Second Grade Update – Week of 4/22

Dear Second Grade Families, 

Happy weekend!

Students received progress reports earlier this week. This is a great opportunity to check in with your child about what they are doing well and how they can continue to improve.

This week, students have been working on many projects, including shape art and measurement gardens. Both projects were math-based (geometry and measurement) and required students to make mathematical observations about their work and write about these connections. This can be challenging, but it is important to think analytically and learn to write technical pieces. Both projects were good practice!

Next week, students will complete a hero project for homework. (They may not pick a member of their family.) Each student will complete their square for our class hero quilt. Don’t worry – no sewing involved – it’s paper. 🙂 Attached is an example of my square, and their paper squares will be in their homework folders on Monday, due Friday. Quality work is expected.

For background, we have been discussing changemakers in our world throughout our year together. Changemakers are those people who work for positive changes in our communities. They have ideas about how our communities can be better and take action to spread the word, get others inspired and involved, and see their ideas through, even when they face challenges or setbacks. These changemakers are heroes and can be any age, race, religion, social group, etc. 

To help your child with their project, it would be helpful for them to hear about some of your heroes! This is also a great opportunity to share about heroes they may resonate with. Ask them who their heroes are. If they love animals – share about someone like Jane Goodall! If they love sports, share about an inspirational sports figure like Jackie Robinson. If your child is moved to stand up for others, remind them of Rosa Parks. If your child is working on resilience, tell them about Bethany Hamilton. If your child isn’t sure children can be heroes, share about Ruby Bridges. 🙂 If your child loves science or space, share about Galileo. There are so many inspirational people in this world! Please help me expand their knowledge of these individuals.

Below is our second grade learning update.

Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:

• Reading – 
  • In reading groups, students will continue SUPER magazine. They will practice making predictions and personal connections to the articles. As always, there is a focus on reading fluency and speaking and listening skills as we work together in a small group.
  • 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 decoding and encoding /ē/ words as well as long e homonyms.
• Writing – Students will write a book report using an AR book (fiction) they have read recently. Points of focus will be identifying the setting and main characters, using transition words to connect events, and sharing thoughts about the book with others in a way that piques their interest. 🙂
• Math – Students will continue practice with currency, specifically solving word problems, and making change. Students are also learning to solve time-elapsed word problems. 
• Religion – Students will learn about the Concluding Rites of the Mass and discuss how we are called to live lives of service. Our greatest commandment is to love one another. 
• Social Studies –We will review the three branches of government and students will do a project using the notes they took. 
• Science – As our seedlings continue to grow, we will make observations over the next couple weeks. Students will also practice thinking like gardeners. We will play “Plant Survivor”, a game that encourages students to think about what plants need and how habitats change over time.

Other Updates for this Week:

• Upcoming Field Trip Volunteer Needs:
  • Alameda Library to meet Author, Hannah Moushabeck – Friday, 5/3, 9:15-11:15am – 2 chaperones
    • Any student who would like to order a signed copy of her book, Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine, please fill out this form. (purchase not required)
  • U.C. Botanical Gardens – Thursday, 5/23, 10:00am-2:00pm – 2 more chaperones
  • Semifreddi’s Bakery – Thursday, 5/30, 10:00am-12:00pm – 3 more chaperones, 3 more drivers
• AR Reading – Just a reminder – I am encouraging all students to use their AR book for their homework reading time (15 minutes each afternoon/evening).
• Dates to Remember:
  • Saturday, Apr. 20 – Celebration of the Arts, 11am-2pm
  • Tuesday, Apr. 23 – Free Dress for April B-days
  • Wednesday, Apr. 24 – Noon Dismissal, Teacher Professional Development
  • Friday, Apr. 26 – School Spirit Day – Sports Day
  • Saturday, Apr. 27 – First Communion Retreat, 10am-12:30pm, Banners DUE
  • Saturday, May 4 – First Holy Communion, 10am in the church
  • Wednesday, May 8 – Spring Concert, 7:00pm; Student attendance is required
  • Friday, May 10 – All School Mass, May Crowning, 10:00am
  • Monday, May 13 – Math Night, 5:00-7:00pm
  • Tuesday, May 14 – Fun Run!

We look forward to seeing our students on Monday!

All the best,
Catherine