2nd Grade News and Notes

September 14, 2017

Dear 2nd Grade Families,

What a wonderful start to the year we have had! We all survived our first full week and we are still smiling!! I am enjoying 2nd grade so much and have had a wonderful time getting to know new students and getting reacquainted with the kids I had for 1st grade. We have been learning a lot about one another and reviewing and practicing our classroom expectations.

In math we have been learning about math tools and manipulatives. We have begun workplaces and students are excited to be able to independently make choices about what workplaces they visit each day. They have been doing a great job making the right choice for themselves and filling out their workplace log with their selection. We made individual number racks this week which students will keep in their toolboxes for when they need them. Some used them when we worked on making 10s and 20s.

In reading we have been building up our stamina for independent reading. Students have been practicing reading longer and longer and they are doing a great job! We have talked about books shopping and choosing “just right” books. The kids are excited about the books in their book boxes and have been enjoying quiet reading daily. I have been able to begin some reading assessments which will help me focus on what students need for reading instruction.

A big focus for this year is growth mindset. We have been learning about the parts of our brains and what each part does. We have read some read alouds and done activities to help us understand growth mindset and the importance of learning from our mistakes and seeing mistakes as an opportunity to grow.This will be a focus for us all year.  This week some of our read alouds were The Most Magnificent Thing and ish.

Some important dates to remember:

• Friday, September 15- half day.  Dismissal is 12:30. We will be eating lunch in the classroom. Students that did not order a bag lunch should bring a lunch from home for tomorrow.
• Friday, September 15- International Dot Day! Wear your dots!
• Tuesday, September 19- assembly 8:10-8:30
• Saturday, September 23- Harvest Festival 1:00-3:00
• Wednesday, September 27- Community Building Games. This is an event that was planned for last year, but due to rain we couldn’t do it.  This will be outside, but if it’s raining we will be able to be in the gym. Students will need sneakers for this.
• Thursday, September 28- Picture day

Please feel free to email or call if you have any questions or concerns!

Have a wonderful weekend (and Friday)!

Renae