Announcements

Dear Parents,

                           Happy Autumn to All!
 


  
Religion:  The children made a Prayer Book this week in religion.  I had the 
children think of something that is hard for them to do or something they 
would like to change about themselves.  Then they wrote Dear Jesus on a cross 
and put their choice on the cross.  We brought them to the chapel and placed 
them at the altar as a way to ask Jesus for help with our own crosses in our 
lives.  We continue to discuss what are good and bad behaviors and choices as 
we use the Ten Commandments as our guide.   

Reading and Language Arts: (Reading Groups/Literacy Centers):  During our 
read aloud time I continue to read the chapter book called 26 Fairmount 
Avenue by Tomie DePaola.  
We continue with unit 2.  This week we read the two stories "The Old 
Gollywampus" and "Snakes".  On Monday we read the phonics story "The Old 
Gollywampus" again for guided reading had literacy centers.  On Wednesday 
and Thursday this week we had guided reading groups for the main 
selection "Snakes" and literacy centers. The literacy centers this week 
included the two phonics games Dino Dig and Combining Words which focused on 
compound words.  The other center was "The Adjective Game."  
Not only are the children enjoying the games and centers they're 
working well around the room and being cooperative with one another.

Grammar:  I read a book called Deer/Dear: A Book of Homophones by: Gene 
Barretta. The children continue to add more homophones to their own Homophone 
Book.  The children's homophone books are coming out nicely. We are always 
working on reediting our written work.  
 
Math:  The math is moving along!  This week we continued to work on place 
value, double digit addition and related subtraction and addition facts, 
problem solving.  The children are enjoying working together during their 
guided math groups and centers.  The center games are the same as last week.  
They are all subtraction related. Ask you child the name of their math 
group.  Each Friday Mrs. Ryder will take various groups and work with them on 
their math skills and concepts.  We will continue the guided math centers 
every Friday. 

 
Writing:   Our Polar Bear Books are hanging up in the hall.  The children did 
a fabulous job. They are really working hard and giving more detail to their 
written work.  I am so proud of them all!
This week we also wrote an acrostic poem about November is a time for... 
S
H
A
R
I
N
G  
They wrote words and phrases about sharing and the month November on a 
cornucopia. We continue to work on all the neccessary steps of the writing 
process in all our writing/s!   In regards to the childrens' writing journal 
it's used for not only Writing Across the Curriculum and the writing process 
that's corrected by the children and myself it's also for free writing and 
reflection.

I continue to monitor their behavior charts each day.  They know that it's 
not a punishment but a way to reflect about their behavior/actions and how to 
improve upon them.  We are always discussing the importance of being good 
listeners, showing kindness to one another, working cooperatively and team 
effort!  I appreciate All your support!      

The children have been working diligently.  As you can see from our daily 
work which comes home, our lessons are many and varied and the curriculum is 
tight.  The children are working hard and putting their best foot forward as 
second graders.  Each and everyone is making great progress.

Just a few reminders: 
1. Please remember to signoff on your child's homework assignment sheet.
2. Report cards will be mailed home next Tuesday, November 24th.  There are a 
few points to remember.  We do not give grades based on numerical grade only. 
Please take into consideration that the beginning of the year is a lot of 
review for the children so their grades will reflect this.  As the year 
progresses, the work will get more challenging and the future grades may 
signal the change in the level of the work the children are getting in second 
grade.      
3. Prayer Service on Wednesday, November 25th at 10:15am
4. Early dismissal at 11:00am on Wednesday, November 25th 

I look forward to discussing your child's progress and/or what your child may 
need in order to help them succeed in all their academics.
Once again, many thanks for ALL your continued support.  If you need to 
meet with me for any reason or have any questions or concerns please don't 
hesitate to get in touch with me either by e-mail, phone or a note.
 
*Next week will be a review week for many of the skills and concepts in our 
language arts and math.  During guided reading we'll read leveled readers and 
our literacy centers will focus on practicing and reinforcing phonics skills.
The children are looking forward to baking bread for the homebound 
parishioners.  Thank you mom volunteers for All your hard work in preparing 
for Monday's baking!  We'll be doing a mini unit on the author Marc Brown.  
The children will be reading some Arthur books, completing a character trait 
web and practicing and performing the play Arthur's Thanksgiving.  It should 
be fun for them!   I wish everyone a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving with 
your family and friends!!   

 
Fondly,
Miss Ablondi