It’s been a short 2 weeks. This past week we worked at catching up on any center work and unfinished papers in the student’s desks. Next week is a full week, then another short week. Before we know it Christmas will be here!!!
I’m sending home handwriting worksheets in the Friday Folder. These papers do NOT have to come back to school. They are for you to work with your child at home on the cursive letters they have learned.
I pushed the Chapter 4 Math Test out to Monday. The class seems to understand the concept of regrouping ones to tens. If I find any problems while grading the test, we’ll readdress the concept.
Meantime, please keep working with your child on simple addition facts. The Mad Math Minutes are showing improvement, but I’d like to see all students get better than 15 out of 30. I’ve already warned them that when the second trimester starts on November 26th, I expect them to get better than half correct on the Mad Minutes, or they will be getting a worksheet of up to 100 simple addition facts for homework.
The class has done an outstanding job learning the Ten Commandments and applying them to their own lives. The next Chapter conveniently starts explaining the coming of our Savior.
We’re learning about Animals in Science, and about Early Americans in Social Studies.
Everyone is doing a good job in reading. We’ll start another story in the Anthology next week. Everyone will have completed a Running Record in Guided Reading prior to the end of the semester to gauge their progress.
Thank you for supporting the various fundraisers and collections being sponsored by our school.
Have a wonderful weekend!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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October 31, 2008
Dear Parents,
Here we are at the end of another month already. I must be having fun cuz time sure is flying!!!
The new playgrounds are amazing. Thank you so much for all the support, both financially and manually, that made the playgrounds a reality (even though second grade doesn’t get over to the “BIG” playground because we have recess with kindergarten).
In the classroom, we’ve been making strides in all academic areas.
Religion: We are continuing to learn Old Testament stories. The Ten Commandments, Chapter 8, test will be next Wednesday, November 5th. We will start Chapter 9, continuing to learn more about the commandments and what is sin, on November 6th. The Chapter 9 test and Chapters 5-8 test will be on Friday, November 14th.
Math: We are into double digit plus double digit addition, including regrouping. The whole class seems to understand the concept. Please continue to monitor your child’s homework. If he or she is struggling with the homework, do not be bashful about writing me a note that your child doesn’t get it. It’s important for me to know if the class does not understand what I am teaching well enough to do the work independently. I may need to reteach the concept.
Reading: I sent home the results of the first reading test. Since I didn’t hear from any of you, I have to believe you are as pleased as I am with the results.
Grammar: How did you like Simple Solutions? In addition to Simple Solutions, we have been learning about synonyms and antonyms and how to write a paragraph.
Phonics: The class is doing a wonderful job not only learning their phonics, but using the tools learned to decode new words they don’t recognize. When a student successfully decodes a word, the joy on his or her face is felt just as intensely by me. It’s what makes teaching such a rewarding profession.
Handwriting: The class can write a few words now with the limited number of cursive letters they have learned. I have been focusing on posture (sitting straight, feet on the floor, not leaning on hands and no elbows on the desk) and how the students hold their pencils. Both of these areas have a direct effect on handwriting. If you would reinforce these areas at home, I’d be forever grateful!
Science: We’ve started the next unit on Animals. The class is learning about mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish.
Social Studies: We’ve also started a new unit in SS. We’ll be learning about Early Americans, just in time for Thanksgiving!!!
Now that the end of the month is here, I’m compiling all of the center work the class has been doing in October. I plan on sending the student’s work home next week. I will be requesting you to sign some of the paperwork and send it back for your child’s portfolio. Since centers are such a big part of our day, I think it is important for you to see what is being accomplished.
Some dates to remember: Nov. 4, 10 and 11 there is no school; Nov. 5 Ident A Kid; Nov. 7 First Friday Mass; Nov. 8 and 9 Harvest Fest; Nov. 25 First Trimester grades close; Nov. 27 and 28 school is out for the Thanksgiving Holiday; Nov. 30 First week of Advent.
Thank you and God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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October 3, 2008
Dear Parents,
Happy October! Here’s a quick update on grade 2:
Religion: We’re completing a chapter a week. We’ve learned about Creation and Adam and Eve. Next up we’ll learn about Baptism and more Old Testament stories.
Math: The class did an outstanding job on their Chapter 1 test!!!
Reading: I plan to administer the Theme 1 Reading Test over the course of next week. There isn’t much the students can study for this test other than vocabulary. If you want to look over the workbook pages we’ve completed in class, you can get an idea of the areas the test will cover.
Writing: The students have been doing a variety of writing. This month I’ll introduce poetry and we’ll practice writing some different poetry styles.
Handwriting: We’ve started cursive!!! So far the class has only learned how to sit correctly and how to slant their paper and one of the strokes. We’re excited!
Spelling: Weekly test scores have been excellent. I’m continuing to have all students write the words they misspell in classroom writing into their green Words I Use When I Write book.
