Christmas Fun!

A Great Big Thank You!

 

I can't thank you all enough for the beautiful plate! Each thumbprint on this plate represents the very special person you share with me each day.  I am so blessed to spend my days with your child.  This is a gift I will cherish from now on.  Each year when I get out my Christmas decorations I will be reminded of each child represented on this place and remember how dear they are to me.

Making Angels with Ms. Belinda (Josh's Grandmother)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We have a busy and exciting week ahead of us! I hope to have all of my 2nd grade friends back and feeling better this week! The sickness bug hit our room last week.  I sanitized and cleaned everything before I left Friday.  I am hoping any germs trying to hang around are gone now. 

Our room moms have been working hard to prepare a wonderful party for the class.  If you haven't sent in your money, please get that in by Monday.  They are very organized, and want to have everything taken care of.  Also, if you are available to come in a little early and help with some stations, please email me.  I know several of you have other kids that have parties as well.
Our Party is this Thursday, December 19th 1:45-2:30.

I will be sending a note about this Friday.  We are going to do something a little different.

This week is the last week of this nine weeks for the kids.  We are going to finish up Chapter 5 in Math with 2-digit Subtraction.  Please check your child's homework and make sure they are showing all of the steps on the problems.  When they regroup they need to show both of the new numbers at the top.  It is so important that your child is comfortable with all of the steps.  I am going to send the review for the chapter home this Tuesday.  We will take the test Wednesday, but I am not counting it as a test grade for this nine weeks. 

Story this week: Rosa and Blanca
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Phonics: Long i: I, ie, igh, y
Comp. Skill: Theme and Plot
Comp. Strategy: Predict
Grammar: More about Verbs

We have been having so much fun crafting and celebrating this time of the year.  A great big thanks to all of you that have been able to help us! Last week we were so fortunate to have Josh's grandmother join us for a very special craft.  Mrs. Belinda is a retired art teacher that came all the way from Huntsville to share some of her talent with us.  We loved having a true artist in our midst! She thought everybody was so well behaved! She told the kids that 2nd grade was her favorite grade to teach.  I couldn't agree with her more! The kids are already asking if she's going to come back again! I will post a slideshow of our time together.  Next week I will post a slideshow of all of our Christmas fun once I have our party pictures.

Please check the right side of this blog for important dates.

Email me with any questions you may have.  I am so thankful for you and your family! I hope you are enjoying this wonderful season together.

Put your Seatbelts on...

We are super busy this week! We have several Christmas crafts mixed in with our regular learning.  Please stay up to date with the blog, and check your child's binder every single night. 

Remember that we have a Social Studies Voc. quiz this Tuesday along with a graded timed math drill.  We have been practicing the math drills this entire school year.  This one will be our first graded one. 

A great big thank-you to the moms of Daniel, Avery, Eric, and Sophia for taking the class to lunch so I could enjoy an amazing lunch for teacher treat day.  If any of you met the class in the lunchroom without me seeing you, thanks to you as well!

We need two loaves of bread for a craft.  If you can help us, just send me an email.  We would need them by Wednesday.  It sounds strange, but the kids are going to love it!

If you haven't sent in your child's field trip money please send it in Monday. 

Story this Week: Anansi Goes Fishing
Genre: Folk Tale
Phonics: Compound Words
Comp. Skill: Cause and Effect
Comp. Strategy: Monitor and Fix Up
Grammar: Verbs for Past, Present, and Future

In Math we are continuing Chapter 5 with 2-digit subtraction.  Please make sure your child is working the entire problem out and writing all of the steps on the problem.  The kids have caught on quickly.  I am just seeing careless errors when they are not writing all of their steps.  When they regroup, they need to cross out and add the new numbers before they subtract.  Our motto is - BIGGER BOTTOM BETTER BORROW! -  Remind your child of this as they practice at home. 

We are quickly closing out this nine weeks.  Please don't forget to check INow so you are up to date on your child's grades.  Signed papers will be coming home this Thursday.  Please help me by signing and returning those Friday.

Our treasure box is getting low if anybody would like to send in more items for it.  The Dollar Tree has great items that the kids love. 

Have a SUPER week!

December is here!

We have a busy and exciting Month ahead of us! Please remember to check our class blog and your child's binder to keep up with everything these next few weeks.  We are going to be super busy.  We are also going to be CRAFTING, CRAFTING, CRAFTING during the month of December.  If you have a special project you would like to come in and do with the class please just send me an email, and we will make that happen! The kids would love to craft with you!

The kids have been asking about our next book order.  I didn't send it home before Thanksgiving because of the Book Fair.  I will go ahead and send it home tomorrow.  The orders will be due by this Friday, December 6th.  You can send it in or order online. 

Please remember to practice Math Facts with your child.  We will have a graded Math Drill during the month of December.  We have been taking practice drills all year, but this one will count as a grade.  Your child needs to know their facts quickly.


Story this Week: Dear Juno
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Phonics: Long o: o, oa, ow
Comp. Skill: Draw Conclusions
Comp. Strategy: Visualize
Grammar: Verbs with singular and plural nouns

Please email me with any questions or concerns.  Have a fantastic week!

