VA Second Grade

JANUARY 2012

2012-01-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Second Grade Parents and Students,

Welcome back! I hope you enjoy a happy and healthy New Year.

On Thursday January 12, 2012 there will be a Science test on pages B31 - B44.
On Friday January 13, 2012 there will be a double digit subtraction test with borrowing.

Just to keep you updated Reconciliation will be held in the Sacred Heart Chapel at 11:00am on March 10th. The girls should be dressed appropriately for the Chapel. They may wear skirts or dresses to the knee or below. They must wear socks or stockings, no open-toed shoes. Thank you.

Egypt is coming! We will beginnning our study of Ancient Egypt this month. We work on this project approximately once a week. The first step that the girls will be working on in the classroom is what they already know. They will be accessing any prior knowledge that they have acquired on their own. We will then continue to what we want to know and then what we learned. This, as you know, is a KWL chart. The children will decide, with guidance, what the two or three big questions about Egypt should be.

The girls will begin to learn how to gather information and to write it down on index cards to help them keep their information in order. The girls will use these cards to write a short report on their Egypt interest.

The girls will also be incorporating a STEM(science, technology, engineering and math) into a joint project with Madame Peters and Ms. D'Auria who is the middle school Math teacher. I am keeping this under wraps for now.

The girls will plan and execute how to create a child-sized mummy using materials available in the classroom.

Thank you for your support in all that they do. If the girls need anything for Egypt I will let you know.

NOVEMBER 2011

2011-11-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

The girls are working on subtraction with double digits. They are also beginning to use money both in their workbook and with manipulatives. At the present time we are only working with pennies, nickels, and dimes. On Tuesday November 22nd we will be having a test on subtraction with doubles digits-no borrowing.

We were very fortunate to be involved in a webcast through cholastic.com. The webcast was a tour of Plimouth Village in Massachusetts and a visit with the Wampanoag. The children have written a short report about information that they learned from the webcast and reading comprehension stories about the Pilgrims.

The children will be creating, as a group, a large diorama of either a woodland forest, desert or the Arctic. They will be needing some materials, so please ask them which habitat they are working with.

Just a reminder that report cards are December 6, 2011 in the afternoon and evening.

Please be advised the girls should be on Raz-kids, mathletics, and spellodrome at least three times a week.

Have a Happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

October Grade Two

2011-10-06T19:32:00.001-07:00

The girls are rereading The Courage of Sarah Noble using the Novel Approach. We reread each chapter together and answer questions, looking back into the story. They have already created a log cabin cover circa 1707. This will be compiled into a booklet for them to keep.

The children will also be creating a shoebox diorama. Please send in any materials that you deem appropriate for the girls to use to recreate a scene from the novel.

Fathers, Grandpas, Uncles, Cousins - the Communion Breakfast is next week. Please consider taking the girls Mass is a wonderful bond to have with the children.

Their will be a Science Test on Animals on October 28th. The children should bring in pictures and drawings of all animal groups to create a collage.

The children should be reading for thirty minutes per night. They may use RazKids for their reading but they must read each story or listen to it three times before answering any quiz questions.

Have a wonderful Columbus Day Weekend!

2011-09-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Second Grade! I hope that you have all had and wonderful summer and are ready to work hard this year.

there will be homework every night

homework will be checked on a daily basis

there will be tests - I will read over the test with the class during the month of September

if your child is sick please do not ask for the homework to be sent home she will have an adequate amount of time to finish it when she returns to school

please remember that if your child is absent you must send in a note

only plain, black, white, or dark blue headbands are allowed

earrings: only huggies or studs, this is a safety issue

please do not speak to me in the morning or at the gate concerning your child, if you write a note I will be more than happy to answer it in a timely fashion

For any other information the School Handbook is now on the website.

The children have read The Courage of Sarah Noble as their required reading assignment for the summer. We will be working on a vocabulary moccasin book during the month of September and numerous other activities related to the story.

During September we will be reviewing single and double digit addition and subtraction. Please have your children work on Mathletics live as it will increase their speed.

Religion is taught by me and their will be homework and tests. We will be using Sadlier for all of our religion needs this year. The sacraments are included in the book, so there is no need for a separate book.

