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.