Dear Parents, September 6,
2016
Welcome to a new school
year! I hope your child is as excited as
I am about the upcoming year. The
children have been busy the first few days being introduced to new classmates,
class routines, and curriculum.
Some of the programs we use
in second grade will be familiar to the children. We use the Lucy Calkins Reading Program,
which was introduced last year! It
follows the Reader’s Workshop format, which is similar to what your child used
in first grade. The children are
expected to read for 15 minutes each night as part of their homework. In the
spring, we will be starting the Lucy Calkins Writing Program. We are using Fundations for our
phonics/spelling program this year. Students will work on their phonics skills in
class and take a test at the end of each unit. Our math program is Go Math! The
program includes a homework component given Monday – Thursday that reinforces
the concepts we work on during the week.
Homework will be sent home starting Wednesday, 9/7/16. I will be sending
home a letter that will include a Reflex Math login and password for your child
to practice their math facts. Please try
to get your child on Reflex a few times a week to practice their facts.
The special schedule for this year is as follows:
Monday – Physical Education
Tuesday – Library
Wednesday – Chorus
& Physical Education
Thursday – Music & Computer
Friday – Art
Lunch – 12:50-1:20
Recess – 1:20-1:40
Each month I will post a newsletter on my website which will outline the
material and topics that we are studying during the month. If you have any questions or concerns, please
send a note, email, or call me @ 508-541-5475 ext. 2033. Please check my class web page to find out
more information about homework, book club orders, birthday celebrations, and
useful links children can use to reinforce skills learned in the classroom. The
web address is http://hods.norfolk.k12.ma.us. Look under Grade 2 and click on my name, Kate
Aucella, to get to my web page. I am
looking forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Aucella
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Grade2 > Aucella, Kate >
Class Newsletters
March Newsletter
What We're Learning Math - We just finished a unit that focuses on three-digit addition and subtraction. We began Unit 7 last week. This unit focuses on money and time, the kids are doing well so far! Reading/Social Studies – We've revisited reading Non Fiction in order to do a Social Studies project. The children are working in groups to research one of the continents and then will create a poster. Writing – We are finishing our paragraph unit and will move onto Poetry writing in April. Science – A scientist from Hi Touch Hi Tech will visit our class to teach the children about Matter. The students got to be scientists by participating in a few science experiments. We will continue our unit on Matter for a few weeks. Club Glo - The first session began last week. The next three sessions are on 3/4, 3/11 and 3/18. The children always enjoy this special time! Events 3/1 - Half Day - PD 3/21 – Spring Photos 3/24 – Report Cards issued FYI 5/25 - Wizard of Oz play for parents at 9:30 in the HOD auditorium Thank you to the TPA for sponsoring Hi Touch High Tech, this is an exciting, hands-on program!
Thank you for providing a delicious luncheon 3/1! Teacher Recommened Links http://www.magickeys.com/books/
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/match/dragflip.asp?filename=kderittecompound
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February Newsletter
What We're Learning Math - We just finished a unit on subtraction. The children learned many new strategies for subtracting multi digit numbers. We will begin our unit on 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction this week. We continue to focus on strategies for subtracting and adding 3 digit numbers. Please have you child continue to practice their math facts at home! Reading – The kids have been learning how to think more deeply about the text they are reading. The focus was paying attention to figurative language Please remember to send the book bags back to school on Thursday, unless they go home on a Tuesday. Then the bags come back on Friday. Writing – The class finished their persuasive letters. The children worked very hard and the letters are great! We are starting our paragraph unit this week. The kids will write many paragraphs about different topics. Social Studies - The class is learning about mapping skills, continents & oceans this month, as well as some famous presidents. Science – We will start a unit on Matter (solids, liquids, & gases) later this month. Events 2/6 – 100th Day – Second graders are invited to dress up like they are 100 years old. I’ve attached to a sheet with some dress up ideas. 2/14 – Valentine’s Day Class Party 2/17 – Ice Skating Trip 2/20 - 2/24 – Mid-Winter Break – Enjoy! Teacher Recommended Links http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/addition.html http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/subtraction.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/levels
Happy Valentine’s Day! |
January Newsletter
