December 11, 2025

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, and used models and equations to solve word problems.

BRING SACK LUNCH TO SCHOOL:  Next Friday, December 19, students will need to bring a sack lunch  to school.  (Milk will be provided.)  Students will be eating lunch with their 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 18 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:  St. Malachy students are welcome to join in on some Christmas-themed fun next week if they wish:

• Monday, December 15:  "Dress as a Christmas Character Day!" Dress as a character from a Christmas movie or TV show
• Tuesday, December 16:  "Christmas Plaid Day!" Wear plaid
• Wednesday, December 17:  "Sunday Christmas Best Day!" Dress up for Mass
• Thursday, December 18:  "Shining Festive and Bright Day!"  Dress in festive and bright Christmas clothing and accessories
• Friday, December 19:  "Christmas Vacation Day!"  Wear an ugly Christmas sweater, Christmas pajamas, etc. to spread Christmas cheer

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:  School will not be in session on Friday, January 2 due to teacher professional development.  School will resume on Monday, January 5.

December 4, 2025

LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed the fairy tale If the Shoe Fits:  Two Cinderella Stories.  We also discussed a video called Those Clever Crows from the New York Times.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with the long /e/ vowel sound as in meet, seat, key, receive, believe, these, and happy, using story vocabulary in context, identifying action verbs in sentences, recognizing and forming compound sentences, describing plot elements in a story, and learning ten new high-frequency words.

MATH:  We took the chapter 5 test over subtracting within 100 using strategies and started chapter 6 over fluently subtracting within 100.  So far students have used place value and models to subtract one and two-digit numbers, subtracted two-digit numbers using partial differences, and broke apart two-digit numbers to make it easier to subtract.

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.

ADVENT ANGELS:  Your child has been paired up with an older student during the Advent season.  This "buddy" is known as their "Advent Angel."  Beginning next week, Advent Angels will get together once each week throughout December for 30 minutes to complete an activity that will help students prepare for the coming of Jesus.  

 Traditionally the Angels will eat a sack lunch together on the last day before the Christmas break (December 19).  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.  We are looking for shower gel or body wash, store bought cookies, and soft candies for the residents this year.  If you are interested in donating, please send the item(s) to school by Friday, December 12.  

SPIRIT DAY:  Tomorrow, December 5 is a Spirit Day at St. Malachy.  Students can pay $1.00 to wear sweat pants or a hat to school.  The money raised will help those in need in our local community.