Hello families...I hope everyone has had a wonderful week!
The kiddos have been busy this week with number patterns and, today, fractions! I have to admit, fractions is probably one of my favorite sections of math, so today the class was introduced using Legos and a coloring page. I unfortunately didn't take any pictures, so hopefully I'll remember to do so when we practice fractions with M & Ms on Monday. Fractions will take us through the next week or so.
In writing, everyone has been working on creating a money word problem to put together with a piggy bank. Well, not a real one of course, but a paper one they traced and cut out today. Everything will get put together tomorrow, and they will all go on the wall for Monday. Our next writing project will be about blowing a big bubble- these projects came out super cute and creative last year so I'm sure the same will repeat with this group.
We have finished our unit for the digestive system. The class took their quiz this afternoon, and we will begin putting together the vests tomorrow morning during rotations. These vests will also be put together with the organs of the respiratory system in the coming week. The class will work through another book together, as well as take another quiz at the end of that unit as well. These grades will culminate everyone's science grades for the progress report going home on the 7th, and eventually the grade report for this quarter.
In social studies, the students have finished their work on Martin Luther King Jr., and will soon begin research on an important figure of the American Revolution. Everyone will have the chance to choose a person, complete the research, and then present their person. However, their final presentation won't be like the usual presentation we all remember- but instead, the kids will be presenting as the person in a "wax museum" we'll have in our class. More information will come, but the students will choose their person in a couple weeks. A part of the grade will be a costume and object which would explain the person more (i.e. Betsy Ross "sewing" the first American flag).
The Glitteracy event is coming up in a couple of weeks on the 13th. Just like we did with our Winter Holiday Party, we will be rotating with the other 2nd grade classes. The students will spend the morning making various crafts, and then after lunch and recess we will have our card exchange, a snack, and a movie. Information was sent home earlier this week. If you would like to assist, please contact me.
News
Feb. 7 1/2 day early release, parent/teacher conferences.
Feb. 7 Progress reports go home.
Feb. 12 1/2 day early release, teacher in-service.
Feb. 13 Glitteracy, 8:15 - 11:30.
Feb. 14 No school, Winter Holiday.
Feb. 17. No school, President's Day.
Birthdays
Jan. 7 John
Jan. 19 Mckensie
Jan. 30
Ian
Feb. 1 Erilyn
Thank you for all you!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
1/30/2014
1/22/2014
The Toucan Squawk, Jan. 20 - Jan 24
Hello families...I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend. Last week and this week we have completed two different Martin Luther King Jr. activities. Last week was a story and accompanying quiz. Today was a page about table of contents for a book about Martin Luther King Jr. Both will be included in the students' reading and social studies grades since they pertain to both subjects. We have continued with our digestive system unit with the book we've been using. We'll begin the respiratory system next week.
In math, we have begun working on patterns with numbers. We started this unit today with a page with patterns which included numbers being added and subtracted in the same pattern- very confusing! We'll continue working through this unit this week and on into next week. And speaking again of next week- we'll begin fractions! I'm admittedly excited about this unit because of the activities I discovered last weekend. I'm sure the kids were wondering what the rather big box of Legos I had in the classroom today is going to be for- they'll find out next week. I'll be sure to post pictures of this fun activity- along with pictures of the activity we'll be doing with M & Ms.
We don't have a writing activity this week, but we will have one next week for a money word problem the kiddos will be creating themselves. This writing will go with a piggy bank they'll trace and cut out. These will be posted on the wall once completed.
Optional conferences are coming up the week of Feb. 3rd - 7th. Please continue to take a look at your students' grades on Synergy and contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I generally stay at the school until 3:30, which is the time when the office closes. Feel free to email me after that time regarding anything you may be concerned about. Progress reports for the 3rd quarter will also be sent home the 7th.
Valentine's day will be here before we know it. Since the 14th is Winter Holiday (news to me...I literally realized that today!), we'll be having our Glitteracy event on the 13th. Glitteracy is an event sponsored by the Title I staff, which various activities the class will be completing. We'll start off by rotating to one of the other 2nd grade classes, and continue until after recess where they will complete their activities with me in the classroom. After lunch, we'll share Valentine's cards and the snack the students will have made that morning. I'll be sending home a class list once we get closer to the date so students may begin preparing their Valentine's cards for their classmates. Please remind them they need to bring in cards for the entire class- not just their best friends. I'll send home a notice closer to the date, along with the class list, but you are more than welcome to join us that morning to assist the students. Since we'll be switching, the other second grade teachers and I invite any help offered!
News
Jan. 29 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30.
Feb. 7 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30, conferences.
Feb. 7 Progress reports go home.
