September 11, 2025

LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed Being a Good Citizen and The Great Puppy Invasion.  Being a Good Citizen is an informational text while The Great Puppy Invasion is a fantasy.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with short "o," "u," and "e," identifying adjectives in sentences, using story vocabulary in context, identifying complete sentences, putting words in sentences in the correct order (subject first--predicate last), identifying the consonant-vowel-consonant pattern in words, identifying run-on sentences, and learning ten new high-frequency words. 

MATH:  Students have been using addition and subtraction to solve word problems, and adding and subtracting using mental math strategies.  We took the chapter 1 test today and will begin chapter 2 over working with equal groups tomorrow.

RELIGION:  We have been discussing the sacrament of Baptism and the symbols used in Baptism (holy water, holy oil, Baptismal candle, and white clothing). 

BOOK ORDERS:  I am enclosing book orders in today's take home folder.  Book orders are due next Friday, September 19 if you are interested in ordering.  If you don't see a book you're looking for in the flyer, there are many books for students at all reading levels online at clubs.scholastic.com.   You are not limited to ordering only the books in the flyer being sent home.  To order online, our class code is LJWD4.  

CHROMEBOOKS:  The second graders will be using their Chromebooks with two math programs called "Xtra Math" and "EnVision Math."  Both programs will be used to help increase overall understanding of grade level math concepts and cover essential concepts including number sense, operations, place value, and problem solving. Students will also be using their Chromebooks with Code.  Code is a program that provides opportunities for students to learn computer science.  Students will also have the opportunity to practice keyboarding skills with a program we are using called "Typetastic," and will practice various language arts, science, and social studies skills with "Seesaw."  Throughout the school year students will be using their Chromebooks for many other different learning opportunities as well.

FIELD TRIP:  The K-4 field trip to Green Valley State Park on Monday, September 15 is quickly approaching.  Just a reminder to have your child bring a sack lunch and a drink that day.  Let's hope for great weather!

PTO MEETNG:  There will be a PTO meeting next Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00 P.M. 

September 4, 2025

LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed We Are Super Citizens and Clark the Shark.  We Are Super Citizens is a personal narrative while Clark the Shark is a fantasy.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with short "a" and "i," using story vocabulary in context, identifying the subject and predicate in a sentence, blending and decoding words with a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, identifying action verbs in a sentence, identifying the setting of a story, recognizing antonyms (words that have opposite meanings,) and learning ten new high-frequency words.

MATH:   Our first chapter is over fluently adding and subtracting within 20.  This week students used number patterns on an addition table to complete addition equations, counted on and back on a number line to subtract, and used addition to help with subtraction facts.

SPELLING:  Your child brought home a list of words for week 1 on Tuesday.  We have been working on our spelling words at school, but any help from home with studying the words would be greatly appreciated! We will take the spelling post test over our week 1 words tomorrow, September 5.  The post test will be sent home each Friday so you can see how your child scored.

SCIENCE:  Our first unit is called "engineering design process."  So far students discussed how things we use and see in our everyday lives, such as ramps, phones, and even a stapler can be used to solve a problem.  They explored how an engineer defines a problem and solves it by using steps in a design process.  The steps are:  Define a problem, plan and build, test and improve, redesign, and communicate.

SOCIAL CONTRACT:   In last week's newsletter I mentioned that the second grade would be creating a social contract, an agreement of behavior for the class to follow.  Below is the social contract the second graders created:

• help others
• be respectful/polite
• include others
• be kind
• share/take turns
• listen to others
• be responsible
• follow the Golden Rule (treat others the way you want to be treated)

The second graders signed the above social contract to state that they would honor it.  They understand that there are consequences for not following the social contract they helped to create.

SPIRIT DAY:  Tomorrow, September 5 is a Spirit Day.  Students can pay $1.00 to wear a hat or  sweatpants to school if they wish.  The money raised helps those in  need in our local community.  Students can also wear their Cyclone or Hawkeye shirt to support their favorite Iowa team for the upcoming Cy-Hawk game!!

First Day of School

 

Super Second Graders

 

August 28, 2025

WELCOME TO SECOND GRADE:  Another great school year is beginning and I am thrilled to be a part of it.  We are going to have an excellent year, and I'll do my best to keep you informed about events, student progress, and school subjects throughout the year.

WEEKLY TAKE HOME FOLDERS:  Your child’s school work as well as other notes or letters from the office will be sent home EACH THURSDAY in a folder so you can see what your child has been working on.   Inside will be a sheet for you to sign and write any comments you’d like.  PLEASE return the folder to school EACH FRIDAY. 

STAR READER OF THE WEEK:  Each Friday students will take turns being the "Star Reader of the Week."  The "Star Reader" will read a favorite story from home to the class.  I will let you know in advance when your child will be the "Star Reader."

SHOW AND SHARE:  Each second grade student will have an assigned "Show and Share" day of the week.  When it is your child's show and share day, please have him/her bring ONE item from home that he/she would like to share with the class.  Please look in next week's take home folder for when his/her show and share day will be each week.

Please do not bring live pets/animals for sharing.  Some students have allergies, and pets can get excited in a different setting.  If your child would like to share about his/her pet, pictures may be brought in to share with the class.

SCHEDULING INFORMATION:  Mondays and Thursdays are P.E. days.  Tuesdays and Fridays are music days.  Wednesdays are school Mass/dress up days.  We will also have library on Thursdays.

BIRTHDAYS:  We will celebrate your child's birthday in our classroom.  Summer birthdays may be celebrated on your child's half birthday or at the end of the school year...whichever you prefer.

As stated in the family handbook, birthday treats are to be:

• STORE BOUGHT
• INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED
• ONE SERVING
• NO CUPCAKES FROM A BAKERY/STORE ( These are not individually wrapped and are very difficult to hand out.)

Please note that refrigeration is not provided, so plan accordingly if you are wanting to bring a treat that needs to be kept cold/frozen.

Please do not send birthday invitations to school to be passed out.  It is difficult to know whether each child will get the invitation home.  Please mail or email birthday invitations to ensure their guaranteed arrival.

GETTING HOME AFTER SCHOOL:  As part of our morning routine, students will let me know how they are getting home after school.  If you have a change in transportation plans for your child that is different from the usual plans, please send a note with your child or call the school office so that I will know for sure how your child is planning on going home.  A note or phone call will better assure that your child will be where he/she needs to be after school.

LIBRARY TIME: The second graders will have library check out on Thursdays.

SOCIAL CONTRACT:  The second graders will soon be creating an agreement of behavior called a "social contract."  While building our social contract students will think about how they want to be treated by each other, the teacher, and how we treat each other when there is a conflict.  The goal in creating a social contract is to have a self-managing group where students think about how they should treat others.  More information about our second grade social contract will come in future newsletters.

KEEP IN TOUCH:  Please feel free to stop in and visit anytime.  I am looking forward to working with your child this year!