Second Grade Update – Week of 9/6

Dear Second Grade Families,

Happy Friday!

Thank you for coming to Back-to-School Night! I enjoyed having you in the classroom and appreciate the time to share all that the year holds for your child in second grade! (As promised, here are links to soft copies of the packet, schedule and slideshow.)

Our class is settling into routines, procedures, and rules that keep our classroom a safe and respectful learning environment where everyone can grow! We ended our week with closing circle (as we normally will). Students shared something they learned, enjoyed, or appreciated. You have wonderful, thoughtful children, as you already know! 🙂

Next week, we will talk about families and how each family is unique and special. As part of homework (which will start next week!), I will ask students to bring in a photo of their family. If you need me to print it for you, I can do that – just send me the file via email. 

We will also have a special visitor on Thursday! Ms. Andie Cultrera, librarian from the Alameda Free Library, will join us for a read-aloud focused on friendship and inclusion and then treat students to a special craft. 🙂

Below is our second grade update.

Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:

• Reading – Students will focus on completing AR reading in class. In their Reading Logs, they will start to summarize the books they complete with at least one sentence (this will grow through the year), describing the characters, plot, setting, etc. We are also starting reading groups! 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 review the long vowel sound spelling patterns and practice their spelling words for homework. We will have our first quiz on Friday. 🙂 The class will also practice adding ‘ed and ‘ing to base words. 
• Writing – Students will practice expanding simple sentences by adding adjectives and details for “when”, “where”, and “how”.
• Math – Students will have the opportunity to review the concept of sorting objects based on different characteristics and then using Venn diagrams and graphs to demonstrate their understanding and show information about the set of objects.
• Religion – As a class, we begin our faith journey by exploring the Bible as a holy book and the written Word of God. We reflect on the power of listening and showing respect to others.
• Science – The class will explore how scientists know so much! Discussions will center around the scientific process – the value of observation as well as developing and testing hypotheses.
• Social Studies – We will begin our unit on communities with a focus on family. Students are encouraged to bring a photo of their family. Having these photos by Friday, the 9th would be great! Thank you! To further support this unit, topics for at-home family conversations include how your family came to settle in the Bay Area, your family traditions, and stories about their ancestors. 

Other Updates for this Week:

• Covid Test Reminder: Please remember to test your child over the weekend and send results to Mr. Carter (mcarter@csdo.org). We cannot allow children back on Tuesday without a negative Covid test result. Thank you.
• Mass Days – Please make sure your child has their blue SPN sweater or sweatshirt each Thursday for Mass. They will also need them whenever we have an All-School Mass (I will always note them in the “Dates to Remember” section).
• Dates to Remember:
  • Friday, Sep 2 – Noon Dismissal
  • Monday, Sep 5 – No School – Labor Day
  • Friday, Sep 9 – Picture Day (students need to wear white uniform shirt/blouse)
  • Tuesday, Sep 20 – Free Dress September B-Days
  • Friday, Sep 23 – No School – Elementary Staff Day
  • Wednesday, Sep 28 – Noon Dismissal

Have a blessed holiday weekend! We look forward to seeing our students on Tuesday! 

All the best,
Catherine