The Toucan Squawk, October 3rd - 7th

Hello families!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  The students are continuing their work about the Fall season, and have working through their STAR Reading and Math tests.  These will be completed by Thursday, so I can send home their results reports on Friday, as well as have their levels stapled into their AR folders for when they get back from the break. 
When they return from Fall Break, they will go home with their November Family Project.  This one, like the leaf project, will include the explanation letter and the turkey they need to decorate.  With this project, they will need to decorate a turkey who needs some protecting.  The letter will explain everything, but just like the previous project, it's going to be a lot of fun to see those turkeys decorating the classroom.  At this time, they will also be going home with a white manila envelope.  The information inside is for your eyes only, and will need something filled out and then returned.  More explanation will be enclosed in the envelope, but it's going to be a super fun project for you to do.  Its results will eventually find their way back to your child.  In the mean time, however, keep your eyes peeled for that envelope.

News:

• Teacher Inservice/Early Release at 11:45           Oct. 7th
• Columbus Day/No school                                   Oct. 10th
• Fall Break/No school                                          Oct. 10th - 14th
• Grade Reports go home                                      Oct. 24th
• Teacher Inservice/Early Release at 11:45          Oct. 26th

Birthdays:

• Helena          Oct. 10th           
• Todd             Oct. 11th           
• Brindon        Oct. 12th         
• Micaela        Oct. 21st 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Elizabeth Townsend
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
PDS
Second Grade

Belated Squawk

It seems I've neglected the class blog- my apologies about that. 

I'm sure the students have either spoken about it, or you have read the letter I sent home today.  Either way, things are falling in place in getting the classroom- and students- set up for their guest teacher next month.  I have to admit I got a bit emotional this afternoon when I spoke to the students about what's going on, and that wasn't my intent.  I wanted to have an honest discussion with the students, holding back what was necessary as I don't believe they need to know too much about what I'm having to go through. 

What they do know is Mrs. Posey will be their teacher for 6 weeks after Fall Break, and she's really looking forward to spending the time with them.  I'm looking forward to getting back in December for, as I put it to the students today, "healthy and ready for the fun stuff".  I'm sure they will test the boundaries at first, as all students do, but I'm confident they will continue to be wonderful friends for each other and amazing students for Mrs. Posey.

Starting next week, you'll notice the homework packet is fairly lighter than previous.  I've condensed to using the 3 of the reading series spelling pages, and 2 of the math series pages (one will be printed, and one will come from the series workbook).  The students will still have Monday - Friday to complete their packets, but the work has been slimmed down a bit.  I am having the packets done this way so as to not overload the guest teacher with so much printing each week (I print the packets through the week for the coming week.  Due to the shortened work schedules of guest teachers, that would be too much of me to ask).  I also don't believe she shouldn't have to worry about putting them together each week, hence the math series pages coming directly from the workbook themselves.  Along with the packets, the students will also be going home with a plastic baggie of multiplication facts 1 - 10.  We won't be covering this unit until the second semester, but now's a great time to get the students started on learning and practicing.

Students will be taking their STAR Reading and Math tests this coming week, as well as their Quarter 1 Math benchmark test.  Once I have all the students tested on the STAR program, I will be sending home a copy of their Reading and Math test results.  Their reading level will be indicated on the report, which will also be stapled in their AR folders.  Students will be going home with their report cards on October 24th.  I will, of course, be out at this time, but they will be prepared and ready to be sent home on this date.

It's unbelieveable to me we are saying goodbye to the first Quarter, and hello to Fall Break.  I've seen SO much progress- both with behavior and with academics- from all of the students, so I'm so excited to see the differences in December.


Birthdays
Helena       October 10th
Todd          October 11th
Micaela     October 21st


Thank you for all you do!

Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
SVPS 

The Toucan Squawk, Sept. 12 - 16

Hello families!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. 

The Leaf in Disguise project is due this Friday.  Please return all leaves so students will be able to write about their leaf, and display them in the classroom.  Several students have already turned in their leaf, and they look awesome!  Those students who have turned them in have started on their writing, and they will soon be ready to be displayed in the room.  This type of project will be sent home through the school year based on what may be going on at that time- such as for a special holiday or concept unit.

The students are continuing their math unit in double digit addition and subtraction.  Each week, they are completing a math packet from the second grade math workbooks.  These packets are enforcing what is being taught, and strengthening skills already in place, as well as those which need extra assistance.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

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

The Toucan Squawk, Sept. 6th - 9th

Hello families!  I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend.  We will be finishing our unit on compound words this week.  The students created a book, and completed word searches and a cut and glue page on this concept last week.  We will also be moving into 2-digit subtraction, as well as place value through 100.  We will, however, continue to work on 2-digit addition and will touch upon place value through 20 throughout the semester.

Other classes had a lice outbreak last week, however our class is thus far not affected.  If you notice lice in your child's hair, please keep them home and contact the school stating the issue.  From there, the school nurse can check the rest of the class and the classroom can be thoroughly cleaned.

I sent home a discussion starter form with your student today.  Please fill it out and return it by Thursday.  I will be going over them prior to our conference- this will be a great starting point for us at our conference.  If you are unable to make our conference at the scheduled time, please contact me as soon as possible.  We can then set up another conference time (in person, on the phone, or over email).

Mrs. Mazanek, the school counselor, came in to discuss "bucket filling and bucket dipping" to the students on Friday.  Ask your student what this is all about- they'll be sure to explain it.  It was a fantastic discussion, and I'm sure the students will find it useful.

Have a great week!

Elizabeth Townsend
elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us
Pueblo del Sol Elementary School
515-2970

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