January 24-28th

Last week of January. This month flew on by! A BIG THANK YOU goes to the class. They worked so hard Wednesday and Thursday for MAP testing. Then I had to be out Thursday and Friday because Reese got COVID. She had one bad day, but was fine afterwards. If anything, I think she's dying of boredom. 

The kids are troopers and I thank them for their flexibility. I'm thankful this coming week is a normal one. 

MAP testing: The kids did awesome! I will share the results with the kids this week and then send home the results. 

Math

We are still working on word problems. Last week we worked on multi step addition problems. This week we will work on subtraction and mixed multi step word problems. We will have a math PSA (priority standard assessment) on the computer. This is a district test and will cover the material the kids have learned in the past month. 

Reading

We are currently on bend three of our reading unit. We are working on meeting the challenges of longer books. Students will continue to stop jot to share thinking, write down any confusions, etc. In small group, I'll review expectations for active discussion. 

Writing

The kids are working step by step on their persuasive letters. Last week the kids worked on writing their lead and events of the story. This week the kids will add text examples to support their claim. 

Social Studies

Natural disasters! 

January 18-21st

It's a short week with a lot going on. 

Tuesday- Garden day

Wednesday- Reading MAP test @ 8:15

Thursday- Math MAP test @ 8:15

Math 

This week we are getting into multi-step word problems. Students will see word problems where they have multiple numbers they need to work with or need to do multiple steps in order to solve the problem. We will have lots of practice with word problems this week. 

MAP- I will have a talk with the kids about math strategies. Please encourage them to work out the problems on scratch paper when needed. 

Reading

This is a fun week. The kids will work in their small groups to work on question stems to help hold their thinking when their books get longer. We will also work on active discussion skills to help us have meaningful discussions around books. 

Writing

The kids are slowly writing their opinion letters around a book. They are working on their letters bit by bit. This week they will work on the retelling of their letter without spoiling the ending. 

Science 

Let's talk about the weather! We are talking about weather tools and tracking the weather. 

January 10-14th

 Hi Parents, 

This week is a little bit wonky with the upper grades testing for MAP. Originally, second grade was scheduled to MAP test this week, but with all the logistics, we will test the week of the 17th. 

We have a schedule change this week, but that just means the kids will have specials in the morning instead of the afternoon. 

Remember we will have a half day on Thursday. 

Math

This week we will name different kinds of word problems. We will work on part/part/whole, comparing, start unknown, etc. The kids have been good so far identifying key words to help them identify the correct operation. My main goal is for the kids to match the correct bar model to the correct problem and understand what the question is asking. 

Reading 

This week our focus is on literary language. We will name and notice different types of literary language and discuss what the author really means. During reader's workshop, book clubs will be up and running again. 

Writing

We are writing about our reading. The kids are learning to form an opinion about their characters and supporting their opinion with examples from the text. Lessons will focus on writing to our audience, retelling important parts, and using a checklist to set goals. 

Snap words: Snap word test on Friday 

Social Studies

Maps! The kids will learn/or review parts of a map. 

January 4th-7th

 Welcome back!

Happy New Year! I'm wishing everyone the best for the 2022 year. I spent the first half of the break with COVID. I had mild symptoms but having to quarantine was not so fun. Luckily, my family and I tested negative right before Christmas so we could spend time with family. 

We will slowly ease into things this week. I haven't seen the kids in forever and want to spend some time just catching up and bonding. With that said, we do have curriculum we need to get to. 

Library- we do not have library this week, but I can send students in small groups to check out new books. 

MAP- Heads up, we will have MAP testing next week. Tuesday will be math and Wednesday will be reading.

Math

We are diving into mixed word problems. This week I will talk through my thinking when working on word problems. The kids now will have to figure out what operation to use by looking at key words and understanding what the problem is asking.  

Reading

We are starting a brand new unit called "Bigger Books Mean Amping Up Our Reading Power" We will review the importance of tracking our thinking, how to hold on to the story line as our books are getting longer, etc. I definitely want to spend some time reading and building our reading stamina. I'm sure there have been lots of fun things planned over the break so reading took a step aside. 

Writing

We are moving on to opinion writing. We will discuss the difference from fact and opinion and work on making claims. 

Science

This week is natural and man made resources. 

November 29th- December 17th

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving week. It was nice to sleep in and enjoy time with family. I love that we are about to be in December. Love this time of year! 

 The next three weeks are going to go by quickly! We have a lot going on. 

