Wednesday's Schedule

7:15-7:50     Morning Work
8:00-8:40     Informational Writing
8:40-9:50     Centers
9:50-10:25   Lunch in Classroom  
10:30-11:30  Family Game Day in Media Center
11:30-12:00  Specials
12:20-  Dismissal

Parents you are welcome to drop in anytime after 10:30 to play games with us. Some of the kids asked if they could bring their own games, and I said "If your family member (mom, dad, Grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle or special friend) comes to play the game, they can bring it." I do not want the kids bringing in games and loosing pieces.


 I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow!

Monday, Dec 18th’s schedule:

We are down to our last 3 days of the first quarter! I spent a lot of time cleaning up Friday night from our painting experience. I also made new seat assignments and I can’t wait to see the kids reaction to new table groups Monday Morning!
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    7:50- Pledges and announcements
    7:55- Spelling Test from Friday
    8:10- subtraction 5 min fast facts
    8:20- Math activity/addition and subtraction review
    10:00- Research Rotation with my mom. Momma G visit/craft and related laptop activity.
    11:10- Lunch
    11:40 finish Research Rotations
    12:10- MathBowl- Elliott was elected by our kids as this quarter’s representative in the 2nd vote.
    12:50- Recess weather permitting
    1:10- Specials
    2:15 Dismissal
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HOUSE KEEPING NOTES:
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1. Please have the kids on time (tardy bell is 7:50) we start work right away. Alot of kids are bringing cafeteria breakfast in at 7:50 which means we all are waiting to get the day started. Please try to drop of kids before 7:40 if they need breakfast.
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2. Monday is last day to pay for PJ day Tuesday. $1 to be turned into Mrs. Nowlin, Monday Morning before 7:50.
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3. For the Math Bowl election, we had a 5 way tie in first election Elliott, Adrianne, Cayden, Aaliyah and Nehemiah all had 2 nominations, all students were allowed to be selected that did not participate in the first quarter’s Math Bowl. Only way this could happen was by 5 kids selecting anyone but themselves. I love that they really thought about who would do well, or better than themselves anyway. It also showed me who felt they could win for the classroom.
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4. Family Game Day will be Wednesday at 10:30 in Media Center. Schedule for Wednesday will be available Tuseday on Blog. This is a time of playing with the kids. We’ll have already eaten!
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5. Attendance is very important. Please remember the following times:
      📌Tardy bell- 7:50.  Cannot get perfect attendance if tardy.
      📌Last time of day counted presentif coming after dr appointment- 10:30 kids after this time not counted for being present more than half day. Goes on record and needs a dr excuse.
       📌earliest time to check kids out and still be counted present for school day- 11:35
I mention this because some parents are wondering, others are checking friends out after 9, and not returning. The state counts kids absent for entire day if they not here more than 51% of learning time! That means breakfast time is not counted.

December Snow Days!

I hope today’s blog finds you warm and content. We were without power all weekend and Thrilled that it returned yesterday. As I’m looking at the next 7 school days, I thought it best to touch base with all of you. Homework went home on Friday. I am going to push the due date on it and Friday’s assessments to Monday. Please have the kids do 3 addition and 3 subtraction  problems each day.

In the mornings this week we will be working on county mandated assessments, such as DRAs, SRI, MRI and some of the kids will be retaking the Tenmarks 2nd Quarter assessment. It has 24 questions and a few kids finished in under 15 minutes. There is not much of a chance to grow from 1st time if they didn’t even pay attention to the questions. I would take me a minimum of 25 minutes to finish. All I need to see with each of these assessments is growth from August to now. You will receive the data on these assessments after the Winter Break in the Red Folder with the 2nd Report Card.

Tuesday, we have a family providing lunch for the class. They will be bringing Cheese Pizza. If your child does not care for cheese pizza, they will still have the opportunity to eat in the cafeteria, or bring lunch from the cafeteria back to the classroom to eat with us. Lunch from home kids are still allowed to bring their own if cheese pizza is not a favorite.

I hope you saw the homework packet. I am requesting that the kids bring in an old Adult sized T-shirt or button down shirt. We will be working on a following directions lesson that involves paint over a few days. Thanks for helping with this.

