2 digit addition and subtraction, and doing addition and subtraction versatiles. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: We will do all the "normal" language arts activities this week, as well as compare and contrast two stories using a Venn diagram. Other: We will do a few friendship activities from our mini-unit and go to the library for the first time! Our library day is Wednesday. Things and Dates to Remember: M 10/6: Early Release 12:10 T 10/14: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *WE PERFORM!* F 10/24: Trick-a-Door in PM (Time TBA) F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 Help We Need: Thanks ahead of time to all my volunteers who will make the week a smooth one in my absence! I appreciate you all so much. Thanks, Ms. M. 9/22-9/26 Math: This week we will be taking facts tests and playing Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, using pattern blocks to build hexagons in a variety of ways, building shapes with 4 toothpicks, practicing 2 digit addition with and without regrouping, and doing addition and subtraction versatiles. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: We will again do all the normal language arts activities. Additionally this week, I will be adding AR to literacy centers time. Each student must read an AR book and take an AR test on the book at least once a week IN CLASS. I am fine with students taking tests at home (our password is penguin and the kids should know their log-ins), but at least one test a week must be taken in class on in class reading. The AR link is on the LVCS library website, available through the main LVCS website. The students will also be starting literature circles this week on chapter books. Other: I am not sure how many times I can put off those goal dragons, but I hope we can do them this week! We are also doing a mini unit on friendship books, where we will learn to use Venn diagrams to compare and contrast books by different authors. Things and Dates to Remember: M 9/29-F 10/3: Ms. M. OUT--Camp Arroyo chaperone with Carlo (my oldest) M 10/6: Early Release 12:10 T 10/14: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *WE PERFORM!* F 10/24: Trick-a-Door in PM (Time TBA) F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 i just thought I should mention that each week you will see papers come home "uncorrected" by me. Typically, they will be Saxon Math and Mountain Math/Daily Oral Language. Please know that I actually look at EVERY paper that each child completes, even if there is no mark on it. I am usually doing a frantic check on each paper and don't always have time to mark each one, as classroom volunteers have probably noticed. My goal is always immediate feedback to the kids, as I feel feedback even a day later is too late--they have forgotten what the paper was about. Anyhow, I figured some of you might have been wondering why not every paper is marked, and that's the reason. Help We Need: I talked to the kids about this idea, but forgot to mention it to you. At my house, we collect refrigerator magnets of places we visit as a family. I would like to do the same in our class--only they would be magnets from places our classroom family members visit with their families. So far, Madeline has brought a magnet from The Grand Tetons, and Tori has brought two magnets--one from Disneyland, and one from the Marine Corps. We have them displayed on our little classroom fridge. At the end of the year, the kids can take the magnets home again. So far, it has been a fun community builder! Congratulations to my FIRST CLASS EVER to all turn in the supply kit money. You are all the best! Thanks for all you do for me and for you children! Thanks, Ms. M. 9/15-9/19 Math: This week we will take facts tests and play Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, make a pattern penguin, work on linear measurement in various units (inches, centimeters, yards, etc.), go "grocery shopping" and calculate the cost of our lists, and do the follow up sorting to the 4 triangles activity from last week. We will also keep plugging along in Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week we will do all the normal centers--spelling, reading group, Scholastic News, SRA, and listening center. We will also read a new Open Court story and learn new vocabulary and complete comprehension questions. I am finishing up with my reading assessments this week, and we'll begin literature circles next week. We'll also take our first spelling test on Friday from the words in the homework. Other: We will be doing a variety of penguin activities this week to learn about the different types of penguins and where they live in the world. We will also finally make our goal dragons that we didn't get to the first week! Things and Dates to Remember: M 9/29-F 10/3: Ms. M. OUT--Camp Arroyo chaperone with Carlo (my oldest) M 10/6: Early Release 12:10 T 10/14: Dragons Assembly 8:30 & 1:10 *WE PERFORM!