I am so looking forward to teaching your children this year. It’ll be so exciting to work with each child and watch as they grow academically, spiritually and socially. The first few weeks of school are an adjustment. So, we spend quite a bit of time on learning/practicing routines, working together in our workbooks, on worksheets, etc. to make everyone as comfortable as possible. We may continue this a bit more into September. Then, more independent work is expected.
Second grade is filled with so many new and exciting things to learn. Please be sure to check the 2nd grade page often. I will update this page bi-monthly with new information. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email. I do find that email is the easiest form of communication. Here is a quick link for you.
As mentioned in the handout from the open house evening, we have begun a new program called Super Kids. This program incorporates spelling, phonics, grammar, reading, and writing. The first 2 weeks are a review. We will have a spelling test the week of September 4. We’ve reviewed short and long vowel sounds, learned about 3 distinct types of sentences, and practiced writing complete sentences correctly. We read 4 different short texts, including 2 fiction pieces in the form of a letter and 2 nonfiction pieces. We’ve also written our first journal piece for our journal folders. Journaling is a free creative writing time. We will talk about sentence structure, adding details, and editing, of course. However, the journals will not be graded. I want to encourage writing for the love of writing.
This past week, we have been working on Simple Solutions during morning time for math practice and learning the routine. We also began Chapter 1 of GoMath, which has us working on place value of 2-digit numbers, even/odd numbers, and values of digits in a 2-digit number. There will be Math homework most nights, Monday – Thursday. Your child should be practicing their math facts each night, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Maybe you can do this while driving home or standing in line at the grocery store. When it comes to homework, I just need the PRACTICE & HOMEWORK page back. The top right corner on one side will say Practice & Homework CH#.Lesson#. All the papers that we did in school may stay home.
In Religion, we began to talk about how Jesus was not only human but divine. We listened to stories that showed how divine he was. We talked about the three persons in one God. Next week, we will read a book about an apple to help understand the Blessed Trinity. On Fridays, we may occasionally read the upcoming Sunday Gospel to prepare the children for Sunday Mass. You’ll then see Worship Bulletins coming home based on the Gospel. That is not homework. We use them as a fun review of the Gospel reading.
This week, we began looking at how scientists work. We discussed various inquiry skills and tools used by scientists. We are actually almost done with Science Unit 1. We will have a test late next week, but it will be an open book test so that I can show them what a science test will look like, how to study for future tests, how to answer the questions, etc. They do NOT need to study anything for this test. After that, we will start to talk about technology in our world and the design process.
- There is no school on Monday, September 4th, as we celebrate Labor Day.
- Look for the Homework Sheet on Tuesday next week, since we have no school on Monday. It will show not only homework but other important information as well.
- Fall Fest begins on Thursday, September 7 through Sunday, September 10. I look forward to seeing you there next week!
- I’m seeing glasses in desks and backpacks. If your child has glasses that he/she should be wearing all day (minus recess & gym) please send me a quick email so that I can be sure they are wearing them.