Happy Holidays

A fun week planned with the students teaching one another about different holiday traditions they researched last week. We also will have visits from our reading buddies, make gingerbread houses, paint glass candle holders, play the dreidel game (thanks to Ethan and his mom), visit various countries on Thursday for our International Festival (which parents have organized) and make a Kwanzaa fruit salad for snack on Friday. Remember it is noon dismissal on Friday, which gives you an early start to the holiday period. If I don't get to see you all, I wish you a wonderful holiday and joyful new year. Thanks for all your kindest and support. See you in 2012!

If your child has not already brought in a shoe box, please have him/her do so on Tuesday. This will be used to carry home the gingerbread house. Also, we are making a fruit salad on Friday and so each child will need to bring in a piece of fruit for the salad. Your child will have a note about this in his/her Take Home Folder today.

Thursday is our International Festival (which starts at 1:00pm if you are helping out). The students in my class will begin rotating from one second grade classroom to the next from 1:45-2:30. On this day, your child can wear to school an outfit representing a different country/culture, or the flag t-shirt they made and wore for the Second Grace Show. The afternoon is about celebrating different cultures and having fun.

Friday is our Lower Division Sing-a-Long and you are welcome to join us at 11:00 in the Janet Root Theater. Please come sit with us if you can.

Our field trip to Fresh Food Hydroponics (http://ffhydro.com) was a big hit. If you have some time, I would encourage you to visit to pick some fresh produce. The strawberries and beans were delicious.

Thanks to Mav's mom and sister for coming into class last Friday to steam fresh cauliflower from our second grade garden. Most students became big fans of this tasty vegetable once they took a risk and tried it with melted cheese or butter.

We are reviewing spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and handwriting this week in language arts. A copy of the review words was sent home today (Monday, Dec. 12). The students will share their holiday stories with their reading buddies, that they have been working hard on editing and publishing. We will be reading various holiday stories including Kyle's First Kwanzaa by Angela Shelf Medearis, The Chanukkah Guest by Eric A. Kimmel, The Black Snowman by Phil Mendez, and Pippin the Christmas Pig by Jean Little.

In math, the students will measure lengths and distances to the nearest inch and centimeter, explore area by tiling surfaces, develop paper-and-pencil strategies for adding 2- and 3 digit numbers and demonstrate using estimation to check if answer are reasonable. After break, we will finish off this unit with learning about The Parial Sums Addition Algorithm.

In social studies, the students will share the posters they created about the holiday traditions they have researched and be involved in various hands-on activities on Thursday during the International Festival.

In science, the students will mix granulated sugar with water of two temperatures - cold and warm and discover that warm water dissolves the sugar much faster than cold water does. We did not get a chance to work on this experiment from last week, seeing we were on our field trip to the farm.

Have a terrific week.

Ms. O'Mullane

December 5-9 - Zdravstvuj (zdrah-stvooy; hello in Russian)

I can't get over this lovely weather we are having. I hope you enjoyed it over the weekend, as much as I did. Current Events begins this week and we are looking forward to hearing about what has been going on in the world of news. We have our first Field Trip on Tuesday to Fresh Food Hydroponics (http://ffhydro.com/) from 10:00-11:00. If you are interested in visiting with us, please meet us there. (-:

We are currently collecting gifts for the Holiday Gift Drive. Please wrap and label each gift with the Family number and Child's name. A post it or peel away label on the gift with gift content is helpful. If you are planning on giving, please have these in by this Thursday, December 8th. On Friday, Dec.9th, the students will carry the gifts to the gym to be sorted by family. Thanks for your generosity for this family in need.

The next two weeks we will talk about holiday traditions around the world including Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Santa Lucia Day, Christmas Day, Diwali, and Winter Solstice. The students will be researching one of these traditions as part of homework and presenting these in class next week. They will also create a poster in class depicting the holiday tradition.

Other reminders:
* Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates - Dec. 6 at 1:00 for students in grades 1-4.
* Lower Division Sing Along will take place on Friday, Dec. 16th at 11:00am for grade K-4 in the JRT
* Second Grade International Festival - Thursday, December 15 at 1:00pm. If you are interested in helping out or presenting an activity from your own country/culture, please get in contact with Zeina Kropf (zkropf@tampabay.rr.com) or Chris Chen (kuai_zi@hotmail.com)
* Winter Break - Dec. 16 (noon dismissal) - January 3
* Current Events - Tuesday: Gabby, John; Wednesday: Lucy, Connor; Thursday: Quentin, Skyler; Friday: Lucile, Ethan
* Parent Reader - A. Held

Here is our week at a glance. Remember to encourage your child to read each day and fill in his/her log. These are due each Monday. Today we had our first celebration for students who have read over 500 minutes at home. (-:

Language Arts
* Phonics - r-controlled vowel/ ur/ir, er, ear
* Spelling - purple, serve, earning, heard, circle, skirt, thirsty, birthday, surprise, perfect, earthquake, learn, blurb, continent, traditions
* Vocabulary - muffler, hauled, thrashing, imitations
* Reading - Jeremy's Muffler by Laura F. Nielsen
* Fluency - Phrasing
* Comprehension - Fiction/Nonfiction; Monitor comprehension by rereading
* Grammar - Pronouns
* Handwriting - Sentences - Punctuation; "U u" (down, travel, up)
* Writing - Revising holiday stories; Holiday poems

Mathematics - Unit 4
* Estimating costs
* Develop strategies for adding 2-digit numbers mentally and provide experiences with calculating the total cost of two items
* Demonstrate making change for whole-dollar amounts up to $100
* Exploring length, area and attributes

Social Studies
* Exploring Europe
* Locating countries on a map; Scavenger hunt using reference material
* Researching holiday traditions around the world

Science - Changes - A Dissolving Race: Warm and Cold Water
* Students will observe what happens when they mix granulated sugar with cold and warm water
* Share observations and discuss the relationship between water temperature and the speed at which sugar dissolves

Have a wonderful week - (-:

Ms. O'Mullane

November 28-December 2

I hope you and your children had a fantastic Thanksgiving break, as I did with my husband and girls. We are now rested and ready to finish off 2011 with a bang.

I want to congratulate the students again for a wonderful Second Grade Show. What an amazing job they did. Thanks to all those involved in helping us paint t-shirts and set up and take down the stage. What a great team effort.

We are currently collecting gifts for the Holiday Gift Drive. Please wrap and label each gift with the Family number and Child's name. A post it or peel away label on the gift with gift content is helpful. On Friday, Dec.9th, the students will carry the gifts to the gym to be sorted by family. Thanks for your generosity for this family in need.

