It's the last week of January!

 

Hello Second Grade Families,

Welcome to the final week of January!  This week will begin with our school wide Community Prayer.  The second graders will be viewing our Community Prayer virtually.  Also, your child will be coming home daily with a behavior folder.  Now that we are half way through the school year, I will be utilizing a very intentional and thoughtful approach to discipline to best prepare your child for the next grade level.  This will also allow parents to receive more input and communication on how their child is developing socially and emotionally.  Please know that this approach isn't to be punitive, much rather, it's to open the lines of communication between the children and their parents.  Please sign your child's behavior folder each evening. Finally, don't forget that Friday, January 29th is a noon dismissal for all students.   Please contact the office in advance should your child be in need of childcare.

Please continue reading to discover all that will be taking place both inside our wonderful second grade classroom and right here at ACS.

ELA

Essential question that the students will answer:  

Why is it important to keep trying even if it's difficult to do?

Target Skills:  Sequence of Events, Formal and Informal Language, Visualize

Writing Focus:  Narrative Writing 

Grammar Focus: Subject/Verb Agreement

Spelling Focus:  Base Words and Endings: Long i (igh, i, ie, y)

Bonus Words for this week's Spelling List:  by, why,  behind,  lightning

The students will continue learning how to write in cursive.  

Math

The students are moving into learning how to add with three digits.  This will include learning when they need to regroup and when they do not need to regroup.

Science

The students will continue learning about solids, liquids and gas.  

These three things are known as the properties of matter.

Social Studies

The students will finish learning about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Religion

The students will attend an all school virtual Community Prayer service on Monday, January 25th.

The students will have their second sacramental preparation lesson this week.

The students will focus on the unit "Jesus Our Teacher" utilizing the Jesus Our Life religion series. 

The students will pray throughout their school day and this includes at daily Pledge/Prayer, before lunch, and prior to dismissal.

The second graders will continue praying for the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel per Father Chad's request.  All of the ACS students will be saying the prayer each time we attend Mass on Wednesday mornings.   However, the students are now focusing on memorizing and learning the "Act of Contrition" in order to best prepare them for the holy sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Here are the Second Grade Specials:

Monday ~ Art at 12:10

Tuesday ~ P.E. at 2:25

                  Spanish at 12:00

Wednesday ~ Mass Day at 8:15 a.m. 

                        Spanish 9:40 and Music at 1:00

Thursday ~    P.E. at 2:25

Friday ~ No special area classes

Computer Corner

Don't forget that your child has access to several academic computer sites to enhance their learning at home.

Here is a quick list to assist your child in their academic growth at home.

• RAZ kids ( Your child may utilize this site to complete their nightly reading homework.)
• IXL (Section I focuses on double digit addition with and without regrouping)
• Class Dojo!  This site can be accessed each day to allow your child to gain insights on their behavioral decisions from the day.  The students will earn points that then allow them to upgrade their site's avatar and the site will allow the students to view social/emotional developmental videos that were viewed in class from that specific day.  It's such an engaging behavioral tool and it motivates and empowers the students to give their very best efforts each day.
• So far in Class Dojo, your children have focused on the social/emotional skills of having a "Growth Mindset" and how to be "Perseverant."  This week, the students will be focusing on the skill of "Respect."  

Upcoming Events

• January 25, Monday:  8th Grade $1 Free Dress.  Monies from this Free Dress will reduce the cost of the 8th grade trip.  Thank you for your support.
• January 27, Wednesday: National Junior Honor Society Inductions.  To be held in the church at 6:30 p.m. Additional information will be sent to the parents of the inductees.
• January 29, Friday:  Noon dismissal, Staff In-Service. No lunch service.  Please RSVP if you need extended care in the afternoon.
• January 31 – February 5: Catholic Schools Week begins!
  • 1/31 ACS Family Mass, 10:30a.m.  
  • 1/31 Open House 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • 1/31 Blood Drive – Be a hero and donate blood.  Bloodmobile from 8 – noon.  Contact Joe Rostowsky at 480-241-0406 or visit bloodhero.com (sponsor code: gabriel).  See attached fliers for more information.  
  • Full Calendar coming.  
• Collecting school supplies for St Michael Indian School.  See attached Service Project flyer.
• February 3, Friday:  Group and Retake Pictures (rescheduled from January 6) Students in blue polo (K-7), light blue polo (8th).  Approved hair accessories only.

Homework

This week, the students will need to read each night for at least 15 minutes and log their reading utilizing their reading log. 

 The reading log is due on Friday.

The students will also need to study for their Spelling Test that will take place on Friday.