Second Grade Update – Week of 3/25

Dear Second Grade Families, 

Happy Friday!

This week we visited the Alameda Food Bank. Students asked some great questions and were surprised about how many ways the food bank serves this community, including food pantries at local schools, food delivery to seniors and those with disabilities, and providing items that aren’t even food – like diapers! This trip built upon discussions we’ve had as a class about the issue of food insecurity. Read-alouds like “The Last Stop on Market Street” and “The Lunch Thief” have also helped us reflect on the importance of almsgiving, not just during Lent, but the whole year round. We are reminded that as good citizens and Catholics, we are called to serve others who need help and be grateful for our many blessings. Thank you to the drivers and chaperones who made the trip possible – Mr. Lane, Mrs. Calderon, Mrs. Gudgiersson, Ms. Besen, Mr. Escobar, Ms. Lobo, Mr. Ravichandran, Mr. Hall, and  Ms. DeMoulin!

Next week, we observe Holy Week by walking the Stations of the Cross, (prepared by the fifth graders) and participating in a Seder meal with our faith families. We honor Jesus’s sacrifice by reflecting on our own choices and considering how we can be even more like Jesus. Our goal is to model our lives after his – loving and serving those around us, being merciful, learning from our mistakes, and using all the gifts we’ve been given. Along those lines, please remember to have your child bring in their Rice Bowls with any donations they have collected/made.

Below is our second grade learning update.

Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:

• Reading – 
  • As we have just finished our most recent book clubs, we will pause reading groups until after break and use the time to do individual student check-ins and assessments. 
  • At night, students should read aloud to practice fluent reading skills. Please encourage your child to observe punctuation, read at a good pace, and read the words as they appear in the text (no deletions or substitutions).
• Grammar/Spelling – In Superkids, students will practice with irregular plural nouns (ex., woman to women, child to children, mouse to mice). They should practice their spelling words for homework so they are prepared for the quiz on Friday.
• Writing – We will delve into the world of poetry and the types of descriptive language poets use. In coming weeks, students will use alliteration to write a piece about an imaginary land they’d love to visit.
• Math – The class will begin studying the concept of area. 
• Religion – Students continue to learn about the Liturgy of the Word with a focus on the readings, the homily, and the prayers of the faithful. 
• Social Studies –We will revisit why communities, states, and nations need laws. Students will connect to our nation’s history – why certain laws from the past needed to be changed and how citizens have worked together for positive change over time. Students will create a flip book to share the purpose and importance of laws in our communities.
• Science – This week, we will explore plant adaptations that help them survive and thrive in certain environments.

Other Updates for this Week:

• Homework – I will not assign any homework next week. Please have your student continue to read at night AND over break! 🙂
• Rice Bowls – Please turn in any Rice Bowl donations by Wednesday! Thank you for your generosity to those in need!
• Dates to Remember:
  • Wednesday, Mar. 27 – Noon Dismissal
  • Thursday, Mar. 28 – No School: Holy Thursday
  • Friday, Mar. 29 – No School: Good Friday
  • Apr. 1-5 – No School: Easter Break

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to seeing our students on Monday!

All the best,
Catherine