Luck of the Irish!

 Welcome Back Second Grade Families and may you all have a very happy St. Patrick's Day!

It will be a four day school week for the students at ACS, but is bound to be full of enriching academic activities which will include some St. Patrick's Day history and fun!

Also take note, that being that this is a short week, I'm going to change up our homework routine for the next two weeks.  Your child will be coming home on Tuesday with a "March" themed "Engage It" reading log.  Your child needs to read each night for at least 15 minutes, and then, your child may cut out and glue on one of the multiple activities listed each night.  Your child's reading log will not be due until Friday, March 26th of next week!  Sometimes, kids just need a simple change of routine to enhance their reading experiences.  

Please also know that your child can always read utilizing RAZ kids, or Free Tumble Books online!

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

ELA

This week, the second graders are going to enjoy a text that coincides with our second grade Journey's series.  

The title of the story is:

Where Do Polar Bears Live?

This text will be a cross curricular experience for your children.  It combines science and language arts.  Please know that our language arts lessons will be unique this week because we are taking a step "outside" of our typical routines.  However, your child will have a shorter spelling list of words that he, or she, will need to study to prepare for their Spelling test on Friday.  The words will be given directly to your children tomorrow at school and should also be neatly written inside your child's agenda.

Math

The class is moving into measurement concepts.  This week we will be focusing on how to properly use a ruler and how to measure in both inches and centimeters.  The students are also learning about non standard ways to measure objects.  For example, a small paper clip is about an inch, and can be utilized as a non standard way of measuring an object.

Social Studies  

The students will complete their lessons on the western expansion of America.

Science

The students will complete their lessons on the lifecycle of animals, however, we hope to start our lessons on plants, and the students will learn that plants have a life cycle too.

Religion

The students will be going to St. Joan of Arc, on Tuesday, March 16th for their Lenten retreat.  Thank you in advance to all of the parent chaperones/drivers!  Our class is so appreciative to have your help.

The students will have another sacramental preparation lesson this week.

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.   The students have memorized the "Act of Contrition" and are prepared to say this prayer when they receive the holy sacrament of Reconciliation.   The students have began memorizing "The Apostle's Creed."

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

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 S focuses on key second grade measurement concepts)
• 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," how to be "Perseverant," how to be "Empathetic," what it means to show "Gratitude," and how they can tackle "Big Challenges" in life!  

Upcoming Events

• March 15,  Monday  –   No School – This is a change to the current calendar.  Enjoy the long weekend!
• March 16, Tuesday:  Dine out with Phat Turtle BBQ!  Phat Turtle will donate 15% of dine in and take out orders to ACS.  3:00 PM – 10:00 PM at 30845 N Cave Creek Rd, Suite 107 Cave Creek, AZ 85331  
• March 17, Wednesday:  St. Patrick’s Feast Day.  K-8 may wear green, St. Patrick shirts with uniform bottoms.  “  in a single day I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night almost as many;”  ― St. Patrick, The Confession of St. Patrick
• March 25, Thursday:  Save this date.  School Blessing on the Feast of the Annunciation.  Mass celebrated with Bishop Olmsted at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. 

Homework

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

 The reading log won't be due until Friday, March 26th!

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