Mrs. Tabor’s 2^nd Grade Weekly News

8/31 - 9/4

 

Dear Families,

 

                We are wrapping up a wonderful first whole week of school! The students are doing a great job learning classroom and school wide expectations and routines.

 

Related Arts for Next Week:  Art (Monday-Thursday) Music (Starts Friday)

Daily Lunch Time:  10:43-11:09

 

Homework:

-          Read 20 minutes each night and record title in student agenda.

-          Word Wall Words: students should be able to recognize and spell the following words : high, done, men, wish, love

-          Each Friday your child will bring home their morning work from the week. On some days your child might not complete every single box, however it is their goal to complete as much as they can. Morning work is always a review of concepts previously learned. We check the work as a class using colored pencils. Please look over the work with your child. The morning work does not need to be returned.

-          Please also check agenda and take home folder nightly. Sometimes assignments will come home in order to be completed and returned.

 

Reader’s Workshop:

How do I recommend a book?

What are different kinds of fiction?

What are different kinds of non-fiction?

How do I use our school library?

-          Throughout the school year the students will read a variety of genres. This coming week we will focus on being able to identify different genres. I also encourage students to read different genres at home and while at school. For example, even though I love mystery books I also try to read non-fiction. On Tuesday, our class will attend library orientation with Mrs. Clark. Once orientation is complete each child will be able to check out two books at a time.  Children are encouraged to read library books completely, rather than abandoning them quickly.  Therefore, they will be allowed to visit the library no more than twice a week. Your child will be encouraged to check out “good fit” books, but they will be checking out books independently.  If you notice that the books your child brings home are far above their ability to read independently, please remind your child of this expectation.  You may want to give me a “heads up” as well!

 

Math Workshop:

What are math tools?  What is my “tool belt”?

Why are clocks an important tool?

How do I identify coins and their value?

How is a pattern block a math tool?

How can calculators help me do math?

-          We will continue next week building our “math tool belt”.  This week we will practice telling time to the nearest half hour. We will also review the value of a penny, nickel, dime and quarter. As well as recognize these coins by their size, color, and symbols.

 

Social Studies:

What does it mean to begin with the end in mind?

What does it mean to put first things first?

-          We will continue learning about the Leader in Me Seven Habits of Happy Kids.  We will learn all seven habits this year, and practice living these habits in our daily lives at school and at home.  This coming week we will work on habits two and three.

-          Habit 2:  Begin with the End in Mind – I plan ahead and set goals.  I do things that have meaning and make a difference.  I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision.  I look for wards to be a good citizen. 

-          Habit 3: Put First Things First – I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized.

 

 

Writer’s Workshop:

Who is my new “best friend”?

What are different types of punctuation? 

-          On Monday, students will be introduced to their Quick Words book aka their new “best friend.” This is a tool that will help students spell words correctly. Students will always have this book by them when they are writing. We will also be doing a fun unit on punctuation using mentor texts by Mo Willems. Students will be able to recognize and use the correct punctuation for commands, statements, exclamations, and questions.

 

Important Dates:

-          Parent Orientation has been scheduled for September 10^th at 7pm.  Those parents interested in being a volunteer this year can complete the confidentiality training at 6:30pm. 

Other Information:

-          Please read over the Habit information page with your child this weekend.

-          Ask your child if they filled a bucket at school this past week?

-          On Tuesday, please have your child bring in a baggy with a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter inside. They will bring the coins back home the same day.

-          We have our first guidance lesson with our new school counselor, Mrs. Murphy on Wednesday.

Mrs. Tabor’s 2^nd Grade Weekly News

8/24 – 8/28

 

Dear Families,

 

                Our first three days were awesome!  We are excited for our first full week of school.  Following is a list of activities and announcements for next week.  Please contact me with any questions.  Thank you!    

 

Related Arts for Next Week: Handwriting/problem solving with Mr. Freyer

Daily Lunch Time:  10:43 – 11:08 am

 

Reader’s Workshop:

How do I choose just right books?

