Second Grade Newsletter- Week 1

*List of Important Events:

October 9th- Student Holiday (Teacher Inservice)

October 12th- No School (Indigenous Peoples' Day)

***********October 14th- MATH Chapter 2 TEST 🔢***********

***********October 15th- ELAR TEST 📖***********

October 16th- Magik Theatre Field Trip (no misprint)

October 23rd- Spirit Day/Fall Family Fling 5-7pm

October 30th- Halloween on the Hilltop (students can dress in appropriate costumes)

What a wonderful week we had in second grade! From Tuesday's special Blessing of the Pets to Thursday's pep rally, our week unfolded beautifully. As well, we started prepping for Declamations across all disciplines including Social Studies. Take a peek below to see what else we’ve been learning and what’s just around the corner.

This week in ELAR, we continued building our reading and spelling skills! We reviewed the soft sounds of c and g, remembering that c usually says /s/ and g usually says /j/ when followed by e, i, or y. We also reviewed the three sounds of -ed and how the last sound in the base word helps us decide which sound to use: /ĭd/ after /t/ or /d/, as in wanted and needed; /t/ after other unvoiced sounds, as in jumped; and /d/ after other voiced sounds, as in played. Students also learned to read and spell plural nouns using -s, -es, -ies, and -ves, with examples such as cats, boxes, babies, and leaves.

In reading, we explored fairy tales from around the world and selected our tales for Declamations! We also read After the Fall and took a closer look at the character’s traits, their feelings, and the story’s setting. Our high-frequency words this week were one, by, were, what, all, words, your, said, there, and each. Please continue practicing these words at home to help build confidence and fluency!

*Our ELAR test will be next Thursday, October 15th. A study guide went home with your child on Wednesday and goes over everything that will be covered on the test!

In Math this week, we wrapped up chapter two with addition of three and four two-digit numbers (module six). We continued regrouping in ones, tens, and even both place values. Our second graders have done an amazing job with practicing these skills and are remembering to show their work by carrying. When you ask your child why we must carry when regrouping, they'll probably smile and say that it's necessary because our numbers get way too heavy in the ones place since we only have room for one digit. Therefore, we must regroup by carrying the tens next door. Students also broke into pairs and 'built' partners' numbers with various manipulatives this week. With all that said, we are now officially finished with chapter two.

*Our chapter two MATH test will be this upcoming Wednesday, October 14th. After mostly completing our chapter review in class, students will bring this home Tuesday for parent/student review.

Looking ahead in MATH:

Our main focus this upcoming week involves Chapter 2 test prep, simply put. On Tuesday, students will complete the majority of a test review in class, which will then be sent home for parent/student review. We'll purposely leave a few problems blank, in hopes that your student will be able to explain how to solve such equations through use of different adding strategies (previously taught). Then on Wednesday, students will be assessed accordingly. With Declamations right around the corner, I'm excited to announce that we'll begin to focus all of our Math efforts towards "Travel Math!" So get ready to sit back and enjoy the ride! (These words will definitely come into play later, so remember them.)

Looking Ahead in ELAR:

Next week in ELAR, we will review the skills we have learned so far, with a special focus on preparing for our test on Thursday, October 15. There will be no new high-frequency words next week, but please continue practicing all previously introduced words at home to build confidence and fluency!

Students will also begin working on their Declamations projects using the fairy tales they selected. We look forward to helping each child prepare to share their tale!

Mark your calendars: Declamations will take place on Thursday, November 12!

What is Happening in Science/STEM (from Mrs. Mertz)

Second grade students were amazed at how salt makes objects float! Students did a lab with both fresh and salt water to see what salt does to objects, and observed a sinking egg and a floating egg. Who knew that table salt can do so many things? Students learned how salt gets into our bodies of water, even fresh water. Students will now focus on the weathering and erosion process which moves rocks into our water which in turn, makes our water salty.

Academic Language We Are Using This Upcoming Week:

ocean, river, pond, stream, glacier, lake, weathering, erosion

A huge Hilltop THANK YOU to our wonderful parent volunteers for serving as your grade-level Class Captains! Please be sure to join the 2nd Grade Group on the St. Luke’s App to stay connected and receive important updates and communication throughout the year.

Meredith Hinchey - meredithhinchey@gmail.com

Paige Shafer - paigeblakemore@yahoo.com