Weekly Update 12/10/10

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, December 15 - Math NWEA testing
Friday, December 17 - All-Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m.
Monday, December 20 - TRACK semester celebration
Tuesday, December 21 - Last day before Winter Break; end of the second nine weeks
Monday, January 3rd - School begins

Important Announcements:
*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of December. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, fifteen days during the month and turns the reading calendar back in on December 21st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!

A Look at Next Week:
Reading
Story: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (NOT in the reading book)
Skill: Story Map
Spelling
Grinch words
Grammar
Review of all concepts taught
Writing
Persuasive and Holiday themed writing
Math
The partial-sums addition algorithm; Chapter 4 review and assessment
Science
Chapter 2: Animals
Posted by Miss Whisman at 4:33 PM

Weekly Update 12/03/10

Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, December 8 - Santa Shoppe
Wednesday, December 15 - Math NWEA testing
Friday, December 17 - All-Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m.
Monday, December 20 - TRACK semester celebration
Tuesday, December 21 - Last day before Winter Break; end of the second nine weeks

Important Announcements:
*On Monday, I will be sending home a copy of your child's current grades. Please sign and return on Tuesday. Thanks!
*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of December. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, fifteen days during the month and turns the reading calendar back in on December 21st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!

A Look at Next Week:
Reading
Story: Watermelon Day
Skill: Making Inferences
Spelling
words with silent letters
Grammar
Abbreviations
Writing
Persuasive writing
Math
Exploring length, area, and attributes; paper and pencil addition strategies; The partial-sums addition algorithm
Science
Finish chapter 1: Plants; begin chapter 2: Animals

Weekly Update 11/11/10

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, November 16 - Crazy Sock / Slipper Day. Snacks sold for $0.50
Tuesday, November 16 and Wednesday, November 17 - Yankee Candle sale pick up at Harris Learning Academy
Thursday, November 18 - PTSG Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 19 - All-Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m.
Wednesday, November 24 - Fall Party 2:30 - 3:15
Thursday, November 25 - Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 26 - No School
Monday, November 29 - Friday, December 3 - Cheer Collection
Wednesday, December 1 - Book-It due

Important Announcements:
*I really enjoyed meeting with each of you for parent / teacher conferences. Thanks for coming in and discussing your child's progress with me!
*PTSG is doing the annual Spirit Wear sale. The sale ends November 19th and shirts will be delivered by December 17th. Order forms were sent home today.
*There is a link on this blog to a handout for Everyday math online capabilities. We hope that you find it useful.
*We began taking our spelling tests on the computer. We have been practicing this for several weeks and the students have done a great job with this!
*The second nine weeks is officially underway. During the first nine weeks I read the reading quizzes aloud to all students. The students will now be reading the quizzes on their own.
*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of November. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, twenty days during the month and turns the reading calendar back in on December 1st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!

A Look at Next Week:
Reading
Story: From Seed to Plant
Skill: sequencing
Spelling
"spr," "str,"and "thr" words
Grammar
Proper nouns
Writing
Informational writing
Math
review Unit 3, Unit 3 assessment on Tuesday, begin Unit 4
Social Studies
Finish Unit 2 - Government
Science
Begin Chapter 1

Weekly Update 10/29/10

Dates to Remember:



Monday, November 1 - Patriotic Music Program 6:30 p.m.; October Book-It Calendar due



Wednesday, November 3 - Chick-Fil-A Biscuit Day $2.50



Thursday, November 4 - Family Math Night at Delaware Trail 6:30 p.m.; Parent/Teacher conferences begin



Friday, November 5 - No School!



Week of November 8th - November 12th - Parent Teacher Conferences before and after school



Tuesday, November 9 - Picture Retake Day; DT Movie Night



Friday, November 12 - No School!



Thursday, November 18 - PTSG Meeting 6:30 p.m.



Friday, November 19 - All-Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m.



Wednesday, November 24 - Fall Party



Thursday, November 25 - Happy Thanksgiving!



Friday, November 26 - No School



Important Announcements:



*A confirmation letter was sent home with your child today regarding your parent / teacher conference day and time. Please return those to school by Monday! Thanks!

*Monday is our music program. The classroom will open at 6:15 p.m. Your child needs to be dropped off at the classroom and picked up from the classroom after the program. Your child will need to wear red, white, and/or blue dress clothes. Please contact Mrs. Dziadosz if your child will not be attending the program.