Watch the blog!

black, white, dark blue, headbands are allowed

2011-06-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

A fun link to all subject areas.

edhelper

2011-06-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

A fun math link

IXL

Second Grade

2011-04-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

The children have completed working on Sarah, Plain, and Tall, a novel approach. The children responded well to working with the novel in this way. They have created a "photo album" of the book and we will have them displayed. We are working hard on gathering our facts about Egypt. The children are ready to begin writing their reports. Once we they have completed the reports we will begin working on the "mummy". The children will create a plan of how to "make a mummy" and will follow their plan and adjust the plans if needed. We will be using a novel approach again to a book that we will read about Egypt. I will keep you informed as to when we will order it. The children are continuing to work diligently towards First Holy Communion. The mass will take place in the Sacred Heart Chapel on May 7th. Please note that the time has been changed to 10:30 a.m. The children must be in the Alumnae Room at 10:00 am. Please keep in mind that the dressess must have sleeves that are opaque. The girls must wear stockings, tights, or socks. The girls must wear closed shoes. The First Communicants must wear a veil. The girls should not wear any makeup. The children may wear a clear, light pink or french nail polish the day of Communion. Please keep in mind that this is a Sacrament. Their is no photography or video taping in the Chapel. Thank you for all of your help in this matter.

2011-01-31T13:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Second Grade Parents,

Just a reminder that the meeting for Reconciliation is on February 16, 2011 at 7 pm. The meeting will take place in the Alumnae Room. This is a mandatory meeting for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion asked for by Msgr. Jamie.

Well, the girls have begun their exploration of Eygpt. We have created a KWLH chart(what we know, what we want to know, what we have learned and how we have learned it). This chart will help to focus the girls on what is important in our study of Ancient Eygpt. We have also completed our Big or Essential Question chart which will keep us focused on what questions we would like to answer. The girls are interested in, pyramids, mummies, food, clothes, makeup, jewelry and the religion, just to name a few.

We will be having our test on borrowing with subtraction this Friday. Please continue to allow the girls to go onto Live Mathletics as often as possible, it is really a big help.

Science this month will include an investigation of dinosaurs and fossils. The girls will be making their own fossils in the classroom. They will be creating puzzles of dinosaur skeletons and learning as much as possible. The test will be on Friday, February 18th.

Please be reminded that this is the season for the children to have the potential to become really sick. If your daughter is sick, she must stay home. Thank you for your consideration.

JANUARY 2011

2011-01-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

I hope that you had a restful and happy holiday. During the month of January the Second Grade will be exploring and learning how to "borrow" in math with subtraction. We are beginning with a review of subtraction with ones, tens, and hundreds. It would be a wonderful addition if you would have your girls go onto Live Mathletics this will help to improve their mental math. Please have patience with them as it is approximately a seven step process to learn this math. We are working on this in the classroom, at the present time, and homework will be sent home starting next week.

Please have the girls go onto www.naturegrid.org.uk to explore information and games about pond life. We have used this in the classroom and the girls enjoyed it immensely.

We will be beginning our exploration of Egypt during this month. I will be sending home a letter explaining everything in detail. At the present time, I do not wish the girls to bring in any information. We are spending this portion of the month learning about the Seven Step Independent Investigation Process, so that, the girls will be able to write a short research paper. All of the work on Egypt will be done in the classroom.

Just a reminder that the meeting for Reconciliation, with Msgr. Jamie will be at 7:00 p.m. on February 16, 2011 in the Alumnae Room. This is a mandatory meeting. Please mark your calendars.

2010-11-28T19:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Second Grade Parents,

Just a reminder that report cards will be distributed on Monday, December 6th in the afternoon and evening.

The children will be beginning their habitat dioramas this week. Depending what habitat they have chosen, they have been asked to bring in appropriate items to help with the creation of their habitat. EX. green tinsel could be part of a rain forest, artificial snow and cotton balls could help with the arctic, sand could be part of the desert.

Please keep in mind that your girls should be reading at least 25 minutes per night - they may choose a book or work on Raz-kids. Please have the girls on live Mathletics at least 2-3 times per week, it is a good option to increase their speed and mental math abilities.

I would like to remind everyone that our classroom is peanut free and that the girls should not have any nut products for lunch. Everyone has been very cooperative. The girls are wiping their hands after lunch before entering the classroom and it has been very successful.

A little PRAISE for the girls! They have been so kind and caring to the three girls in the class with food allergies. The girls are very protective of one another. It is truly wonderful. Thank you for all that you teach them at home. They are a wonderful class.