 Family Game Day will be on Wednesday the20th, from 10:30-11:30. We have specials at 11:30-12:00. The kids who leave for Target will be gone all day on Tuesday, as their teacher Mrs. Murff will be retiring and it will be her last day with them. For the Family Game Day, all you need to bring is yourself and a sense of competition! We will be in the Library!

I am sorry it’s a long post, but I hope I have answered any questions you might have circling in the back of your mind.

December 2017

Don't blink! You might miss December altogether!

I am surprised that today is December 2nd. We only have 17 schools this month, and it is the end of the 2nd quarter. This means that everything will be going really fast, as if they haven't been flying all year.

In math, we are deepening, refining and solidifying out addition and subtraction strategies with 2-digit numbers. We have worked on measurement using different types of tools, inches, feet, and centimeters in rulers, yardsticks and meter sticks have been a part of our measurement too. The report card measurement standard is that they can solve word problems with measurement involved. We are also checking to see if the kids can solve 2-step word problems. Next, we'll be learning how to tell time to the 5 minutes on an analog clock (the round kind with minute and hour hands).  All the kids seem to know how to read digit clocks, so they will be making analog clocks from digital time. Here are a few links to help with addition and subtraction.
Expanded Addition (Christmas Tree)
Number Line Addition
Base10 Subtraction

In Reading and Writing we have been working on informational topics. Each guided reading group has been reading non-fiction or factual books. Writing informational texts will continue into the 3rd quarter. Right now, the biggest challenge is not writing "I like" and opinion sentences. We will get to Opinion Writing in the 3rd quarter, but have to have Informational down pat, because the Opinion writing calls for facts to support their opinion. The best way to help with this at home is to have them writing about the special activities that you will be doing this next month.

Now that it is officially December, I can share with you our plans for the last few days of December. Our 2nd Grade team always does a Stocking Stuffer activity.  I will hang the stockings Monday and any day up until the 18th of December, your children can bring in items to put in the stockings.We ask that the children bring in small gifts and candy to help stuff the stockings that are hung in the classroom.  Just to be safe, please make sure that there are no nuts or peanut butter in the treats. Unfortunately we have some friends allergic to nuts, and Reese's Cups are a favorite of mine! I'm already getting my fillers to slide into the stockings. The Dollar Tree, Wal-mart, K-mart and Target always have cute little items that you can get many things for cheap prices. We have 15 children who are able to celebrate the holidays.

We will have our "Holiday" Celebration on Wednesday Dec. 20 at 10:30 in Library. So that all of our class members can participate, we will have a "Family Game Day" instead. I'll bring the games, all you need to do is show up and play with the children. Can you beat them at blokus? Are they better at boggle? How well do you play scrabble? Come and see!

Math Lesson 11-8-17

New math lesson for addition.

Keeper of the Flame

This video is what my goal is with my students. As Veteran's day comes to a close, and one of my students is now an army soldier/veteran I think about each of my student's and try to find the light that brings them to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=194&v=6pLwoUTsj8A

Writing Tips: 6 Ways to Start a Sentence

Why is it that writing always seems so hard to start? Coming up with ideas to talk about is easy, and yet putting words to paper really makes me nervous. No wonder our kids feel nervous about it too! Now we are trying to get them to write, and asking them to make it interesting. Watching some of these videos, makes me wish we had Youtube.com or even the internet when I was in 2nd grade. Maybe I would more comfortable writing now if we had these awesome resources!

https://youtu.be/hQ1OwYu4GsY

https://youtu.be/i6BTfNQiXXI

https://youtu.be/5djA8aVRpFI

Georgia History

We are embarking on the next standards in Social Studies. We will be learning about the Creek and Cherokee Native Americans and how George Oglethorpe and the British settlers changed life in Georgia. I learned a new presentation app today called SWAY. This is what we will be learning, life then and now how are they similar and different. How did these three Georgians impact Georgia today?

