A GREAT Start to Our Year!

What a great first week of school we've had!

We spent the week getting to know each other, practicing routines and procedures, and building our caring, classroom community. We're all set up for a fabulous year together!

*We thought about what a great classmate is (and what they are not!), what they say, and what they do---it's clear to me that we've got a classroom FILLED with great classmates!

*After reading the book Chrysanthemum, we also talked about the importance of being kind and using kind words. After the story, we completed a "wrinkled heart" activity which sent a powerful message:

*We revisited both of these themes as we talked about Hopes and Dreams. We thought BIG about the wonderful school year ahead: what do we hope for? What is important to each of us? What will make us want to come to school with a smile each day? After a great discussion, each Owl was challenged to publish one goal they have for the school year.

*Thank you for all of your help sending in books with your child celebrating their "Reading Life!" The students were excited to share their books and are doing a FANTASTIC job talking about the stories and why they chose them.

We will continue to learn more about our reading lifestyles this week as we study reading habits, just right reading, and continue building our stamina. Reader's Workshop is a truly magical time in the second grade classroom.

*In math this week, we had fun using whiteboards as a math tool. We will begin each math lesson with our "whiteboard warmups" as a way to complete some math reflexes (and have a little fun along the way!). This week, we also explored some other math tools we will be using and played a fun math game: Number Line Squeeze. If you'd like a copy of this game sent home, please let me know. There is also an app available through the iTunes store for additional, virtual practice. 

We also tackled our first big math challenge: creating a number scroll from 0 to 1,000! We had a great time working together and created a math resource for us to use all year!

*If there is just one thing I can say about our first week together, it is WOW! We are going to have a truly wonderful year <3

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Questions to promote "School Talk":

-Which table do you sit at?  (Hint: it has a Continent name!) Who else sits at your table?

-Who was our Classroom Manager this week? What does the Manager get to do?

-Where is your book nook (reading spot)?

-What is one of the games we played together?

-What's been your favorite part of second grade so far?

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Help Needed:

I am looking for someone who might be interested in becoming the official room parent for the year. Duties wold include...

-Help organize volunteering opportunities using Sign-Up Genius.

-Send out reminders for donations needed for class celebrations.

Just let me know if you're interested. No pressure!

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Important Dates (always available at the top of the blog page for convenience) :

Friday, Sept. 8th: Name Homework Due (Assignment will be sent home on Tuesday, 9/5)

Thursday, Sept. 21st:  Picture Day
Thursday, Sept. 21st, 6:30pm: PREK-2 Curriculum Night
Wednesday, Sept. 27th: Early Release (12:50 dismissal)

Hope you had a great, holiday weekend!