*Because next week and the week after are four day weeks, we will be taking our spelling and reading tests on Thursday!

*We began taking our spelling tests on the computer. We have been practicing this for several weeks and the students have done a great job with this!

*The second nine weeks is officially underway. During the first nine weeks I read the reading quizzes aloud to all students. The students will now be reading the quizzes on their own.

*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of October. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, twenty days out of the month of October and turns the reading calendar back in on November 1st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading! The November Book-It Calendar will be sent home on Monday.

*Are you handy? I need a handy parent volunteer that can rig a thermometer somewhere outside so that we can check the temperature daily. Let me know if you are interested.



A Look at Next Week:



Reading

Story: Lemonade for Sale

Skill: compare and contrast



Spelling

"ar" and "arm" words



Grammar

Proper nouns



Writing

letter writing



Math

Exploring numbers, time, and geoboards, data day, frames and arrows with two rules, making change



Social Studies

Unit 2 - Government

Weekly Update 10/20/10

Dates to Remember:

Thursday, October 21 - Friday, October 22 - Fall Break. Enjoy!

Monday, November 1 - Patriotic Music Program 6:30 p.m.; October Book-It Calendar due

Important Announcements:

*I am still working on finalizing a schedule for parent /teacher conferences. If I have not notified you of your time, I have not forgotten about you! Thanks for your patience!
*After Fall Break, we will begin taking our spelling tests on the computer. We have been practicing this for several weeks and the students have done a great job with this!
*The second nine weeks is officially underway. During the first nine weeks I read the reading quizzes aloud to all students. The students will now be reading the quizzes on their own.
*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of October. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, twenty days out of the month of October and turns the reading calendar back in on November 1st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!
*Are you handy? I need a handy parent volunteer that can rig a thermometer somewhere outside so that we can check the temperature daily. Let me know if you are interested.

A Look at Next Week:

Reading
Story: Hedgehog Bakes a Cake
Skill: problem and solution

Spelling
our words

Grammar
Proper nouns

Writing
Descriptive writing and letter writing

Math
Using coins to buy things, telling time, exploring numbers, time, and geoboards, and data day

Social Studies
Begin Unit 2 - Government

Weekly Update 10/15/10

Dates to Remember:



Monday, October 18 - Wednesday, October 20 - Red Ribbon Week

Monday, October 18 - I'm a "Jean"ius - I'm Drug Free. Wear jeans spirit day; pumpkin activity

Tuesday, October 19 - Red Day. Wear as much red as possible!; Fire Safety Presentation; Delaware Trail Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night 4:00 - 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20 - Peace Out to Drugs Day. Wear Tie-Dye or Bright Colors

Wednesday, October 20 - Report Cards Available Online

Thursday, October 21 - Friday, October 22 - Fall Break. Enjoy!

Monday, November 1 - Patriotic Music Program 6:30 p.m.; October Book-It Calendar due



Important Announcements:

*Attention Parent Volunteers! I need approximately five parent volunteers on Monday, October 18th from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. If you can come in, please contact me ASAP!

*I am still working on finalizing a schedule for parent /teacher conferences. If I have notified you of your time, I have not forgotten about you! Thanks for your patience!

*Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week we will be reviewing skills that have been taught so far. There will be no spelling or reading tests next week.

*After Fall Break, we will begin taking our spelling tests on the computer. We have been practicing this for several weeks and the students have done a great job with this!

*The second nine weeks is officially underway. During the first nine weeks I read the reading quizzes aloud to all students. The students will now be reading the quizzes on their own.

*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of October. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, twenty days out of the month of October and turns the reading calendar back in on November 1st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!

*Are you handy? I need a handy parent volunteer that can rig a thermometer somewhere outside so that we can check the temperature daily. Let me know if you are interested.



A Look at Next Week:

Reading
Poem: pumpkin poem
Skill: sequencing

Spelling
None

Grammar
Review of types of sentences and nouns

Writing
Descriptive writing and responding to literature

Math
Numeration and place value and using coins to buy things

Health
Finish Chapter 1 Feelings; Fire Safety

Weekly Update 10/08/10

Dates to Remember:

Monday, October 11 - Yankee Candle Sales due

Wednesday, October 13 - End of the grading period

Friday, October 15 - All Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m. If interested in participating, let me know!