Feb. 12 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30.
Feb. 14 Winter holiday, no school
Feb. 17 President's Day, no school
Birthdays
Jan. 7 John
Jan. 19 Mckensie
Jan. 30 Ian
Feb. 1 Erilyn
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
In math, we have begun working on patterns with numbers. We started this unit today with a page with patterns which included numbers being added and subtracted in the same pattern- very confusing! We'll continue working through this unit this week and on into next week. And speaking again of next week- we'll begin fractions! I'm admittedly excited about this unit because of the activities I discovered last weekend. I'm sure the kids were wondering what the rather big box of Legos I had in the classroom today is going to be for- they'll find out next week. I'll be sure to post pictures of this fun activity- along with pictures of the activity we'll be doing with M & Ms.
We don't have a writing activity this week, but we will have one next week for a money word problem the kiddos will be creating themselves. This writing will go with a piggy bank they'll trace and cut out. These will be posted on the wall once completed.
Optional conferences are coming up the week of Feb. 3rd - 7th. Please continue to take a look at your students' grades on Synergy and contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I generally stay at the school until 3:30, which is the time when the office closes. Feel free to email me after that time regarding anything you may be concerned about. Progress reports for the 3rd quarter will also be sent home the 7th.
Valentine's day will be here before we know it. Since the 14th is Winter Holiday (news to me...I literally realized that today!), we'll be having our Glitteracy event on the 13th. Glitteracy is an event sponsored by the Title I staff, which various activities the class will be completing. We'll start off by rotating to one of the other 2nd grade classes, and continue until after recess where they will complete their activities with me in the classroom. After lunch, we'll share Valentine's cards and the snack the students will have made that morning. I'll be sending home a class list once we get closer to the date so students may begin preparing their Valentine's cards for their classmates. Please remind them they need to bring in cards for the entire class- not just their best friends. I'll send home a notice closer to the date, along with the class list, but you are more than welcome to join us that morning to assist the students. Since we'll be switching, the other second grade teachers and I invite any help offered!
News
Jan. 29 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30.
Feb. 7 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30, conferences.
Feb. 7 Progress reports go home.
Feb. 12 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30.
Feb. 14 Winter holiday, no school
Feb. 17 President's Day, no school
Birthdays
Jan. 7 John
Jan. 19 Mckensie
Jan. 30 Ian
Feb. 1 Erilyn
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
1/15/2014
The Toucan Squawk, Jan. 13 - Jan. 17
Hello families...I hope everyone has had a wonderful week! I know I had posted this weekend, but I've just got a couple quick notes. We have continued working on graphs this week. I'll be pulling some review groups tomorrow after our regular math lesson- I think this is really going to help clear up some confusion on this unit. I'm also going to plug in double digit homework in the coming weeks- it's always a good thing to review and refresh!
I sent home a copy of your child's STAR report from the end of December. As a reminder, this helps me identify what level I should start your child on in reading. This is just the start, because once your child takes their AR tests during the week, I'll start to notice the level is either too high or too low and I'll adjust accordingly. Of course, the level also has just as much chance to be just right so I won't adjust until the next quarter. Your child will retake the test at the end of the quarter, and at that time I'll adjust for the following quarter. On Friday we are having our AR pizza party for the 2nd quarter. If your student passed their AR goal for at least 7 weeks, then they will be able to participate. Pizza and juice will be provided for those who will participate. I already sent home notes for those students.
Friday is the 100th day!! We're encouraging students to dress in their wackiest and tackiest- and yes, we teachers are definitely participating (gives us an excuse to dress silly, can't get a better reason than that!). They are also invited to bring in a collection of 100 items- a couple have been brought in and they are AWESOME! Please also continue to send in those snack items- we'll be making our snack mix on Friday as part of our 100th day rotation activities.
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
I sent home a copy of your child's STAR report from the end of December. As a reminder, this helps me identify what level I should start your child on in reading. This is just the start, because once your child takes their AR tests during the week, I'll start to notice the level is either too high or too low and I'll adjust accordingly. Of course, the level also has just as much chance to be just right so I won't adjust until the next quarter. Your child will retake the test at the end of the quarter, and at that time I'll adjust for the following quarter. On Friday we are having our AR pizza party for the 2nd quarter. If your student passed their AR goal for at least 7 weeks, then they will be able to participate. Pizza and juice will be provided for those who will participate. I already sent home notes for those students.
Friday is the 100th day!! We're encouraging students to dress in their wackiest and tackiest- and yes, we teachers are definitely participating (gives us an excuse to dress silly, can't get a better reason than that!). They are also invited to bring in a collection of 100 items- a couple have been brought in and they are AWESOME! Please also continue to send in those snack items- we'll be making our snack mix on Friday as part of our 100th day rotation activities.
