The Toucan Squawk, Aug. 29 - Sept. 3

Hello families!  I hope everyone has enjoyed their week so far.  The students have been continuing their work on double digit place value and addition, practicing the concept on sheets and in learning centers.  We will be moving into double digit subtraction and place value in the coming two weeks, as well as 2-step word problems for both addition and subtraction.  The learning centers have already proven to be helpful for the students, as they have been using one for spelling practice as well.  My hopes are to provide up to 4 centers per week for the students to complete by the end of the week.  In the past, they have proven to not only be educational but also fun for the students, and so I definitely plan on continuing them this year. 

The students have also started on taking Math Facts in a Flash tests on the computers.  The goal is to have the students take a test each day, building up to two tests per day by the end of the current semester.  The tests build students' current skills, as well as- eventually- introducing them to new concepts.  There are 40 levels, ranging from single digit addition to exponents.  Students are not, in this grade level, pushed to be completing the levels however it has happened.  Despite being timed, the tests allow the students to work at their own level- whether they are able to work above their grade level or below.  The goal for Math Facts in a Flash is to get all students- no matter their ability level- to remember math facts quickly and effectively each time.  Reports will be printed at the end of each week so you at home can see how your student is doing. 

Along with the Math Facts reports being printed, students will also be taking home their Accelerated Reader (AR) program reports for each week.  The goal for AR is for students to show comprehension for a book they read.  It pulls in the use of the STAR reading level, from the report which was sent home last week.  These quizzes are also timed, but each student should be capable of taking at least 3 quizzes each week.  Depending on their reading level, a student may be able to take more.  The students are given the chance to achieve their goal for each week by Friday afternoon.  Students who are unable to achieve their goal with need to spend their Funtime Friday taking the quizzes which will allow them to complete the goal.  The goal, depending again on the students' reading levels, will be to:

• read at least 1 chapter book per week and 2 picture books, or
• read 4 picture books per week

Books read at home are definietly included to take a quiz on- so please send the book or email me the title of the book so your student can take the quiz.  Both the math tests and the reading quizzes are unable to be taken at home at this time.  I'll be sending home a note regarding your student's weekly reading goal this week, so we can chat about it at our conference next week.

Speaking of conferences, we just finished the scheduling for our grade this week so I'll be sending home a note regarding what is our scheduled time.  It will state on the note, but if you are unable to make our meeting, please contact me as soon as you are able.  We can then set up another in-person conference, a phone conference, or conduct an email conference.  All conferences are currently scheduled on September 8th, from 12:00 - 6:00 PM.  I currently have them scheduled back-to-back, for all 25 students, so please be at the school by our scheduled time so it doesn't run into the next conference.  I'll also be sending home a discussion note to be filled out and returned by Sept. 7th.  This will be helpful for me to understand any concerns and questions, and to help guide our conference successfully.


Birthdays:

Lynnea        September 3rd


Have a great week!

Elizabeth Townsend
Second Grade
Pueblo Del Sol Elementary School
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
   

The Toucan Squawk, August 23 - 26

Hello families!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  Tomorrow is picture day!  Students will be taking their pictures tomorrow morning before they go play outside.  If you haven't done so, please return the picture money envelope as soon as possible to purchase your pictures.  Depending on the company's schedule, packets should be arriving before the month of October.

You most likely noticed already a change in the homework packets.  The packets will generally stay as they are currently for the school year, plus or minus various concepts and pages.  I definietly don't want to burden the students with homework each night, but each packet should be completed within the week and returned on Fridays.  Students who don't have their packets completed will need to complete it in class during their recess.  Above all else, homework is a practice of the concepts they are receiving in class- so again, there is nothing new and should not be anything too strenous.  If you are noticing your student is taking longer than 20 - 30 mintues to complete homework each night, please contact me and we can arrange a change.  As with in class, students should feel success in their learning, and homework can support that success.

We are continuing our work through place value through 20 in math.  Today, the students played a game with a deck of cards and classmates to create a math problem.  The digits used were single and double, using 3 places (for example, 1 + 10 + 3).  So far, it's proven to be fun and educational for the class.  In reading and spelling, the students are working on long vowels.  We are also continuing our writing projects about what we did for our summer vacations.  Students are working through their drafting process carefully, and are finalizing their writing.  I'm seeing some excellent work so far!

Enjoy your week!