Monday, October 18 - Wednesday, October 20 - Red Ribbon Week

Monday, October 18 - I'm a "Jean"ius - I'm Drug Free. Wear jeans spirit day.

Tuesday, October 19 - Red Day. Wear as much red as possible! Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night 4:00 - 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 20 - Peace Out to Drugs Day. Wear Tie-Dye or Bright Colors

Wednesday, October 20 - Report Cards Available Online

Thursday, October 21 - Friday, October 22 - Fall Break

Monday, November 1 - Patriotic Music Program 6:30 p.m.; October Book-It Calendar due

Important Announcements:

*Attention Parent Volunteers! I need approximately five parent volunteers on Monday, October 18th from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. If you can come in, please contact me!
*On Monday I will be sending home parent teacher conference sign up forms. If you scheduled yours during Meet the Teacher night, then you will not receive a sign up form. Please look this form over for the available time slots and select your top three choices. Return this to me no later than Friday, October 15th. After I have this information, I will send home confirmation letters with your scheduled date and time.
*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of October. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, twenty days out of the month of October and turns the reading calendar back in on November 1st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!
*Are you handy? I need a handy parent volunteer that can rig a thermometer somewhere outside so that we can check the temperature daily. Let me know if you are interested

A Look at Next Week:

Reading

Story: Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane
Skill: story map

Spelling

Abbreviations

Grammar

More Plural Nouns

Writing

Descriptive writing and star student of the week writing

Math

What's My Rule? Routines, Counting Strategies for Subtraction, Shortcuts for "harder" subtraction facts, and Chapter 2 Test on Friday

Health

Chapter 1 Feelings

Weekly Update 10/01

Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, October 5 - Mrs. Kraus teaches a lesson about bullying to second grade

Wednesday, October 6 - Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuit sale in the morning $2.50

Monday, October 11 - Yankee Candle Sales due

Wednesday, October 13 - End of the grading period

Friday, October 15 - All Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m.

Monday, October 18 - Wednesday, October 20 - Red Ribbon Week

Wednesday, October 20 - Report Cards Available Online

Thursday, October 21 - Friday, October 22 - Fall Break

Important Announcements:

*Your child brought home a Book-It reading calendar for the month of October. This is OPTIONAL. If your child reads for twenty minutes, twenty days out of the month of October and turns the reading calendar back in on November 1st, he/she will earn a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. Happy Reading!
*Are you handy? I need a handy parent volunteer that can rig a thermometer somewhere outside so that we can check the temperature daily. Let me know if you are interested!
*Everyday Math is in full swing and the kids really seem to enjoy it! A special note about assignments: Everyday Math places an emphasis on math and its daily use in our lives. Calendar skills and clock skills are also emphasized. That is why on assignments you will see that it asks for the date and time along with the student's name, and students lose points if it is not completed.
*September's character education trait was respect. Congratulations to our classroom winners Maya and Natalie.

A Look at Next Week:

Reading

Story: Helping Out
Skill: main idea

Spelling

Words with ear

Grammar

Plural Nouns

Writing

Descriptive writing and star student of the week writing

Math

Fact families, exploring weights, scales, and equal groups, name collections, frames-and-arrows routines

Health

Chapter 1 Feelings

Weekly Update 09/24/10

Dates to Remember:

Friday, October 1 - Picture Day

Tuesday, October 5 - Mrs. Kraus teaches a lesson about bullying to second grade

Monday, October 11 - Yankee Candle Sales due

Wednesday, October 13 - End of the grading period

Friday, October 15 - All Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m.

Important Announcements:

*Our class ran the most laps out of the second grade during the Dog Jog. We earned an extra recess by accomplishing this!
*Congratulations to Jordan Wright, Caitlin Hagmeier, Ashton Garnett, and Cais Garnett. Jordan and Caitlin won the award for most laps ran for the girls during the Dog Jog. Each girl ran nine laps. Ashton the award for most laps ran for the boys during the Dog Jog. He ran 13 laps. Cais was the second grader that raised the most money. Way to go!
*I sent home the first chapter assessment for math. The students worked with a partner to complete the assessment. I did "grade" the assessment to see how the students did. However, I did not enter it in the gradebook. The next test will go in the gradebook.
*The Book Fair is coming to DT! Our class will have a chance to shop during our library time on Thursday of next week. Parents are welcome to come during that time to shop with our class, too. This will be the ONLY time our class will shop. If you would like your child to buy books, please send the money in on Thursday in a sealed envelope with your child's name on it. I will hold on to the envelope until we go to library at 11:00.