Social Studies: It’s been a blast looking up the various neighborhoods we all live in. I brought in a RI street map in order for the class to practice their Map Grid skills.
Science: Unit 1 test is next week. I’ve been sending home the Science book, notebook and folder so that students may take a week to study instead of cramming in one night. I encourage you to take the time to review the vocabulary and chapter with your child to be sure they are comfortable with the areas we’ve covered in class.
Thank you for attending Open House. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. Hope to see you on October 17th when we build the playgrounds!
Have a wonderful weekend!
God Bless
Mrs. Dunlap
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September 19, 2008
Dear Parents,
We’ve settled in and are moving right along in Grade 2. Following are some highlights of what we’re working on:
Reading: We’ve read 2 stories in the Anthology and have been doing the corresponding workbook pages. I now have all students for Guided Reading.
Grammar: The students complete a lesson a day on grammar skills in their Simple Solutions book.
Math: There will be a test on Chapter 1 next week. I’m REALLY impressed with how well the class is doing at Math Minutes. Thanks for the help you’ve been giving them at home with practicing their math facts!
Religion: We’ll complete a chapter a week, with a quiz each Friday. I’ve been sending home the books on Wednesdays to give the students a couple of nights to study. Hope this helps.
Phonics: We’ve been working on short vowels. Next week we start long vowels. The spelling words have been corresponding to the Phonics lessons.
I’ve been enjoying reading the student’s spelling sentences. Starting next week the class will have the opportunity to complete their spelling sentences during school hours. There will be a Spelling Test every Friday.
Handwriting: We’re almost done the review of manuscript printing. By October 1st, we’ll be starting cursive writing. Yahoo!!!
Science: We’ll wrap up our unit on Plants next week. Anticipate a test on that unit on October 1st. The students will have a study guide and vocabulary definitions to study.
Social Studies: We’re still learning about Neighborhoods and Communities.
The class has time to go to a center each day. Centers include Math, Writing, and a Listening Center.
That brings us up to date on the goings on in Grade 2. I’m truly looking forward to seeing you at Open House on Tuesday night!
God Bless
Mrs. Dunlap
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September 5, 2008
Greetings Parents and Guardians,
It’s been a wonderful week. Some students are still a bit sleepy in the morning. Please be sure your child is getting the recommended 10 hours of sleep on school nights.
The Religion Quiz 1 is in the Friday Folder. Just a reminder of how the grades/rubrics are used:
Very few behavior cards were marked this week. If your child has a mark on his or her card, ask about it. Especially if it’s an HW, which means homework was not turned in……
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SEND IN THE FORMS FROM THE PARENT HANDBOOK. There are three forms: internet, photography, and the handbook form. Additionally, I have sent home some disclaimer forms to those who need to be updated/added. It is imperative that you complete these (including copy of license) if you plan to participate in any way with the class this year.
Mr. Robinson was not available for the students this week, so those interested in an instrument will see him next Wednesday at 10:00. If you are interested in your child getting instruction from Mr. Robinson, please be sure and let me know.
DAILY BREAD: I strongly encourage you to strongly encourage your child to donate to the Daily Bread jar in the classroom. The recommended amount is 50 cents a week. Last year a number of my students put their snack/ice cream money in the DB jar--- a true sacrifice on their part. The intent of Daily Bread is to teach your child the Christian value of giving to the poor.
Mark your calendars:
This Saturday is the Block Party. Rain date is Sunday. See you there!!!
9/21 – 10:30 School Mass at Sts Clement and Rose
9/23 – Open House at 6:30
March 3rd – 7:00 Parents meeting for First Penance
March 22nd – First Penance at 2:00pm
I need a copy of your child’s baptism certificate. Please send one in.
Thank you for all you do to support both your child and me. Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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September 2, 2008
Good Morning Parents and Guardians!
Labor Day has come and gone, which means school is back into full swing. :)
This morning the class will start the day by putting their 3x5 index card on their desk. If you have any questions about the Behavior Card procedures, please don't hesitate to e-mail me or send in a note.
On Wednesday, Mr. Robinson will be meeting with students who are interested in playing an instrument. If your child will be participating, please send me a note so I can be sure and send him/her to the meeting.
PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO PLAY ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE PLAYGROUND IN THE MORNINGS. Students are to stay on the blacktop. Please no ball playing or running around. Ideally, your child will arrive to school, get in line, and be ready for prayer and the pledge.
Additionally, at all times, only students in the third grade or higher are allowed on the equipment on the grassy playground. No students in the lower wing should be on the monkey bars.
First Friday masses will now be at 1:30.
If there will be a change in your child's usual dismissal routine, please make every effort to send a note in the morning.
I will be sending home the Second Grade Schedule this week so you will know what our typical day will be. The schedule is always subject to change...
I am more than pleased with how our first three days of school progressed. I'm looking forward to a very successful and productive year. Please don't ever hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
God Bless,
Mrs. Dunlap
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