Dear Second Grade Families,
Happy Friday!
This week, Ms. Ortiz (Desi’s mom) led our first art docent lesson! She highlighted the works of Gustav Klimt and inspired students to create beautiful fall scenes with glorious skies, creatively placed birch trees, and golden leaves.Thank you for always being so organized and positive, Mrs. Ortiz!
Students also had the opportunity to share a few pieces of work. First, they shared their opinion paragraphs in small groups of four. This allowed them to practice using active listening skills, taking turns, giving specific compliments, and asking questions.
They also did a gallery walk of their Family Tree project! We reminded ourselves what a gallery was and how we act in a gallery (hands to ourselves, slow walking, observing, appreciating, being curious, etc.) I was VERY impressed by their thoughtfulness with each other, their acknowledgments, and their ability to follow the behaviors and processes I modeled. Students seemed to enjoy these sessions, and I thoroughly look forward to more of them! Attached are a few pictures of opinion sharing and a video of our gallery walk for your enjoyment (no, you do not need to turn up your volume – this is really how quiet and respectful they were!). 🙂
One other highlight was our marble jar celebration! The class earns marbles for making wise choices that help to create a great community (participating in learning discussions, raising quiet hands, setting a good example for others on the yard when we line up, showing kindness, being reverent at Mass, etc.). Since they filled up the jar (YAY!) they earned an extra recess AND a homemade funfetti cookie from Mrs. Serles! 🙂 Go Second Grade!
Parent/Student/Teacher ConferencesNext week, I look forward to meeting with you and your child at our scheduled conference! A reminder slip is in your child’s Friday Folder. Please bring your child with you to the conference and please arrive on time.
Today your child went home with their progress report envelope, which included the following:
- Progress Report – a snapshot of how they are doing in second grade (skills/behaviors/etc.)
- STAR Reports – reading and math reports; note that the reading report provides their current AR reading range (the “just right” range)
- Reading Practice Report – details the AR books they have chosen, completed reading logs for, and taken a quizzes on; the report shows their quiz score (“% Correct”), the AR level (“Difficulty Level”), and whether the book was fiction or nonfiction (“F/NF”)
- Xtra Math Report – details the student’s progress in mastering math facts; students are either working on addition or subtraction facts at this time
Below is our second grade update.
Focus Areas for Our Learning Next Week:
- Reading –
- In reading groups, students will complete our SUPER magazine and begin our first book club! Book club texts are differentiated based on current reading skills.
- 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 identifying nouns and verbs. We will continue working with contractions as well. Students should practice their spelling words for homework so they are prepared for the quiz on Friday.
- Writing – Students will draft a “What’s New” letter to a relative who does not live with them. One component of this is for homework: they will use a paper provided to write down their own address and the name and address of the relative they are writing to. They will need this the following week, so it is due on Friday, Oct. 7th.
- Math – Students practice with different strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems. While most students will gravitate toward one strategy, it is useful to think about multiple types of solution strategies as we start to delve into more complicated concepts.
- Religion – We remember and reflect on how the world around us reminds us of God’s love for us. We think about what it means to believe in God and get to know him better.
- Science – This week, we will explore types of changes to the Earth’s surface (both slow and fast) and connect the specific idea of erosion to our river exploration.
- Social Studies – The class will review key terms/concepts from our unit (history, traditions, relatives, ancestors, neighborhoods, communities, etc.) and complete an assessment.
Other Updates for this Week:
- First Communion Update – A letter from Mrs. Diane Bustos, (sacramental preparation coordinator from the parish) is coming home next week in your child’s homework folder. Included will be the forms you need to fill out if your child will be receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion next spring. Please submit all forms to the parish office by October 28th. Please also add all of the dates to your calendars.
- SPN Math Club – Attached is a flyer for this new club. Check it out to see if your child might be interested! 🙂
- Enrichment Newsletter!
- Covid Daily Screening – Please continue to do the daily screening. Your diligence is important and appreciated.
- Dates to Remember:
- Friday, Sep. 30 – Progress reports come home – I look forward to discussing your child’s progress at our conference! 🙂
- Tuesday, Oct. 4 – Blessing of the Animals Prayer Service
- Oct. 4-7 – Noon dismissals for Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences (these are in-person and students should attend)
- Monday, Oct. 10 – No School
- Monday, Oct. 17 – 2nd grade trip to the Alameda Free Library
- Tuesday, Oct. 18 – Free dress October B-days
- Monday, Oct. 31 – Noon Dismissal – Halloween
We look forward to seeing our students on Monday!
All the best,
Catherine
