Classroom News

December News.......

     Welcome to December.  Like November, we have a short month with much to 
get done.

     First marking period report cards have been issued.  I am looking 
forward to meeting with all of you at conferences. If you are unable to make 
either date and would like to meet with me, please call, email or write me a 
note and I will be more than happy to meet with you before or after school 
on a day that is mutually convenient.  If you are unable to attend in 
person, I will be happy to have a telephone conference as well.  I would 
like to state the fact that the first marking period is mostly review of 
first grade material. The following marking periods will become more 
difficult for your child as new skills and concepts are introduced.  As the 
year progresses, your child will be responsible to apply these skills in 
their writings in all subject areas.  Please continue to review with your 
child, basic math facts, sentence structure and reading comprehension.  The 
more solid his/her foundation is, the easier new concepts and ideas will be.

     This month brings with it a new Social Studies unit entitled, "Holidays 
Around the World".  The entire Second Grade will be studying different 
countries and cultures.  One of the projects that will be required is for 
your child to make a homemade holiday ornament that will be displayed on our 
holiday tree in the school lobby.  This project will be counted towards 
their Social Studies grade.  Instructions will be going home with all the 
particulars.

     Our schoolwide "Fall Into Books" program has ended.  I would like to 
congratulate all of our students that participated in this reading program.  
It was a job WELL DONE!!  Also our class has read over 200 books for a 
Scholastics Reading Program which will be donating 1 MILLION books to kids in 
need. FANTASTIC!!
 
     Scholastic Book orders for December will be going home soon.  
Thank you for supporting our class by allowing your child to purchase from 
Scholastics.  The more we purchase, the more points we accumulate, which 
allows me to purchase additional books for our classroom library as well as 
individual books for your child.

     By this time, students should be comfortable doing book reports.  They 
know what to expect and what is expected of them.  All books for reports 
should be chapter books, unless otherwise noted.  This is why it is 
important that I approve ALL books.  If you have a problem with any of the 
books your child is reading, please let me know.  Due to the busy month 
ahead, there will be no December book report.

     Our Holiday Shop will be taking place this month.  As soon as I have a 
date I will update our calendar.  Notices will be going home as a reminder as 
well. Like last year, items will range from $1.00 to $10.00 and there will be 
parent volunteers to assist your child in making his/her purchases.

     December is also a month for giving.  This month our school is 
requesting donations of nonperishable food items that we will donate to the 
local food bank.  A notice will be going home. 
 
     Lastly, I would like to wish you and your family a very healthy and 
happy holiday season. By continuing to work together, your child can do 
nothing BUT SUCCEED!!!