Second Grade's Classroom News for
Nov. 16 – Nov. 20
Reminders
1. The Second Trimester begins today.
2. Picture money was due today.
3. Gym will be held on Thursday this week.
4. Library books and videos are due Thursday, so please make sure them
come back to school.
5. Thursday is a 1:30 dismissal day.
6. Friday is Pizza day. Everyone needs their own drink from home.
7. Friday will be a grub day. Look for more information to come home.
8. Report Cards are going home on Friday.
Religion:
We are exploring the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be a quiz on chapter 6 next Monday. It will cover pages 73-81.
Reading:
We are working on our new story entitled “Sharks”. There will be a quiz on Friday. Each child has the following words and definitions in their Reading folder: lesson, chew, afraid, trouble and understand.
English:
We are learning how to identify nouns that show ownership. There will be a test on unit 3 next Tuesday that will cover pages 93-123 and the English papers in the student’s English folder.
Phonics
We are learning how to identify the hard and soft sounds of c and g.
Spelling:
We are learning how to spell words from Science. There will be a spelling test on Friday. The following words are in each child's student planner. They are: animals, head, river, nets, fin, wave, senses, shark, seals and tide.
Science:
We are learning how to describe an objects position in relation to another object. There will be a lesson 1 (pages 362-365) quiz on Wednesday.
History:
We are learning about the Pilgrims and Indians.
Math:
We are learning how to order two-digit numbers.
We are also learning how to count nickels.
Please remember that there will be Math homework every night. In addition, each child should be practicing their addition and subtraction math facts. The time sheets in each student planner MUST be signed on Mondays and Wednesdays. We have started the subtraction time tests. Any missed math problems on the time test will have to be written 5 times each.
Below you will find a copy of helpful websites, the current school calendar, school policy reminders, the daily second grade routine and a second grade prayer list.
Mrs. Gillespie
Dr. Seuss and Clifford game websites that will help with phonics skills.
Clifford the Big Red Dog—interactive games
http://www.scholastic.com/clifford/#begin
http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/index.htm
Same Middle Sound—Concentration Game
http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/concentration/index.htm
Dr. Seuss games
http://seussville.com
Math Fact Practice sheets are up on the school's website under the heading of faculty. Then go into the teacher's corner and find my name. The fact sheets are next to my name.
Also, there are now two sight words lists next to my name as well.
* Here are a few sites to help with reading and math:
Starfall: It's Fun to Read (helps with vowel sounds, esp. short and long)
http://www.starfall.com/
Are you a Math Magician
http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/maths1.
html
* Here is a site where you can purchase age/grade level books:
giftedgrasshopperchildrensbooks.com
2009-2010 School Calendar:
October
30 Half-Day 11:30 Dismissal Faculty Meeting
November
13 1st Trimester Ends
19 1:30 Dismissal
20 Report Card Day
24 Half-Day 11:30 Dismissal due to Parent-Teacher Conferences
25 No School
26 Thanksgiving - No School
27 No School
January
4 School Resumes
18 MLK Day - No School
20 2nd Interim Reports go Home
21 1:30 Dismissal
29 Half-Day 11:30 Dismissal due to Parent-Teacher Conferences
31 Catholic Schools Week Begins
February
15 President's Day - No School
18 1:30 Dismissal
22 NO School Professional Development Day for Teachers
26 2nd Trimester Ends
March
5 Report Card Day
18 1:30 Dismissal
19 No School Professional Development Day
April
1 Half-Day 11:30 Dismissal, Easter Break Begins
12 School Resumes
28 3rd Interim Reports go Home
May
1 First Communion
20 1:30 Dismissal
21 No School Professional Development Day for Teachers
28 8th Grade Graduation
31 Memorial Day - No School
June
4 Last Day of School
Below are important reminders of school policy for the upcoming school year. Please read them carefully.
Also, there is a list of the current second grade prayers that each child must know. We will be working on the Act of Contrition during the school year.
School Policy - Updated
A. Tardiness -
will not be tolerated. Instruction begins at 8:10a.m. in the classroom. If your child is not here by then and ready to begin the day, they are late. Therefore, before entering the classroom they must stop in the office for a tardy slip. This slip must go home to be signed and returned the very next day. Three tardies in a trimester will result in an hour demerit. This is in the St. Jane handbook.
B. Absences –
A parent is required to call the office if their child is sick. When the child returns to school they are required to bring in a note stating the reason for the absence.
Students will be given one day to make up work for each day absent.
C. Uniforms –
Girls: white blouses, school jumper, soft-soled shoes, gray uniform sweater or navy uniform sweatshirt (on cold days) are to be worn
No nail polish or crazy socks
Boys: light blue school shirt, Navy blue pants (no jeans), soft-soled shoes, uniform navy sweatshirt (on cold days) are to be worn
D. Dress Up Day Guidelines –
Girls: dresses, skirts or skorts are to be worn with dress shoes
Boys: collared shirts / dress shirts with dress pants are to be worn along with dress shoes
1. No Gym Shoes
2. No Jeans
3. No Shorts
4. No sweatpants
5. No T-Shirts
E. Visitors –
All visitors must stop at the office. No visitors are permitted to come straight to the classroom after 8:10 a.m. Parents are not to walk their child to the classroom.
