Last day of 2nd grade...

Our day started with an enjoyable end of year assembly.  Mr.  Miller recognized the staff leaving Stewart, we participated in a school wide dance, and the 2nd graders were recognized as well.  As part of an orientation for next year, the 2nd graders spent a little time with their kindergarten teachers this morning, while 2nd grade teachers spoke with the 1st graders.

Attached to your child's report card are a lot of valuable papers.  Please be on the look out!

THANK you for sharing your child with me this year.  I have really enjoyed getting to know the kids and helping them grow.  You should be very proud of their accomplishments!  I wish them the best at Lincoln!

Camp Skeeter...

Students had a fun week pretending to be at Camp Skeeter.  We enjoyed camp songs, campfire stories, a nature hike, camp games, and many other fun activities.  Oh and they really enjoyed s'mores!

I tried to keep our schedule very close to the same each day.  We read camp books during reading.  Students participated in camp stations during group time.  We had some camp math worksheets during math.  Science time was spent doing fun, outdoor activities.

Thank you to everyone who sent supplies for s'mores.  Mail call today was a huge hit!  Once I finally got them convinced I didn't write the letters!  :)  It was a fun week!

Swimming on Monday!  Students are asked to wear their suits under their clothes.  Please send a towel and sunscreen if you wish.  Students may bring goggles if they need them to swim.  Please make sure they are labeled and they will be responsible for them.

2:20 out on Tuesday!

Week of May 2nd..

It was a fantastic Track & Field Day!  The weather was great and the students were even better! Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a success!

1:10 out on Wednesday.  

Parents, please remember to get me a camp letter next week!  You may drop it off at the office or send it in a different envelope addressed to me.  Thanks!  

Congratulations to Landon & Chance for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week.  

Week of April 18th...

Thank you to everyone who contributed for our classroom basket!  We got some great things!!

Don't forget about the carnival tomorrow!  10am - 2pm at school.  It's always a GREAT time!

1:10 dismissal on Wednesday.

Thank you to everyone who has sent donations for our Sleepover basket for the Carnival!  We could use a few more items.  Please send them by Wednesday.

We are loving the spring weather and sunshine!

Congratulations to Kael & Sawyer for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week!

Week of April 4th...

Mrs. Knowles was here on Thursday to do a safety lesson with us.

HELP!!!  We will be in need of mulberry leaves for our science unit.  IF you are able to get us some mulberry leaves in the next two weeks, would you PLEASE, let me know!

Thank you to those of you who sent snacks.  The kids are grateful.  :)

1:10 out on Wednesday.

Congratulations to Alexes & Presley for being selected to the Leadership Team.  

Week of March 28th...

Homework Hoopla was on Friday.  Students chose one of three different activities to participate in.  They chose from balloon sculpture making, poster making, or tic-tac-toe relays.  Please see the math tab for the change in our next Homework Hoopla.

Spring weather - please make sure your child is prepared for the roller coaster spring weather.  I had several cold kids today.

We are almost out of snack.

1:10 out on Wednesday.

Remember to look through baggies for sign up papers and other events.  We seem to be getting a lot of them lately!

Congratulations to Lily & Grant for being selected to the Leadership Team!  

A Short Week...

This week allowed for review of many skills and concepts.  We reviewed kinds of sentences, basic math facts, homophones, and story problems through some Easter worksheets.

We have scheduled track and field day for Friday, May 6th.  We will need parent volunteers for this activity.  I would need assistance from approximately 8:45-1:00.  If you are able to help, please let me know.  Notes with more information will come home at a later date.

We are low on snacks.

See everyone on Tuesday!  Have a great break.

Week of March 14th...

Congratulations 2nd graders on an awesome concert Thursday night!  Students did a fantastic job on stage.  I'm super proud of them!

Thursday we enjoyed a visit from Hills Bank.  They read a story about chicks and talked to us about the chicks life cycle.  Kids enjoyed looking at the four baby chicks they brought with them!

There is NOT an early dismissal on Wednesday if you have noticed that on some school calendars.  Please remember, NO school Thursday and Friday.

Next week we will say good bye to our Peer Helpers Peyton and Kennedy.  We have appreciated their help the past several weeks!

Congratulations to Cheyenne & Alyssa for being selected to the Leadership Team!  

Week of March 7th...

Students in the 2nd grade choir did a fantastic job Thursday evening!

Notes come home tonight from Jodi about our classroom basket.  Our theme is 'Sleepover, Please?!'  Any items that could be used at a sleepover would work.  Lots of possibilities!  You may send items in at any time.

We are almost out of snack.

Reminder of the 1:10 dismissal on Wednesday.

Congratulations to Aj & Mila for being selected to the Leadership Team!  

Leap Day Week...

Monday students learned a little bit about Leap Day.  They discussed it and did a few activities around this special day.

It sounds like we may be getting closer to spring next week.  Please remember our school rule is to wear coats unless the temperature is above 60 degrees.

Our special immigration activity is on Wednesday.  Remember, if you would like to come help, please let me know.

Congratulations to Luna & Andrew for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week!  

Week of February 22nd...

We enjoyed a movie & popcorn celebration this afternoon.  Stewart students earned over 700 blue tickets for Being Responsible, Respectful, and Safe!  Way to go 2nd graders!!

Wednesday is a 1:10 out.

We are running low on snacks.

Congratulations to Chance & Kael for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week!

A Short Week...

It was a short, but busy week for us!   We enjoyed the sun and some warmth today!  Bring on spring!!

This was Random Acts of Kindness Week.  We talked about the words random and kindness.  We shared ways we could do kind things for others, just because.  I reminded them just because they are kids, doesn't mean they can't do great things!  We made notes for the adults in our building and put them on their doors.