Dates: 

December 7th we have our first field trip to the Altharetta Yeargin Art Musuem. This museum is walking distance to the school. I will send field trip forms this week with more details. 

Dress Up days for 12/13- 12/17th

• Monday, Dec. 13th - Holiday Headgear
• Tuesday, Dec. 14th - Favorite Holiday Character
• Wednesday, Dec. 15th - Crazy Holiday Sweater
• Thursday, Dec. 16th - PJs

Friday, Dec. 17th (early release at noon) - Winter Holiday Parties/Festive Party Wear 

Math

We will spend the rest of the three weeks over subtraction with regrouping. The kids need to be able to subtract in all place values. Most of my teaching will be in word problems. Please have your child practice their math facts up to 20. Example: 18-9= or 12-5=?  Some kiddos have been pretty good with their math facts. If they are looking for a challenge, they can practice skip counting by threes and fours to get ready for multiplication in the spring. 

Reading

We will spend some time in traditional literature. The kids will learn the characteristics of this genre and know the different kinds of traditional literature. This is a fun genre! I'm finishing up my mid year running records. Please know once the kids get in the higher levels  (K and up) they will spend a good while in these levels so they can dig deeper and work on their comprehension. 

Writing

We are finishing up our poetry unit. The kids are having a lot of fun listening to different kinds of poetry and writing them. 

Science

Get our those dusty rocks. I never knew that teaching rocks could be so exciting for the kids, but they love this unit. We will discuss the properties, how are they similar and different, etc. Feel free to have the kiddos bring any cool rocks they may have.  

November 8-12

It's carnival week! The second grade team just realized this is the first carnival for many of the students. I know they're super excited. 

We are FINALLY having library on Thursday. Please have your child bring their library book. Most have already turned them in. 

Weekly News

Math

We are continuing with addition with regrouping. I will spend this week looking at word problems that require the students to add multiple addends. We will have an addition test on Thursday or Friday. (I'm thinking Friday is going to be crazy with the carnival so Thursday might be a better day for us) Here's an example the students might see on the test. 

Ex: Wilchester has a total of 617 students, Rummel Creek has 452 students at their campus, and Frostwood has 729 students total. How many students are there if all three schools combined their number of students? 

I've been stressing to the kids to show their work and what "show their work" looks like. I know they know how to solve the problems, but they need to know how to solve it in different ways (pictorial or expanded) as well as drawing a part/part whole. 

Reading

I'm getting ready to start my mid year formal running records. Running records is how I test their reading levels. I've been meeting with the kids individually last week and this week to get them to practice how to give a retelling and having them read out loud in front of me. Official running records will start on Friday. 

Snap Words: test next week on Friday. Words cover the soft g and c sounds we discussed in class last week. 

Writing

We are continuing with poetry. The kids received a poetry book today which they were very excited about. They will work on a different kind of poem each day. My lessons will focus on line breaks, stanzas, etc. 

Social Studies

This week we are discussing Native American Indians. We will learn about different tribes around America. 

We will make totem poles on Friday. Please have your child bring a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll by Friday.  If you happen to have extras, please bring them. 

November 1-5th

Wow, can't believe November is here. Bring on the pumpkin bread and sweaters. We have our November Rock N' Roll this Friday. I apologize, but I will not be here. Katy ISD does not have school on Friday and I need to be home with my children. 

The kids have worked hard on their non fiction writing. I plan to have their writing on their desk Friday morning so you all can spend some time reading them. 

Library Thursday! 

Here's the news for the week. 

Math

I'm impressed in how well the kids are doing with addition with regrouping. I definitely need to make sure I'm challenging them. Not only are we working with addition, but we are also working on word problems. The kids have been introduced to a new problem solving graphic organizer. This allows them to draw a picture, solve them problem, and check their answers using different methods. 

Reading

We have moved on to a new unit. We are working on strategies to tackle tricky words. We have also started a new read aloud, "How to Eat Fried Worms" The kids did a great job at telling me what good readers do before they start reading. 

Writing

Where are all my poets? What a fun genre to study. This unit allow the kids to show me their outside of the box thinking. We are discussing how we can look at things differently using our poets eyes. 

Snap word test on Friday! 

Science

What a fun week it has been. The kids have had many fun experiments so far. Making mazes, catapult stations, etc. We will continue the fun this week. Vocabulary words for force and motion: motion, position, force, rolling, sliding, spinning, direction, etc.  

We have garden day tomorrow. Please make sure your child dresses appropriately.