F. Lunch –
A lunch must come from home if you didn’t order hot lunch. Fast food is not permitted in school.
Second Grade Routine
A. Communication –
A newsletter will be sent home every Monday. The student should put it in their home folders. It will explain the weekly curriculum and test dates. It will also list reminders that are happening in the school and classroom for the week.
There also is a weekly reminder chart posted on the doors that second grade enters and exits the building. Keep your eyes posted.
I also post notes during the year on schoolnotes.com . To view this site all one needs to do is: type in the web address, then the school’s zip code 60638 and scroll down to find my name, “mrsgillespie” at “St. Jane School”. Finally, click “view notes”.
B. Student Planner and 6 – Pocket Folder –
Each student is responsible for writing down their own homework for the day. Please make sure you see the planner every night because it is to be signed or initialed by the date. There will be some sort of homework every night. So watch for it to come home. Homework should be placed in the back pocket of the planner.
Every pocket folder is labeled home (papers for home), right back to school (papers to be returned), Reading, Science, History and English (so far). These folders will have study papers in them that are to remain in the folder until instructed otherwise.
C. Morning board work -
Every morning each child will be required to complete their red math folder assignment for the particular lesson that day. They will pick up their math folder with the paper inside and begin working on the yellow charts.
D. Phonics –
We as a class will work on this together. There will be unit tests at the end of the unit.
E. Reading – Guided Reading
Every student should be reading for at least 5 minutes an evening to increase their fluency and speed. Each week we will introduce a new story with vocabulary words. Each student is responsible for writing down the words and definitions. They are to study these reading words throughout the week. They are to be kept in their reading folder until they are instructed to take them out. There will be story quizzes that will cover comprehension questions as well as the vocabulary words for the week. There will also be theme tests.
F. Spelling –
Weekly spelling words will be listed in the planners. Students are to study the words throughout the week. There will be a test on the words at the end of the week.
G. Science –
New Series: A Closer Look
Quizzes will be given midway through a unit. Tests will be given at the end of a unit. Both will be based on vocabulary and comprehension.
H. History –
Lessons will be discussed with the whole class. Tests will be based on the chapters and worksheets.
I. Religion –
Series: Blest Are We
Quiz material will come directly from the chapters.
New Prayer: Act of Contrition, Childrens Morning Offering
A list of prayers is in the packet you have.
Sacrament: First Communion
J. English –
We will be working on a lot of writing this year as one of our goals. The key for second grade is to get the students to write a complete paragraph with details. This will come from the text and other instructional materials.
K. Math –
Series: Saxon
Side B of the Class Fact Practice must be done for homework. It also must be checked and signed by a parent and returned to school the very next day. Side B of the Guided Practice sheet will mirror Side A, which we will have covered that day in class.
Math Facts must be done every night for a few minutes. You can either use the box of cards from last year or the practice sheets that will be sent home. Starting Wednesday a time sheet will be placed in the front of the student planner. It must be signed on Monday and Wednesday. The facts MUST be done and not just signed. You are only hurting your child if you just sign the sheet and don’t practice them.
Program: The Rocket
Each child will begin the rocket where ever their placement test falls. It may be letter d or it could be letter n. It all depends on how well your child knows their math facts. Each time they successfully complete a level they will move up the rocket. By the end of second grade they must be on letter z or higher in both addition and subtraction. If not they will be going to summer school for math. Depending on our time during the week we will have two or more time tests to advance up the rocket. Therefore, math is very important this year.
L. Printing –
We will be reviewing our printing. We will begin cursive after Christmas.
M. Tests and Quizzes –
Must be signed and returned the next day if they specifically say sign and return. If they do not come back to school, the student will be given a homework slip.
N. Homework –
Assignment dead lines are expected to be met. Students who do not do their homework know the consequences. They will also be issued a homework slip that must be signed and returned with the homework the very next day. Three missed assignments will result in a parent conference.
O. Office Hours –
I am here every morning by 7:30 a.m., if you need to see me. If you need an after school conference Please sent in a note with you child and a response will be sent home.
P. Book Orders – if interested
Directions:
Please put your child’s name on the order form.
Double check to see if the total number of books and the amount of money
matches.
Please make sure checks are payable to Scholastic Book Clubs and not St. Jane.
DO NOT SEND CASH.
Make sure the order and money come back to school by the due date.
Q. Book Sox:
This year the student’s must cover their 4 hard cover books. They will need 3 large ones and 1 regular one.
Second Grade Prayer List
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blesses are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us
sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Glory Be to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from
your goodness, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Grace After Meals
We give you thanks for all your gifts, almighty God, living and reigning now and
forever.
Amen.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because of
your just punishment but most of all because they offended You, my God, who are all
good and deserving of all my love, I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess
my sins and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
Amen.
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