Hi Families-
We've had quite a fun week creating recycled art projects! (messy room!) Students have started back in their guided reading groups and are all reading and discussing fiction/fantasy books and writing about their reading. More information on what we've been doing in class is listed below. Lots of fun things are coming up. Please see the calendar below for fun events (field trip date has been set). Have a great day! Anna Spalding Reminders: 1) No school Monday 2) Library day is Friday! (but send back books any day and I can send the kiddos in) 3) At Home Learning- Google Classroom assignments for math are online. The reading log should still be in the Green Behavior folder that should come home daily. (email me if you don't see it or it has become lost). Online at home learning- RAZ Kids and Reflex math are paid for by the school PTA. I'm sending home another copy of the login page for you to put on your refrigerator for reference. It would be great for kids to login to each of these programs at least weekly. 4) Kindness Week is coming: (see Friday folder for more information) Daily Themes Tuesday, January 22nd “Tease Your Hair, Not Your Friends” Attire: Wear a crazy hat or hair-do Wednesday, January 23rd “Dreaming of a Bully-Free School Attire: Wear pajamas Thursday, January 24th “Show Your True Colors and Be Kind” Attire: Wear your favorite color from head to toe Friday, January 25th “Together is Better” Attire: Wear the same outfit as a friend Calendar/Upcoming Events January 22-25- Kindness week (see note in Friday folder) February 1 (Friday)- 100th day of school March 28 (Thursday)- Field Trip to Rodeo Austin Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are continuing to work on 3 digit place value up to 999. We are playing games to begin learning about regrouping with adding and subtracting using place value blocks, but the big adding and subtracting units are still coming up. Language arts/Social Studies - We have been working reading non-fiction informational books, and researching topics to begin writing an informational paragraph to share out to the class. We have also been learning about Martin Luther King through reading Scholastic News and an interview with his granddaughter. Science- We are learning about natural and manmade resources. We are finishing up our recycled creations (see SeeSaw for photos tomorrow). Next week we begin to learn about the Moon and Weather.
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Dear Families,
We had a great first week back in the classroom! We welcomed two new students, and our class was so excited to have make those new friends this week. Your children did a great job following school wide expectations. We finished off today by going to the Innovation Station. Look on SeeSaw for photos. Students got to experiment with making slime, designing an image to get printed by the 3D printer, solve math and engineering problems, and program robots. It was great fun. Do check your child's backpack for the bag of slime, so it doesn't open and make a mess in there! Reading Log Change- Hopefully you've seen the paper copy reading log in the green behavior folder. I found not many kiddos were completing reading log on google classroom, so we are switching to paper copy to encourage more reading at home. For every time your child reads independently OR with a family member (parents reading to kids counts), please color in a crayon. For every 5 crayons completed, your student will receive a star card reward ticket (5 cards = prize!, or 20 cards= Lunch Bunch). If you get behind during the school week, feel free to read longer on the weekend and color more crayons. (I think of each crayon being about 10-15 minutes). If you remember, please initial at the top of the worksheet at the end of the month just so I know parents are involved in checking the reading. Thanks! Recycling donations- We are making art projects using recyclables next week. If you have any CLEAN/empty boxes (tissue, cereal, etc), egg cartons, clean plastic containers, please feel free to send them in by Monday or Tuesday for our creations. If you have any extra duct tape or masking tape, I could use some extra rolls of that for this project as well. Some reminders: 1) In case you are new or have forgotten, our Specials Schedule is: Mondays- PE (wear sneakers) Tuesdays- Art Wednesdays- PE (wear sneakers) Thursdays- Music Friday- Split day, part PE, rotate Music or Art (wear sneakers) 2) Our normal Library day is Fridays (sometimes we go Tuesdays if the library will be closed on Friday). If your child forgot to bring their book back today, just send them on Monday and I'll let your child run down to the library then. Our official library time is also a time for a lesson with the librarian (ask your child about their library "pic collage" they made today about books). I usually am able to send a kid any day to return a book if they need a new one. 3) SeeSaw- remember to check those emails or texts for photos from the classroom. New students, I don't have your accounts set up yet. Parents, if you want text alerts for a SeeSaw photo, just change your settings to go to both email and phone instead of just email. 4) Friday folder came home today - please look through the checked papers and send the folder back empty on Monday. 