Second Grade Update

Dear Second Grade Families, 

I hope this message finds you all enjoying the weekend! 🙂

Last week, we were blessed to welcome a celebrated author to Zoom, Ms. DyAnne DiSalvo. She has written/illustrated over 50 children’s books, had her works included on TV’s Reading Rainbow, and even worked with Beverly Cleary! In addition to her read-aloud, she shared messages with our students about caring for those around us in our community, sticking to things even when they are tough, and finding inspiration in our daily interactions. We were so lucky she could join us, and she even offered to come again for a writer’s workshop!

Additionally, we have a few other special visits in the coming weeks: Ms. Andie from Alameda Library this week, and author Anne Bromley (“The Lunch Thief”) next Tuesday, 5/4. 🙂

Below is our weekly update:

Focus Areas for Our Learning:

• Reading – We will conclude our book clubs this week. Students will identify changes in characters from the beginning to the end of the story and practice summarizing key events. Students will also practice reading fluently (accuracy, pace, and expression).
• Grammar/Spelling – In Superkids, students will practice with compound words and pronouns.
• Writing – Students will continue practicing letters of the alphabet in cursive. Students will complete research and start drafting their informational piece about an animal of their choice.
• Math –Students continue to practice interpreting the language of story problems so that they can develop accurate solutions. Students will begin exploring the area of shapes and practice quantifying area with different units.
• Religion – Students continue to learn about the different parts of the Mass with a focus on the Concluding Rites. For many students, we excitedly anticipate the special celebration of First Holy Communion on Saturday!
• Science – The class will continue our unit on plant adaptations and celebrate a great American botanist and inventor, George Washington Carver with a read-aloud and discussion.
• Social Studies – We continue our unit about government, and specifically why we need laws.

Other Updates for this Week:

• Dates to remember:
  • April 27th: Fun Run Kick-Off
  • April 30th: Spirit Day – “Pajama-Stuffy-Video Game Day!” (Students may wear pajamas, anything related to video games, and/or bring a stuffy.🥳)
  • May 11th: Fun Run!
  • May 26th: All School Mass – Feast of St. Philip Neri
  • May 28th: Noon Dismissal (distance learning day)

Key Documents/Links (master file attached – please print):

• Schedule –
  • Monday – Zoom with Ms. Andie from the library at 1pm. Read-aloud will be followed by a simple craft, and students should have the following at their station:
    • 1 white paper plate (we will give them in class)
    • 4-5 cotton balls (we will give them in class)
    • Elmer’s glue (we will give them in class)
    • colored pencils, markers, or crayons, 
    • scissors
    • stapler or tape
  • Friday – Pajama/Stuffy/Video Game Spirit Day; There are no reading groups.
• Weekly Assignment Matrix – Below is work that will be done at home and needs to be brought to school:
  • Earth Day Art and Writing, (Monday, 4/26, if not already turned in)
  • Become a Writing Superstar (Thursday, 4/29)
  • Two Digit Subtraction with Regrouping worksheet (Thursday, 4/29)

We look forward to seeing all of our students on Monday!

All the best,
Catherine