Second Grade Update

Dear Second Grade Families,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful break with family and friends, and I’m excited to start the new decade with your children!

January is a great month that culminates with our week-long celebration of Catholic Schools! The Oratorical Fest is part of that week, and there are several assignments leading up to it. Please review the information sent home before break and take a look at important dates below to ensure your child is prepared. Thank you!

January also includes the start of a new social studies unit centered around our government and the change makers who have helped shape our nation. To support our learning, we are excited to welcome Ms. Andie Cultrera again! She visits from the Alameda Public Library and will share a read aloud and activity to support our social studies focus. We are grateful to have her! 🙂

Below are other important updates and dates to remember:

• What We Are Learning
  • English Language Arts
    • Word Work – reading and encoding pattern words with -ight, -aught, -ought as well as ph/f/ and gh/f/
    • Reading – beginning SUPER magazine; developing skills to support reading informational text (sequencing events, using table of contents and parts of a book/magazine to locate information)
    • Writing – finalizing fictional narratives
  • Math – selecting and using the appropriate tool for measuring the length of an object; practicing strategies for addition/subtraction within 100
  • Social Studies – learning key vocabulary to support unit on government and change makers (citizen, law, vote, President, Congress, tax, leader, etc.)
  • Science – understanding that materials have a set of unique properties that determine their use
  • Religion – learning about the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide

• Important Dates/Events This Week 
  • Friday, Jan. 10th – Oratorical Fest selections due
  • Monday, Jan. 13th – Free dress for January birthdays
  • Friday, Jan. 17th – Staff training day – NO SCHOOL
  • Monday, Jan. 20th – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL
  • Jan. 21st/22nd – Oratorical Fest in-class presentations (all pieces need to be memorized and ready to be presented)
  • Sunday, Jan. 26th – Open House
  • Jan. 27th-31st – Catholic Schools Week
  • Friday, Jan. 31st – Noon dismissal

• Weekly Reflections:
  • Quote of the Week – “Your success and happiness lies in you.” Helen Keller
  • Music Piece of the Week – “Feel This Moment” – Pitbull and Christina Aguilera; “Take On Me” – A-Ha

With gratitude,
Mrs. Suer