December 22 - January 9

I count it a privilege to work with these sweet kids each day.  They are such a great group!  Happy Holidays to all of you!  

Thank You to Mrs. Harvat for organizing a wonderful holiday party!  Thanks also to Mrs. Bende, Mrs. Jonuskas, and Mrs. Murphy for helping with games, ornament making, and treats.  We had a great afternoon!  

Thank You to all the parents who sent in cookies and appetizers for our annual cookie exchange.  The treats were delicious and I took home a wonderful assortment of yummy cookies!  Thank you very much!

Dates to Remember

December 22 - January 4 - No School  Winter Break

Mon. Jan. 5 - School resumes

Week of Jan. 5 - MAPS Testing 

Week of Jan. 12 - Benchmark Testing

Reading - We will begin a new unit in Reading, Neighborhood and Community.  Our first story is Officer Buckle and Gloria.  We will focus on main idea/details, and determining the story summary.  Our grammar lessons will focus on contractions.  

Reading logs for December should be returned on Monday, Jan. 5.  Our class has voted to have a popcorn party for everyone who returns a completed log.  I hope everyone can join us!

Math - We will review two digit subtraction when we return from holiday break and take a chapter test.  We'll then move on to our new topic, Place Value to 1,000.  

Continue to practice math facts at home.  This week's fast facts will be +8 (again).  Many of the students had not mastered these facts when they were tested mid December, so we will be working on them again.  Students should no longer be counting on their fingers.  It's important that they memorize the facts.

New Student of the Week -  Aleck

Positive Paw Winner -  Joseph

Happy Holidays

Dates to Remember

Monday, Dec. 15 - *  Holiday Caroling at Fairview
                                      Village   Bring a sack lunch today!
                               *   Wear a Santa Hat if you have one!
                               *   Holidays Around the World

Tuesday, Dec. 16 - Early dismissal  12:00

Dec. 17, 18 - More Holidays Around the World

Friday, Dec. 19 - Classroom Holiday Party  2:00 

Dec. 22 - Jan. 4 - No School  Holiday Break

Week of Jan. 5 - Benchmark Testing

Reading
During our reading block this week, all second grade students will take part in Holidays Around the World.  Students will have a chance to learn about how people in different parts of the world celebrate holidays.  Students will have a passport and travel to the different 2nd grade classrooms as they learn about holidays in Sweden, Poland, Mexico, Israel, and China.  Look for your child’s Holidays folder to come home on Thursday. 

Students should continue filling in their reading logs through the end of December.  Return them to school on January 5.  

No spelling lists or tests this week.  We'll continue our Word Studies in January.  

Math
No Fast Facts this Week.
We will continue working with subtracting 2 digit numbers with and without regrouping.  We'll learn to use addition to check subtraction and finish the week by solving two question problems.  The students have really done well learning this difficult skill.  Thanks for your support at home.  It's important that parents check homework and give encouragement when needed.  

Mitten Tree

We will continue to collect hats, mittens, and scarves for our Mitten Tree.  Donations will be made to local families in need.  

Positive Paw Winner - Ashlyn
December Birthday - Ashlyn   December 17
Estimation Jar Winners - Gage and Lindsy

Stocking Stuffers - Many children could use new markers, colored pencils, dry erase markers, etc to start the new year!  If Santa is coming to your house, maybe you could tell him to add some supplies to your child's stocking!  

Have a wonderful holiday with your families!  

December 1 - 5

Dates to Remember

Dec. 11 & 12 - Holiday Shopping at Ide

Mon. Dec. 15 - Holiday Caroling at Fairview Village
                      * Bring a sack lunch

Fri. Dec. 19 - Holiday Classroom Party 2:00
                    Silly Sweater Day

Dec. 22 - Jan. 4 - No School  Holiday Break

Week of Jan. 5 - Benchmark Testing

Reading

We will conclude our Friendship unit this week by comparing several different texts.  We'll summarize our ideas and write an opinion piece about the special qualities we think are important to have in a friend.  

Our grammar lessons will focus on verbs, past and present tense. 

Math

This week we'll begin Subtracting Two Digit Numbers.  We'll start by using base ten blocks to decide if regrouping is needed.  We'll then move on to subtracting with and without regrouping.  We'll be explaining our steps and write story problems to match a number sentence.

Junior Achievement

Mrs. Jonauskas has been volunteering through the Junior Achievement program to teach the class about communities.  We've learned about different jobs, what it means to have a skill, and what a businesses does for the community.  We've done several fun activities.  Ask your child about it!

Science  

We have finished our unit on Natural Resources and will have a test on Monday. Your child brought home a study guide with vocabulary words highlighted. Please go over that information prior to our test.  

Positive Paw Winner - TJ
New Student of the Week - Marifer 
Estimation Jar Winner - Aleck

Mitten Tree  - Elizabeth Ide is collecting hats, mittens, and scarves for local families in need.  If you are able to donate items, please send them with your child to be added to our Mitten Tree in the library.  Thank you!