* F 10/24: Trick-a-Door in PM (Time TBA) F 10/31: Halloween Parade 8:30 Help We Need: I could use some volunteers to level my books for AR; this is a job that can be done at home. I also can use prizes for the prize box. As an FYI, many of the kids really liked the Chocolate Fix game we played in math centers last week. It is made by Think Fun and their games are carried at Cooleykatz Toys here in Livermore on 2nd Street. Thanks, Ms. M. 9/8-9/12 Math: This week in centers we will take facts tests, do Math Facts in a Flash on the computer, make a penguin glyph, create new shapes using 4 right triangles, play a logic game called Chocolate Fix, and do addition/subtraction versatiles. We will also continue with Saxon Math. Language Arts: This week students will take the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) with Ms. M., do Scholastic News and SRA, do spelling and vocabulary pages to go with our Open Court story, and listen to Where's the Big Bad Wolf? and make a follow-up bookmark. Other: We will be making Rockhopper penguins, and decorating shoes for our summer writing covers. Things and Dates to Remember: Early Release: M 9/8 12:10 Homework Begins: F 9/12 Help We Need: The volunteer schedule starts Monday 9/8. If you would like to volunteer for something, especially an open slot, please email me at lmorgan@lvcs.org or skias4@comcast.net. I will also put the hard copy of the Volunteer Sign Up on the clipboard outside the classroom. Math Centers: 9:10-10:00 M: Aimee Yamamoto & Marilyn Dykstra T: Minerva McKenzie & Yayoi DaCosta W: Neelu Bansal Th: Maggie Lloyd F: Patti Koning & Rebecca Moore Literacy Centers: 10:45-11:30 (Ending time changed from 12:05) M: Neelu Bansal T: OPEN W: Samantha Leggat Th: Saeko Joba-Mount F: OPEN Spelling: Friday AM Minerva McKenzie & Diana Moseley Library: Wednesday 10:25-10:50 Samantha Leggat & Marilyn Dykstra Clerical: Day & Time at your Convenience! Yayoi DaCosta Vineeta Kak Book Orders: Neelu Bansal Friday Folders: Michelle Beringer Diana Moseley PTO Parent Liaison: Maggie Lloyd Room Parents: Michelle Beringer Aimee Yamamoto Minerva McKenzie Crab Feed Basket: Diana Moseley Patti Royster Memory Books: Neelu Bansal Michelle Beringer Minerva McKenzie Thanks, Ms. M. 9/2-9/5 Math: This week we will be doing a September quilt square and glyph, playing a measurement game, and doing addition/subtraction versatiles. We will also be taking facts tests and playing math war. This year, everyone will begin again on the addition to 5 test; the time limit for second grade is now 2 minutes due to the third grade teachers' expectation with facts. This year we are also using Saxon Math as our math text. The first and second grade teachers have decided to go back to Saxon as we feel the vocabulary and spiral curriculum are excellent for our grade levels. As always, Saxon will be more of a review and math centers will carry the bulk of math instruction. Language Arts: In second grade, we will do Scholastic News and SRA as centers each week. Scholastic News will have a section to read and answer questions, and will often correspond to current events. SRA is a reading selection with comprehension questions; they start out easy and get harder. I will advance students in SRA as they answer without errors. We are also taking the STAR test on the computer, listening to The Sandcastle Contest and doing a favorite part follow-up paper, and doing a reading comprehension packet on penguins. Other: Last week we wrote paragraphs about our summer vacations. This week, we are taking one event from our summers and using a mind map to expand details about that event. We will then turn our mind maps into a new paragraph. Things and Dates to Remember: Back to School Night: T 9/2 6:30 MPR Early Release: M 9/8 12:10 Homework Begins: F 9/12 Our PE day is TUESDAY. Make sure your child wears appropriate attire and footwear on that day. Help We Need: Remember to sign up at BTS Night to volunteer. I will post the Volunteer Schedule outside the classroom and on the website for next week. Volunteer times will begin M 9/8. Thanks, Ms. M.