Merry Christmas and Happy 20201!!!

 

Welcome Back Second Grade Families and Welcome to the year 2021!

Here's to kicking off the year in a brand new up to date school building!  It's so exciting and the classroom was set up over the break and we are ready to roll.  This week,  I would like to ease the kiddos back into their learning routines, so, our homework will look a little different.  For example, the students will have a January themed "Engage It" reading log for this week and the second graders will have their regular spelling test to prepare for on Friday, January 8th. 

Also, if you were unable to replenish or update your student's supplies, please know that I am providing two examples of recommended crayons/and/or markers should your child be in need.  The class is also in need of glue sticks and Lysol wipes if you are able to donate any.  Thank you in advance for all of your help!

                                          (These are Pip Squeak Skinnies Markers. A Set of 24)

This week, the students will also be introduced to an engaging behavior management website program called Class Dojo!  This site is a free,  child friendly site,  that is designed specifically for teachers and their students to enhance a positive and nurturing learning environment.  I absolutely love this site and have used it for about 7 years.  On Monday, your child will come home with information regarding the site which will include having parents sign their children up so that they can access the program from home.  Class Dojo allows teachers to give their students points for positive behavior choices, but it also allows educators to deduct points for a behavioral infraction.  Please know that it's not my intention to intentionally "deduct" points from students, rather it's to be highly communicative with my student's families in order to open up conversations between parents and their children regarding behavioral choices and expectations.  Over all, students love Class Dojo and it truly assists students in reaching their full social/emotional potential when it is utilized in a positive and meaningful way.  So please be on the look out Monday afternoon on how you can register with our interactive Class Dojo website!

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

ELA

Essential question that the students will answer:  

How can you communicate in different ways?

Target Skills:  Author's Purpose, What is a Biography?, Summarizing

Writing Focus:  Opinion Writing 

Grammar Focus: Using Proper Nouns

Spelling Focus:  Long o (o, oa, ow)

Bonus Words for this week's Spelling List:  so, grow,  swallow,  ocean

Sometime this week, the students will also begin learning how to write in cursive.

Math

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

Science

The students will review animal habitats and if time permits, the students will have a STREAM based activity on Friday that will allow them to understand the purpose of an animal's habitat.  The STREAM lesson is called Help Harry!  Below is an image of what the students will be creating.  This learning opportunity relays the idea of how and why birds build nests.

This image is a sample of the Help Harry STREAM activity that was implemented a few years ago.

Religion

The students will pray the Rosary as a school community on Monday, January 4th at 2:20 p.m.

Grades K-3 and grade 5, will pray the Rosary inside our classrooms and will be viewing the Rosary virtually.

Grades 4, 6, 7, and 8 will pray the Rosary inside St. Gabriel's Catholic Church.    

Grade 4 will be leading us in the Rosary.

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

The students will focus on the unit "The Savior is Born!" 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 will now begin 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 G 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.

Upcoming Events

January 4, 2021, Monday: Staff and students return from break into our new school building!  

January 4, Monday: Monthly Rosary – Joyful Mysteries led by 4th grade class.

January 6, Wednesday:  School Spelling Bee at 1:15 p.m. in the new school building.  (Rescheduled from 12/14/20). 

ACS Volunteers:  Calling all ACS Parents, current 8th graders, and Alumni!  We need your help with our move to the new building.  Many hands make light work!   

Homework

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