Other reminders:
* Holiday Gift Drive - Nov. 28-Dec. 9. Students will carry the gifts to the gym to be sorted by family on Dec. 9th
* Second Grade Field Trip to Fresh Food Hydroponics http://ffhydro.com/ - December 6th at 10:00am If you are interested in coming along, please meet us there
* Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates - Dec. 8 at 1:00 for students in grades 1-4.
* Lower Division Sing Along will take place on Friday, Dec. 16th at 11:00am for grade K-4 in the JRT
* Current Events begins next week (December 5th)

Language Arts
* Phonics - Soft c and g (c/s; g/j), dge
* Spelling - cereal, celebrate, fudge, fireplace, gentle, pledge, gymnast, advice, ginger, price, house, start, grew, way, friend
* Reading - The Big Bushy Mustache by Gary Soto (Realistic Fiction)
* Fluency - Good readers read long sentences by breaking them up into shorter groups of words that go together. Reading groups of words without pausing helps you make sense of what you are reading, and it sounds more like natural speech
* Comprehension - Good readers use strategies to make sense of what they read. One strategy readers can use is to reread parts that do not make sense to them.
* Robust Vocabulary - improvise, distraught, semblance, route, trance
* Grammar - Plural Possessive Nouns
* Writing - Craft of Revision
* Handwriting - t, a, d

Mathematics - Unit 4
Please check your child's Take Home Folder for the new Family Letter for Unit 4. To work with your child on the concepts taught in this unit and on previous units, it suggests trying several interesting and rewarding activities to support your child.
Your child will also be bringing home the last unit assessment. Please review, sign and return to school.
Here are concepts covered in our new unit this week:
* Solving change-to-more number stories
* Solving parts-and-total number stories
* Exploring reading temperatures on a thermometer, practice finding the total value of a group of coins, and developing readiness for classifying geometric shapes

Social Studies
* My holiday tradition(s)
* An introduction to Europe

Science - Changes - A Dissolving Race
* Students will compare and discuss the properties of two forms of the same solid - a sugar cube and granulated sugar
* Students will investigate how granulated sugar and a sugar cube dissolve in water
* Students record and discuss their observations

November 14-18

Wow. What a fantastic job the students did last Friday reciting the poem from James and the Giant Peach. I was so proud of them. Photos/film are coming your way in the next days. Thanks for coming out and supporting us.

We are all very excited about the upcoming Second Grade Program. The students are so excited and have been working very hard to get ready. They will be rehearsing every morning this week in the Janet Root Theater for the big performance on Friday, November 18th at 8:30am.

If you haven't already sent in one regular sized square bandana for our program, please do so tomorrow. Stuffed animals (labeled with students names) representing animals of the South American rainforest and Antarctica can be sent in tomorrow too.

We will need volunteers to help set up the stage on Wednesday from 12-1:30 in the theater as well as tearing down on Friday after the performance.

Please make sure that your child wears uniform bottoms (shorts, skirts/skorts or pants) on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Their flag shirts are here at school for them to get changed into.

Other reminders:
* Holiday Gift Drive - Nov. 28-Dec. 9. Students will carry the gifts to the gym to be sorted by family on Dec. 9th.
* Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates - Dec. 8 at 1:00 for students in grades 1-4.
* Lower Division Sing Along will take place on Friday, Dec. 16th at 11:00am for grade K-4 in the JRT
* Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 21-25

* Current Events: Tuesday: Emma, Caden; Wednesday: Zara, Cian; Thursday: Luke, Lizzie; Friday: Genesis, Maverick

Because we are busy preparing for our show, there will be no new spelling or vocabulary words this week. Homework and reading will continue though. (-:

We will also be reviewing Unit 3 math (Place Value, Money and Time) and the students will sit for their Math Unit 3 quiz on Wednesday. We will also be reading Thanksgiving stories, including Three Young Pilgrims) and do various activities around the Thanksgiving theme and doing some more science experiments as part of our exploration of solids, liquids and gases.

I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving celebration with your family and friends. It is such a special time to come together and to give thanks. How lucky we are to have so many wonderful things in our lives.

Week of November 8-11

Hello and I hope you all had a wonderful three day weekend. Wasn't the weather beautiful. I had a chance to visit the Dakin Dairy in Myakka City, which was a wonderful experience. I would recommend a visit with your children. You can learn more on their website: www.DakinDairyFarms.com

A busy week ahead with the Scholastic Book Fair, Poetry in the Park and rehearsals for our Second Grade Show. The students should come to school on Friday dressed in their colorful, fun clothes for our performance and it might be a good idea to bring along a change of shoes (if needed to wear for the remainder of the school day).

The 2011 Shorecrest Scholastic Book Fair is in full swing. The Fair begins today, Nov. 8 to Friday, Nov. 11, from 8am-4pm with extended shopping hours on Wednesday until 5:30pm.There you will find a wide variety of books for all ages, exclusive paperbacks editions of many new, popular titles, and grant your teacher's "wish" for their classroom library. Also, what is important is that purchases help raise funds for the Shorecrest library.

Today the students got to browse the book fair and make their own "Wish List", which they are bringing home today.

Poetry in the Park is this Friday, November 4th at 8:30am. Please bring a towel, deckchair or blanket to sit on. It is a fun time watching the students get up and recite poetry. Come join us for a wonderful morning.

Seussical the Musical will be performing in the JRT on Saturday, November 12. Tickets are being sold at the box office.

The Holiday Gift Drive will take place on November 28-December 9. A container will be placed in the classroom to collect holiday gifts. On Friday, December 9th the students will carry the gifts to the gym to be sorted by family. You will be receiving a gift list shortly.

Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates will be performing on Tuesday, December 6th at 1:00 for grade 1-4 in the JRT.

Curent Events: Tuesday: John, Gabby; Wednesday: Lucy, Connor; Thursday: Quentin, Skyler; Friday: Lucile, Ethan

Here is what else is going on in class this week. Please continue practicing the math facts with your child for quick accuracy and recall. Have a nice week.

Language Arts
* Phonics: e, ey and y
* Spelling: speedy, chimney, keyhole, money, valley, breezy, twenty, nobody, donkey, hungry, together, does, snow, grade, view
* Vocabulary: bargain, spoiled, exchange, savings
* Reading: A Chair for My Mother by Vera B Williams
* Reading Workshop: Fluency: Good readers pay attention to punctuation. They pause when they come to a comma, a period, a question mark, or an exclamation mark. Comprehension: Author's purpose
* Grammar: Abbreviations
* Writing Workshop: Poetry

Mathematics: Unit 3
* Making change by counting up
* Coin Exchanges
* Review Unit 3 for next week's quiz

Social Studies
* Rehearsal for our Second Grade show (A Small Part of the World)
* Touring South America using Google Earth

Science - Changes
* Separating mixtures (continued from last week's science)

BOOK FAIR NEXT WEEK

The 2011 Shorecrest Scholastic Book Fair will take place next Tuesday, Nov. 8 to Friday, Nov. 11, from 8am-4pm with extended shopping hours on Wednesday until 5:30pm.There you will find a wide variety of books for all ages, exclusive paperbacks editions of many new, popular titles, and grant your teacher's "wish" for their classroom library. Also, what is important is that purchases help raise funds for the Shorecrest library.

My class will be browsing the book fare on Tuesday between 10:45-11:00 and again on Wednesday between 10:15-10:30. If you would like to join us at these times, please meet us at the classroom or at the Student Activity Center. If you can't make these times and want to come collect your child from the classroom to purchase books, please email me first to make sure we are not in rehearsals or at specials.

Thanks again - Happy browsing and shopping.

Marion O'Mullane

Kia Ora (Hello in Maori): Oct. 31-Nov. 4

Kia Ora, is hello in Maori (New Zealand).

Thanks to all who came to help out at last Friday's parade and festival. My students had been transformed into zombies, a prisoner, angel, policewomen, Indian princesses, the Little Mermaid, Dracula, soldier, Snoopy, cheerleader, witches and Percy Jackson. What fun!
The parade and festival were a "hit". A big thanks to Emma's dad for being our class photographer and Gabby's mom for organizing a snack and goody bags, and all parents who helped the students change. The students had so much fun! I heard one of the students say, "This is the best day ever". (-:

The second graders are excited! This year the four classes are combining their talents for Poetry in the Park. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the classic, James and the Giant Peach, the second graders will present one of the poems from the story. The poem is fun and zany and we hope the students will come dressed to fit the parts! Everyone needs to be practicing and getting his/her costume ready for the big day, November 11th.