Turkey Talk

Field Trip this Tuesday, November 19th

Our field trip to the Davis Theater is this Tuesday.  Your child can dress out of uniform in their Sunday best for the play.  Please make sure you follow the same guidelines as we do for picture day at school.  If you are a chaperone I will send you an email tomorrow to let you know the details for Tuesday. 

The Book Fair will continue until Thursday.  I will continue to send the kids to shop that bring money.  You are more than welcome to come and shop with your child. 

Please remember to sign and return your child's Progress Report.  Those came home this past Thursday. 

Your child has a new Spelling List for Unit 3.  We will begin with Week one this week. 

We will have a Math Test this Thursday.  Your child will have a review for homework Wednesday night.  It is so important that you check your child's work and review anything that may need extra attention before the test Thursday. 

Story this Week: Pearl and Wagner Two Good Friends
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Phonics: Long e: e, ee, ea, y
Comprehension Skill: Author's Purpose
Comprehension Strategy: Story Structure
Grammar: Verbs

Thanksgiving Holidays are November 25th - 29th.  I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving together.  I am so thankful that I have the privilege of teaching your precious child.

State Box Projects

Happy Veterans Day!

I am so thankful for all of our military families.  The sacrifices that you and your family make for our Country are beyond incredible.  WE HONOR AND THANK YOU!

We have a very busy week ahead of us.  Since it's the end of a Unit in Reading we will not have a Spelling test this week.  We will have our Unit test only in Reading for Unit 2.

We will have a Science Voc. test this Thursday.  Please make sure your child is studying their study guide.

We will have Nancy's this Tuesday since we are out of school Monday.

The Book Fair is coming to our school this Friday.  We will preview it as a class Thursday.  I will be sending the kids two at a time to shop.  They shop without me, so please make sure they know what you would like them to purchase.  You are welcome to come and shop with them if you would like.

We have been having so much fun doing some Holiday writing.  Make sure to ask your child about their story.  I entered their final copy in a writing competition.  We will hear back about the winners in December.  I will keep you posted.  I was so pleased with the creativity the kids showed in their writing.

We are continuing with 2-digit addition in Math this week.  The kids are doing a great job.  Please continue to reinforce as they practice with their homework.

We are in need of staplers in our writing center if you have any spare ones at your house.

Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have.  I hope your week is SUPER!

School Holiday November 11th in Honor of our Veterans

Please don't forget to send in your picture money by Monday, November 4th if you are purchasing school pictures.

PTA meeting is Tuesday, November 5th at 6:00.  A yellow sheet came home last week to purchase pizza during the meeting if you would like.

Story this Week: A Turkey for Thanksgiving
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Phonics: Long a: a, ai, ay
Comprehension Skill: Draw Conclusions
Comprehension Strategy: Visualize
Grammar: Possessive Nouns

In Math we are working on two digit addition with Chapter 4.  I can't stress to you just how important it is to review what we are learning with your child.  Please make sure your child is completing their homework.  They need the extra practice.

Our Treasure Box is getting low if you have any items you would like to send in for it.

Please email me with any questions, and have a SUPER week!

Fall Fun!

State Box Projects are Due This Wed. Oct. 30th

State Box Project and State Report are both due Oct. 30th. 

We will have a Science Voc. test this Wednesday.  Please make sure your child is studying their study guide. 

A great big thank-you to Matthew's mom for sending in a perfect pumpkin.  Also a great big thank-you to Sophia's mom, Britton's mom, and Mathew's mom for helping us do some Fall activities on Friday.  We decided that pumpkin seeds taste like popcorn.  This is the first year I wasn't told that they tasted like chicken.

Please remind your child to bring their library books to school daily.  Our library day is Wednesday, but the kids can go back as needed on a daily basis.  I try to get them there at some point during our day as they need to go.

School pictures came home Friday.  Please make sure you return them by Monday, November 4th if you are going to purchase them.

Story: The Bremen Town Musicians
Phonics: Plurals
Comprehension Skill: Author's Purpose
Comprehension Strategy: Story Structure
Grammar: Plural Nouns that change Spelling
Our treasure box is getting low if anybody would like to send in donations.  Also, we love our writing center.  If you have any writing tools around your house that you don't need, send them in and we will put them to great use. 

I sent an important class email Saturday evening.  Please email me if you didn't receive it.

Thanks for all you do to make this year so great! Have a super week!

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week

I LOVE THE BLOUNT PTA! I hope you enjoyed the Fall Festival as much as my family did.  I am so thankful the rain held off and we were able to have a fantastic night.  I appreciate just how hard our PTA works to make sure that Blount has amazing experiences that are so much fun for our kids.  It took a whole lot of hard work out of a whole lot of people!

Make sure you follow the schedule that came home last week for each thing we are doing to celebrate Red Ribbon Week. 

Your child brought home a Social Studies Project last week.  The project is due October 30th.  Please make sure your child follows the directions and notices the Rubric that will be used to grade it.  Your child will also turn in the 2nd sheet along with their State Box on the due date.

A great big thank you to Daniel's mom for typing up our class directory.  Your child brought it home last week. 

