The Second Grade Ranch

  Hello Second Grade Families, Welcome to the final week of April!  Spring is also in full swing and some of the kids are certainly experiencing seasonal allergies.  So, being that we are wrapping up our ITBS testing this week and the kiddos are beginning to feel a little worn, there will be no homework for the second graders for this final week of April. Please continue reading to discover what will be taking place both inside our classroom and right here at ACS. ELA Once our ITBS testing is complete for this week, the students will return to their regular ELA schedule.  Below you will find this week's story.  However, the children will not have a Spelling test for this week. Essential question that the students will answer:   How do plants grow and change? Target Skills:  Text and Graphic Features, Cause and Effect, Monitor/Clarify Writing Focus:  Informative Writing Grammar Focus:  Irregular Action Verbs Spelling Focus:  Words with aw...

  Hello Second Grade Families, This week all ACS students will begin their ITBS standardized testing! Please make sure to have your child to school on time each day this week.  It is also strongly recommended that your child has a hearty breakfast to allow them to have stamina and "Brain Power" for their daily tests.  Each day for the next six days, your child will take two tests on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills to assess your child's academic growth and abilities.  Typically, children can become quite fatigued after testing, so I would also suggest making sure your child has a nutritious snack and lunch too.  As a result of the ITBS testing, the second graders will NOT have any homework for this week  in order to assist families in having more down time and to allow your child in getting a full night's rest so that they can be best prepared for testing the next day. Our typical learning schedule will be uniquely different this week due to testing, so the...

  Hello Second Grade Families! Welcome back from Spring Break!  This week, we will be hitting the ground running as we now prepare our second graders in becoming future third graders.  Sometimes, as a school year enters into its last trimester, students can lose their "Grit," or tenacity to work to their full potential.  Please know that I will continue to promote and foster hard work within our second grade classroom and the need to give one's full effort in their class work.  Here's how you can help at home! Homework is always due on Fridays and a new reading log will be handed out this week Have your child keep their backpack clean and organized.  When my children were young, Friday afternoons were always empty and organize your backpacks!  Have your child do the organizing as this is a very important life skill that will benefit your child's organizational skills in the future. There will be a Spelling Test this week that will take p...

  Welcome to Holy Week, This week, your children will be focusing on the parable of "The Lost Sheep" to best prepare them for making their First Reconciliation.  Also, our class will be learning about the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Jesus will be at the center of our week as we all prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for the gift of the resurrection and the blessing of Easter Sunday. Please continue reading to stay up to date on what will be taking place inside our classroom and right here at ACS. ELA The students will be continuing their lessons from last week that focuses on the story of "The Goat on the Rug."  Last week was quite and busy and so, the second graders will be focusing on the skills and content from this story that they still need to complete. Below you will find what skills the class will be focusing on: Phonics ~ tion and true based words, examples:  nation and nature Informative Writing ~ What is it like to live in...

  Happy First Day of Spring ACS Families! Well, Spring is in the air!  Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the weather is glorious!  This week, your children will begin learning all about plants to kick off the season of Spring.  The season that brings us the gift of renewed hope and beauty.  It's also the season where we soon will celebrate the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ.  May you all find your spirits lifted as we approach the gift of Easter Sunday. Please continue reading to stay informed of what will be transpiring both inside the second grade classroom and right here at ACS. ELA Essential question that the students will answer:   How is art connected to the past? Target Skills:  Conclusions, Sequence of Events, Summarizing Writing Focus:  Informative Writing Grammar Focus:  Irregular Verbs Spelling Focus:  Suffixes -y, -ly, -ful Bonus Words for this week's Spelling List:  j umped, saying,  quick...