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Good afternoon families!
I hope everyone is having a great start to their week and is back in the swing of the school schedule. The students are doing an absolutely fantastic job. They have so many routines down and they are organized, energized and ready to learn
In math we are working on Topic 1, which is adding and subtracting within 20 using different strategies. From this point on the math homework that goes home will directly correlate with the lessons we do in class. These strategies start to become increasingly difficult through the year. If you are ever helping at home and your students (or you!) becomes confused please remember that you can always use pearsonrealize.com as a resource. If you go into the topic you can open each lesson (your math homework will say the lesson and topic). Once that is done there are 1 or 2 videos that you can watch to help understand how the work is done. Please use this very valuable resource.
In science we are working on how the human body works from the inside. Students are LOVING this unit so far so be sure to ask them about. Today we learned how a heart moves blood. There will be pictures on the class website soon!
Speaking of the class website....although you cannot yet access the new one through the school website yet, here is the link: http://suteras.weebly.com/
This week we have finished our first book of Unit 1, called Trouble at the Sandbox. Each day the students have read the chapters out loud as a group and I have also read them to the students. Tomorrow we will have a quiz on the book. At this point of the year I will still be reading questions to the students as a class. As more students become independent readers, however, that will begin to phase out and I will just read when they need help. For our larger unit tests, however, I will not be reading the passages to them at all. Those tests are not based on the books but instead the skills we are learning in class and their ability to read the passages independently.
Second grade is a big jump from first grade and students learn at such different paces. As the students get older they start to become unsure of themselves and their abilities. I consider it one of my biggest and more important responsibilities to ensure students are building their self esteem and are comfortable with their own academic progress. If your child feels like they are struggling with reading please remind them that they are getting better everyday- even if it doesn't feel like it!
I also wanted to remind you that homework packets are due Friday. Students will also have their first spelling test Friday. I have signed all of the students up for Spelling City, thanks to a generous classroom donation, and added their spelling lists so they can practice with their words and games. It really is a super fun program and I encourage everyone to take advantage of it. It will make spelling practice much more exciting!
Finally, I wanted to inform you all that I will be out Friday and Monday for a planned trip. I strive to take as few days off as possible during the year but when I am off I can promise you that your children are in good hands. Class will go on as normal and lessons would be taught as if I were here. Unfortunately, I will not have internet access at all while I am gone but will answer any and all questions as soon as I return. I am VERY sad that I am missing the back to school picnic on Saturday but I hope you can all make it and enjoy a day of friendship at Largo Central Park.
As always, if yo have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out and email me! I am here to help!
I hope everyone is having a great start to their week and is back in the swing of the school schedule. The students are doing an absolutely fantastic job. They have so many routines down and they are organized, energized and ready to learn
In math we are working on Topic 1, which is adding and subtracting within 20 using different strategies. From this point on the math homework that goes home will directly correlate with the lessons we do in class. These strategies start to become increasingly difficult through the year. If you are ever helping at home and your students (or you!) becomes confused please remember that you can always use pearsonrealize.com as a resource. If you go into the topic you can open each lesson (your math homework will say the lesson and topic). Once that is done there are 1 or 2 videos that you can watch to help understand how the work is done. Please use this very valuable resource.
In science we are working on how the human body works from the inside. Students are LOVING this unit so far so be sure to ask them about. Today we learned how a heart moves blood. There will be pictures on the class website soon!
Speaking of the class website....although you cannot yet access the new one through the school website yet, here is the link: http://suteras.weebly.com/
This week we have finished our first book of Unit 1, called Trouble at the Sandbox. Each day the students have read the chapters out loud as a group and I have also read them to the students. Tomorrow we will have a quiz on the book. At this point of the year I will still be reading questions to the students as a class. As more students become independent readers, however, that will begin to phase out and I will just read when they need help. For our larger unit tests, however, I will not be reading the passages to them at all. Those tests are not based on the books but instead the skills we are learning in class and their ability to read the passages independently.
Second grade is a big jump from first grade and students learn at such different paces. As the students get older they start to become unsure of themselves and their abilities. I consider it one of my biggest and more important responsibilities to ensure students are building their self esteem and are comfortable with their own academic progress. If your child feels like they are struggling with reading please remind them that they are getting better everyday- even if it doesn't feel like it!