Creek and Cherokee Native Americans in Georgia

Editing Writing for Kids! {First and Second Grade}

Attached, you will find a great video that discusses what we have been working on since August in our classroom, when it comes to editing our work. I think this video will help our kids remember what they are really looking for when they go back and reread their writing. I know I still do all of this when I write!
 

Informational Writing for Kids- Episode 1: What Is It?

I am sharing this link with you because this is the type of writing that we are focusing on this quarter. The children and I have been talking about informational writing for a few weeks, but writing is way different than talking. We are going to be digging deeper and trying again. Jumping from narrative to informational writing can be confusing because up to now, the kids have grown used to writing their likes and dislikes, not just facts.

Homework in F10

Parents, I wanted to remind you about our homework procedures.

1. Homework is typically given out on Fridays. This allows you as parents to help your students get a jump start on the weekend, especially if you have a busy weekend.

2. Reading is the most important thing your child can do everyday.

3. Homework is due on the following Friday, unless it says a different due date on the top.


Things to know about homework:

It should be a review of what is happening in the classroom, not something new that I have never taught.

If it is a math strategy, I have been working with the children for at least 2 weeks before sending it home for practice.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me and I will help.

2nd Quarter Standards

The Power Standards that we are focusing on for the 2nd Quarter are as follows.

READING:

1.       Phonics and Word Recognition Know common vowel team. ELAGSE2RF3 b

·       Can Demonstrate ALL of the following skills:

o     Can identify sounds correspondences for additional vowel teams.

o     Has mastered ALL of the following vowel variant diagraphs and diphthongs and can decode words using these sounds:

§  au/aw, ou/ow, oo/ew, oi/oy

o   Can identify the sounds for common vowel teams.

o   Has mastered ALL of the following vowel team sounds and can decode words using these sounds: ai/ay, ee/ea, oa/oe/ow, ie/igh, ue/ui/ew

2.       Phonics and Word Recognition Identify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences. ELAGSE2RF3e

·       Consistently and independently demonstrates the following skill:

o Identify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences.

                       soot/loot      cost/most     have/save     were/here      some/dome     own/town   

                       shall/tall       doll/roll        hour/tour     love/rove         want/plant      bread/near

3.       Fluency to Support Comprehension: ELAGSE2RF4

·       Reads with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension (Fountas and Pinnell Levels K or above with 95% accuracy or higher)

Lit & Informational Text:

1.       Key Ideas and Details:  ELAGSE2RI1,3

·       Consistently and independently demonstrates all of the following:

• Asks and answers such questions as who, what, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in an Informational text.

·       Describes the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

2.       Craft and Structure of Text: ELAGSE2RL4

·       Describes how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

3.       Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:  ELAGSE2RI8

·       Describes how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text.

WRITING:

Text Type and Purpose: 

·       Consistently and independently demonstrates all of the following:

·       Writes informative/explanatory texts that includes ALL of the following: introduce the topic, uses facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.  ELACC2W3

Production and Distribution of Writing: Focuses on a topic and strengthens writing as needed by revising and editing with guidance from adults and peers. ELACC2W5

LANGUAGE:

Conventions of Standard English

1.       Consistently and independently demonstrates all of the following: ELAGSE2L2

• Capitalize proper nouns

• Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words (e.g., cage- badge; boy- boil).

• Use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives

2.       Consistently and accurately identifies and uses reflexive pronouns (e.g. myself, ourselves) when speaking or writing. ELAGSE2L1

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: Consistently and independently demonstrates the following:

·       Uses a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root (e.g., addition, additional).  ELAGSE2L4  ELAGSE2L5

SPEAKING & LISTENING:

1.       Comprehension and Collaboration: Consistently and independently recounts or describes key details or ideas from written texts read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.  ELAGSE2SL2

2.       Presentation of Knowledge:  Tells a story or recounts an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences. ELAGSE2SL4

MATH:    Numbers & Algebraic Thinking:  MGSE2.NBT.1, 2, 3

1.       Understand place value: Consistently and independently demonstrates ALL of the following:

• Understands that the three digits of a three digit number represents amounts of hundreds, tens, and ones

• Reads and writes numbers to 1,000 using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form

