Hello families! I hope everyone had a great week. The students finished up place value this week and have moved into skip counting- which has been really fun once they figured out it can help them with multiplication. We don't cover multiplication in second grade, but letting them know it's something they'll see in third grade kept them motivated for the unit. We also covered compound words with various activities and work pages. This coming week, we'll be covering ABC order to the 2nd letter. Some of the work will also be on to the third letter, which can be challenging. For math, we'll be covering identifying even and odd numbers. This will be a great unit since we just covered place value to the thousands- something which will come into play this coming week.
The students are finishing up a writing craft- about a small moment- and then making a scarecrow to go with that writing. It's a super cute craft the kids will be able to have up on the walls- hopefully some of them will be up for this coming week's conferences.
Speaking of conferences, if the time I sent home doesn't work please let me know as soon as possible. I can reschedule accordingly- and if a phone or email conference is best, please let me know. I will, unfortunately, be able to give you any login information for the online grade book Synergy- the district office hasn't passed on any of that information to us yet. I should be getting the information I need to pass on to you sometime the week of Sept. 9th.
This coming week the students will also be taking their pretest on the computers on a program called Galileo. The students will be taking pretty much the same test each quarter and at the end of the school year. It will be on reading and math- and should take about 2 hours. I'm anxious to see how they can handle sitting at the computers for 2 hours- but I'm sure they'll be able to handle it.
Today I also found out we have a case of lice in the classroom. I told the kiddos that if they are itching their heads a lot they need to let me know. I can send them to the nurse at that point. I always figure, better safe than sorry. The nurse did come in this morning and check the student's friends and they were ok.
News
Sept. 2 Labor Day, no school.
Sept. 5 Parent/Teacher Conferences, 1/2 day early release.
Sept. 11 1/2 day early release at 11:30, teacher in-service.
Sept. 25 1/2 day early release at 11:30, teacher in-service.
Birthdays
Holly 9/23
Isaac 9/24
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
8/30/2013
8/19/2013
Spelling Words, Aug. 19 - 23
OPPS! I forgot to give the kiddos their spelling words for the week- my apologies about that. They'll get a list tomorrow morning. I will give them some time to do that spelling homework tomorrow morning, and then they can turn it in afterwards:
send
pick
end
both
fast
last
must
just
bath
black
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
send
pick
end
both
fast
last
must
just
bath
black
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
8/14/2013
Toucan Squawk, Aug. 12 - 16
Hello families! I hope everyone has had a great week so far. We have been SUPER busy with place value to the thousands- yes, thousands...in the first two weeks! All of grade 2 started it last week because we knew this concept was going to carry through the entire school year. Along with place value, the students have continued to get to know each other- reminding ourselves of bucket fillers and bucket dippers has been really helpful with the students' behavior choices throughout the day. I'm already amazed by some of their positive behavior choices- and it makes me happy to think that they have already come together as a family by treating each other with the upmost respect. The students have also been working on writing about themselves for a writing craft project- I'll be posting pictures once the project is up on the walls.
We had a practice fire drill on Monday. The students did awesome- I would have to say the best I've had all of my 8 years of teaching- really! We did practice on Friday afternoon, but just seeing it in action on Monday morning was really great.
I've had a few questions about the homework. In your child's homework folder is a green sheet which explains the nightly schedule. Each Monday your child will be going home with a reading log they will need to complete each night and return the next day. I look it over each morning, and return it back to your student. Each night has a different type of homework- grammar, math, or spelling. The schedule explains what your child needs to do each night. When there is spelling for the night, a blank lined piece of paper will be in your child's folder. Each Monday he or she will take home a list of the words for the week- this list stays in the folder or at home. Every day it is imperative your child returns their homework- it's a responsibility a child learns which can carry them through the entire year. I can understand when things get crazy at home- the family gets home late, etc., anything can happen. However, I ask that if time does in fact run out and there isn't enough time for your child to do their homework- please let me know. Email me, send a note to school with your child- something to let me know that there simply wasn't enough time. I can understand that. I won't penalize a child for something like that. However, when homework isn't returned without a note or an email, I will ask that child to owe a nickel. Students who turn in their homework the entire week will earn a nickel on Friday of that week. If there is an absence and the homework has been turned in all week, the child can earn the nickel on the Monday they return.
Your student also has an explanation of the clip chart for behavior in their orange folder. The green is where your child should aim for each day- but the blue, purple, and pink are the super extra goals. Yellow, red, and brown are for warnings and for me to call or email home with any concerns I may have. We start each day on green, the students depending upon behavior move their clips up or down. At the end of each day, I have the students color in the behavior chart in their orange folder with the color they ended their day on. This has been really helpful for the students to have a visual of how they ended their day on. I've noticed a change in the students' behavior the next day based on how they did the previous day- that has helped me reinforce that the system is working. I started using it only last year- after using a similar system with a pocket chart for years- and have found the clip chart is far more effective because the students are given more power over moving up when they go above and beyond.