I also wanted to remind you that homework packets are due Friday. Students will also have their first spelling test Friday. I have signed all of the students up for Spelling City, thanks to a generous classroom donation, and added their spelling lists so they can practice with their words and games. It really is a super fun program and I encourage everyone to take advantage of it. It will make spelling practice much more exciting!
Finally, I wanted to inform you all that I will be out Friday and Monday for a planned trip. I strive to take as few days off as possible during the year but when I am off I can promise you that your children are in good hands. Class will go on as normal and lessons would be taught as if I were here. Unfortunately, I will not have internet access at all while I am gone but will answer any and all questions as soon as I return. I am VERY sad that I am missing the back to school picnic on Saturday but I hope you can all make it and enjoy a day of friendship at Largo Central Park.
As always, if yo have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out and email me! I am here to help!
Hello Families!
I wanted to take a few minutes and thank you all for a wonderful first week. Although it has only been three days I can certainly tell it is going to be a wonderful year! Thank you all so much for your support with supplies and beginning of the year forms and chaos! The students spent the first few days organizing their materials, taking baseline assessments and learning class procedures so that we are set up for a successful year. The back-to-school flipbook that I sent home on open house should answer many questions but I want to start the year by encouraging you to email me with ANY questions that you may have. Communication is key and I am here to help!
Just a few reminders for the start of the year...
-It is vital that you turn in all paperwork from the office asap- especially the yellow clinic cards.
-If you have not already done so please send in $5 for agendas
-Please check and sign your child's HERO binder each night. We will start filling them with information in no time
-The first homework packet and spelling list will be sent home Friday. Packets are due and spelling tests will be given the following Friday.
-Sign up for Remind101 if you would like text message reminders throughout the year
I would also like to remind you to please say goodbye to your child at the classroom door. Starting next week it is my goal for all students to come in, unpack and get going on their own. Second grade is a great year to really reinforce independence and they will always have morning work or another task to complete when they arrive. This independence will help nurture their self-confidence and problems solving skills as the year goes on. I appreciate your cooperation with this!
Lastly, I will be working diligently to get out class webpage up and running this weekend. Plato Academy is changing website platforms. Although you will still access the website the same way it will take a couple of days to get it published and running. Once it is posted I will let you all know. I will keep the website up to date with all of the information you need- everything from what we are learning to field trip information. Thank you for your patience while this process begins.
Again, please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to a fantastic year!
I wanted to take a few minutes and thank you all for a wonderful first week. Although it has only been three days I can certainly tell it is going to be a wonderful year! Thank you all so much for your support with supplies and beginning of the year forms and chaos! The students spent the first few days organizing their materials, taking baseline assessments and learning class procedures so that we are set up for a successful year. The back-to-school flipbook that I sent home on open house should answer many questions but I want to start the year by encouraging you to email me with ANY questions that you may have. Communication is key and I am here to help!
Just a few reminders for the start of the year...
-It is vital that you turn in all paperwork from the office asap- especially the yellow clinic cards.
-If you have not already done so please send in $5 for agendas
-Please check and sign your child's HERO binder each night. We will start filling them with information in no time
-The first homework packet and spelling list will be sent home Friday. Packets are due and spelling tests will be given the following Friday.
-Sign up for Remind101 if you would like text message reminders throughout the year
I would also like to remind you to please say goodbye to your child at the classroom door. Starting next week it is my goal for all students to come in, unpack and get going on their own. Second grade is a great year to really reinforce independence and they will always have morning work or another task to complete when they arrive. This independence will help nurture their self-confidence and problems solving skills as the year goes on. I appreciate your cooperation with this!
Lastly, I will be working diligently to get out class webpage up and running this weekend. Plato Academy is changing website platforms. Although you will still access the website the same way it will take a couple of days to get it published and running. Once it is posted I will let you all know. I will keep the website up to date with all of the information you need- everything from what we are learning to field trip information. Thank you for your patience while this process begins.
Again, please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to a fantastic year!