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