Welcome to Second Grade!
Don't forget to read a good book with your child anywhere you go!
Thought for the the Month:The smell of spring is in the air! Go for a walk with your child.
Please continue the year on a postive note by reading with your child every night for at least 20 minutes. This is one of the best gifts you can give to your child to guarantee success in school and life.
Reminder:
If your child is home sick with the flu, please let them rest. Don't worry about getting work from school. Just let your child get well. They can and should do some recreation reading if they feel well enough.
Reading
Ask your child about the stories we are reading. This helps them to build retelling skills. We have studied realistic fiction. the childre are reading wonderful stories in the Storytown readers and leveled texts that have great messages for all to learn. The children are enjoying independent reading time and keeping a log of their readings. We are also responding to our literary adventures in our journals.
Language
We want our students to be fluent writers and speakers. Reading helps greatly through the exposure to fine literature. We have been focusing on writing a strong main idea sentence and supporting it with three interesting details. We have also been practicing letter writing.
We are trying to notice adjectives in our reading and writing. They are the "chocolate frosting on the cake" words.
We will continue to develop our writing skills. Please remind your child to write terrific sentences for spelling words each week. the children seem to really enjoy journal writing.
Math
We want our students to feel comfortable and competent in math. There will be a greater emphasis on problem solving in second grade. Students need to be able to understand what they need to do to solve a problem and why. We always do the Think About It problem for homework. If your child still doesn't know facts to 12 it is time to drill, drill, drill. You can do this riding in the car and at a restaurant while you are waiting for your meal.
We are learning how to organize data into charts and graphs in math.
Science
We will be learning about Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Life. I hope your child has told you about the food groups and why we need to exercise.
Spelling
I am going to try to keep Friday as our Spelling test day to make it easier on you and your child. Spelling homework will be very consistent. Monday night- write words three times each. Tuesday night- write 5 terrific sentences. Wednesday night will be a worksheet. Thursday night will be a study night most of the time. Help your child study on Thursday night, please. For a great website go to www.spelllingcity.com. Your child can have fun by taking pre and post tests with their weekly words by typing them in.
Another great website is www.funbrain.com. Try it out!
Homework
Thanks to all who are helping to build the virtue of responsibility in their children by over-seeing homework.
Class Schedule for Specials
Monday - Music
Tuesday - Art - Please send in an art smock.
Wednesday - Computers
Thursday - Library
Friday - Physical Education - Wear sneakers
Folders
Your child will bring home a yellow John Trumbull folder on the first day of school.This folder will be used to transport notices, letters and homework to and from school every single day. Please check your child's folder daily to be aware of homework and daily school work. This is a great opportunity to help your child develop a sense of responsibility.
Homework Assignment Sheets
Your child will have a Homework Assignment Sheet. I give it out weekly. Your child is responsible for writing down the assignments. I do this with them in class. If it isn't written down, the student was not listening to the directions. I will work very hard to make each child successful at this.
Homework
There will be Language Arts and math homework on most school nights. Your child should also be reading to you nightly to practice fluency, comprehension, and spend quality time with you! This should be fun for both parent and child. Read to each other.
Parenting Tidbits
Please read with your child on a daily basis. Enjoy their childhood. It will pass faster than you can imagine. Have your child tell you about the story when he/she finishes reading to you. This is called retelling. It is an important skill for your child to practice.
Your child is your only true legacy. Help your child to develop the gifts of respect, responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, and citizenship. Give them the gift of your time.
Concerns and Questions
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to write me a note, call school, or email me at butterlydi@watertownps.org.
Great Links-
Why Your Child Should Read for 20 minutes Every Day
Light The Fire