I have several activities that I would love to do with a pumpkin.  If any of you are able to donate one to our class please email me.  Also, if any of you are available to help us cook pumpkin seeds this Friday in the afternoon please let me know. 

Spirit Night is Monday, October 21st at Texas Roadhouse.

Your child will receive new Vocabulary words this week in Science. 

I am planning to test on Chapter 3 in Math this Thursday.  I can't stress to you enough just how important it is to have your child do the review the night before.  This way you are able to see if there is anything your child needs further practice with.

Story: Turtle's Race with Beaver
Genre: Folk Tale
Phonics: r-controlled vowels -er, ir, -ur
Comp. Skill: Sequence
Comp. Strategy: Summarize
Grammar: Singular and Plural Nouns

Please don't forget to check your child's binder nightly, and sign the Reading Log.

Have a SUPER week!

 

Skeletons

Fall Festival Week!

We had so much fun making our Skeletons last week.  A great big thank you to the Evan's mom, Sofia's mom, Landon's mom, and Eric's mom for helping us! Make sure you check out our Skeleton Parade video in the previous post!

Also a huge thank-you to Eric's mom for sending in many, many plates for our project!

 

Teacher Treat Day was such a HUGE treat! I can't thank all of you moms enough that came and helped with lunch that day.  I didn't even get to see all of you because some of you met the class in the lunchroom, so I wanted to make sure you knew how much I appreciate you! THANK YOU!!

 

We will have Nancy's Tuesday due to the Holiday on Monday.

 

The big excitement this week is the Fall Festival this Thursday.  If you ordered your wristbands ahead of time, your child will receive them this week.  Make sure you are checking your child's binder.  The wristbands should be in your child's pencil pouch that is in their binder.  I will send those home the day we receive them from the PTA.  If you didn't purchase wristbands ahead of time, you may still purchase them at the gate.  This is such a fun night to celebrate Fall with your own family and your Blount family! Don't worry, your child will not have homework that evening!

 

The first nine weeks ended this past Friday.  Report Cards will come home this Thursday.  We start a brand new nine weeks Tuesday! Your child will have one report card for you to keep, and one to return to school in the envelope it will come home in.  Please return those Friday.

 

Please don't forget to check your child's binder nightly for any information you may need.  Also remember to sign your child's reading log nightly.  There is a new Reading Log in your child's binder for the 2nd nine weeks.  This Reading Log counts as a daily grade in Reading.  I took them up last Friday.  Don't worry if the Friday spot wasn't signed for your child, that didn't count against them.

 

Story this Week:  Ronald Morgan Goes to Bat

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Phonics: Contractions

Comprehension  Skill: Realism and Fantasy

Comprehension Strategy: Prior Knowledge

Grammar: Introduce Proper Nouns

 

Math: Chapter 3 Basic Facts and Relationships

 

Be on the lookout for a Social Studies Project to come home this week. 

 

Have a super week and email me with any questions you may have.

 

 

 



Skeleton Parade

School Pictures are Tuesday, Oct. 8th

Please make sure you send in your child's field trip form and money by Monday.  We have to pay in order to reserve our seats.  If your child is not attending this field trip, please let me know in writing.

I sent a class email today.  Please let me know if you didn't receive it.  I am hoping all the issues with email are resolved. 

We could use several white paper plates and brads for a project we are doing this week.  We need around 15 plates per child.  Also, if you would like to help us with the project just email me.

Your child received a new spelling list with the Unit 2 spelling words.  We will have a pre-test on Unit 2 week one words this Monday.

We will have a Science Vocabulary test this Tuesday on Chapter 2 words.  Please make sure your child is studying their study guide. 

The end of the first nine weeks is this Friday.  Don't forget to keep an eye on your child's grades in Inow.  Report Cards won't come home until Oct. 17th.

October 14th is a Holiday for the kids. 

Story this Week: Tara and Tiree
Genre: Narrative Nonfiction
Phonics: r-controlled ar, or, ore
Comp. Skill: Sequence
Comp. Strategy: Predict
Grammar: Nouns

Thank you for allowing your child to be so creative with the Dirt Baby contest.  We had so much fun listening to everybody share about their Dirt Baby.  We have a room full of creative minds, and I am so thankful!

Have a super week and email me with any questions.

Dirt Baby Contest

Dirt Baby Fun!

We do not have a Spelling Test this Week.

Remember that this week is the last week of Unit 1 so we will not have a Spelling Test or a new story this week.  We will have a Unit 1 test on all of the skills we have learned in Reading and Grammar for Unit 1.  Your child will get a Unit 2 Spelling list this week that will begin the following week. 

Please do not forget to return your Blount Discount cards or the money for them by this Wednesday, Oct. 2nd.  If your child did not sell the cards we need to return them to the PTA. 

A form came home last week for our class directory.  Please make sure you return that as soon as possible. 

A very important letter came home about Renaissance Home Connect last week.  It shows you how to sign up to receive emails every time your child takes an AR test.  As a parent, I love this! I would recommend that you sign up for it to stay informed about your child's progress with AR.