Elizabeth Townsend
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
515-2970

Birthdays:  Frederick, August 29th

The Toucan Squawk, Aug. 15 - 19

The students will be going home with their August Book Order forms today.  There are two fliers available to order from this month, which will be open until August 31st.  There is a letter attached, but you are able to order online so money doesn't need to come to school.  However, if you find it easier to send in money with your student, please only send checks.  I cannot send cash in, and I will have to return the Book Order and money home with your student.

Students are also going home with this year's fund-raising envelope and information.  Any and all orders will be much appreciated!  All monies raised will go to the PTO, which can then be transferred to funding activities such as field trips and the school carnival.

Please send in your Box Tops!  As usual, we are asking for Box Tops to be sent in.  Write your student's name and my name on the back, and these can be entered into a school-wide drawing.  The winning student for the month can win various fun items chosen in the school office. 

Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
Second Grade
Pueblo del Sol Elementary School

The Toucan Squawk, August 8 - 12, 2011

Hello families!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  My apologies I didn't mention this earlier, but I will not be assigning homework this week.  The students will be going home with their homework packets starting Monday the 15th.  Included in this packet will be math, spelling words for the week, some spelling practice activities, and a reading log.  I'll be assigning at least 15 minutes of reading each night, and a page of work to complete.  My estimation is homework should take your student, at the most, 25 minutes each afternoon to complete.  If you find your student is taking longer to complete their work, please don't hesitate to contact me.  We can therefore decide on a change in assignments.  Any and all homework assigned will be based on material already introduced in class, so none of it will be new.  I definitely believe homework is for practice, not introduction.  The reasoning behind a packet is students can complete it at their ease.  For example, some of my students from last year found it better for their schedules to complete it all in one afternoon but still read each evening.  Other students, however, found it better to complete the reading each night, but the pages a couple of nights each week- instead of the assigned one page each night.  Whatever you find is best for you and your student, please design your homework time as necessary.

Spelling tests are given Friday afternoons.  Each homework packet will have the words, as well as practice activities.  For the first two quarters, the tests will include 10 words.  Starting in the 3rd quarter, I may either continue to assign the 10 words- or add 4 or 5 more words.

Students will be able to earn a nickel for their behavior bank with each completed homework packet.  By complete, I mean the reading log filled out for Monday - Thursday, and each page completed.  If a student does not turn in their homework, they will need to owe a nickel and therefore lose their FunTime Friday in the afternoon.

I hope this clears up any confusion over the class receiving homework.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Class birthdays:
August 29-          Frederick


Have a great week!

Elizabeth Townsend
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
PDS
Second Grade
520-515-2970

Open House Night

Open House night was a complete success!  Thanks to all of the families who I met for attending.  I'm looking forward to working with all of the families to help your child be their best in second grade. 

If you were not able to attend, I will be sending home the information.  Please peruse it, and return anything which needs to be filled out as soon as possible.  Any and all information will be helpful in assisting your child even better. 

School starts at 8:30, but students are welcome to arrive at school beginning at 8:10.  School ends at 2:45, and you are welcome to pick-up your child at our classroom (Room 9).  The bell rings directly at 2:45, so I or any other teachers will not be opening our doors any earlier or later. 

If your student is riding the bus, please make sure we have the bus permission slip so you and your child are aware of the bus rules and expectations.  If you have not filled this out, please come to the classroom to do so.  I have some extra from Open House night.


See everybody on the first day of school- Monday the 8th!

Elizabeth Townsend
Second Grade
Pueblo del Sol Elementary School
Sierra Vista, AZ

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a fantastic summer with their children!

We've got a busy school year ahead of us, and I'm positive we will have fun learning all of the 2nd grade concepts.  These include double-digit addition and subtraction, the American Revolution, the systems of the Human Body, and how to write a friendly letter.  We'll have lots of time to get to know each other, and I'm definitely looking forward to that.

As the school year gets into fully swing, I'll be sending home my classroom polices (birthdays and behavior to name a couple), so please look out for those.  Each day, your child will bring home their homework folder.  It's imperative to look through this each night for homework and notes.  I'll be posting the class weekly newsletter on here, but there may be some daily notes going home which need to be seen quickly.

Your student will also be assigned some homework the first week- concept reviews for math- and this will be a great time for you and your student to get into the routine of expecting the homework folder to be looked through each night and be returned to school each day.

I'm looking forward to meeting all of the parents at Open House on August 5th, 5:00 - 6:30 PM, and seeing the students again I met on Move Up Day in May.

Until then, enjoy the next few days off.

Welcome to Second Grade!

Elizabeth Townsend

Second Grade

Pueblo del Sol Elementary School

Sierra Vista, AZ