The Count Down Begins!

 

Hello Second Grade Families,

Welcome to the last two weeks of the second grade!  Hold on to your hats because these last ten days are going to be a whirlwind!

Please continue reading to discover what will be taking place during this school week both inside our second grade classroom and right here at ACS.

Homework

Gentle Reminder:  Any second grade student that chooses to complete the final second grade homework of the school year will receive some extra credit points in their homework grade and they'll also have a little treat waiting for them this Friday, May 21st.

Essential question that the students will answer:  

What good things happen when people work together?

Target Skills:  Understanding Characters, Point of View, and Summarizing

Writing Focus:  Opinion Writing

Grammar Focus:  More work on Adverbs and Possessive Pronouns

Spelling Focus:  Long Vowels a and i

Bonus Words for this week's Spelling List:  tray, try, contain, thigh

In class, we have been focusing a great deal on writing properly.  Sentences begin with capitol letters, proper word spacing, spelling correctly and ending our sentences with the proper punctuation.

The students are also learning how to type utilizing the typingclub.com website.

Math

The students have begun to learn about multiplication concepts.

The second graders are learning what an array is.  They are also learning that multiplication is repeated addition and is a fast way in which to add.  The children are also learning about the proper mathematic multiplication terms.

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

The students will be preparing to lead the entire school at Community Prayer which will take place next Monday, May 24th at 8:15 a.m. 

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.   

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 Y which focuses on multiplication concepts) and your second grader also knows how to go the third grade section in IXL in order to practice their multiplication math facts!
• Typingclub.com(Your second grader has been learning how to properly type!)
• Class Dojo to review your daily points!

Upcoming Events

• May 18 (Tuesday): Dine Out Fundraising BarrosCave Creek.  See attached flyer for more information.  
• May 19 (Wednesday): 8th Grade Graduation Mass at 1 pm. Graduates meet in Ministry building at noon.  All students and staff will attend. Graduates’ families are invited. Detailed information sent to 8th grade families.
• May 20 (Thursday): Kinder Class of 2030 Parent Orientation. No students please. Google calendar invite was sent out.  Please RSVP.  If you did not receive an invite, please email office@acsphx.org and let us know. 
• May 21 (Friday): Kinder Promotion 1:45 p.m. in the church followed by reception in the Ministry building (school office) Kindergarten families only, please.
• May 24 (Monday): Community Prayer at 8:10 p.m. in the pavilion.  All are welcome.  Led by the 2nd grade.
• May 28 (Friday): End of year student awards (K-7th). 11 am in the church. All are welcome to attend.  (8th grade awards are presented during graduation.)
• May 28 (Friday): Last day of school – Noon dismissal.  No after care.

SUMMER LEARNING TIPS!

Please know that I strongly encourage every second grader to continue learning over the course of the summer.  The reasoning behind this ideal is that many students who do not do any educational activities over the course of a summer often experience what is known as the summer slide.  How can you prevent your child from the summer slide? Below, you will find some ideas to assist your child in entering the third grade right where they should be academically.

• Tip #1 ~ Have your child visit a book store, or a library, and have him/her check out one fiction book of their choosing (chapter book) and one non fiction book (chapter book) of their choice.   Your child should read for at least 15 minutes a day from Monday through Thursday.  After each daily reading, have your child write 3 complete sentences with proper punctuation/capitalization inside a journal.  To make it extra encouraging, I always had each of my children select a journal of their choice that then became their summer reading journal.
• Tip #2 ~ Have your second grader begin practicing their multiplication facts.  Your child has access to IXL over the summer months.  There are also apps that can be downloaded to a device that will assist your child in remembering/mastering their basic addition, subtraction, and beginning multiplication facts.
• Tip#3 ~ There are summer workbooks that you can purchase to keep your child on target with their learning should you wish to have some enrichment activities. Below, you will find images of a workbook that can be purchased either on line, or at many different stores around town that will also enhance your child's academic abilities.  Summer Bridge Activity books are rated #1 amongst teachers and they can be purchased on Amazon.  The link to this book is also being provided under the image.

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Bridge-Activities®-Grades-Activities/dp/148381582X