I sent home our new Science Voc. words last week for Chapter 2.  We will not test on these words until next week.  I just wanted you to have it in plenty of time to study just a little each night.  I told the kids to take just a few minutes every night to review the words. 

We will test on Chapter 2 in Math this Thursday.  Your child will have a review sheet for homework Wednesday night.  Please make sure your child is comfortable with the review.  I was so impressed with how well the kids did on the Chapter 1 test.  I am stressing the need to go back and check every answer.  If the kids skip a problem it is marked wrong.  On the test, that is 5 points per question.  They have all the time they need so they can take their time and do their best.

We have a project coming up in Science that is going to require many white paper plates and many brads.  We are making skeletons.  If you would like to send either of these items in we would appreciate it.  I am estimating about 15 plates per child.  The skeletons are quite large. 

Thanks a million for sending in all of the Box Tops! We had a super full bag to send to the office!

Please don't forget to check your child's binder nightly, and to sign their reading log.

I appreciate you, and all that you do! Don't hesitate to email me with any questions you may have! I hope your week is super!

Readers Theater

Spelling

I wanted to explain to you about your child's spelling grades.  Our Spelling grades changed last year.  Instead of having a separate subject of Spelling, the Spelling Test are factored into the Grammar grade.  After each Unit I will take all of the Spelling test that we took and average them together for one daily grade in Grammar.  So once we finish a Unit you will see all of those grades in your child's signed papers stapled together.  I will put the averaged grade on the top test and circle it.  You will see that grade under Grammar in Inow.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Please don't forget that your child's Community Project is due Monday, Sept. 23rd.  This is going to count as a test grade in Social Studies. 

We will have our Map test on the Continents and Bodies of Water Tuesday, Sept. 24th.  The map will look exactly the same as the study guide.  I will have the words up on the Smartboard and your child will just have to write the correct word in the correct spot for each one.

October 2nd is the last day for the Blount Discount Cards.  On this day your child needs to turn in the money or unsold cards in the envelope that they came in.  If you need more before then, just send the envelope in with your request on it.

Story this Week: The Strongest One
Genre: Play
Phonics: Consonant Digraphs
Comp. Skill: Realism and Fantasy
Comp. Strategy: Monitor and Fix Up
Grammar: Commands and Exclamations

We will continue in Math with Chapter 2 and Numbers to 1,000.

Please make sure you notice the dates to the right of our Blog.

I haven't heard back from everybody about our class email.  If you received a test email from me, please respond to it so I'll know you got it.  I will do one more test run to make sure everybody is getting the email.  It is so important that you are all getting it. 

Have a super week!

Please check your email

Parents,

Now that our email problems are fixed, I sent a class email out today.  If you did not receive an email from me to the address you provided at the beginning of the year I need you to email me at Beth.Culp@mps.k12.al.us so I can get your email added.  I did have a few emails returned, so if you will email me I should be able to get you added.  If you received the email, please respond to it.  I want to make sure we have our email straight this week.  Thanks for your help!

Your child received the Discount Cards that we are selling last week.  Please remember to return the money in the envelope that was provided once they are sold.  Any cards that aren't sold need to be returned in the envelope as well.  If you need additional cards you may request that on the envelope.

I am going to send a Scholastic Book order home this week that will be due this Friday.  Remember this is completely optional.  If you order from more than one catalog you can still just write one check.  It all goes to the same place.  I will send home directions on how to order online if you prefer to do that.  Make sure you use our class code when you are ordering online.  If you prefer to send in your order you can just fill out the order form on the back of the catalog.  Scholastic only takes checks, please don't send in cash.

On Friday your child brought home the results of the STAR test that we took in order to establish our reading levels.  Your child will only be allowed to check out books from the library that are in that reading range.  On the report it will say ZPD.  Please remind your child to bring their library books back to school every day.  We have been very eager to start AR testing.  It is extremely important for the kids to make a 90 or above on their test. 

We are going to be making dirt babies in Science this Tuesday.  If you would like to help us just send me an email.  We are going to be doing it that afternoon around 1:45.  A great big thank-you to Josh's mom for providing us with our dirt for the project!

Your child is going to receive an assignment for a page they are responsible for in a Community Project book we are going to make for Social Studies.  Remember the book that I showed you at the cluster conferences and let your child have fun with this assignment.

Look for a map to come home this week with the seven continents and four bodies of water.  We've been working hard on these in class.  Please make sure your child knows where the continents and bodies of water go on the map.  They do not have to know how to spell them, just where they are located.  We will test on them NEXT week, Tuesday, Sept. 24th.

Story this week: A Walk in the Desert
Genre: Expository Nonfiction
Phonics: Inflected Endings
Comp. Skill: Main Idea and Details
Comp. Strategy: Text Structure
Grammar: Statements and Questions

Math: Chapter 2, Numbers to 1,000

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

PTA Meeting Tuesday at 6:00.

Just in case you didn't notice the letter that came home last week, Mugshots will have dinner at the PTA meeting for $5.00.  I hope you are all able to come out to the first meeting.  Our PTA does an amazing job for our school. 

Your child brought home a study guide for Science Voc. words last week.  We will have a test on these words this Thursday.