What We're Learning Math - We are almost done with Unit 5 which focuses on 2 digit subtraction. The class will take their test early next week. Reader's Workshop - We started a new unit on Fluency. The kids are working on ways to improve their reading, so that it sounds smooth. Writer's Workshop – The kids are learning about Persuasive writing. They will be writing letters to persuade their audience to feel the same way they do on a topic. Social Studies - We will begin our unit on mapping skills, continents, oceans, rivers and mountain ranges next week. Science – We finished our unit on Pebbles, Sand, and Silt. The kids loved the hands on experiments! The next unit will be Matter. Upcoming Events 1/16 No School – Martin Luther King Day 1/17 Half Day - Professional Development 1/27 Bingo Night – HOD 1/30 Kick off of the BEAR Reading Incentive Teacher Tips Addition and Subtraction practice This is a great link for students. It lets them practice addition and subtraction fact. http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skill_builders/adding_math_second_2nd_grade.htm
http://www.brooklyn.ctschool.net/elementary/games2.html
Happy New Year! |
December Newsletter
What We're Learning! Math - We are working on Unit 4 in Go Math. This unit teaches the students addition strategies using two digit and three digit numbers. Reader's Workshop - The class continues to focus on Non-Fiction for the rest of this month. The kids are learning all about the elements that make up a Non-Fiction book and main idea. Writer's Workshop – The kids are working on Non-Fiction writing. They are researching an animal to that they chose. The kids will be using books and various websites to find information about their animal with the end project being a poster. They also have been doing some Holiday writing. Social Studies - The next unit will include mapping skills, continents, and oceans. Science – We continue to learn about Pebbles, Sand, & Silt. The class has been investigating the properties of different rocks and doing experiments with sand & silt. The kids love the hands on experiments! *Ask your child to tell you how they grow knowledge while reading Non-Fiction books. Upcoming Events Friday – 12/23 – ½ Day School Sing-a-Long and Class Holiday Party which will be a Party in a Box - details to come. Teacher Tips http://www.sightwordswithsamson.com/sw/sight_words.asp
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade/second Thank you for your donations made to the food Pantry! We sent 430 canned goods to the Norfolk Food Pantry in November! I would also like to thank you for your generous donations made to our Hat & Mitten Tree and the Holiday Giving Project! Our class raised $105! Happy Holidays! |
November Newsletter
What We’re Learning! Math – We are in the middle of Unit 3 which focuses on Basic Facts and Relationships. Some of the strategies being taught for addition and subtraction are challenging. The kids are working hard and figuring out which strategy works best for them. Please encourage your child to study their facts using Reflex, games, or flash cards. Reading – The class just ended our first reading unit. This unit focused on decoding, strategies to help when retelling, and author’s purpose. We will begin Non-Fiction this week and continue with it until next month. The kids will learn all about the elements that make up a Non-Fiction book and main idea. Writing – This class finished fiction writing last month. I hope you enjoyed the Halloween stories shared at conferences. We will be starting a non fiction writing unit this week. The kids will research an animal and then create a poster with all the information they learned. Science – We continue to learn about Pebbles, Sand, & Silt. The class has been investigating the properties of different rocks and doing experiments with sand & silt. The kids love the hands on experiments!
Social Studies – The class is learning about landforms. The next unit will include mapping skills, continents, & oceans. Upcoming Events 11/8 – No School – Professional Development 11/11 – No School – Veteran’s Day 11/17 – Little Mermaid Play – Foxboro Orpheum 11/23 – Noon Dismissal
11/24 & 11/25 – No School
Teacher Tips Ask your child to tell you two non fiction features they’ve learned during Independent Reading. LINKS http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec3.html
I hope you all have a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving with your families! |
October Newsletter
What We’re Learning! Math - We finished Chapter 1 last week. This chapter focused on Algebra, with specific lessons on odd and even numbers, place value, different names for numbers, and skip counting by 5s, 10s, & 100s. We began chapter 2 this week. This Chapter focuses on many concepts taught in chapter 1, but includes numbers to 1,000. Reading - We have been learning how to choose “just right“ books and about the Decoding Strategies good readers use, in order to become better readers. Please remember to have your child read for 10 to 15 minutes each night and follow the Homework Calendar. Writing - The students have been working on sentence structure and what makes a good sentence. The children are also learning about writing Small Moments (stories from their lives). Each child will be publishing one of their pieces at the end of the unit. Science - We began a unit on Pebbles, Sand, & Silt. The class will be investigating the properties of different rocks and doing many experiments with sand & silt. The kids love the hands on experiments! Social Studies – The class will be learning about Wants and Needs, Products and Services, and Christopher Columbus.
Upcoming Events 10/3-10/14 – “Eye & Hi’s” Program – Reinforces social skills of making eye contact & greeting adults and children. 10/11 & 10/12 – No school due to Columbus Day and a Professional Development Day. 10/21 – Progress Reports issued 10/31 – Halloween Parade – 1:45
I will be emailing a conference reminder to everyone in the middle of the month.
Teacher Tips *You can check out updates, upcoming events, homework assignments, and our class schedule on my web page. To view my page, go to http://www.norfolk.k12.ma.us/aucella. *Links
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