Reading
 
Your child is reading The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle. In this story, a chameleon visits a zoo and begins to wish it is like the animals it sees. When the chameleon’s wishes come true, it becomes so mixed-up it can’t even catch a fly anymore. It finally wishes to be itself again and learns that just being itself is best.

Please encourage your child to read The Mixed-Up Chameleon over the weekend. Vocabulary Power precedes the story. Your child's first comprehension and vocabulary assessment will take place on Monday morning.

Focus Skill: Main Idea

Vocabulary Power:
dull-not bright or clear
exciting-lively and interesting
handsome-good looking
hardly-barely, only just
sideways-from side to side
sparkling-shiny, bright
spotted-saw

School-Home Connection: 

You might enjoy reading these other books by Eric Carle with your child: The Very Hungry Caterpillar; The Secret Birthday Message; A House for Hermit Crab

PLEASE RETURN READING BOOK WITH YOUR CHILD EACH MONDAY...WE WILL NEED IT FOR THE NEXT READING LESSON.
 
Otter Creek Math Facts

Otter Creek's "Mastering Math Facts" is District 204's adopted math fact program.  After assessing your child's handwriting speed, a goal was set. You will be receiving two graded timed tests per week.  A one-minute timing is given at individual levels. A two-minute timing is given weekly so your child can observe his or her progress.  Your child is working toward 90% accuracy of his or her goal. The goal is to have students achieve their personal goal by the end of the first semester. Subtraction facts will be introduced second semester. Your child's progress will be discussed at the conferences in November. 

Please check your child's Friday home folder for his/her first one-minute math fact timing. The 2-minute timing will be sent home next week.

Math 

You will find your child's first graded math quiz in his/her Friday folder. Please take a few moments to review each section of the quiz with your child. The date and time written at the top of the page are also important parts of the quiz. Although a percentage is written at the top of the quiz, your child will receive a B-beginning, D-developing or S-secure score on the Every Day Math report card. Some of the quiz expectations for this time of year may be Beginning or Developing, where other problems are expected to be Secure.

Spelling 

The first Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe homwork has been graded and is coming home in Friday's home folder, along with the first graded spelling test. Please remember to sign your child's Tic-Tac-Toe homework before it is handed in each Thursday.

Each Friday, a new spelling Tic-Tac-Toe homework sheet, along with your child's spelling list. will be sent home. This homework is due the following Thursday, which is the day of the test.

Writing 

We have been working on "making ideas" to write about. Students have learned how to brainstorm a "main idea" and add details that support the main idea. We will continue to work on this organizational tool during our launching of the Writer's Workshop.

Homework

Your child should be spending 20 minutes per night on his/her homework. If homework is taking significantly longer for your child to complete, please contact me.

Reading at home is not considered part of the 20 minutes. The 2nd grade team recommends that your child read at least 10 minutes per night on a regular basis.