The children are also working hard to get ready for our Second Grade Program. Each child is responsible for making the flag of the country he/she has been assigned. This is due tomorrow (Tuesday) along with a wire coat hanger. Your child will also need one regular sized square bandana for our program. It should be the traditional western pattern in any color. We also need brown paper grocery bags, clear/white gallon milk water bottles (no yellow) and stuffed animals labeled with student names (animals can be brought in the week of the show) for the stage.

We will also need volunteers to help set up the stage on Wednesday, November 16th from 12-1:20 in the theater as well as tearing down on Friday after the performance. Thank you in advance. This is such a special event for everyone.

OTHER INFORMATION
* Professional Day for EC and Lower Division on Monday, November 7. No school for students in these grades on this day.

* The Book Fair will take place the week of November 8 in the Janet Root Theater Lobby and the Student Center. We will be visiting the fare on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, but you are welcome to visit with your child at other times during the day. Just email me when you plan to collect your child, to make sure we are in our classroom.

* Second Grade Performance: Friday, November 18 at 8:30am. Refreshments will be served following the show.

*“Seussical the Musical”: “Seussical the Musical” will be performing in the Janet Root Theatre on Saturday, November 12. Please contact the box office for more details.

* Holiday Gift Drive: The Holiday Gift Drive will take place November 28 - December 9. A container will be placed in the classroom to collect holiday gifts. On Friday, December 9 the students will carry the gifts to the gym to be sorted by family.

* “Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates”: “Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates” will be performing on Tuesday, December 6 at 1:00 for grades 1-4 in the Janet Root Theatre.

* Parent Reader: Mrs. Peters (Friday @8:10)

* Current Events: Open share this week and next week we will begin Current Events sharing for the month of November.

Here is our week at a glance. A big focus in class is preparing for our second grade show, which is just around the corner. We will be making props/decorations, practicing our Irish dance, singing songs and reciting poems. If you are interested in helping out, please email Molly Camp at m.camp10@knology.net. In the meantime, please continue reminding your child to practice the show poems (which are in his/her Take Home Folder), dance and songs.

Language Arts
* Phonics: Diagraphs: ch, tch, sh, th
* Spelling: cheese, matchbox, toothbrush, starfish, sketch, sandwich, bathtub, shadow, thankful, crash, live, party, game, try, pick
Please practice these words with your child connecting the spelling pattern as he/she practices
* Vocabulary: plaque, collection, clomping, layered
* Reading: Jamaica Louise James by Amy Hest; James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
* Reading Workshop: Good readers pay attention to punctuation marks to help them make sense of what they read. Comprehension: Authors Purpose; Asking questions about a story helps me think about what I read.
* Grammar: Abbreviations
* Writing: Publishing our personal narratives; Writing poetry
* Handwriting:

Please note: Because it is such a busy time in class, we will have our "Writing Celebration" after Thanksgiving break. More information will follow in the next couple of weeks.

Mathematics: Unit 3
* Review telling time and practice writing time in digital-clock notation
* Experience representing and renaming numbers with base 10 blocks, making, describing and comparing geoboard shapes
* Gathering data, entering data on a table and drawing a bar graph; finding the middle value in a data set
* Solving Frames-and-Arrows problems having two rules

Social Studies
* Touring South America using Google Earth
* Recording information in a web

Science - Separating Solid and Liquid Mixtures
* After mixing three solids with water and observing the changes that results in each mixture (last week's lesson), students are ready to look at ways to separate their mixtures.

I wish you a terrific week. Remember, at any time you have questions or concerns, please email me and we will set up a time to meet.

- Marion O'Mullane

Week of October 24th

POETRY IN THE PARK
The second graders are excited! This year the four classes are combining their talents for Poetry in the Park. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the classic, James and the Giant Peach, the second graders will present one of the poems from the story. The poem is fun and zany and we hope the students will come dressed to fit the parts! Everyone needs to be practicing and getting his/her costume ready for the big day, November 11th. We hope to see you there!

HALLOWEEN PARADE/FALL FESTIVAL
This Friday is Fall Festival and the students will participate in the annual Shorecrest Halloween Parade. The school day will begin and children should be dropped off by 8:05am as usual. The Halloween Parade will begin at 8:30am. The fourth graders will start the parade at 8:30am and be joined by each of the other levels as they process. Please send your child to school on Friday, dressed in his/her costume. Because your child's safety is our primary concern, students are not allowed to wear masks or bring toy weapons. We will help the children change after the parade so please send a set of clothing (children do not need to wear uniforms) in a large bag clearly marked with the child's name.

After the parade, our students will return to the classroom where they will change clothes and remain until the festival begins. Please pack a snack on this day - which the students will eat before being dismissed. You will need to come pick up your child from the classroom at 10:00.


Here is our week at a glance. I hope to see you on Friday at the Halloween Parade. It should be lots of fun.

Language Arts
* Phonics Review: long vowel i/e. igh; a/ai, ay; r-controlled vowel ar; long vowel o/oa, ow
* Spelling Review: raindrop, gray, waist, swayed, spray, crayon, waited, brain, highway, mailbox, daytime, happy, catch, must, stop, lightning, high, weeknight, lie, flight, nightstand, sightsee, frightened, sunlight, mighty, knew, winter, begin, same, gone, yellow, soap, sailboat, carload, snowflake, window, grows, loan, bowl, nose, walk, ten, change, outside, part, charge, starlight, carpet, harmful, garden, market, pardon, barber, artist, barnyard, last, goes, school, night, there
* Reading: Readers' Theater, A Trip to the Fire Station (Documentary); James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
* Vocabulary: documentary, dispatcher, prevent, minor
* Reading Workshop: Fluency (review intonation and expression); Comprehension (review making predictions, using prior knowledge, plot and using story structure)
* Grammar (review): nouns, singular and plural nouns, proper nouns
* Writing Workshop: Proofreading, editing and publishing
* Handwriting: Capital partners (c, o, s, v, w) and t

Mathematics: Unit 3 - Place Value, Money and Time
* Review Unit 2 quiz
* Review place value in 2-digit and 3-digit numbers
* Review coin values and exchanges among coins; explore combinations needed to pay for items
* Review telling time; practice writing time in digital-clock notation

Social Studies
* Using Google Earth to explore the continent of South America

Science - Changes -
* Mixing Solids and Liquids


We will also be practicing for Poetry in the Park and our Second Grade Program. Please encourage your child to read over the poems at home.

Thanks and have a wonderful week - Ms. O'Mullane

Week 9 - Oct. 17-Oct. 21 - Kwasindiswa

Kwasindiswa is hello from Tanzania. I hope you enjoyed your three day weekend and this beautiful fall weather. I still can't believe that it is already October and Fall Festival is just around the corner (October 28th). This time of year is one of our busiest times in second grade with getting ready for two performances: Poetry In the Park (Friday, November 11 @8:30am); and our Second Grade Program (Friday, November 18 @8:30am) which take place one week apart. Please continue helping your child practice the poems for these performances. Copies are in his/her Take Home Folder.

Box Tops and Cash for Trash: Please continue sending in items that help earn dollars for our school. A big thank you to all who have brought items in this year. Keep it up!

Picture Re-take Day: Picture Re-Take Day will take place on Tuesday, October 18. Students must return their photo package to have a re-take. Students who were absent on Picture Day need to have their picture taken.

Reading Logs: Home Reading Logs are due each Monday. Thanks for supporting good reading habits!

Spirit Day: Every Friday is Spirit Day. Students may wear any shirt with a Shorecrest logo, specifically Shorecrest Spirit Wear, camp intramural or uniform shirts. These should be worn with uniform, Spirit Wear or denim bottoms.

Book Fair: The Book Fair will take place the week of November 8 in the Janet Root Theater Lobby and the Student Center.