Don't forget to find a way for your child to practice their Math facts.  We will have a practice drill test this week. 

The email issue is still not fixed.  If I don't respond to your email, please send a note in with your child.  I am getting some emails, but not all. 

Story this Week: Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Phonics: Consonant Blends
Comp. Skill: Character and Setting
Comp. Strategy: Monitor and Fix Up
Grammar: Predicates

We will have a Math Test this Friday on Chapter 1 in Math.  Your child will bring home a Review for Homework Thursday night.  Please check it to make sure your child is comfortable with the problems on it.  The review covers all of the skills that will be on the test.  The kids have been doing a fantastic job with this chapter!

The kids are now going to PE with Coach Grant.  Your child is allowed to bring a water bottle to take to PE.  They get pretty hot outside with this weather, so feel free to send one.  You may want to make sure your child's name is on it. 

Look for a map with the seven continents and four bodies of water to come home this week for Social Studies.  Please keep this map as a study guide for a Social Studies test we will have next week.  Your child does not have to know how to spell the words, just where the places are located on the map. 

Wow, we have a busy academic week coming up, but we are ready! Please don't forget to sign your child's reading log after their 20 minutes of reading.  I will give Tuesday night off from homework to make it easier for you to attend the PTA meeting.  Don't forget, 6:00.

We have a project coming up in the near future that requires each child to have about a cup and a half of potting soil.  If anybody would like to donate a large bag of potting soil I would greatly appreciate it.  We are going to make "dirt babies" in Science with our Plant chapter.

Have a super week!

All About Me Projects

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you and your family are having a great day together on this day off.

I wanted to make sure you all knew that I am having some trouble with my school email.  This mainly seems to be happening with yahoo accounts.  Mrs. Brand has reported my problem so hopefully it will be resolved soon.  If you send me an email and don't get a response back at some point that day, then please send a note in with your child. 

If you have not sent in your checks to Scholastic and Scholastic Teacher Store for $6.00 each please send those as soon as possible.  This pays for your child to have a subscription to Scholastic New and Scholastic Map Skills for the entire year.  If you don't remember if you paid, just send me an email and I can check for you.

We will have our Nancy's Ice this Tuesday due to the school holiday on Monday.

We will also take our pre-test for Spelling on Tuesday this week.

This kids have been very antsy to start going to the library to check out books.  We are scheduled to take our Star test this week with Mrs. Brand in order to find out our ZPD's, which is our reading range.  Once we have this, your child will begin checking out books.  Please remind your child to bring their library books to school every day.  Also, remember that our library day is every Wednesday.

Our lunch time is at 11:30.  You are welcome to join us whenever you would like.  You can wait for us by the front office or by the lunchroom door.  We walk by both places on our way.

The kids all did a fantastic job presenting their About Me projects.  We learned so much about each other, and had a fun time doing it! I will post a slideshow to share.

Remember to check your child's binder tomorrow for their homework assignments for the week.  We will have a little more Math homework this week due to the fact that we were late getting all of our Math books.  It will just be a reinforcement of what we have done in class, so your child should feel comfortable doing it independently.

Your child will receive a Science Voc. study guide this week.  We will not test on them until next week.  I just wanted you to have it a little early.  Please make sure they don't loose it before the test.  I will have them put it in the Return to School side of their binder to make sure you see it.  Of course they don't need to return it.  They just need to study the words.

Story this Week: Exploring Space with an Astronaut
Genre: Expository Nonfiction
Phonics: Long Vowels CVCe
Comp. Skill: Main Idea and Details
Comp. Strategy: Text Structure
Grammar: Subject

In Math we are continuing with Number Concepts. 

Thank you for attending our mini cluster conferences last week.  I know I gave you a large amount of information in a small time.  If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  I am happy to report that we did a great job keying in our reading test Friday.  The kids took their test on paper first, then they keyed their answers in at the computer.  It took us a while because it was our first time, but we did great! I am so impressed with our awesome class of 2nd graders!

Have a SUPER week!

Off to a Great Start!

WOW! What a busy, super week we had! We are off to a great start in 2nd grade! If you haven't signed up for one of the cluster conferences this Tuesday or Wednesday, I sent a letter home with your child to let you know the available slots left.  I will send everyone a reminder Monday just in case you have forgotten your time.  It is extremely important that you attend so you will know exactly what to expect in 2nd Grade.  If you need to change your time just send me an email and I'll be happy to change it for you.

In your child's binder there is a spelling list for all of the spelling words that go with Unit 1.  This Friday your child will have a spelling test on the week 1 words.  Every Monday we will have a pre-test.  If your child makes an A on the test, they are exempt from the test on Friday.  This Monday I am going to use the pre-test more as a teaching time to show the kids exactly what is expected on a spelling test.  Most of them haven't had spelling test before, so this is a new concept for them.  We will go slowly as we learn. 

Our library day is going to be every Wednesday.  We will discuss books and reading ranges in our conferences this week.

Please help your child work on learning their lunch number.  If your child was at Blount last year the number is the same. 

Pease check your child's binder nightly.  If I ever send something home for you to return you will always find it on the Return to School side in your child's binder. 