Grade 2 is having a parent night! I'm really excited about it because this will be a great time for me to chat with you about my classroom polices- homework, behavior, AR testing on the computers, etc. Further news on when we will have it is forthcoming in your child's homework folder.
News
Aug. 28 1/2 day early release at 11:30, teacher in-service
Birthdays
None in August
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
We had a practice fire drill on Monday. The students did awesome- I would have to say the best I've had all of my 8 years of teaching- really! We did practice on Friday afternoon, but just seeing it in action on Monday morning was really great.
I've had a few questions about the homework. In your child's homework folder is a green sheet which explains the nightly schedule. Each Monday your child will be going home with a reading log they will need to complete each night and return the next day. I look it over each morning, and return it back to your student. Each night has a different type of homework- grammar, math, or spelling. The schedule explains what your child needs to do each night. When there is spelling for the night, a blank lined piece of paper will be in your child's folder. Each Monday he or she will take home a list of the words for the week- this list stays in the folder or at home. Every day it is imperative your child returns their homework- it's a responsibility a child learns which can carry them through the entire year. I can understand when things get crazy at home- the family gets home late, etc., anything can happen. However, I ask that if time does in fact run out and there isn't enough time for your child to do their homework- please let me know. Email me, send a note to school with your child- something to let me know that there simply wasn't enough time. I can understand that. I won't penalize a child for something like that. However, when homework isn't returned without a note or an email, I will ask that child to owe a nickel. Students who turn in their homework the entire week will earn a nickel on Friday of that week. If there is an absence and the homework has been turned in all week, the child can earn the nickel on the Monday they return.
Your student also has an explanation of the clip chart for behavior in their orange folder. The green is where your child should aim for each day- but the blue, purple, and pink are the super extra goals. Yellow, red, and brown are for warnings and for me to call or email home with any concerns I may have. We start each day on green, the students depending upon behavior move their clips up or down. At the end of each day, I have the students color in the behavior chart in their orange folder with the color they ended their day on. This has been really helpful for the students to have a visual of how they ended their day on. I've noticed a change in the students' behavior the next day based on how they did the previous day- that has helped me reinforce that the system is working. I started using it only last year- after using a similar system with a pocket chart for years- and have found the clip chart is far more effective because the students are given more power over moving up when they go above and beyond.
Grade 2 is having a parent night! I'm really excited about it because this will be a great time for me to chat with you about my classroom polices- homework, behavior, AR testing on the computers, etc. Further news on when we will have it is forthcoming in your child's homework folder.
News
Aug. 28 1/2 day early release at 11:30, teacher in-service
Birthdays
None in August
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
8/11/2013
Emails
I sent a mass email on Friday. I had been told by other staff that the emails wouldn't be exposed to the other senders- apparently they have. So, because of privacy, I won't be mass emailing. This blog will be the primary news/info sharing spot for the class. If I do need to get a hold of you, I'll call first. I usually email second, or if the issue is something that can wait. Have a great evening, and I'll see everyone tomorrow!
Thank you for everything you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
Thank you for everything you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
8/06/2013
Welcome back to school!
Hello families! It's only Tuesday but I feel as if it's Wednesday...we've been super busy these past two days! We have gotten to know each other a little better, gone over the rules and expectations of the school and class, and have already started working on place value to the tens in math. We've had a few rough patches, but for the most part the students are having a great time learning and getting along well with each other. Tomorrow we'll be discussing our Bucket Filler program for the class. This is a super program which has proven to be successful in other schools across the nation. It helps the class become more of a family- encouraging the students to have empathy and think about what they do before they act. The students will have a chance to thank someone for being extra nice, while feeling the benefits themselves. It will be amazing to see the appreciation in the students!
Today your child also came home with a packet of forms to go through. Please fill these out and return them as soon as possible. Tomorrow, your child will also be going over our school and class rules and expectations. They will also take home a pink sheet of paper. Please review the rules and expectations with your child, and then sign and return the form.
You will notice that the homework will be going home every day. I will be tracking who has returned the homework each day- and on Friday students who have returned the homework through the entire week will receive a nickel for their bank.
News
Aug. 14 Teacher in-service. 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Aug. 28 Teacher in-service. 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Birthdays
No birthdays this month
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
515-2970
Today your child also came home with a packet of forms to go through. Please fill these out and return them as soon as possible. Tomorrow, your child will also be going over our school and class rules and expectations. They will also take home a pink sheet of paper. Please review the rules and expectations with your child, and then sign and return the form.
You will notice that the homework will be going home every day. I will be tracking who has returned the homework each day- and on Friday students who have returned the homework through the entire week will receive a nickel for their bank.
News
Aug. 14 Teacher in-service. 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Aug. 28 Teacher in-service. 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Birthdays
No birthdays this month
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
515-2970
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