A Look at Next Week:

Reading

Story: The Enormous Turnip
Skill: sequence

Spelling

Words with -ack and -ock

Grammar

Nouns

Writing

descriptive writing and star student of the week writing

Math

Turn around facts, addition strategies using double facts, subtraction from addition, and fact families

Science

finish space chapter

Health

begin feelings chapter

Weekly Update 09/20/10

Dates to Remember:

Monday, September 20 - Dog Jog money due

Friday, September 24 - Brownsburg High School Homecoming; Yankee Candle Sale begins

Friday, October 1 - Picture Day

Monday, October 11 - Yankee Candle Sales due

Wednesday, October 13 - End of the grading period

Important Announcements:

*We are getting ready to finish up the first unit in math. Starting with the second unit, you will see more homework coming home reviewing the skills we have been doing in class.
*Speaking of homework, your child should have homework every night Monday - Thursday. Depending on if math is given, he/she could have two assignments. These assignments should still take less than one half hour per evening.
*Mid-terms were sent home on Friday. Please review your child's grades and sign and return the mid-term to school. Thanks!
*Last week we worked on not talking during transitions. We will continue to work on this important skill so that we can improve our listening.
*On Friday, our class received a needs improvement in gym. I expressed my disappointment with the class and this week we are going to write Mrs. Hopkins an apology. We are going to work on our behavior in specials.


A Look at This Week:

Reading
Story: Wilson Sat Alone
Skill: narrative elements

Spelling

Words that end in -at, -ate

Grammar

telling parts of a sentence

Writing

letter writing and star student of the week writing

Math

exploring temperatures, base-10 structures, and dominoes; progress check over chapter 1; addition number stories; "easy" addition facts

Science

space

Weekly Update 9/13/10

Dates to Remember:

Friday, September 17 - All Pro Dad's 7:45 a.m. Forms will be e-mailed to parents, or click on the link to the right for the form!

Saturday, September 18 - DT gets a makeover! 3 - 5 p.m.

Monday, September 20 - Dog Jog money due

Friday, September 24 - Brownsburg High School Homecoming; Yankee Candle Sale begins

Friday, October 1 - Picture Day

Monday, October 11 - Yankee Candle Sales due

Wednesday, October 13 - End of the grading period


Important Announcements:

*The kids did a great job during the 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Friday. I was very proud of the respect they showed during the ceremony and honoring the heroes that help keep us safe.
*The Dog Jog also was a lot of fun for the kids! I would like to thank our PTSG for working so hard to organize this year's event. The kids really enjoyed it.
*Our class is really working on talking only at appropriate times and listening and following directions. We will continue to work on this.
*We are also going to continue to work on organization. I don't know if it was because of the short week, but it seemed there was an increase of forgetfulness in taking home homework and turning it in on time.

A Look at Next Week:

Reading

Story: Days with Frog and Toad
Skill: compare and contrast

Spelling
Words that end in -ed (change y to i)

Grammar
parts of a sentence

Writing
letter writing and star student of the week writing

Math
number grids, equivalent names for numbers, counting patterns, relations

Social Studies
work on mural

Science
begin space chapter

Weekly Update 09/03/2010

Dates to Remember:

Monday, September 6 - Labor Day - No school

Wednesday, September 8 - Chick-Fil-A breakfast sandwiches on sale for students to purchase for $2.50. They may eat them in the classroom.; If your child donates any amount of money to the BEF on this day, he/she may wear a hat

Friday, September 10 - 9/11 ceremony at 9:15 a.m.; Dog Jog during specials

Monday, September 20 - Dog Jog money due

Friday, September 24 - Brownsburg High School Homecoming

Important Announcements:

*I finally was able to get the discipline plan linked to the blog. You can find it under the heading important documents. I will upload other documents as needed throughout the year. Thanks for your patience!
*Chick-Fil-A will be here selling breakfast sandwiches to the students for $2.50 on Wednesday. If your child would like to purchase one, he/she may bring the money on Wednesday and eat the breakfast sandwich in the classroom.
*Wednesday is a busy day for us! The Brownsburg Education Foundation (BEF) is sponsoring a spirit day on Wednesday. If your child makes a donation for any amount to the BEF that day, he/she will be allowed to wear a hat.
*The Dog Jog will also be held on Friday during our specials time. The PTSG is still in need of parent volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or if you have already signed up to volunteer, and have not heard from Lori Richardson, you may contact her at: 317.852.9947 or
lrichardson9947@gmail.com.
*Our class is really working on talking only at appropriate times and listening and following directions.

