Dear Second Grade Families,
Happy Friday!
This week your second graders successfully practiced small reading groups. Students did a nice job of thoughtfully contributing to group conversations, demonstrating respect for peers, and working independently when they were not in a group with Mrs. Serles or myself. Well done, second graders!
Another highlight was students’ attention to detail, careful observations, and inquisitive minds during science! They each chose an object from nature, used magnifying glasses to examine it closely, and developed questions about its structure, color, texture, etc. They noticed so much, and we agreed that people can be scientists at ANY age! 🙂
Below is our weekly update:
Focus Areas for Our Learning:
- Reading – Students will begin our first Book Club! Book Club is done in our small reading groups, using chapter books that are appropriate for each group. This is a great way to differentiate instruction and meet students where they are at! 🙂 Students will practice fluent reading (reading at an appropriate pace with accuracy and expression). They will identify genre, characters, setting, and beginning plot.
- Grammar/Spelling – In Superkids, students will wrap up our review of first grade skills and practice using the “sh”, “ch”, and “tch” spelling patterns.
- Writing – Students will practice writing a focused paragraph of at least five sentences. We will review topic sentences, supporting details, and closing sentences. Students will pay special attention to using capitals at the beginning of sentences and end marks at the end.
- Math –The class will identify odd and even numbers and be able to demonstrate mathematical reasoning. Students will also practice counting by 5s, comparing 2-digit numbers and solving word problems.
- Religion – Students learn about the two main parts of the Bible – the Old Testament and New Testament, and take a closer look at the Book of Psalms and the four Gospels. We reflect on how we can be good disciples of Jesus by showing hospitality to all because everyone is a child of God and “all are welcome”! 🙂
- Science – The class will start our unit on how the Earth changes over short and long periods of time. This week, we will develop a paper model of the Earth’s surface and use it to discover an important principle about rivers.
- Social Studies – Students will discuss the concepts of family history and traditions. Ways you can support your child are to have conversations about how your family came to settle in the Bay Area, your family traditions, and stories of their ancestors.
Other Updates for this Week:
- Headphones – Please make sure you have sent a pair of headphones to school with your child. We are using these regularly now.
- Snack – Children really work up an appetite in second grade! Please send a daily snack that they can have at morning recess.
- Tardy Bell – Please note: This week, Ms. Thomas gave all students a reminder that the 8:00 bell is when students should be IN line. If they arrive after this bell, they will need to be marked tardy.
- Safe Bodies – We have had multiple conversations, both as a class and at times with smaller groups of students, about the need to keep hands/feet/bodies to ourselves. Several children have already gotten hurt because not all students are being mindful of their bodies. I ask that all families have a quick conversation to reiterate the importance of this rule at school. It applies at all times – at recess, in line, in the classroom, etc. Thank you for your support.
- Dates to remember:
- Tuesday, Sept. 21st: Free Dress for Sept. B-Days!
- Friday, Sept. 24th: No School, Staff Development Day
- Saturday, Sept. 25th: Parish Fun Fair
- Wednesday, Sept. 29th: Noon Dismissal, Teacher PD
- October 5th-8th: Noon Dismissals for Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences (These can be via Zoom or in-person, and I will be sending an October Conference Form out to you on Tuesday, the 14th.)
We look forward to seeing our students on Monday!
All the best,
Catherine
