Dear Families,

I hope you are enjoying a relaxing weekend. Thank you for helping your child with the first spelling Tic-Tac-Toe homework assignment. Although our schedule was disrupted due to the "heat" day off, everyone did a fantastic job of completing the homework. 

Now that we are up and running, I will be pointing out different areas of the blog that you may want to look into for school-wide information. Each week I will point out specific areas to help you become more familiar with the blog. 

Reading:

Your child has been 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 AND MONDAY'S OPEN BOOK ASSESSMENT.

"Just Right” Books:

Has your child discussed our tool for finding “just right” books? If you ask, you’ll probably see your child hold up five fingers.

1 finger up = a vacation book is a “good old friend” book that your child has probably read over and over again. This book is fine for leisure but isn’t just right for school.
5 fingers up = a “dream” book that your child probably wants to read and should read with an adult’s guidance. Independent reading of a “dream” book can become frustrating...and what fun is that??!!
2-4 fingers up = a “just right” book. Yippee! Choose this book to read. It will help increase comprehension as well as fluency.

Blog tip for choosing books:

Can't decide on what to read? You and your child can easily create a list of books that are customized to your child's reading interests and ability. Just click on the "Book Adventure" link in the right hand column of this blog and follow the prompts to create a list. You may want to look for the books at your public library or look on the May Watts LMC site to see if the books are available here at school.  

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. 

Spelling

The first Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe homwork has been graded and went 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 also the day of the test.    

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. 

Blog Tip for Math Fact Practice: In the right hand column of this blog click on the link: Math Practice Sites_Mastering Math Facts Practice Sets. This will take you to the rotations for each "level" of the Otter Creek Program. You can copy the facts onto index cards for at-home practice with your child. (Please refer to the 1-minute timing that your child brought home on Friday to see what level he/she is working on.)

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. 

Parent Orientation/Curriculum Night

On Thursday, September 15, you are invited to visit your child's 2nd grade classroom. This informational night is designed for parents only to attend. During this session, I will provide you with district curriculum information as well as routines and procedures specific to 2BR. You may stop by room 202 from 6:30-7:00 p.m or 7:05-7:35 p.m.

While you are here...please sign up for your November conference time. We will also have sign-up sheets outside the 2nd grade classrooms for volunteer positions and/or classroom donations. 

Scholastic Book Order

On Friday your child brought home book order forms for your perusal. If you choose to order books for your child, please fill out the order form on the back of the book selection pamphlet. I will write a “book order form due date” in the left margin of this blog so you will know when your order/check is due. Please make checks to: Scholastic Book Orders. Please do not send cash. If you order from more than one form, you need only write one check...just combine the totals. I am very discreet about distributing books when they arrive in the classroom (I sneak them into backpacks while the children are at a special) so children who choose not to order, do not feel left out. Also, if you would like to place a gift order, just let me know and I’ll put your order in the office for you to pick up. 

P.E. Volunteers 

Our P.E. teacher, Ms. Andrews is looking for P.E. volunteers. Please click on her link in the left hand column of this blog for more information. 

PTA 

The May Watts P.T.A. (Parent Teacher Association) is sponsoring an ice cream social, for all families, on Monday evening. Please click on the P.T.A. link in the right-hand column of this blog for details. I hope to see you there! :)