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
1/12/2014
The Toucan Squawk
Hello families- I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday vacation!
We have begun work on graphs this week. We will continue working on this unit through this week, as well as reviewing word problems. On Monday the students took a vote on what their favorite pet was, and then as a class we filled out a tally chart followed by a pictograph.
We have also started on our science unit of the digestive system. On Monday I introduced it to the class by giving everyone a couple tortilla chips and discussing what is happening as they are chewing the chips. We also discussed what happens in our body with what we eat and drink. This unit's grade will be based on completion and correctness of the unit's book we are doing as a class. Because we are doing this as a class, I expect absent students to make up the missed work during their rotations during the next school day. This can be done by working with a buddy- while the buddy will have their page completed, they should not be simply giving the answers to the student who was absent. This will help ensure full understanding on any work missed. Our next science unit will be on the respiratory system, ending our science units with a vest the students will make out of a paper grocery bag with the appropriate organs colored and glued in the correct places.
The students started and completed their first writing project for this quarter- writing about their holiday vacation, which was then stapled onto their craft of a penguin. They also completed a snowman glyph about their favorites. A glyph is another way to represent data. This week the students will be starting on a new writing project to be completed on Friday- If I was 100 years old. These should definitely be fun to read!
We have finally been able to start using the students' ear buds they brought into class in August. The students listened to last week's reading book series story, "Change for the Quarter". They also completed questions about the story. If your student has not brought in their ear buds, please send them in soon. We will be continuing to use them for the listening center through the rest of the school year. I have one extra pair, so not enough for all students to use at the same time if they don't have them.
Friday is the 100th day of school! That means, lots of fun activities and Wacky Tacky dress up day! Students are invited to come to school dressed in their wackiest and tackiest (tutus, funny hats, shorts on top of pants, anything silly!), as well as bring in a collection of 100 items (100 pennies, pom pom balls, cotton balls, Pet Shop toys...the possibilities are fairly endless). Please remember to pick up any collections on Friday if it is too large for students to take home on the bus. I sent a letter requesting donations for our 100th day snack mix. Please bring in the item by Friday.
News
Jan. 15 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. day, no school
Jan. 29 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Birthdays
Jan. 7 John
Jan. 19 Mckensie
Jan. 30 Ian
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
We have begun work on graphs this week. We will continue working on this unit through this week, as well as reviewing word problems. On Monday the students took a vote on what their favorite pet was, and then as a class we filled out a tally chart followed by a pictograph.
We have also started on our science unit of the digestive system. On Monday I introduced it to the class by giving everyone a couple tortilla chips and discussing what is happening as they are chewing the chips. We also discussed what happens in our body with what we eat and drink. This unit's grade will be based on completion and correctness of the unit's book we are doing as a class. Because we are doing this as a class, I expect absent students to make up the missed work during their rotations during the next school day. This can be done by working with a buddy- while the buddy will have their page completed, they should not be simply giving the answers to the student who was absent. This will help ensure full understanding on any work missed. Our next science unit will be on the respiratory system, ending our science units with a vest the students will make out of a paper grocery bag with the appropriate organs colored and glued in the correct places.
The students started and completed their first writing project for this quarter- writing about their holiday vacation, which was then stapled onto their craft of a penguin. They also completed a snowman glyph about their favorites. A glyph is another way to represent data. This week the students will be starting on a new writing project to be completed on Friday- If I was 100 years old. These should definitely be fun to read!
We have finally been able to start using the students' ear buds they brought into class in August. The students listened to last week's reading book series story, "Change for the Quarter". They also completed questions about the story. If your student has not brought in their ear buds, please send them in soon. We will be continuing to use them for the listening center through the rest of the school year. I have one extra pair, so not enough for all students to use at the same time if they don't have them.
Friday is the 100th day of school! That means, lots of fun activities and Wacky Tacky dress up day! Students are invited to come to school dressed in their wackiest and tackiest (tutus, funny hats, shorts on top of pants, anything silly!), as well as bring in a collection of 100 items (100 pennies, pom pom balls, cotton balls, Pet Shop toys...the possibilities are fairly endless). Please remember to pick up any collections on Friday if it is too large for students to take home on the bus. I sent a letter requesting donations for our 100th day snack mix. Please bring in the item by Friday.
News
Jan. 15 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Jan. 20 Martin Luther King Jr. day, no school
Jan. 29 Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Birthdays
Jan. 7 John
Jan. 19 Mckensie
Jan. 30 Ian
Thank you for all you do!
Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
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