Second Grade Update – Week of 3/27

Dear Second Grade Families, 

This week, second graders enjoyed an onsite visit from author, Kentrell Martin. It was amazing to watch him share American Sign Language through a reading of his book, “Shelly Goes to the Zoo”. Students had a blast learning about 30 signs! This visit was a wonderful learning experience! Thank you to Mrs. Thomas for inviting Mr. Martin to share his talents, knowledge, and enthusiasm with us!

Next week is our visit to the Alameda Food Bank. As a class, we have been discussing the issue of food insecurity in communities, making connections to read-alouds like “The Lunch Thief”, and reflecting on the importance of almsgiving, not just during Lent, but the whole year round. Thank you to the drivers and chaperones who will be joining us! Please remember to send in your child’s booster if you indicated they needed one!

Below is our second grade learning update.

Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:

• Reading – 
  • In reading groups, students will start their new Book Club. We will revisit the types of genres and identify the genre of the current text. Students will identify the main character(s) and setting and make connections to the text. 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 with irregular plural nouns (ex., woman to women, child to children, mouse to mice). We will also work with tricky “w” words (ex. where, were, etc). 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. Students will use alliteration to write a piece about an imaginary land they’d love to visit.
• Math – The class will continue studying area. Students will also use their knowledge of shape attributes to create an art piece. They will write about their piece using math language, incorporating important shape vocabulary and concepts.
• Religion – Students continue to learn about the Mass with a focus on the Liturgy of the Eucharist, celebrating the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. In Family Life, we will continue our unit about God’s gift of self, focusing on how we change and grow over time and how we can grow in virtue.
• Social Studies –We will discuss why we form governments. Students will learn about local, state, and national governments over the next month. This week, our focus will be on rules and laws and we will connect to our history – why certain laws from the past needed to be changed and how citizens have worked together for positive change over time.
• Science – As our radish seeds continue to grow, we will make observations over the next couple weeks. This week, we will explore plant adaptations that help them survive and thrive in certain environments.

Other Updates for this Week:

• 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:
  • Friday, Mar. 31 – Noon Dismissal
  • Thursday, Apr. 6 – Noon Dismissal
  • Friday, Apr. 7 – No School, Good Friday
  • Tuesday, Apr. 25 – Free Dress for April B-days

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

All the best,
Catherine