December 14, 2023

LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed Wilma Rudolph:  Against All Odds and Great Leaders.  Wilma Rudolph:  Against All Odds is a biography while Great Leaders is an opinion article.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with long /i/ (i, ie, igh, y, i_e) as in iron, pie, right, fly, and bike, capitalizing the first letter in the names of the days of the week, months of the year, and holidays, decoding words with the prefix "dis," identifying statements of fact and opinion, using story vocabulary in context, and learning ten new high-frequency words.

MATH:  We took the chapter 7 test over fluently subtracting with in 100 and started chapter 7 over solving more problems involving addition and subtraction.  So far students have modeled problems using equations with unknowns in any position and used drawings and equations to make sense of the words in problems.

SECOND GRADE MASS:  The second grade class is in charge of the school Mass next Wednesday, December 20. Please look for a note in today's take home folder to see what special part your child will have in our Mass.  Mass begins at 9:15 in the school gym.  We hope to see you there if you are able to come!

BRING SACK LUNCH TO SCHOOL:  Next Friday, December 22, students will need to bring a sack lunch  to school.  (Milk will be provided.)  Students will be eating lunch with the Advent Angels that day.  After lunch, students will sing Christmas carols with their Advent Angels as well.

SPELLING:  We will be having a "Review Week" in spelling next week.  All 16 spelling words will be words students have had in previous weeks.

TAKE HOME FOLDERS/BLOG:  Take home folders will not be sent home next Thursday, December 21 due to the upcoming Christmas vacation, and there will not be a second grade newsletter posted on my blog.  Any important notes from the office will be sent home in your child's backpack.

CHRISTMAS FUN:  The teachers and staff are going to show their Christmas spirit by dressing in certain themes before Christmas vacation.  St. Malachy students are welcome to join in on the fun if they wish! Here are more details:

• Monday, December 18:  "Grinch Day!" Wear green
• Tuesday, December 19:  "Long Winter's Nap Day!" Winter pajama day
• Wednesday, December 20:  "Holiday Best/Dress to Impress Day!"  Dress up for Mass
• Thursday, December 21:  "Dress Up as Your Favorite Christmas Carol Day!" 
• Friday, December 22:  "Christmas Sweater Day!" Wear your best/ugliest Christmas sweater & accessories

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:  School will not be in session on Tuesday, January 2 for teacher professional development.  School will resume on Wednesday, January 3, which will be a Mass day.

December 7, 2023

 LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed What's Good to Read and Going Places.  What's Good to Read is an opinion article while Going Places is a fantasy.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with long /o/ as in so, boat, grow, toe, and note, using quotation marks correctly in sentences, decoding words with the suffixes "y," "ly," and "ful," putting words in alphabetical order,  using story vocabulary in context, using a glossary and dictionary to determine meanings of words and phrases, and learning ten new high-frequency words.

MATH:  We subtracted a one or two-digit number from a two-digit number using the standard algorithm, subtracted two-digit numbers using a variety of subtraction strategies, and used models and equations to solve word problems.  

SCIENCE:  We explored how plants depend on animals to spread pollen and learned about horticulturalists (scientists who specialize in growing plants.)  

RELIGION:  We have been discussing Advent.  Students learned that the word "Advent" means "coming."  Students discussed various ways they can prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus during this Advent season.

SCHOOL MASS:  Just a reminder that we will be having school Mass on Friday, December 8 for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Please have your child dress up for Mass tomorrow, December 8.  

ADVENT ANGELS:  In last week's blog I mentioned that your child has been assigned an Advent Angel (an older student in the school).  Traditionally the Angels will eat a sack lunch together on the last day before the Christmas break (December 22).  Also, the Angels usually exchange a small gift with each other.  I wanted to bring this to your attention so that you might help your child purchase a small gift (usually candy).  Please keep the gift under $5.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

COLLECTING ITEMS FOR CARE FACILITIES:  St. Malachy School is collecting items for male and female residents in local care facilities.  Students will be decorating sacks to hold the gifts for the residents.  We are looking for a few small items to put in each sack that could bring some cheer to the residents this holiday season.  Items such as socks, trinkets, lotions, games, books, old movies, etc. make great gift ideas.  If you are interested in donating, please send the items to school by Friday, December 15.