Remember that the kids can buy a Nancy's Ice every Monday.  They just need to bring $1.00 if they would like to buy one.

If I have a parent that would like to sharpen a ton of pencils for us, please send me an email and I will send them home with your child, or give them to you at your conference.  Thanks!

Story this Week: Iris and Walter
Genre: Short Vowels
Comp. Skill: Character and Setting
Comp. Strategy: Predict
Grammar: Introduce Sentences

Math: Number Concepts

Please notice the important dates to the right of this blog. 

I am looking forward to the conferences this week.  Only one parent needs to attend unless you both just want to be there.  Please remember that the conferences are just for parents.  Email me with any questions you may have.  Have a SUPER week!
Mrs. Culp

WELCOME TO 2ND GRADE!

 

I loved meeting each of you that were able to attend Meet the Teacher Day on Thursday! What a fantastic year we are going to have in 2nd Grade!

 

 

The only homework your child will have this week is to return all of the paperwork that will be coming home on Monday, along with the 20 minutes of reading each night.  We will have Nancy's the first day of school.  If your child would like it, the cost is $1.00.

 

 

Parents, if you haven't signed up for a slot to come to a cluster conference the second week of school please email me so we can get you signed up.  This is just a one time conference to introduce you to 2nd Grade and everything you will need to know to make this year successful. 

 

Can't wait to see my 2nd Grade Friends Monday!

Mrs. Culp

 

 

 

 

Magic Show

Just a few things...

Just a reminder that the 2nd Grade Honor's Program is Monday, May 20th at 10:00. 

If your child will not be at school on the last day, which is May 23rd, please send a self addressed stamped envelope so the office can mail your child's report card. 

I can't thank you all enough for such a wonderful, successful year in 2nd grade.  I am amazed at the growth I have seen in each child in Room 124.  I have no doubt that your child is so successful because of the support you provide at home.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for these amazing world changers!

2nd Grade Honor's Day Program is May 20th at 10:00

2nd Grade is going to be entertained by a Magic Show this Wednesday.  I am hoping everybody is well and at school, I don't want anybody to miss the fun!

We will be taking one last Benchmark test for the year this week in Reading. 

Please make sure your child has plenty of paper and pencils for their day.  If the pencils are already sharp that helps even more with our morning routine.  The line gets a little long at the pencil sharpener before the bell rings. 

All library books had to be returned to the library Friday.  If your child happens to have one at home, please send it in Monday.  

Story this Week: Cowboys

Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

Phonics: Suffixes -ness, -less

Voc. Strategy: Word Structure

Comp. Skill: Cause and Effect

Comp. Strategy: Graphic Organizer

Grammar: Commas in Compound Sentences

In Math we will continue with our Chapter on Shapes. 

Please make sure your child has their homework copied down and in a safe place.  I have not been able to update my schoolnotes page for the past two weeks.  I have emailed them the problem but it hasn't been resolved yet.  Your child should have homework copied down and in their binder, along with their spelling words.

Please email me with any questions you may have.

Have a SUPER week!

Museum - Thank you Mrs. Brown for the pictures!

Busy, Busy Bees in Room 124!

We have so much to do before school is out! Please remember to check your child's binder daily, and to stay updated with homework etc.  If for some reason your child has forgotten their homework assignment, you may always refer to the schoolnotes page.  It will also have the spelling words for the week if you need them. 

ARMT testing for the upper grades will begin this Wednesday.  Please keep that in mind.  Your child needs to be on time in the mornings so the testing schedule isn't slowed down for 3rd -5th grade.  We want everything to go smoothly for them.  They can't begin testing until the building is quiet and everybody is in their classrooms. 

VERY IMPORTANT: The lunchroom is not taking checks for the rest of the school year.  If your child needs money in their lunch account, they must bring cash.  Please put it in an envelope or bag with your child's name on it and their lunch number.  I want to make sure the money all goes to the right place. 

STAR reports came home Friday in your child's binder.  You may keep these.

This Monday I am going to send home your child's last timed Math Drill.  It was going to count as a grade, but I am leaving it out because we have more than enough Math grades.  I did want to make sure that you saw how your child did.  They were timed for 5 minutes.  I am attaching a letter for you to sign.  Please return the letter, but not the math drill.  I can't stress enough the importance of your child practicing these math facts. 

Story this Week: A Birthday Basket for Tia
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Phonics: Syllables -tion, -ture
Voc. Strategy: Context Clues
Comp. Skill: Draw Conclusions
Comp. Strategy: Summarize
Grammar: Using Commas

2nd Grade Honor's Program will be May 20th at 10:00. 

Please let me know if at any time you would like to sit down and discuss the progress of your child.  I am available. 

Have a SUPER week!

Honoring Our Military Families

Field Day

Put your Seatbelts on...

We have an incredibly busy week ahead of us!

Your child brought home Science Vocabulary words for chapter 8.  They will be tested on these words this Friday.  Please make sure they are studying. 

We will have a Math test Wednesday.  Your child will have the review study guide Monday for homework.  We will have a timed Math Drill this Thursday.  This grade will count as a daily grade.