5) At-Home Learning - This week we have a math base ten website option on Google Classroom (here's the link if you are new and don't have a google classroom account yet: http://www.abcya.com/base_ten.htm ). On Monday a new math page will be uploaded for you to work on the following week. For new families, google classroom activities are encouraged, but there is no penalty for not doing the activity at home. Students who complete homework receive Star Cards for buying prizes from the prize box or for buying "Lunch Bunch" in the classroom. Remember it is also great for your child to login to Reflex math and RAZ kids to stay current on math facts and reading. Please let me know if you have lost the login code and I will send it to you again through a Seesaw photo. Here is the Fern Bluff Student Resources Link in case you want to know where to find Reflex and RAZ kids. There are also links for Hour of Code, in case your child would like to show you what they learned about coding in December. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19O0l3de7ukVxPdzFF4pzipVeC1TCGg-JZIC_J2kta3g/pub Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are working on 3 digit place value up to 999. We are playing games to begin learning about regrouping with adding and subtracting using place value blocks, but the big adding and subtracting units are still coming up. Language arts- We have been working on writing about New Years Eve and also filled out a New Years flip book this week (see in Friday folder). Social Studies - We are learning about maps! We colored maps of the world, USA, and Texas. Students created a map of their bedroom this week (see Friday folder). Science- We are learning about natural and manmade resources. We will be creating art projects using recycled materials next week. Hi Parents,
Here are some reminders for this week and next: 1) Remember to send in a few photos of your child/family by Friday or Monday at the latest that your child can cut up for a special super secret surprise (think collage). If needed, please email me a few. We are trying to send home the surprize by Tuesday because a few kids are out on Wednesday. Can you let me know if your child will be gone early next week so I can try to get their project done first? 2) Library day tomorrow. Next week Tuesday will be open check outs for all students who want new books over the holidays. 3) Check for the email from our room mom, about the Winter Party. 4) Friday folder comes home tomorrow - will have a few checked papers. 5) At-Home Learning - I'm not uploading anything this week, but it would be great for your child to login to Reflex math and RAZ kids over the winter break to stay current on math facts and reading. Please let me know if you have lost the login code and I will send it to you again through a Seesaw photo. Here is the Fern Bluff Student Resources Link in case you want to know where to find Reflex and RAZ kids. There are also links for Hour of Code, in case your child would like to show you what they learned about coding last week. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19O0l3de7ukVxPdzFF4pzipVeC1TCGg-JZIC_J2kta3g/pub Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are continuing to work on our geometry unit - 3D shapes (counting vertices, faces and edges) and finding area in square units (inches and centimeters). Language arts- We are comparing holidays around the world (We are reading and writing about Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Ramadan, Kwanza and New Years). Check SeeSaw this week and next for a video of your child reading their Imaginative Story (we began recording today, but it will take a few days to get everyone done). Social Studies - We are learning to compare our culture to other cultures around the world. Science- We are conducting experiments on saltwater vs. freshwater. Check SeeSaw online for photos from science time. :) Hi Parents,
Here are some reminders for this week and next: 1) Library day tomorrow. 2) Friday folder tomorrow will have a rock collection homework assignment (4-5 rocks in a bag or other container) and a note about a Winter Party gift exchange and photo assignment (for a "surprise"). Please see the handouts in Friday folder for more info. I will try to send another copy of the Winter Party thing as we get closer to that date. 3) This week's Math At-Home Learning was uploaded Monday on your child's Google Classroom account. :) They need to login to their google classroom to access the online editable version. We will check it in the computer lab on Monday, December 3. CalendarFamily Coding Night on December 4th at 6:00 pm.- Send back Tuesday folder interest form Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are working on a geometry unit (2 D and 3D shapes and area) Language arts- We are learning to compare different books by the same author in author study in whole group lessons and reading groups. Social Studies - We are learning about landmarks, monuments, and our culture in Round Rock. Science- We are conducting experiments on push/pull, forces, movement, energy. Next week we will begin to study rocks. Check SeeSaw online for photos from science time. :) Anna Spalding 2nd Grade Teacher Fern Bluff Elementary Dear Parents,
