November 4: Newsletter

Important Dates: November 4 - Early Release: Dismissal @ 12:15 November 9 & 10 - Parent/Teacher Conferences  November 11 - Crazy Hair Day November 14 - Book Fair Shopping for our class November 23-35 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL November 29 - Christmas Program Reading: Please keep encouraging your child to read each night and fill out their reading log.  Also, students should be taking an SRC quiz after one book each week.  Students should be around 50% of their goal today.  An updated progress sheet will be given to you at conferences.   Next week we will use the pictures and words in our reading to learn what our characters are like.  One way we will do this is by keeping track of our character's actions, thoughts, and feelings.  Also, we will try to describe a character by naming that character's trait.  We can do this by mixing together all that we have learned about a character through their actions, thoughts, and feelings as they try to get what they want.   Writing: Next week we will begin our next unit of study in writing.  We will continue to write personal narratives; however, now we will be using an author as our mentor.  Next week I will share many books with the students written by Cynthia Rylant.  She has written countless books (including the Henry and Mudge series, The High-Rise Private Eyes series,  Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby).  I am excited to share her writing with the class.  I know they will enjoy all of her stories and will be able to use some of the same writing strategies that she uses in their own writing.   Math: I am thrilled how well the second graders are understanding the value of two and three digit numbers.  Students are able to write a three digit number FOUR different ways.  Ask your student if they can show you how to write 162 in four different ways.  They should be able to write the number, the number name (we are still working on spelling), a quick draw, and in an expanded form.  Students have a solid understanding of place value.   This will be extremely helpful as we move into 2-digit addition next week.  Students will learn two strategies to use to solve.  A parent letter will be sent home next week explaining the Show All Totals and the New Groups Below methods.  You may recognize the New Groups Below method because it is a lot like the traditional way of carrying.  However, we use different terminology so check out the parent letter for consistency.  Social Studies: As we are studying community, we are learning the importance of diversity.  Diversity is a strength in a community and is something we would like to celebrate.  On Friday November 11, we will be having a DIVERSITY DAY in class.  We will focus on our differences related to our heritage including food, language, religion, and traditions.  Please see the note related to our diversity day in your child's Friday folder.  We are looking forward to learning more about each other!!! Vocabulary Word: Our vocabulary word this week is EXPLAIN. Explain means to clarify, demonstrate, interpret, describe in detail, and define. Other News:  Parent-Teacher conferences are next week. If you have not confirmed your conference time, please be sure to return those slips of paper to school so I know you can make it. Also, please see the list below to verify your conference time. Looking forward to meeting with all of you!  Don't forget to cut off and send in Box Tops! It helps raise money for the school!  PE CARES food drive has started! The class that brings in the most items will win a T-shirt and bowling party! How fun! To ensure a variety of items are sent in, it is suggested for 2nd graders to send in canned fruits and veggies. Anything will be accepted though, so please send it what you can. Thank you!

Parent Teacher Conference Schedule:

Wednesday, November 9:

4:30: Braedon Roose

4:45: Thomas Gunnink

5:15: Mason Herrema

5:30: Ava Patterson

5:45: Ainsley DeBoer

6:00: Charlie Quist

6:15: Jesenia Brouillette

6:30: Zaya Nederveld

6:45: Chester Karasinski

7:00: Ava Geissler

7:15: Mikayla Haight

7:30: Calvin Kasprowicz

Thursday, November 10:

4:30: Luke DeBoer

4:45: Ashley Wayne

5:00: Nora VanEerden

5:15: Abbi Ninan

5:30: Amalia Rivera

5:45: Ellis Neuman

6:00: Elijah TenBrink

6:15: Aiden Conner

6:30: Kaleb Roof

6:45: William Phan

7:00: Autumn Huizinga

7:15: David Amante

7:30: Angela Ragar

7:45: Kylee Troost

8:00 Jamison Sjoerdsma