Current Events: Tuesday: Gabby, John; Wednesday: Lucy, Connor; Thursday: Quentin, Skyler; Friday: Lucile and Ethan

Parent Reader: Mrs. Crupi

Here is a taste of what is going on in the classroom this week. We already met with our Alpha friends for reading buddies this morning and on Friday will help Ms. Conroy's Kindergarteners make something for Halloween.

Language Arts
Phonics: Lonog vowel o/oa, ow
Spelling: yellow, soap, sailboat, carload, snowflake, window, grows, loan, bowl, nose, walk, ten, change, outside, part
Vocabulary (from Koala Lou): bravely, preparations, spectator, competes
Reading: Koala Lou by Mem Fox; James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Reading Workshop: Fluency: Good readers change their voice to match the mood of a story as they read it aloud. When they come to a sad part in a story, good readers add an unhappy tone to their voice. When they come to a thrilling part, they raise their voice to sound excited.
Comprehension: Story plot

Also, in Reading Workshop the students will continue practicing ways to talk back to their books as they read. Some ways that they might talk back to their books on Post It notes as they are reading include: I'm thinking....I am noticing....I'm wondering......I can't believe....This reminds me of....The is confusing because.....I like this part because.....Why.....I think the character is feeling_____because....I think ____will happen next because.....

Grammar: More nouns
Handwriting Without Tears: Numbers 1 to 10 and capital partners (c, o, s, v, and w)

Mathematics: Unit 2 Review and Assessment
* What's My Rule?" Routines
* Review, develop and provide practice for subtraction strategies
* Review Unit 2 and progress check

Social Studies
* Introduction to South America
* The students will use Neighborhood Map Machine in the computer lab to create a map of their own city they created - using various features of a map that we have learned about in class

Science - Changes (see last week)

GO RAYS! WEAR YOUR SHIRTS TOMORROW

Students may wear their Ray's T-shirts again tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 4th) with their uniform bottoms to support the Ray's playing in the first round of the Championship.

GO RAYS! GO RAYS!

Week 7 - Hei (Finnish)

Hei is hello in Finnish. Happy October and fall. This has to be my favorite time of the year...harvest, pumpkins, festivals, trick or treating, sunny cool days. We have lots to look forward to over this month, including getting ready for Poetry in the Park and our Second Grade Show, not to mention Fall Festival.

I am looking forward to meeting with you on Thursday to chat about how your student is settling into the routine of second grade and ways to support his/her learning and development this year.

We are in a new month and I will be placing a new Current Event Schedule in your student's Take Home Folder. Seeing the week is short, we will start Current Events next Tuesday. Instead, we have made this week "telling a favorite joke week" to put a smile on everyone's faces. Your child will have the opportunity to share a favorite joke during our class meeting.

Here is what else is happening in our class this week.

Language Arts
* Phonics: long vowel a/ai, ay
* Spelling: raindrop, gray, waist, swayed, spray, crayon, waited, brain, highway, mailbox, daytime, happy, catch, must, stop

* Reading: The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry; James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

* Fluency: Intonation

* Comprehension: Making predictions and using prior knowledge

* Vocabulary: ancestor, creatures, ruins (n.), smoldering

* Grammar: Singular and Plural Nouns

* Writing: Personal Narrative; Stretching ideas across the page (think, sketch and write)

* Handwriting: Upper Case Letters

Mathematics: Unit 2

* Subtraction from addition (minus 0 and minus 1; relate subtraction facts to addition facts)

* Fact families (up to 10)

* Use a pan balance and spring scale, to experience the ounce/pound relationship, and to find the total number of objects in equal groups

* Name Collections (to review the concepts that a number can be named in many ways)

Social Studies

* Create postcard from famous landmarks in North America

Science - Changes - Lesson 5

* Students will explore mixtures of a solid and a liquid

* Observe three solids - gravel, toilet tissue, and kosher salt - and mixing each one with water, the students will discuss the changes they observe

GO RAYS! WEAR YOUR SHIRTS TOMORROW

Hello Everyone,

If the Rays win tonight, students may wear their t-shirts with the uniform shorts tomorrow. Let's support the Rays in a sea of blue!!!

Go...............Rays!!!

Ms. O'Mullane

Week 6 - September 26-30 - (šalom) שלום

Hello (šalom) שלום ). What a rainy weekend. Good for our gardens and cozy being indoors.

Can you believe that we are in the last week of September and into our sixth week of second grade already? Last week the students had fun planting plants in our second grade garden including lettuce, cabbage, beans, strawberries, tomatoes and broccoli plants. Now we will tend the garden and see what happens. We predict that we will have a delicious healthy crop ready to harvest in the next couple of months. Thanks to Skyler and Maverick's moms for helping us.

PARENT/TEACHING CONFERENCE
Next Thursday (October 6th) is Parent/Teacher Conference Day and no school for the students. Today you will be receiving a confirmation of your sign-up time. If you need to reschedule, please let me know as soon as possible.

MATH ASSESSMENT
Last week the students did their first math assessment, which we went over today in class. I will be sending this assessment for you to review with your child. I ask that you sign it and send it back to school. Please continue practicing with your child how to read the analog clock in 15 minute intervals (e.g. 12:00; 12:15; 12:30; 12:45), which we are also practicing here in class.

HOME READING LOGS
Research shows that the most prominent indicators of a successful reader is the amount of time spent actually reading. Therefore it is important that we keep an eye on the actual amount of reading that a child is doing. In Reading Workshop, your child keeps a Reading Log that I can refer to for evidence of growth across time and also as a tool for deeper reflection, and for teaching. Your child will also be bringing home a Home Reading Log, to support the reading they are doing at home and monitor what they are reading. I ask that you help your child complete this as part of their home reading routine and sign next to the day your child has read. Home Reading Logs will be due every Monday. Thanks for supporting good reading habits!

Other Reminders
* Parent Reader - Molly Camp (Friday @8:10)
* Current Events - Tuesday: Gabby, John; Wednesday: Lucy, Connor; Thursday: Quentin, Skyler; Friday: Lucile, Ethan
* Spirit Day - Every Friday
* Professional Development Day - Friday, October 14th (No School)
* Picture Re-Take - Tuesday, October 18th
* Halloween Parade/Fall Festival - Friday, October 28th

Here is a glance at the main concepts covered in class this week.

Language Arts
* Phonics: long vowel i/ie, igh
* Spelling: lightning, high, weeknight, lie, flight, nightstand, sight-see, frightened, sunlight, mighty, knew, winter, begin, same, gone
* Reading: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl; Winners Never Quit! by Mia Hamm; Climb Your Mountain by Helen Thayer
* Vocabulary: techniques, specially, struggle, traction
* Reading Workshop: Fluency - Good readers raise and lower their voices as they read, to add emphasis and expression; Comprehension - Good readers combine what they already know with information from the story to help them understand what they read and to make predictions about what will happen.
* Grammar: Nouns are naming words. Naming words name people, places, things, and animals.
* Writing Workshop: Understanding a small moment. When an author writes a Small Moment story, the author stretches out the sequence of actions across several pages to make the moment feel important and interesting.

Mathematics - Unit 2
* Review +0 and +1 addition facts and to provide practice with addition facts in which one of the addends is 0, 1, 2, or 3
* Review and practice double facts
* Turn around shortcut for addition and provide practice for a shortcut for addition facts that have 9 as an addend
* Explore and practice doubles plus 1 plus 2 facts

Social Studies
* Landmarks of North America
* Each child will research a landmark (man-made or natural) and create their own postcard (2 week project)

Science - Changes - Lesson 4 - Mixing and Separating Solids
Students will use two solids - kosher salt and gravel - to create and investigate a mixture

Have a wonderful week -

Marion O'Mullane

International Peace Day

Wednesday, September 21st is International Peace Day and to mark this celebration, the students can wear a peace t-shirt with their uniform bottoms on this day. If your child does not have a t-shirt, they should come in their regular uniform.