We finished up a fun week of Thanksgiving thankful writing, magnet experiments, and author study (ask the kids about the "famous" author they learned about this week). Be sure to check your SeeSaw account for photos. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving week off next week! Here are a few reminders for this week: 1) Art to remember went home today in Friday folders. If you want to order (art fundraiser- makes a great grandparent gift), please order ONLINE by November 23. (NEXT WEEK!) I think that's to make sure it comes before winter break. If your student did not get an art to remember it means they were absent that day for art, or they were on the denial of permission list (I think it was signed at the beginning of the school year if you didn't want your child to participate). 2) Look for great stuff in the Friday folder! Time test, Thanksgiving Writing and math, and checked papers. 3) Ask your child about their Enrichment Club. We do clubs from 8:10-9:00 Friday mornings. This was week 4 out of 6 for Fall enrichment clubs. 4) This week's Math At-Home Learning was uploaded Monday on your child's Google Classroom account. It's a fun measuring activity, which would be great to do with family members during the Thanksgiving break. :) They need to login to their google classroom to access the online editable version, but I will attach a printable copy below, as that may be easier for your family vacation time. We will check it in the computer lab on Monday, November 26, and students who work on it at home will get a star card. Anyone who hasn't had a chance to do it will complete it during computer lab time, measuring items around the room. If you cannot find a ruler for measuring, I'm attaching a free downloadable ruler, OR students can estimate using their fingers (we learned that our knuckle is about 1 inch, and our finger width is about 1 centimeter). https://printable-ruler.net/ Calendar: November 19 - 23rd THANKSGIVING BREAK November 27 - Photo Retakes (***If requesting retakes, please return original portraits) Family Coding Night on December 4th at 6:00 pm.- Send back Tuesday folder interest form Have a relaxing and safe week off! Reminders/ Announcements:
1) 2nd Grade Music Assembly is tonight at 6:15 (students should arrive at 6:00 in the cafeteria to get ready). It is an optional, fun activity, but we'd love for everyone to attend if it works for your schedule. It is ok if you cannot make it. :) 2) NO SPELLING for At- Home Learning next week. We started a new phonics program, called Fountas & Pinnell Phonics, Spelling and Word Study, and are going to focus on that for a while in class only. I will let you know if we decide to add optional At-Home Phonics/Word Study/Spelling at a later date. 3) RAZ Kids and Reflex math logins - Please have your kiddos use RAZ Kids and Reflex Math using the login cards I sent home. **Feel free to email me if you've lost the login. 4) At Home Learning opportunities (Encouraged activities for home): a) math activity will be loaded weekly. I have several weeks loaded now, so they will post automatically once per week (Fridays). Reflex Math is a great website to have your child practice as well. b) reading log- can be recorded on Google Classroom document. Students who read each week will get a star card reward ticket (they earn for various things in the classroom and can save up to buy prize box items). If Google Classroom log is tricky, please record minutes on the daily behavior calendar and your child can log the minutes on Mondays. Calendar November 8- 2nd Grade Veterans Program (evening performance- 6:15p.m.) November 17-25 Thanksgiving Break November 27- Picture Retakes Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are continuing our length and area unit. Language arts- We are learning to compare different books by the same author in author study in whole group lessons and reading groups. Social Studies - We are learning about landmarks, monuments, and differences between cultures. Science- We are conducting experiments and doing activities to help us explore light energy, sound energy, magnets, and movement. Check SeeSaw online for photos from science time. :) Dear Parents,
Thank you all so much for helping make the field trip possible this week- for packing special lunches, finding those class t-shirts and sending back permission slips! Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who were able to join us!! And special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Higgins for bringing the cooler and Mrs. Meren for thinking to bring picnic blankets! We had a lot of fun- although it was a little spooky to be down in the cave on Halloween! We had a lot of holding hands during the dark (scary) parts of the cave, but I think all-in-all they had a lot of fun. I also wanted to remind you that THIS Thursday, November 8 is the 2nd grade Veteran's Day choir program in the evening- 6:15 p.m. in the cafeteria. Reminders/ Announcements: 1) Look for report cards today in the Tuesday (but it's Friday) folder! 2) Book fair is this week! 3) RAZ Kids and Reflex math logins - Please have your kiddos use RAZ Kids and Reflex Math using the login cards I sent home. **Feel free to email me if you've lost the login. 4) At Home Learning opportunities (Encouraged activities for home): a) math activity will be loaded weekly. I have several weeks loaded now, so they will post automatically once per week (Fridays). Reflex Math is a great website to have your child practice as well. b) reading log- can be recorded on Google Classroom document. Students who read each week will get a star card reward ticket (they earn for various things in the classroom and can save up to buy prize box items). If Google Classroom log is tricky, please record minutes on the daily behavior calendar and your child can log the minutes on Mondays. c) spelling- Spelling words are sent home every other Friday. If you want to practice words with your child, I will post some ideas for practice on my website and in google classroom (see Homework section of my website). We also practice daily at school. Calendar November 8- 2nd Grade Veterans Program (evening performance- 6:15p.m.) November 17-25 Thanksgiving Break November 27- Picture Retakes Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We just began a length and area unit. Language arts- We are learning to compare different books by the same author in author study in whole group lessons and reading groups. Social Studies - We are learning about being good citizens. Science- We are learning about matter and conducting experiments. Hi Parents,