Our field trip to the museum is this Tuesday.  Please make sure your child wears their 2nd grade blue t-shirt.  If you would like to join us for the picnic lunch we are scheduled to begin eating at 11:45.  If your child is bringing their lunch please make sure they have all throw away items, and make sure it's in a zip loc bag so it won't get soggy in the cooler.  If you have a cooler with wheels that we may borrow please email me.  I am going to need two.  Please email me with any questions that you may have.  Chaperons are welcome to follow the buses or meet us at the Museum.

Wednesday morning we are working on a Mother's Day surprise.  If at all possible, I need all kids at school that day and on time.  We will begin first thing that morning.

A great big thank you to Alexis and her Mom for doing a beautiful presentation for us about the life of a military family.  We thoroughly enjoyed it, and learned so much.  For many of us in room 124, we could identify well.  We also love the bracelets that were made by children in Afganistan.  Thank you for washing them for us Mrs. Meagan.  You are the best!! A great big thank you to Alexis' Dad for sending them to us. 

Mrs. Lancaster did a fabulous job setting up Military Child Day for us.  The t-shirts were awesome, and I believe everybody had fun celebrating our Military families.  We are so thankful for each of you!

Story this Week: Red, White, and Blue
Genre: Inflected Endings
Voc. Strategy: Word Structure
Comp. Skill: Fact and Opinion
Comp. Strategy: Monitor and Fix Up
Grammar: Quotation Marks

Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have.  Have a SUPER week!

How to Eat Fried Worms

Military Child Day is Monday

Today I salute this great dad that is currently deployed and serving our great Country.  We have several Military families in Room 124 and I believe each family we have has experienced this at least once, and some multiple times.  The price you pay is tremendous.  From the bottom of our hearts, we say thank you to you and your amazing families.  You are all heros!

We Salute You!!!

In Honor of Military Child Day your child may wear a purple t-shirt Monday, April 22nd.  We have a very special guest coming Tuesday to share with us more about our Military. 

The Book Fair will be at Blount April 25th - May 2nd. 

Your child brought home our last field trip information Friday. 

This Thursday is Field Day.  If I have a parent that is coming and would like to bring a cooler with waters please email me.  One water for each child would be plenty to keep us hydrated. 

Please check your child's binder nightly.  We have so many things going on at the end of the year.  I don't want you to miss anything. 

Remember that I have to have a written excuse from you if your child is absent.  The office can't turn in emails that we print out anymore as an excuse. 

Your child has a new Spelling list for Unit 6 Week 1.  We will have a pre-test on these words Monday. 

Our classroom supply of pencils is completely gone.  Please make sure your child has plenty of pencils for their day.  They may sharpen them before the bell rings each morning. 

Story: Just Like Josh Gibson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Phonics: Contractions
Voc. Strategy: Context Clues
Comp. Skill: Compare and Contrast
Comp. Strategy: Visualize
Grammar: Capital Letters

HAVE A SUPER WEEK!

Doughnuts For Dads this Week

This Tuesday and Wednesday is Doughnuts for Dads.  Tuesday is for last names A-L and Wednesday is for last names M-Z.

A great big thank-you to Mrs. Bailey for providing us with "worms" for our writing project.  We are having so much fun with the book How to Eat Fried Worms.  I will post pictures next week once we have finished our project.  A little secret for you to share with your child -

 Even Mrs. Green likes Fried Worms!

 

 

This week we will not have a spelling test.  This is our end of the unit review and test week.  

 

Your child will have a review sheet for Math and we will test Tuesday.  This has been an extremely easy chapter on measurement.  Please make sure your child is comfortable with the review. 

 

Please don't forget that if your chld is absent I have to have a written excuse from you to give to the office.  We are no longer able to print out emails and send them in for an excuse. 

 

Have a super week and email me with any questions. 

 

 

 



Caterpillars & A Visit From Nana

Pure Excitement in Room 124!

I know you've already heard all about them, but our caterpillars are here and we could not be more excited! If you'd like to come in before school and meet your child's new pet you are welcome to.  We are going to be pretty excited tomorrow to see how much they have eaten and grown over the weekend.  They were quite small when we got them.  I have loved watching your children talk to their caterpillar and take care of it.  The funniest thing I have seen so far was when a student told me that she had taught her caterpillar commands.  Then she proceeded to show me how well her caterpillar obeys as she tapped the side of her cup and told her caterpillar to "Fall Down!"  :)  I sure do love spending my day with your children!

Don't forget the PTA meeting Monday, April 8th at 6:00. 

Story this Week: The Signmaker's Assistant
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Phonics: Vowels aw, au, augh, al
Voc. Strategy: Word Structure
Comprehension Skill: Realism and Fantasy
Comprehension Strategy: Monitor and Fix Up
Grammar: Contractions

Math: Chapter 9 Length in Metric Units

We are going to be doing a Read Aloud with the book How to Eat Fried Worms.  If I have a volunteer that would like to make us some chocolate covered "worms" to go along with a writing activity we will be doing, please let me know.  I have a recipe I can send you, and it is extremely easy. 

250 POINT CLUB! WAY TO GO PIA! READ ON!!

Temporary Class Pets are on Their Way!