Math Games

Many games you have at home or see at the local store involve mathematical thinking. Children develop their skill in an almost effortless way when they play these games with each other and adults. The ages shown are suggested by the manufacturer, however, let the interest and motivation of your child by your guide when selecting and playing the games (Rf. Everyday Math, Home Connection Handbook).

Counting, Adding and Subtracting
Chutes and Ladders (3+)
Hi Ho! Cherry-O (3+)
Sorry! (6+)
Trouble (6+)
Uno (6+)

Attributes, Patterns, and Geometry
Crazy Eights - traditional card game (4+)
Guess Who? (6+)
Guess Where? (6+)
Jigsaw puzzles
Rummikub (8+)
tangrams (5+)

Strategy and Spacial Perception
The a-MAZE-ing Labyrinth (8+)
Battleship (7+)
checkers (3+)
Jenga (3+)
Connect Four (7+)
mancala (6+)
memory (many names exist for this game of matching face-down pictures (3+)
Mille Bornes (8+)
Othello (8+)
Pretty Pretty Princess (5+)

More excellent games can be found on the Internet by searching under "educational math games."

How to Help Your Child Learn His/Her Spelling Words The Old Fashion Way

How your child will learn to spell the words he/she has spelled incorrectly on his pre-test:

1) Have him/her say the word while looking at it.

2) Tell him/her to close his/her eyes, try to see the word, and then spell the word out loud.

3) Have him/her look at the written word to see if he/she has spelled it out loud correctly.

4) Ask him/her to look at the word, then cover the word and have him write it.

5) Finally, your child should check to see if he/she has written the word correctly. If the word is misspelled, all four steps should be repeated before moving on to the next word.

Once your child has learned to use this technique, he/she will be able to study his/her spelling words independently. On the night before the test, give him/her a final test of all the words.

Week 4 - September 12-16 - Hallo/Guten Tag

Our greeting of the week comes form Germany - Hallo/Guten Tag.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. How quick it always seems to go. I spent mine enjoying the sunshine with my family.

Last week was the first week of Current Events, and what a fantastic job the students did. We learned about a Giant Crab found in Antarctica, a surfing dog, Hurricane Irene, and a dog that can do math. We look forward to hearing from the rest of the students this coming week: Tuesday - Gabby, John; Wednesday: Lucy, Connor; Thursday: Quentin, Skyler; Friday - Lucile, Ethan.
I have put a copy of the Current Events Calendar for September in your child's Take Home Folder, so he/she has plenty of time to prepare and practice for the day he/she will present.

Parent Reader has been a big hit so far. Thanks to Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Peters for coming in to read to us the last two Friday mornings. Giving the students a chance to listen to you read helps instill a love of reading in them, as well as, model to them what a proficient reader does.

This Tuesday, September 13th, is Roald Dahl Day, and there will be events happening all around the world. On this day, second grade will begin reading James and the Giant Peach (which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year) and prepare something "peachy" for snack.

Please continue having your child practice the Seven Continents and Europe Poems at home, as well as start learning South America, which I will be sending home this week as part of homework. Be on the lookout for this in your child's Take Home Folder.

Picture day is Tuesday, September 13. All students, whether they are buying photos or not, need to have their photo taken ECC - 4th grade for the yearbook. Students must bring in their money by Tuesday if they plan to buy photos. Students who are out ill will have their picture taken on Picture Re-take Day Tuesday, October 18.

There will be a new student pizza lunch for grades 1 & 2 on Wednesday, September 14 at 11:30 in room C-9. Our two new students, Connor and Ethan will be involved in this.

The children will bring home the first Home Link in math this week and sit for their first math assessment. We will be doing lots of practice in class to help build up their confidence and proficiency in telling time, adding coins, counting on a number grid and line, as well as using tally marks.

Here are some themes/concepts covered this week in class.

Language Arts
* Phonics - long vowel e/ee, ea; Inflections -ed, -ing
* Spelling - teapot, seaweed, peanut, mealtime, please, feast, beneath, beehive, screech, sneak,
close, even, grow, some, gave
* Vocabulary - anxious, ached, crooned, scent
* Reading - Stellaluna by Janell Cannon; Dogs by Jennifer Gillis
* Reading Workshop: Fluency: Good readers vary their reading rate depending on what they are reading. They slow down when they notice new words. They read long, involved sentences, and unfamiliar ideas more carefully. They speed up when words and ideas are easy to understand. Comprehension: Review main idea and details. The main idea is the most important idea of a passage and details give more information about the main idea. Knowing the main idea helps readers understand what they are reading.
* Grammar - Parts of a sentence. A sentence has two parts - a naming part and a telling part. To find the naming part of a sentence, you can ask yourself, who or what the sentence is about. You can find the telling part by asking yourself what someone or something is or does.
* Writing Workshop - Editing and publishing reflections; Topics from the Heart; Personal Narrative
* Handwriting Without Tears - Pencil grip and slanting paper; Frog Jump Capitals (FEDPBRNM)

Mathematics - Unit 1
* Counting and looking for patterns on the calculator
* Comparing numbers using the relation symbols greater than, less than, equal to
* Introducing Home Links (Math Homework)
* Exploring Temperatures, Base 10 Structures and Dominoes
* Review Unit 1

Social Studies
* Postcards from North America
* Research facts about North America using World Book for Kids (Log-in : Shorecrest; Password: chargers). Student will put facts about North America in a web and add to this throughout the week. They are learning to read and take notes.


Science - Changes - Freezing and Melting
* Students will observe and record the properties of ice;
* Students design and implement a method for melting an ice cube
* Students set up an investigation of evaporation

Week 1 - August 22-26

The students are off to a great start! Last week was spent going over our classroom procedures and rules, as well as having some fun getting to know one another, designed to develop students' sense of belonging to the class. The students came up with a set of class promises centered around the Shorecrest Honor Pledge and Lower Division Motto, which are now proudly displayed on a chart on the classroom wall. Dr. Bianco visited us on Friday and made the comment that the students looked very settled and ready to learn. How proud of them I was. I am looking forward to a great year ahead.

Just a friendly reminder (if you haven't already) completed and turned in the Getting to Know You Questionnaire, that I sent home on the first day of school. I would love to have this from you. This information helps me get to know your child better and best meet his/her needs in the classroom.

Back-To-School Night is this Thursday, August 30th at 7pm. During this time you will have the opportunity to learn more about our classroom routines and expectations, instruction and grade level curriculum. You will also have a chance to sign up for various activities going on in class (e.g. Parent Reader) as well as fall conference day.

Here is our week at a glance. I explained our homework routine in an earlier blog, so please scroll down the page and have a read. I would encourage you to sign up for my blog, for weekly updates. I update my blog each Monday.

Have a wonderful week and hope to see you this Thursday.