Thank you to everyone who has already sent back the field trip form for next week (Halloween--> Inner Space Caverns). If you haven't had a chance to send it back, try to by the end of this week, otherwise I'll send another copy home in Friday's folder along with new spelling words. We are finishing up our Time Unit on Monday. It would be great if you can practice looking at clocks at home (time to nearest minute). We have been practicing hours, 1/2 hour, quarter past, quarter before, 5 minutes and nearest minute. Fun telling time website: http://www.abcya.com/telling_time.htm I wanted to let you all know that there are a lot of "bugs" going around the school right now, including flu, strep, stomach flu, stomach bugs, and also lice. So, we are using a lot of hand sanitizer, the custodians are disinfecting desks several times a week, and I'm using sanitizing wipes on various surfaces. I'm also assigning students pencils with their name and number so that they don't accidentally share those. TONIGHT, October 25th: Spooky Stories Literacy Night, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. We have NINE spooky readers sharing spine-chilling stories or tales of Halloween fun on Oct. 25th. Feel free to come dressed in your Halloween costume. Each child will receive a bag to go trick-or-treating at Lit Night. Each storyteller has something to put in their treat bags (not candy!). Come see some of your favorite teachers read October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We would like to show support to those within the Fern Bluff school community, as well as others we know with breast cancer or impacted by breast cancer. We would like to make tomorrow, Friday, October 26th a Think Pink day! So we ask that you please consider pulling out your pink, whether it's head to toe or just on your toes! Let’s Think Pink TOMORROW! Reminders/ Announcements: 1) RAZ Kids and Reflex math logins - Please have your kiddos use RAZ Kids and Reflex Math using the login cards I sent home. **Feel free to email me if you've lost the login. 2) At Home Learning opportunities (Encouraged activities for home): a) math activity will be loaded weekly. I have several weeks loaded now, so they will post automatically once per week (Fridays). Reflex Math is a great website to have your child practice as well. b) reading log- can be recorded on Google Classroom document. Students who read each week will get a star card reward ticket (they earn for various things in the classroom and can save up to buy prize box items). If Google Classroom log is tricky, please record minutes on the daily behavior calendar and your child can log the minutes on Mondays. c) spelling- Spelling words are sent home every other Friday. If you want to practice words with your child, I will post some ideas for practice on my website and in google classroom (see Homework section of my website). We also practice daily at school. Calendar October 31- 2nd Grade Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns November 8- 2nd Grade Veterans Program (evening performance- 6:15p.m.) Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are finishing up our telling time unit to the minute. We have been switching classrooms (with other 2nd grade teachers) based on our Time Pre-assessment data. Language arts- We are learning about Fiction Vs. Nonfiction and making inferences in texts. We are reading mystery and fantasy books during guided reading groups. Social Studies - We are learning about being good citizens. Science- We are learning about matter and conducting experiments. We are learning about properties with paper, and are building egg movers out of newspaper and tissue paper. Hi Parents,
The kiddos filled up their marble jar reward, so they voted on having PJ/Stuffed Animal day tomorrow -with Crazy Hair as an option too :). We have COGAT Testing on the computers on Tuesday and Wednesday. If your child has headphones they can bring to school, send them in tomorrow (we leave them in backpacks in case you need them at home). I have ear buds the kids can borrow, but they fall out easier than headphones. See note # 3 below about COGAT if you want more information. Reminders/ Announcements: 1) RAZ Kids and Reflex math logins - I'm sending home login cards in Tuesday folders tomorrow for these online At Home Learning Options. 2) At Home Learning opportunities (Encouraged activities for home- students can do in computer lab if they didn't do at home): a) math activity will be loaded weekly. I have several weeks loaded now, so they will post automatically once per week (Fridays). Reflex Math is a great website to have your child practice as well. b) reading log- can be recorded on Google Classroom document. Students who read each week will get a star card reward ticket (they earn for various things in the classroom and can save up to buy prize box items). If Google Classroom log is tricky, please record minutes on the daily behavior calendar and your child can log the minutes on Mondays. c) spelling- I will send home an extra copy of spelling words home. If you want to practice words with your child, I will post some ideas for practice on my website and in google classroom (see Homework section of my website). 