It's Week 3 of January!

Hello Second Grade Families,

We are now half way through the month of January!  Time is just flying by in the second grade.  This week will be a short four day school week, but it will be filled with many academic, social/emotional, and spiritual activities, so please continue reading this newsletter to discover all that will be taking place both inside our classroom and right here at ACS.

ELA

Essential question that the students will answer:  

How can helping others make you feel good?

Target Skills:  Story Structure, Understanding Character, Infer/Predict

Writing Focus:  Narrative Writing 

Grammar Focus: Pronouns

Spelling Focus:  Base Words and Endings: -ed -ing

Bonus Words for this week's Spelling List:  mixed, going, wrapped, swelling

The students have begun learning how to write in cursive.  

Math

The students will continue to focus on double digit subtraction with and without regrouping.

This is a very tough skill for second graders.  Please know that your children can revisit this skill at home utilizing the IXL website.  Your child should focus on section "H" (Double Digit Subtraction) to assist them in mastering this difficult concept.

After this unit is complete, the students will move into lessons on adding and subtracting with three digits.

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 be learning about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Religion

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

The students will focus on the unit "The Good News" 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 and in our second grade classroom.  However, the students are now also 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 H 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 "Empathy."  

Upcoming Events

• January 18, Monday: Observance of Martin Luther King.  No school.
• 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.