Please keep in mind that this is the Advent season. The girls are praying a decade of the rosary every day for all of us. How wonderful!

WELCOME BACK

2010-09-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Second Grade Parents,

How exciting to begin a new year with such an enthusiastic class! Monday, September 13th we will begin homework.

Homework will be required on a daily basis. We will begin copying the homework into a notebook (to be called the homework notebook), all written work will be done in this book unless otherwise indicated. I realize that it will take a few weeks for the girls to become proficient.

Mathletics will be used in the classroom, as well as, being assigned for homework. When it is assigned for homework the children will have approximately five days to complete the task assigned. If the task is not completed on time if will reflect on their grade.

The entire school will be working diligently this fall to create a Shakespeare garden. Each class will create their own area with particular herbs or flowers and an accompanying verse from one of Shakespeare's plays.

At this point, we do not have a definite date for Reconcilation or First Holy Communion. When we are apprised, I will let you know.

See you at Open School on September 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

2010-05-23T16:40:00.001-07:00

I would like to thank everyone for making Visitation's First Holy Communion so special. The girls looked absolutely beautiful! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your child's most holy and special day.

The Second Grade presented their EgyptProject, along with the Upper Grade's Silk Road, on May 13th. The children created a wonderful project and it was very well received.

We were very excited on Friday to have Mr. Angelo DeCesare come to our classroom.
Mr. DeCesare was the illustrator and author who visited us on Author's Day. He spent almost an hour in our classroom and the children were very excited. He gave us a little autobiography and explained how he came to draw and write. It was very thrilling to be a part of this. He showed the girls how to draw his characters by using only shapes that they know. He also explained that he took his real life experiences and wrote about them. The interesting part was that all of his characters were animals. The girls then drew one of the characters on their own and wrote a sentence about it. These will be displayed on the bulletin board outside our classroom. It was another great day at VA!

MAY 2010

2010-05-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that it is already May. The girls have had a wonderful time visiting Ancient Egypt. We have learned so much. We discovered pyramids, hieroglyphics, pharohs, mummies, make-up, jewelry. We learned how to write a short research paper using the Independent Investigation Method. The girls made a sarcophagus, a mummy, jewelry, hieroglyphics and much more.

JUST A REMINDER; communion banners are due this week, a note has been sent home regarding tasting the unconsecrated host and wine, please remember to send this back to school

I would like to remind you that the children may not wear open-toed shoes or sandals. They must wear socks or stockings (your preference). The girls may not wear make-up of any kind, however, they may wear a light pink or french manicure. Please have the girls in the Alumnae Room by 10:30 a.m. Please make sure they eat a little something before you bring them to school. Thank you.

2010-02-21T14:24:00.001-08:00

WELCOME BACK!

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable vacation. The girls are working hard on their Egypt project. They are completing their research at the present time. Once the research has been completed they will begin to compile their report. We will also be creating jewelry in conjunction with Mrs. Sarachman in Art Class. The girls will also be working to create a 3/4 size mummy. The girls are really excited.

I am happy to see that the girls are using the Mathletics program , working on the assignments, on live Mathletics, and on the games. The children will continue to have regular assignments on the program and are required to complete them.

Just a reminder that the Reconciliation meeting with Msgr. Jamie is Thursday, February 25, 2010 in the Alumnae Room. See you there!

2009-11-30T17:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Second Grade Parents,

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost here! Just a reminder that report cards will be distributed on December 7th during the afternoon and evening. The Second Grade will bestudying the country of Ancient Egypt. We will be using the Independent Investigation Method which is appropriate for the Second Grade. We will begin using the Prep Step during the month of December and in January will begin the research phase. If you have any artifacts or books you would like to share with us, please feel free to send them in. During the course of the research project we will be working with Mrs. Sarachman in Art and Madame Peters in French.
The children will need 1 pack of 4x6 white index cards. The folder they will be using and decorating will be provided.

SEPTEMBER - SECOND GRADE

2009-09-09T15:09:00.000-07:00

DEAR SECOND GRADE PARENTS,

WELCOME BACK! I hope that you have had a restful summer.
The children were wonderful today. They listened to directions and were terrific workers. Please keep in mind that it takes time for the children to settle into the routine of Second Grade.

Just a reminder that there is no snack in Second Grade. Please begin to bring in the supplies a little bit each day.