Welcome Letter Second Grade

Students are off to a great start this year! Students are doing a good job of treating everyone like a friend and following the classroom rules.

Reading: Students are learning to make connections between the stories we are reading and their own lives. We have also worked on making predictions before we read and we are reviewing short vowel sounds.

Writer’s Workshop: Students participate in writer’s workshop throughout the week. During writer’s workshop students have a short writing lesson and then they get to choose what they want to write about. Students are currently working on their first drafts for writing. About once a month students will choose one of their writing pieces to edit and revise for a final draft. Students will then bring home the first draft writing they have worked on for the month. On the days we do not have writer’s workshop students write in their writing journals or on other assigned writing projects.

Math: The first unit students have been working on is addition and subtraction facts through 18. Students are working on knowing their facts automatically. Students can practice their facts at home to help build their confidence, accuracy, and speed.

Science: The unit we are currently working on is the characteristics, needs, and development of living things. We have started to learn about the different groups of animals with backbones: fish, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and birds. This month students will also be learning more about how animals change as they grow and animal habitats.

Student of the Month: Congratulations to our student of the month, Brandon

Lam! Brandon sets a good example in our class by always following the classroom rules. He always does his best on his assignments, including completing his work with neatness.

Field Trip: We will be going to Woldumar Nature Center on Tuesday, October 21st. Students will be learning more about animals and their habitats on our field trip. We would like at least five parents to come with us on this trip. We will be outside for most of our trip so make sure your child dresses warmly and wears comfortable shoes. Please turn in $5.00 to Ms. Scranton by Thursday, October 16th.

Classroom supplies: Thank you for all the wonderful supplies that were donated in September! We are still in need of small dixie cups (3 ounce size). As cold weather approaches we will be in need of more boxes of Kleenex. We would appreciate donations. Thanks!

Making Connections: One Key to Comprehension

This month students are continuing to work on making personal connections to what they are reading. When students can make an emotional connection to what they are reading they are better able to remember what they have read. Making connections is a comprehension strategy you can encourage when you read together at home. Let your child know how the story they are reading reminds you of something from your life. You can also connect the story you are reading to other books you have read. When your child reads to you, have them tell you a connection they can make between their reading and their life.

A wonderful book I highly recommend that goes over helpful tips for increasing your child’s reading comprehension is 7 Keys to Comprehension by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins.

Important Dates for October:

Friday, October 9th: Picture Day, PTA meeting 6-7p.m.

Friday, October 17th: No School. Professional Development Day.

Wednesday, October 21st: Field Trip to Woldumar Nature Center

Friday, October 24th: Family Fun Night 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, October 31st: Halloween. We will be having a party in the afternoon, I will send home more information about our party later this month.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am available to conference after school.

Ms. Scranton