How do we preview books we want to read? 

What’s in my book stack?

Why do readers abandon books?

-          We are working on establishing the rituals and routines of our reader’s workshop.  Students are also learning how to make just right book choices; the books they should be reading independently most of the time.  Students should choose books using the 5 finger rule (if there are 5 or more unknown words on a page, then the book is too challenging for you right now.)  Students should also be reading one book at a time, and should not abandon a book without discussing it with Mrs. Burger first. 

 

Math Workshop:

What are math tools?  What is my “tool belt”?

How can a number line help me with math?

How can a 100’s chart / Number grid help me with math?

How can base 10 blocks help me with math?

-          This week we will be building our “math tool belt”.  The tool belt is a mental visual aid representing the tools mathematicians can use to help them solve math problems.  This week we will learn about and practice using a number line, hundreds chart / number grid, and base 10 blocks. 

 

Social Studies:

What does it mean to be proactive? Reactive?

What does it mean to begin with the end in mind?

-          This week we will begin learning about the Leader in Me Seven Habits of Happy Kids.  We will learn all seven habits this year, and practice living these habits in our daily lives at school and at home.  Look for a separate parent info letter that will come regarding each habit. 

-          Habit 1:  Be Proactive – I am a responsible person.  I take initiative.  I choose my actions, attitudes and mood.  I do not blame others for my wrong actions.  I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.

-          Habit 2:  Begin with the End in Mind – I plan ahead and set goals.  I do things that have meaning and make a difference.  I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision.  I look for wards to be a good citizen. 

 

 

Writer’s Workshop:

When am I a writer?

What can I write about? 

How do I build my writing stamina?

-          This week we will continue to establish the rituals and routines of our writer’s workshop.  Students will work on creating a list of possible writing topics based on their personal lives.  We will also practice building our writing stamina. 

   

 

Other Information:

-          Forms for Mrs. Tabor and TFK subscription money ($5.00) are due by next Friday, August 28^th.  Thank you to those of you who already sent them in. We started sharing the Student Spotlights and the students are really enjoying hearing the special things you have written about them!

-          A few students have not purchased the items needed from the bookstore.  This year students will work on their Handwriting and need to purchase the Writing Power handbook from the book store.  It is $9.00.   A few students are still missing include headphones (any),

-          Students can bring in a picture of their family to display in the classroom.  They can also bring in a pack of sugar free gum. 

-          Parent Orientation has been scheduled for September 10^th at 7pm.  Those parents interested in being a volunteer this year can complete the confidentiality training at 6:30 pm. 

-          Early Release Days – This year, a student must have a note each time their transportation is different from their transportation form.  For example, if a student usually rides the bus home, but on early release days they will be a car rider, you must send in a note on each early release day so the office knows of the change. 

-          We will be working a lot on our school expectations for the classroom, hallway, bathroom, and cafeteria.  We are getting better at staying quiet in the hallways.  

-          Nut-Free healthy snacks only in classroom.  We have snack time each day at 9:15 am.  Please make sure your child’s snack is healthy and nut-free.  It is acceptable to have peanut butter items packed in their lunch, but please do not send in for snack. 

-          There will be a Girl Scouts information meeting for parents next Thursday, August 27^th at 6:15 pm in the cafeteria. 

-          There will be a Parent Confidentiality training offered next Friday, August 28^th at 9am in the cafeteria.

-          You can expect to receive a newsletter from me each Friday.  The newsletter will include important information about our learning for the up-coming week, as well as any announcements. 

Welcome to Mrs. Tabor's Second Grade Class!

Welcome Families!
         I am so glad that I was able to meet most of you at Open House.  I have to say, your energy and eagerness to help your children really impressed me!  Being excited and involved will make a positive influence in your children's success this year. 
        For the first day of school, please send a water bottle (empty or ice only) and a healthy snack.  If you have completed the information packet, the Spotlight, and the Time for Kids check, please send those in as well. 
      Thanks for helping us have a great start!
Sheri Tabor