Literacy
* Phonics - Short vowels a and i
* Spelling List 1- picnic, plastic, rabbit, fabric, napkin, Spanish, giggle, candid, zigzag, habitat
* Vocabulary - privacy, artistic, deluxe, expressed (the students will learn the meaning of these words and be able to use them in context)
* Reading - Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
* Reading Workshop - Unit 1 Study: Readers Build Good Habits
The students will learn that readers use all of their precious reading time by getting started right away, that readers choose a reading spot by finding a place that will help them do their best reading, that readers show they understand how the classroom library is organized by following routines and procedures for book shopping, and readers choose books to read by finding a book that is just right (not too hard, not too easy, just right).
* Grammar - Sentences express a complete idea. A sentence begins with a capital letter, and ends with an end mark, such as a period.
* Writing Workshop - Routines and Writing Assessment (An Animal for A Day)
* Handwriting - Assessment (Upper and Lower Case Letters)

Mathematics - Unit 1 - Numbers and Routines
* Introduce the Math Message routine; and to review number sequences and number lines
* Introduce the tool kits and guide children as they find the values of coin combinations
* Review months, weeks, and days of the week

Social Studies
* What is a continent?
* Draw a map of the world assessment
* Begin learning The Seven Continents Poem

Science
* Scientific Method
* Using the five senses

Over the next two weeks, we will be creating our Time Capsules, that we will fill with memories that will be sealed and opened up at the end of the school year. I wonder how much the students will grow, physically, emotionally, and academically this year.

Have a terrific week. I hope to see you on Thursday.

Ms. O'Mullane

Information about Homework

Homework is assigned on Monday through Thursday. It should take approximately 15-20 minutes or so to complete, varying somewhat with each child’s personal work habits. In addition, students are required to read for at least 20 minutes each night.

At the beginning of second grade, it is best to monitor the reading and, if possible, read along with your child. As the year progresses, you child will become a more independent reader and will be ready to choose favorite authors. It is perfectly acceptable for your child to read easy books at the beginning of the year. This creates a comfortable reading experience and enhances fluency. As time goes by, you will want to encourage more challenging selections (in partnership with me).

Each week your child will receive a homework log where he/she will record their daily homework assignments on.

Simply initial the right margin of the homework log to indicate your child has completed the homework and reading for that day.

The homework record sheet is kept in the “take home folder”, which will also contain notes from school and work samples. Please empty the folder each day from the KEEP section of the folder, and return any notes/work in the RETURN section of this folder.

Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy this special time with your child.

Kind regards,

Marion O’Mullane

momullane@shorecrest.org

Thanks so Much!

A big thank you to all my second graders and their families who contributed to my new ipad. I was in shock when a group of parents turned up this morning to present me this gift. How thoughtful and deeply touched I am. It has been such a pleasure teaching each and every one of your children this year and I will leave only with the fondest memories of the year we spent together.

I am on Facebook so please add me as a friend, if you are on Facebook too and want to keep in touch. Also email me anytime to let me know how life is going. Your children touched my heart this year in many ways.

I leave your children with this poem:

"You're a very special person,
And I wanted you to know,
How much I enjoyed being your teacher,
How fast the year did go!

Please come back to visit me
as through the grades you grow
Try hard to learn all that you can
There is so much to know!

The one thing I tried to teach you
To last your whole life through
Is to know that you are SPECIAL
There's no one else like you!"

Ms. O'Mullane

May 22-27

What a wonderful week we had last week with the digital portfolio showcase on Wednesday and the MOSI field trip on Friday. The students had a blast (and so did I).

This is our last full week of school before the summer break and I really can't believe where the time has gone. I thank you all for your partnership in educating your children - and what a fantastic class this has been to teach.

This week we are finishing off the last social studies and math units, as well as publishing some stories, reviewing math, writing reflections, and sharing facts we learned about our penguins. We are also performing our Readers' Theater to kindergarten and writing letters to the new second graders coming up.

June 1 is the last day of school and a noon dismissal. On this day, we will play some games, and after PE, will have a special morning treat (thanks to our room parents).

I want to thank Heidi J. and Chris F. for the amazing job they have done being our Room Parents this year. You made my job easier and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Next Tuesday, I will be sending home a Summer Packet, full of some ideas for review over the summer. The most important thing is to READ, READ, READ and have fun.

Have a fantastic week.

Events This Week - May 16-20

Date: Monday, May 16, 2011

Dear Parents,

I wanted to send out this message about some events happening this week at school.

*SECOND GRADE DIGITAL PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE

Please join up on Wednesday, May 18th for your child’s digital portfolio showcase. You have already signed up for either a morning session, from 8:15-9:00, or an afternoon session, from 1:45-2:30. Please meet us in the computer lab for this special event.

*SPLASH DAY

The PE coaches will be hosting the Lower Division Splash Day this Wednesday May 18^th, during your children’s normal PE period (10:45-11:15). What to bring/wear:

· Bring appropriate swimwear to school to change into or wear swimwear to school under their school uniform. Please keep in mind each child must wear their regular school uniform at all times except during their PE period.

· Sunscreen and/or Hat

· Towel

*FIELD TRIP TO MOSI

On Friday, second grade will go to MOSI in Tampa. Buses will leave no later then 8:30am and return at the end of the day. Please pack your child a morning snack and lunch in a plastic/throw away bag. If you ordered the SAGE lunch on this day, please still pack your child a morning snack in a plastic /throw away bag. We will not be using the gift shop on this day, so your child doesn’t need to bring money to school.

Please email me if you have any questions. My email is momullane@shorecrest.org

What a fun week. I am looking forward to it.

Marion O’Mullane

May 9-13

We walked into the classroom this morning and noticed that our Monarch Butterflies had emerged from the chrysalises. What a beautiful and amazing site.

Here is our week at a glance. Just a reminder that all library books are due back on Wednesday, May 11th, so tomorrow is our last visit to the library for the school year. Our field trip to MOSI is coming up on May 20th and if you want to order a sack Sage lunch for your child, please return your order form to me by this Wednesday. I'm sending home the order form today.

Next Wednesday the students will share their electronic portfolios with you and are very excited about this. There are two sessions (a morning and afternoon). If you have not let me know which time works better for you, please do so in the next day or two. I will then be sending out reminders at the end of this week.

Parent Reader: M. Emerson
Current Events: Tuesday: Hailey, Channing; Wednesday: Shaherzad, Aidan; Thursday: Rylan, Zaynab; Friday: Lauren E. and Gage

This is the last week sharing Current Events and what an amazing job the students have done selecting articles and presenting these during our class meeting time. I have seen the students become more confident presenters and attentive audience members. Thanks for helping your child find interesting news to share throughout the year. I really think it has been a wonderful learning opportunity for all of us.

Language Arts
* Vowel variant: oo/ou; ow, au(gh), a(l), ough; ea, ei(gh), ey
* Spelling Review: weightless, sleigh, ocean, neighborhood, survey, ounce, thoughtful, February, cycle, walrus, daughter, author, caught, launch, seesaw, understood, couldn't, shouldn't, wouldn't, molting, growth, juicy, ignore, scary, knew, powerful, allowance, haul, naughty, bristles
* Reading: Cross Country Vacation (Readers' Theater)
* Fluency: Review punctuation and phrasing
* Comprehension: Cause and effect, using graphic organizers, making inferences, monitor comprehension: reread
* Robust Vocabulary: zoom, enthusiast, historical, fantastic, impressive, delay, spare, upbeat, inexplicable, itinerary
* Vocabulary: Antonyms and multiple-meaning words
* Grammar: Review irregular verbs, helping verbs, contractions
* Writing poetry and end-0f-year reflections

Mathematics - Unit 10
* Estimating and findings exact cost
* Making change
* Place-value and place-value tools
* Place value notation for ten-thousands

Social Studies - Antarctica
* Penguin research

Science - The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
* The similarities and differences between a monarch butterfly and painted lady butterfly
* Using our observation notes to draw conclusions

Have a wonderful week.

May 2-6

Here is our week at a glance. There is lots happening in the month of May as we finish off the school year. We have two more weeks left of Current Events and then we will share poems to coincide with our poetry unit.

Please join your child on Wednesday, May 18th as he/she shares his/her digital portfolio highlighting writing, projects, and accomplishments from the second grade year. Sharing sessions are offered in the morning from 8:15-9:00 or afternoon from 1:45-2:30. I have sent home a note about this today and ask that you let me know what session works best for you.

