Homework and Enrichment

The students in Grade 2 have homework this weekend - practicing their vocabulary/spelling words for Monday's test.  We sent home a worksheet (half-page), but if it got lost somehow, the words are in our previous post, and you can have them practice on a separate sheet of paper.

As for math, the homework packet really gets started on activity 1.11 for the first unit, (we are on 1.5).  For subsequent units, homework starts earlier in the unit. Here are the areas of learning that you can support at home:

• telling time (it gets trickier after the half-hour point, as the hour hand starts looking a little closer to the following hour)  Here are two worksheets, uploaded to Google docs:  Worksheet 1: (Telling time quarter hour)   -  Answer sheet W1  and  Worksheet 2: (Draw the hands on the clock) - Answer sheet W2
• counting change - students know the coins and their values, but it is worthwhile to give them a chance to play with a handful of change and count the value of the money.  Counting by 5s and 10s should be emphasized... if this is too easy, add more quarters!
• playing games, taking turns (lifelong skills!)

What's happening in Grade 2

Having a Plan
This week, we are reading Chapter 2 of "7 Habitudes des Enfants Heureux."  In this chapter, Goob (the bear) comes up with a plan.  He wants to buy a bug kit, a gift for his friend Allie, and put some money into his savings.  He then goes about making his plan become a reality by setting up a lemonade stand with his friend Jumper the rabbit.  Students compared the ways in which these two friends used their earnings... and how having a goal in mind from the start can make all the difference.

Binders and Badges

Just a reminder, students are to bring their binders to school each day.  They should also have their name badges (stored in their money&notes pouch).  Even if your child does not purchase lunch, this should be made part of their daily routine.

Snack Rotation 

The kids love having snack in the afternoon, and we are happy to facilitate this with parent support.  Lisa Berman (Holly's mom) has volunteered to make the snack rotation list for both 2nd grade classes, so this will be coming soon.  Until then, if you would be willing to send in a snack for 21 students (carrot sticks, pretzels, etc.) the students would appreciate it!  

Water Bottles

It is hot outside, and our 2nd graders are thirsty little things!  Please remember to send your child with a water bottle - particularly for gym days - this will help ensure they are adequately hydrated.

Vocab words of the week

These vocabularly words come from our reading this week.  They are to be practiced by first copying, and then memorizing them.  Accents count, so make sure these are not overlooked!

gagner - to earn / to win

collectionner - to collect

acheter - to buy

planifier - to plan

travailler - to work

économiser - to save

se divertir - to entertain oneself

vendre - to sell

dépenser - to spend

gaspiller - to waste

Picnic!
This Sunday (August 28) is the 2nd grade family picnic!  It is at Tower Grove Park from 2:30 - 5:00.  Please bring a dish to share.

Spelling Test Tomorrow!

Don't forget that our first spelling test is on Monday!  Please see below for this week's words.

Also, The French School Formal Day (blazer day) is now on Mondays.

Today's notes

Math
Today we finished Unit 1.1 in math, and the students worked on number sequences (les séquences).  Some of them are a bit trickier (like 549, ____, _____,  552, ____, ______, ...)

The Homework packet for math (Unit 1) will be sent home tomorrow, so look for those!

PYP and Communication Arts
We started on our first chapter of "Les Sept Habitudes des Enfants Heureux" (Seven Habits of Happy Kids), and the students have received their first vocabulary list.  Their homework for tonight is to copy each of the words in order to prepare for their upcoming spelling test.

vouloir :  to want
lire :  to read
jouer de la guitare : to play the guitar
faire du sport:  to play sports
peindre: to paint
dessiner: to draw
bricoler:  to fix things
se déguiser : to dress up
faire du vélo : ride a bicycle
nager : to swim
sauter à la corde : to jump rope

Snack
The kids are about ready to stage a sit-in for afternoon snack.  Is there a parent who would like to organize a snack rotation with our classroom parents?  

 
Badges
Name badges have been made for SLLIS kids.  These are used for breakfast and lunch counts (to help our lunch line run efficiently).  Please make sure that these stay in the notes pouch of the classeur, or another safe place in your home.

First day of 2nd grade!

We had a great first day of school!   The kids in 2B started to get to know each other in the morning with name games and songs.  They met our French intern, M. Adrien, and our helper-for-the-day, Mme. Nadia (Kindergarten TA).  They traced their hands and drew or wrote things about themselves that make them unique.  We also went over our hopes and dreams for the school year, and started our notebooks.  Kids at each table voted on a table name, and worked on a poster design for their new équipe.  In our closing meeting, our students shared their favorite parts of the day.  Several said "tout."  It was a lot of fun!

Tomorrow is PE day for our students, which means they should wear polo shirts and sneakers.

Here is the breakdown of our week, in terms of specialist

Monday: Library
Tuesday:  Music
Wednesday & Thursday:  P.E. (Polo shirts and sneakers)
Friday: Art

Formal days (blazers) are Fridays. Every day (but PE days) students should wear a tie and button-down shirt.  Make sure to label all new clothes!

Click here to view our class schedule (google doc)

Donors Choose Project is up!

Here is a link to the first of Donors Choose project that we created to support our 2nd grade curriculum. 

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=610468&challengeid=45996

These crafty materials will help bring our second Unit of Inquiry to life.  Feel free to pass it around!  If you choose to donate, don't forget to check with your employers to see if they match charitable contributions.

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog!  This is the official blog of our 2nd grade class.  On this blog, we will post information about our in-class activities, reminders about school events, and other important information.  Bookmark us!