• Counts within 1,000 and skip counts by 5's, 10's and 100's

2.       Add and subtract within 20: MGSE2.OA.2

·       Consistently and independently adds and subtracts within 20 using mental strategies like counting on, making a ten, decomposing a number, creating an easier problem, or uses the relationship between addition and subtraction

3.       Using place value to add and subtract: Consistently and independently adds and subtracts within 100 using strategies based on place value MGSE2.NBT.5

4.       Solve word problems: Consistently and independently uses addition and subtraction to solve one-and two- step word problems within 20 MGSE2.OA.1

5.       Measurement & Data: Consistently and independently uses addition and subtraction to solve one- and two- step word problems within 20 MGSE2.MD.5

SCIENCE: 

1.       Observational Changes: Compares and contrasts seasonal Changes S2E2 c

2.       Recognize and Describes Science Concepts: Explains the effects of forces on the movements of objects S2P2

3.       Investigates Concepts: Investigates causes and effects of environmental change.  S2E3

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Geographic Understandings: SS2G2

a. Describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with historical figures in SS2H1 and Georgia’s Creek & Cherokee in SS2H2

b. Describe how Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, Musgrove, Sequoyah, and the Creek and Cherokee adapted to and were influenced by their environments

Historical Understandings: Describe the lives and contributions of historical in Georgia history

a. James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove (founding of Georgia)

b. Sequoyah (development of the Cherokee alphabet) SS2H1

Social Studies: Describe the Georgia Creek and Cherokee cultures of the past in terms of tools, clothing, homes, ways of making a living, and accomplishments:

a. Compare and contrast the Georgia Creek and Cherokee cultures of the past to those of Georgians today   SS2H2

Civic & Government Understandings: Give examples of how the historical figures in SS2H1 demonstrate positive citizenship traits SS2CG3

Economic Understandings: Explain that people usually use money to obtain goods and services they want and explain how money makes trade easier than barter SS2E3

HEALTH

1.        Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors. HE2.2

2.        Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products and services to enhance health. HE2.3

·       (3) Compares and contrasts effective/ineffective strategies to use regarding peer pressure and the use of alcohol and tobacco AND identifies the negative effects of using alcohol and tobacco products.

·       (2) Identifies the negative effects of using alcohol and tobacco products.

·       (1) Demonstrates limited knowledge of the negative effects of using alcohol and tobacco products.

TECHNOLOGY:

1.        Comprehe9nds and applies second grade concepts and skills related to technology    NETS 2.a, 3.b, 4.d

Hands on Science Day! Fall 2017

Seeing the kids totally engaged in learning is one if my favorite parts of teaching!

Friday’s activities was the prime example. I had wonderful help and many families who sent in supplies. Days like this are not possible without parental support! Thank you from my the bottom of my heart, Mrs. Storey, James (my son), Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs Cyn, Ms Miller, and the Hoover family.

Science Standards we covered were:

Changing states of matter to a different state of matter. 

      Ice Cream Shake-up

      Koolaide Mix-ups

      Cup Cake changes

      Coke-cola explosions 

What happens to an object when you apply force or gravity, to it? How can you apply push and pulls to move an object in the direction you want it to go?

       Lid Skid

       Cup Cake changes

       Koolaide Mix-ups        

       Ice Cream Shake-up

      

Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year, (a little late)

Parents,
Can you believe that we have already finished the first quarter of 2nd grade. Not only is it finished, but we are beginning our 2nd week of the second quarter!

Things have been flying by and they do not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. A lot is changing and things are very new to you as 2nd grade parents. I would like to say thanks to all of you who are supporting your child and me, everyday.

Already we have had some great things happen this year:
 We shared in the excitement of 2nd Grade on the 2nd Day of School.
 We've had our first successful field trip to the Center of Puppetry Arts, and 2 moms.
 We've had our first Math Bowl.
 We've had our first Family Project, the Regions and Rivers of Georgia.
 We've had laughter and tears, lost teeth and upset stomachs.
 We even had an awesome Hands on Science day with great helpers.

In short, I hope we are building a great team, family of learners that share our highs and lows together.

Love,
Mrs. GW