Splash Day will take place on May 18th (with a rain make up date on May 25th). Our second grade field trip to MOSI is on Friday, May 2oth.

Have a wonderful week and Happy Mother's Day.

Parent Reader - M. Craig
Current Event - Tuesday:Lauren W. and Jonathan; Wednesday:McIntosh, Brenna; Thursday:Samuel, Lucas, Julia; Friday:Kendall and Abby

Language Arts
* Phonics: a/ae; ei(gh), ey; Inflections: -er, -est
* Spelling: disobey, weightless, eighteenth, they've, neighborhood, break, sleigh, steak, freight, survey, prey, great, oceans, penguin, Antarctica
* Reading: The Lizard and the Sun by Alma Flor Ada
* Fluency: Phrasing
* Comprehension: Making inferences
* Robust Vocabulary: squatted, chilly, peered, scampering, discovery, majestic, budge, entire, bizarre, extravaganza
* Vocabulary: Multiple meaning words
* Grammar: Contractions

Mathematics - Unit 10 - Decimals and Place Value
* Decimal notation for pennies and dimes
* Money Amounts with a calculator and using a calculator to solve problems with money
* Place Value

Social Studies - Antarctica
Antarctica is farther south than any other continent and the south pole is at the center of it. It is dark for six months in winter and light for six months in summer. It is so cold in Antarctica that the snow does not melt. The snow builds up in layers of ice. The ice covers nearly all of the land. This is known as the Antarctic ice sheet.

Science - The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
We are now watching the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly and will compare it to the life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly

April 26-29

I hope you all had a terrific three days off, as I did. I can't believe that April is almost over and we will be in May - the last month of school. As I reminded the students again today, these are busy weeks finishing off second grade work and preparing for third grade. We recite our Honor Pledge daily to remind ourselves that it is important to be academically and personally honest and treat others with respect and courtesy.

Last Friday was exciting for the students (including me), because we set free our 22 Painted Lady Butterflies. What a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day. To our surprise one of the butterflies left us with eggs (tiny, round, blue-green in color), which hatched on the weekend. Now I have larvae without their favorite food, the mallow plant or thistle. If anyone has thistle or mallow in their garden, please send it to school, so we can feed the larvae. Otherwise, I plan on letting the larvae go.

Samuel's mom also sent in some Monarch Butterfly caterpillars and now we plan to watch them make their chrysalis and emerge as the beautiful Monarch Butterflies. It will be interesting to compare the Monarch to the Painted Lady Butterfly.

Here is our week at a glance. Remember that Friday is Spirit Day, the second last for the school year. Celebrate Shorecrest and wear your green and gold colors.

Parent Reader - J. Gayoso
Current Events - Tuesday: Hailey, Channing; Wednesday: Shaherzad, Aidan; Thursday: Rylan, Zaynab; Friday: Lauren E. and Gage

Language Arts: Review

Writing: Using a rubric to score writing (voice, organization, support, sentences, word choice, mechanics); scoriNg each others published pieces

Mathematics - Unit 9
* Compare weights by feel, identify purposes of various scales, explore with units of weight and equivalent measures, and weigh objects
* Review area (the measure of the inside of a closed shape)
* Review Unit 9 and assessment

Social Studies
* Africa - Readers' Theater

Science - The Life Cycle of Butterflies
* Use data to answer questions about the life cycle of the butterfly
* Observe a different species of butterfly (thanks to Samuel's mom)

Earth Day Fun Website

http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/index.html

April 18th-22nd

After 7 days or so in the chrysalis, our Paint Lady Butterflies have finally emerged. What a miraculous transformation. We even got to watch a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis this morning, pump up its wings and hang them out to dry and harden, preparing for flight.

This week we will observe the physical characteristics and the behavior of the butterflies, before releasing them into the environment.

It is Earth Day on Friday and I have some fun earth related activities planned.

We will also continue our study about different groups of people living in Africa and start a new unit in math about measurement.

I wish you a happy week. Below is a summary of our week.

Parent Reader: M. Farley
Current Events: Tuesday: Lauren W., Jonathan; Wednesday: McIntosh, Brenna; Thursday: Samuel, Julia and Lucas; Friday: Kendall, Abby

LANGUAGE ARTS
* Phonics: Vowel variant al, ough
* Spelling: football, hallway, always, thoughtful, salt, fought, talked, walrus, chalkboard, baseball, stalk, wallpaper, bought, metamorphosis, cycle
* Reading: Let's Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans (non-fiction)
* Fluency: Phrasing
* Comprehension: Making inferences
* Robust Vocabulary: absolutely, halfheartedly, rare, last (v.), settled, common, separated, collection, identify, durable
* Vocabulary: Multiple-meaning words
* Grammar: Helping verbs
* Writing: Re-writing expository text

MATHEMATICS - UNIT 9 - MEASUREMENT
* Review for measuring with inches, feet, centimeters, and decimeters; and begin a table of equivalent measures
* Fractional Units of Length (1/8 inch; 1/2 centimeter)
* Perimeter and area

SOCIAL STUDIES
* Research the people of Africa
* Egypt

SCIENCE
* Feeding the butterflies
* The Butterflies Body
* Butterflies have their place in the environment

Thanks so Much!

I wanted to extend a warm thanks for making my birthday one of the best yet. From the morning snack, to the gift cards and book containing photos and messages from the students, really made my day. Thanks to you all for making my day, one I will never forget.

Week of April 11th-15th

Celebrate the Arts kicked off to a great start this morning, with a performance by the cast of Singing in the Rain. The dancing got our feet moving and put us all in a good mood. Each day, a different activity has been planned to celebrate the arts. On Tuesday, the students will be visited by picture lady. On Wednesday, they will watch the Yum Yum Drum group performance. On Thursday, the students will go on an art walk to view art created by out Shorecrest community, and later watch a jazz group perform. On Friday they will participate in visiting artists' workshops (Session 1 - Mrs. Bell - Fabric; Session 2 - Andrew Gyilfoil - Dance) and later Picnic Lunch and Early Childhood and Lower Division Performance (Please join us).

Our caterpillars have undergone an amazing transformation - the third stage in its life cycle - they have formed a chrysalis and will stay hidden for about a week, and emerge as a beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly. The students are working on their observational skills and realizing that even at this apparent inactive stage, important changes are taking place within the chrysalis.

Here are some addition activities planned in the classroom. Please help your child practice his/her spelling words, that are tested every Friday. Your child should also be reading for a minimum of 20 minutes each day.

Parent Reader - J. Emerson
Current Events - Tuesday: Hailey, Channing; Wednesday: Shaherzad, Aidan; Thursday: Rylan, Zaynab; Friday: Lauren E. and Gage

Language Arts
* Phonics: vowel variant /o/aw, au (gh)
* Spelling: hawk, daughter, seesaw, naughty, author, because, lawn, launch, caught, fault, sauce, haul, forty, taught, report
* Reading: My Name is Gabriela" by Monica Brown (Biography)
* Fluency: Good readers pay attention to punctuation as they read
* Comprehension: Cause and Effect and using Graphic Organizers
* Robust Vocabulary: accent, native, beyond, create, noticed, award, literature, grand, aspire, accolade
* Vocabulary: Antonyms
* Grammar: More irregular verbs
* Writing: Prompt writing - a good conclusion; revision

Mathematics - Unit 8
* Fraction number stories
* Review Unit 8 and assessment
* Math Game Reflection

Social Studies - Africa
Partner research on people of Africa

Science - Caterpillar to Chrysalis
Observation of chrysalis and developing parts of it. The pupa is hanging head-down. Two dark bulges are visible where the compound eyes are forming. Between the eyes, the side of the mouth parts, the black antenna might be evident. A generalized wing shape will be seem.