Parents,

I am giving you fair warning that your child is about to be consumed with talks about the Life Cycle of the Butterfly! We are expecting our Larva to arrive this Thursday.  I will make sure I get plenty of pictures so you can enjoy some of the excitement!

We will be on Unit 5 Week 4 this week in Spelling.  Your child will have a pre-test Monday.

Story this Week: Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores
Phonics: ph, gh /f/
Voc. Strategy: Word Structure
Comp. Skill: Author's Purpose
Comp. Strategy: Ask Questions
Grammar: Different Kinds of Pronouns

Math: We will have a Math test on Measurement this Thursday.  Please make sure your child is comfortable with the review homework that will come home this Wednesday.

We are still doing our timed Math Fact drills in class.  Please don't forget to have your child practice these at home.  There are several web sites posted on this blog that are helpful as well.

If at any time you would like to sit down and discuss your child, please don't hesitate to let me know.  We can set up a time right away.

Please email me if you have any questions.  Have a super week!

Happy Spring Break!

OH MY GOODNESS, IT'S SPRING BREAK!!!!

  Everybody have a safe and wonderful week!

McWane, Quest, & Birthdays

Lanark

Trail Chant Take 2

Trail Chant

Fresh Start, New Nine Weeks!

Please make sure you look at the slideshows for the McWane Center and Lanark.  Don't forget that if you see a picture you would like, you may copy and save it.  The kids sure did have a blast with both of these activities.  I am pretty sure your child was exhausted Friday evening.  Mrs. Susan, our tour guide at Lanark kept us running, literally!

We have Spring Pictures coming up this Wednesday, March 20th. 

Your child brought home an Intent Form this past week.  Please have those turned in by Friday, March 22nd.

Story this Week: Bad Dog Dodger!
Phonics: Silent Consonants
Voc. Strategy: Word Structure
Comp. Skill: Plot and Theme
Comp. Strategy: Prior Knowledge
Grammar: Introduce I and Me

In Math we will continue with Measurement. 

Your child has four Science Vocabulary words in their binder.  We will test on these words this Wednesday. 

Spring Break is March 25th - March 30th.

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a super week!

Sweet Voices

McWane Center and Lanark Field Trip this Week

The McWane Center will be coming to our school tomorrow for a 2nd Grade field trip.  This is going to be an awesome time of hands-on Science learning.  I can't wait! The kids are going to LOVE it!

Then on Friday we will be going to the Lanark Nature Center.  Please be on the look out for more information to come home about our trip.  We have several parents going, which is wonderful! Please don't forget that the office has to have a background check turned in if you haven't already done so at some point this year.  Also, if I have a parent going that would like to bring a cooler with some waters in it, please let me know.  We are keeping an eye on the weather and hoping for sunny, warm skies.  Field Trip money is due Monday. 

Story this Week: One Dark Night
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Phonics: Prefixes un-, re-, pre-, dis-
Voc. Strategy: Context Clues
Comp. Skill: Sequence
Comp. Strategy: Graphic Organizer
Grammar: Singular and Plural Pronouns

Please email me with any questions or concerns.  Have a super week!

President Reports

Rosa Parks Museum

WE LOVE TO READ!

The Best Week!

WOW! What a fantastic week we had celebrating our love of reading! I will post a slideshow of our activities along with our field trip to the Rosa Parks Museum.  A great big thank-you to all of you parents that helped to make this a super fun week for us. 

We have a very busy academic week coming up this week.  I am hoping that we will be ready to test on Money and Telling Time this Friday in Math.  This will be our last test grade for this nine weeks.  We will have other daily grades for Math, but this will be the last test grade.  Please continue to work with your child on both of these very important skills.

We will begin our Unit 5 Spelling words this week.  Your child has the new list in their binder. 

Please turn in the money for our McWane Center field trip that will be coming to our school.  The cost is $4.00.  You may make out a check to Blount or send the exact amount.  I am unable to make change.  This money is due by this Wednesday.  I also wanted to give you a heads-up that we will be going to the Lanark Nature Center later this month as well.  You will receive information about that soon.  We certainly have been busy in 2nd Grade!

I need a little help with homework reminders.  I have been receiving homework in the homework basket much later than it was due.  If your child comes back home with their homework in their binder that should have been turned in that day, they may need some reminders from you.  We need to work on our responsibility with this before we are big 3rd graders.  Part of their morning routine is to turn their homework in the homework basket for that day that is due.  I have been hearing some pretty sad stories about how there just wasn't enough time to do it.  I know with ball season coming up this only gets harder.  I try very hard to keep homework at a minimum because it is 2nd grade and I feel like it should only be a review of what we have learned that day.  For this reason, your child should be able to sit down and get it finished in a timely manner and independently on most days.  The exception to this is if we have a test coming up and their work needs to be checked for accuracy.  Thanks for your help with this.

Story this week: Fire Fighter!
Genre: Narrative Nonfiction
Phonics: Suffixes -ly, -ful, -er, -or
Voc. Strategy: Word Structure
Comp. Skill: Main Idea and Supporting Details
Comp. Strategy: Text Structure
Pronouns

Please email me with any questions or concerns.  Have a super week!