A Look at Next Week:

Reading

Story: Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon
Skill: narrative elements (setting)

Spelling
Words that end in -ed

Grammar
commands and exclamations

Writing
Details and star student of the week writing

Math
finish math boxes, working in small groups, number grids, equivalent names for numbers

Social Studies
Finish studying community; begin government

Weekly Update 08/27/2010

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, September 1 - Reading NWEA testing 10:30 - 11:45

Friday, September 3 - Dog Jog Convocation

Monday, September 6 - Labor Day - No school

Friday, September 10 - 9/11 ceremony at 9:15 a.m.; Dog Jog during specials

Monday, September 20 - Dog Jog money due

Friday, September 24 - Brownsburg High School Homecoming

Important Announcements:
*Our weekly library time will be on Thursdays from 11:00 - 11:30. Make sure to return library books on Thursdays!
*We are switching part of our math time and part of our language arts time. We will do the majority of our math in the morning from 10:00 - 11:00 and reading and writing in the afternoon from 1:40 - 2:40.
*I am still working on uploading documents to the blog. Thanks for your patience!
*We started using our assignment notebooks this week. You do not need to sign the notebook at this point. However, if not turning in assignments becomes an issue with your child, I will contact you and we will begin doing that.
*Our school-wide behavior plan was in effect this week. As a class, we are really working on talking only at appropriate times and listening and following directions.

A Look at Next Week:

Reading

Story: Get Up and Go!
Skill: Author's Purpose

Spelling
Words that end in -ame and -ake

Grammar
Statements and Questions

Writing
Ideas and adding details

Math
finish clocks; partner study routines; grouping by tens - $1, $10, $100; math boxes, working in small groups

Social Studies
Community

Weekly Update 08/20/2010

Dates to Remember:

Monday, August 23 - New School Wide Discipline Plan begins; information will be uploaded to the blog soon!

Thursday, August 26 - Math NWEA testing 10:30 - 11:45

Wednesday, September 1 - Reading NWEA testing 10:30 - 11:45

Friday, September 3 - Dog Jog Convocation

Monday, September 6 - Labor Day - No school

Friday, September 10 - 9/11 ceremony at 9:15 a.m.; Dog Jog during specials

Monday, September 20 - Dog Jog money due

Friday, September 24 - Brownsburg High School Homecoming

Important Announcements:
*Thanks for a great first week of school! If you were unable to attend Meet the Teacher Night and would like to meet to discuss the school year, please feel free to contact me.
*School-wide Behavior Plan starts next week. The levels are: students will be given a verbal warning, five minutes taken off recess, caution one with ten minutes taken off recess, caution two with fifteen minutes off recess and parent communication, caution three will be office referral. I will attach the school-wide brochure to the blog soon, but if you would like to read more information about it before then, you can see it at http://www.brownsburg.k12.in.us/delawaretrail/. PLEASE keep in mind that returning to a school is an adjustment for everyone so I anticipate students moving up in the levels more frequently at the beginning of the school year. Once we are in a routine more, I anticipate the students adjusting to the behavior plan and not moving up in the levels.
*Happy Belated to Birthday to Caitlin! Caitlin celebrated her birthday on August 14th. Happy Birthday, Caitlin!
*Next week we will be going to the library on Wednesday. After that, we should get a more permanent library time. I will let you know what it is as soon as I know!

A Look at Next Week:

Reading
Story: The Mixed-Up Chameleon
Skill: Main idea

Spelling
Words that end in -ide

Grammar
Sentences

Writing
Developing Ideas and Topics

Math
Number sequences, tools and coins, calendars and clocks, and partner study routines

Social Studies
Community

Welcome Back to School!

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, August 11 - Class lists available in PowerSchool at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 12 - Meet the Teacher Night 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.; more information to follow

Monday, August 16 - First student attendance day