Students will make informal observations each day until the butterflies emerge.

April 4th-8th

What a lovely Teacher Appreciation Day last Tuesday - with flowers, smiles, cards and a beautifully decorated door, modeled after Home Among the Gum Trees, a song I taught the students during our Australian unit. I loved everything and thank you for making me feel truly appreciated. As I say, I am so lucky to be working with your students at Shorecrest and it is a pleasure coming to school every day.

Last Friday the students had a great time touring the Museum of Fine Arts and experiencing some of its 4,400 years of art from both Eastern and Western Civilization. They each received a Family Pass that gives you free admission to the museum. I encourage you to use the pass and have your child be docents as you tour the museum.

On Thursday, our caterpillars arrived and have already doubled in size. Over the next few weeks the students will observe the life cycle of a Painted Lady butterfly. Students will watch their own caterpillar grow, shed its skin several times, transform into a chrysalis, and emerge as a black and orange butterfly - within less than a month.

Field Day is tomorrow (April 5th) and the PE Staff have put together a fun event beginning at 10:00am. A Field Day letter was sent home today, so check your child's homework folder for more information. Each has been assigned a team designated by color and the PE Staff ask they wear their team's colored athletic clothing and proper athletic shoes to school. Please do not feel required to purchase any new clothing for this event; the PE Staff simply ask that your child be identifiable. I also encourage your child to bring along water, a hat and wear sunscreen.

Here is our week at a glance.

Parent Reader - Mr. Counsman (Thursday morning)
Current Events - Tuesday - Lauren W., Jonathan; Wednesday - McIntosh, Brenna; Thursday - Samuel, Julia and Lucas; Friday - Kendall, Abby

Language Arts
Phonics: Vowel variant oo/ou; prefixes dis-, over-, pre-
Spelling: cookout, understand, bookstore, cookies, couldn't, should, shook, wool, wouldn't, shouldn't, butterfly, molting, growth, metamorphosis, caterpillar
PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD PRACTICE ANY WORDS FROM LAST WEEK'S REVIEW THAT THEY MISSED ON FRIDAY'S QUIZ.
Reading: Where on Earth Is My Bagel? by Frances Park and Ginger Park
Fluency: Good readers pay attention to punctuation by using their voices to show excitement and pausing at commas and periods.
Comprehension: Cause and Effect; Antonyms
Robust Vocabulary: belongings, fleeing, gently, smothered, replied, pleaded, fragrant, grunted, crave, correspond
Grammar: Irregular Verbs
Writing: Prompt (expository)

Mathematics - Unit 8
* Equivalent Fractions
* Finding pairs of equivalent fractions by using region models
* Comparing Fractions
* Fraction Number Stories

Social Studies - Africa
* Africa is considered the place where the first humans lived and learned to use tools. Today hundreds of thousands of people live there. It is a continent of differences and change.
* The students will choose and learn about the Masai, Arab, Egyptian, Bushman, Nigerian, Yoruba, Dinka, Ibo

Science - The Life Cycle of a Painted Lady Butterfly
* The students will observe the structures and activities of caterpillars more closely
* Students predict what changes may occur next.

Have a great week.

Week of March 28, 2011

A jam packed week ahead of us.

Picture Day will be this Wednesday, March 30th and orders should be placed online. Spirit Day is on Thursday and the students can wear green and gold colors. The Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 1 at 8:30am. The ceremony will be held in the area between the theater and Sher Center. We will attend before leaving school for our morning field trip to the Fine Arts Museum. Field Day is next Tuesday, April 5th and if you are interested in helping out, please email one of our coaches.

Here is our week at a glance in the classroom.

Mystery Reader - (8:05am) Mr. Currie
Current Events - Tuesday: Hailey, Channing; Wednesday: Shaherzad, Aidan; Thursday: Rylan, Zaynab; Friday: Lauren E. and Gage

Language Arts
Phonics Review: ou, ow, or, ore, our, oo, ew, ue, ui, ou, ar, air, are
Spelling Review: ounce, careful, suitable, fourteen, allowance, scary, gloomy, ignore, knew, course, compare, forecast, powerful, prepare, sore, cruise, juicy, cartoon, juggling, race
Reading: Readers' Theater, "Town Hall"
Fluency: Review expression and reading rate (see previous blogs)
Comprehension: Review story plot, using story structure, graphic aids and summarizing information (tell about the most important ideas in one or two sentences)
Robust Vocabulary: race, juggling, accomplish, feasible, attend, report, area, serve, preference, alternatives
Grammar: Review present-tense action verbs, subject-verb agreement, past tense verbs, and forms of be
Writing: Prompt - Planning and Writing a First Draft Expository Story

Mathematics - Unit 8 (Be on the lookout for the new Math Family Letter)
* Review basic fraction concepts
* Exploring the link of a fraction amount to the size of the ONE, or whole
* Introduce the concepts of volume
* Use fractions to name parts of collections

Science - The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Students prepare the food cups vital to the survival of the caterpillars and learn how to care for them. The students meet the caterpillars and record their first observations.

Social Studies - Africa
* Africa is the second largest continent
* The equator runs through the middle of Africa
* Africa is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans
* Africa has deserts, rain forests and grassy savannas
* There are over fifty countries on this continent

We will also start reading various literature with an African theme, including Ashanti to Zulu by Margaret Musgrove and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

March 21-25, 2011

Welcome back. I hope you all had a relaxing break, as I did. The students seem happy and motivated to be back and ready to finish off the school year. Relay for Life will take place on Friday, March 25. Students may wear their Relay shirts or purple shirts Tuesday-Friday 3/22-3/25. Students must wear their uniform shorts with their purple shirts.

Here is our week at a glance and some other important events to mark on your calendars.

Parent Reader - J. Gayoso
Current Events - Tuesday: Lauren W., Jonathan; Wednesday: McIntosh, Brenna; Thursday: Samuel, Lucas, Julia; Friday: Kendall, Abby.

Language Arts
Phonics - r-controlled vowel ar/air, are; contractions
Spelling - flare, prepare, beware, stairway, chair, glare, careful, compare, haircut, barefoot, scary, spare, downstairs, share, airplane
Reading - Watching in the Wild by Charnan Simon (nonfiction); Chimp Computer Whiz from Ask Magazine (article)
Fluency -Good readers vary their reading rate when they need to. They slow down to pronounce unfamiliar words and speed up when they recognize words. Good readers work to increase their reading speed and still understand what they are reading.
Comprehension - Use graphic aids; synonyms
Robust Vocabulary - extinct, pledge, blended, cradled, raggedy, distance, personalities, crumpled, patience, tedious
Grammar - Forms of be
Writing - Prompt Writing - planning and framework

Mathematics - Unit 7 Review
* Review number patterns, extending compliments of 10, patterns in doubles and halves, middle value of a set of data and frequency distributions
* Unit assessment

Social Studies
Asia - Fact File

Science - The Life Cycle of Butterflies
Lesson 1 - Pre-Unit Assessment: Getting Ready for Caterpillars. The students look forward to the arrival of the caterpillars and express in words and drawings what they already know about caterpillars and butterflies for evaluation.

Other Important Dates
Class Picture Day - Wednesday, March 30
Spirit Day - Thursday, March 31 - Students may wear green and gold colored clothing
Groundbreaking Ceremony - Friday - April 1 at 8:30
Second Grade Field Trip to the Museum of Fine Arts - April 1 at 10:00am
Field Day on Tuesday, April 5 at 10:00am.