3) COGAT testing is Tuesday and Wednesday this week for our class. A Note from the vice principal about upcoming COGAT testing: Dear Parents/Guardian: All students in 2nd grade will be taking an assessment activity called the COGAT during the week of October 15-19. Although the name CogAT means Cognitive Ability Aptitude Test, it is not a pass fail test. It is a tool to drive best practice in instruction and screen for potential placement in special programs such as gifted services. The data available helps identify strengths and also areas for growth. The COGAT will be given on the computer. Each student will need earbuds or headphones. While we have headphones for students to use, if they do not already have a set at school, they might feel more comfortable bringing a pair of their own. Their is no studying or preparation they need for this assessment. We will spend approximately 45 minutes for two days on this assessment with breaks embedded. Please email me if you have any additional questions or concerns. Sincerely, Jennifer Mercer Calendar October 16-17- COGAT Testing (probably from 10-11:30 each day). October 31- 2nd Grade Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns November 8- 2nd Grade Veterans Program (evening performance- 6:15p.m.) Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are beginning our new unit on telling time to the minute. We will be switching classrooms based on our Time Pre-assessment data. Language arts- We are learning about Fact vs. Opinion in whole group lessons, and continuing to look for nonfiction text features in reading group books, and finishing up publishing our expository stories on a topic that interests each student. Social Studies - We are learning about being good citizens. Science- We are learning about matter and conducting experiments. We are building bridges this week. Hi Parents,
I emailed out our field day schedule. Field day is 9:15-11:30 and Field day lunch is at 12:36- (probably the front porch but just ask the office as we will tell them where we are having lunch). We had a busy week of learning and lots of fun with all of the rewards from the very successful FUN RUN fundraiser. The FUN RUN will take place during 2 back to back rotations. Next week we have another reward of board game day on Friday. Remember to send back your conference forms and sign up for a parent conference if you want one next week (see email). Reminder no school on Monday or Tuesday! Reminders/ Announcements: 1) A Note from the vice principal about upcoming COGAT testing: Dear Parents/Guardian: All students in 2nd grade will be taking an assessment activity called the COGAT during the week of October 15-19. Although the name CogAT means Cognitive Ability Aptitude Test, it is not a pass fail test. It is a tool to drive best practice in instruction and screen for potential placement in special programs such as gifted services. The data available helps identify strengths and also areas for growth. The COGAT will be given on the computer. Each student will need earbuds or headphones. While we have headphones for students to use, if they do not already have a set at school, they might feel more comfortable bringing a pair of their own. Their is no studying or preparation they need for this assessment. We will spend approximately 45 minutes for two days on this assessment with breaks embedded. Please email me if you have any additional questions or concerns. Sincerely, Jennifer Mercer 2) At Home Learning directions- I sent home directions in last week's Tuesday folder for logging into Google Classroom at home. Please save that login card somewhere safe, as we are using it all year. If you need the information again, just email me. I will post the generic login information on my website, if you need it. Your child should start remembering their number and password hopefully soon, as they use it in the classroom too. 3) At Home Learning opportunities (OPTIONAL but encouraged- students can do in computer lab if they didn't do at home): a) math activity will be loaded weekly. I have several weeks loaded now, so they will post automatically once per week (Fridays). b) reading log- can be recorded on Google Classroom document. Students who read each week will get a star card reward ticket (they earn for various things in the classroom and can save up to buy prize box items). c) spelling- I will send home an extra copy of spelling words home. If you want to practice words with your child, I will post some ideas for practice on my website and in google classroom (see Homework section of my website). Calendar October 5- Field Day October 8- Staff Development (no school for students) October 9- Parent Conferences- email coming with sign up later (no school for students) October 11 - Picture Day October 12- BOARD GAME DAY (end of day) October 16-17- COGAT Testing (probably from 10-11:30 each day). October 31- 2nd Grade Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns November 8- 2nd Grade Veterans Program (evening performance- 6:15p.m.) Current/Upcoming Learning- Math- We are learning about 2 digit addition and beginning a pre-assessment on telling time. Language arts- We are learning about nonfiction text features and how to write expository stories on a topic that interests each student. Social Studies - We are learning about being good citizens. Science- We are learning about matter and conducting experiments. |
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