Picture day is tomorrow! Remember to send in your order form if you would like to purchase the pictures from Lifetouch.  It is always fun to see everyone dressed up!

Today in class we wrote about a time when we were in a fight with someone and how we solved the problem in a responsible, respectful and safe way.  Ask your child the time they wrote about.

In reading we read a nonfiction historical story about Henry Ford.  The class learned about how we “Think, Pair, and Share.”  The class really works well with each other sharing their ideas about the reading.

We had our first “real” math test on Monday.  We also had our first spelling test last Friday.  I will have those graded and send them home in their Friday folders.

  We completed a fun math project.   We used coin stamps to make a money insect.  They had to stamp the insect’s body and head.  When they were finished they had to add all the body parts that ALL insects have.   I will hang them in the hall way to show their money counting skills and knowledge of the parts of an insect.

In science we observed our caterpillars and mealworms.  The two different insects are changing quickly! We can’t wait to see what will happen!

Reading Groups will be starting on Monday.  All the kids will be assigned to a teacher and will be going for 40 minutes to that teacher on Monday.

This Friday is Detroit Tigers day.  All students are invited to wear Tigers gear :)

Back to some routine!

At this point in the year, I hope that almost everyone has there school routine back in full swing.  Don't forget that your child should be reading 100 minutes every week.  This is extremely important.  When you child is done reading don't forget to ask questions to see if you child understood what he/she read.

The math homework this week will be a little different.  This is the first week that will start the Everyday Math Home Links.  I want to remind parents that at the beginning of every unit there is a parent letter explaining what the unit will entail and it will have an answer key to help you.  The way Everyday math does things can be a little different than how most of us were taught, but it is a great program that gets the students thinking in a critical way.
*A Tip on homework:  Spread out homework.  Try not to wait until the last minute.  This may sound obvious, but sometimes you just need to hear it said.

We received our mealworms this week and had our first observation.  We can't wait until we see this amazing transformation! 

As a class we are trying to use words that make our writing more interesting.  We read Fancy Nancy and learned how fun it can be to use fancier words.  For example, the word fuscia instead of purple.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Happy Friday!
Homework
Today is the first day that I will be sending homework home.  In the binder there is a word study(spelling list) and students have the choice to pick three options from the spelling menu as practice.  For the first week I am giving everyone the same spelling list.  From this I will decide if the levels of the tests need to be changed.  There will also be a reading log where students write down the title, author and rate the book they read.  Each student is required to read at least 100 minutes a week.  There are a couple of money math sheets.  This week there will not be pages from our Everyday Math homework links.  You will see that in the next homework that is assigned.
Things we reviewed this week!

• Money:  We reviewed what all the coins are worth.  There is a really fun song that will help everyone remember the name, how much the coin is worth and what the coin looks like.
• Time:  We reviewed the hour and minute hands.  We reviewed what is looks like when the minute hand is showing o'clock and thirty minutes.  
• Writing:  We learned ways to help us start our stories, ways to help us think of ideas and what to do when we "think" we are done.  The saying goes,  "If I think I am done, I have only just begun."
• Reading:  We reviewed that a story has a beginning, middle and an end.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

First week!

The first week is almost over!  WE SURVIVED!  That first week back is always hard for everyone. 

One important thing that needs to be brought in by parents is the money needed for math.  Each child needs to bring in a certain amount of pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.  If they do not bring in the money, then that students will not get the same interaction with money.  The more familar your child is with real money the better they will understand money.

Back to School Night is September 13th.  It will start in the gym and then parents will be able to meet the teacher and have an overview of the 2nd grade curriculum.  We would love to all parents attend, so please come with any questions you may have.

Please return the parent survey as soon as possible.  The survey really helps me understand your child better and can help in your childs learning experience at Poupard Elementary.
Have a Great weekend!

Welcome 2011/2012 School Year!

I am very excited to welcome you to my blog.  Please remember that I will try to blog as often as possible to let you know what is going on in our classroom and school.  This is going to be a great year! 
Here are some important dates so far (I will be adding to the list as the school year moves on!)

• Half day of school Tuesday September 6th
• Full day starting Wednesday September 7th
• Back to School night is Tuesday September 13th

Please become a follower of the blog and you will receive emails when I post new information.