THANK you to everyone who attended parent teacher conferences.  It's such a joy to share your child's progress with you.  I see how hard they work in the classroom and it's awesome to be able to share those gains with you.  I am very proud of them!!

1:10 dismissal on Wednesday.

'Twas the week of Valentine's ...

It was a week of togetherness!  Due to the cold temperatures, we spent all but one day with inside recess.  With all the excitement brewing about the party, it was a fun week.  

Reminder - NO school Monday or Tuesday.  I will see the kids Wednesday!  

A BIG thank you to all the parents who attended or provided supplies for our Valentine Party!  We had a great time playing candy heart games and snacking.  Another GIANT thanks to Jodi Williams for being our room parent and organizing all our parties this year.  Thank you Jodi!!

Congratulations to Presley & Alexes for being selected to the Leadership Team!  

First week in February...

This week brought many inside recesses, some political discussions, and learning about the famous ground hog.  We spent time on Tuesday talking about Ground Hog's Day.  We are hoping for the arrival of spring soon!  :)  

Be sure to check out each tab to see what we've been doing!  

Students may bring their valentines at any time.  

Congratulations to Nelly & Sawyer for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week!

Week of January 25th...

Thursday was our 100th day of school.  We participated in many fun activities centering around 100.  Hopefully you heard about it!  If not, be sure to ask your child.  Check out the photo tab for some 100 day fun photos!

This is the last week to collect Box Tops!  Please look around and send in what you can!  We were in second or third place the last time I checked.

We are almost completely out of snack.  I'm sure the kids would appreciate it if you have an opportunity to pick up a box of crackers or something similar.

Our third Homework Hoopla was held today.  Our entire class got to participate!  Way to be responsible 2nd graders!!

Week of January 18th..

Thank you to everyone who sent milk jugs!  We have what we need now.  Thanks for your help!

Reminder of the 1:10 out on Wednesday.

Please send in those Box Tops!  We have two more weeks to clip, collect, and turn in!  :)

Look for conference notes to come home this week.  Please return as soon as possible.

The valentine party will be held on Friday, February 12th from 1:30 - 2:25.  A class list will be sent home this week so you can get a start on those valentines.

Congratulations to Lily & Chase for being selected to the Leadership Team!

Week of January 11th...

Don't forget to send in your Box Tops!  A new Box Top contest has begun!

If you have any gallon milk/juice jugs, please send them to school with your child.

Reminder of no school on Monday.

Mid-year testing will begin next week.  The results from those assessments will be shared at conferences.

Congratulations to Haiden & Kael for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week!

Homework Hoopla..

Our next Homework Hoopla celebration is quickly approaching on January 29th. All homework is due to school by January 27th. 

Homework Hoopla is a way that we are able to award 2nd graders for showing responsibility. Please remember these few things about homework:

1. Homework should only take about 5-15 minutes. If it takes longer than this, please send the homework back to school and I would be more than happy to help your 2nd grader complete their assignment.

2. Homework is always asked to be returned the next day but is not required. Homework is asked to be returned the next day as to not let homework build up.  This is also a way for us to help prepare students for 3rd grade, as their homework is due the next day.

3. Homework is an extension of the days math activities. Your 2nd grader should be able to complete the assignment independently with little support. If they require a lot of help, please let me know.

4.  Students are given several reminders each day to turn in and return homework.  Some days I meet with students' individually to let them know what assignments they are missing.  

5. I ask that the 2nd graders ask for any missing assignments, if they ask, I will send a new copy home with them. You can also check PowerSchool for missing assignments and print them off at home from: http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents/2nd-grade/em-at-home/ . 

If I have left out any important information or left any questions unanswered, please let me know and I will be happy to answer them for you!  Thanks for your support!

2016...

It's hard to believe we have 87 days under our belt already!  The students came back ready to learn on Monday.  We spent time reviewing procedures and expectations and they were ready to go.  It was a great transition back!  This is a great group of kids and I really enjoy them!

Our next Homework Hoopla will be Friday, January 29th.

Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside recess.  In order to play in the snow, students must have snowpants and boots.

I will be gone on Monday and Tuesday.  If your child's after school plans change, please contact the office or send a note.  Thank you.

Congratulations to Mila & Landon for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week.

T'was the week of Christmas...

It was a fun week!   The kids were really good for a week full of excitement and anticipation!

During the week we participated in 2nd grade holiday stations.  Students were split into five different groups with the other 2nd graders.  Throughout the week they visited each 2nd grade teachers' room for a holiday activity (holiday trivia, holiday bingo, ornament making, holiday memory, and a holiday guessing game).  

We spent time reviewing capitalization and punctuation.  Students played a couple holiday math games that required them to double numbers.  Those are coming home for you to play as well!  Students made holiday cards for people.  

Ms. Sievers was here on Tuesday to do a lesson about thanks.  She taught them the 4 Steps to saying thank you.  

We had a great party today!  Thank you to everyone for your contributions and/or attendance!  Be sure to check out the photo tab for a few pictures!

Safe travels to those of you leaving town.  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  See everyone next year!

Week of December 14th...

Make sure to check out the reading tab.  We had such a fun week in reading!  Our discussions were so valuable!  It was an awesome week!

Our second Homework Hoopla was on Tuesday.  Students who earned the celebration choose from outdoor games or crafts.

Mrs. Knowles was here on Thursday to talk with us about being kind.  She did a lesson with Paper Person.  Students learned our words hurt and those "wrinkles" stay with us.

Next week will be filled with review, holiday stations, and activities.

1:10 out on Wednesday.  Don't forget to wear your PJ's!

Week of December 7th...

Thursday afternoon we enjoyed the fabulous holiday concert.  The kids had a wonderful time and were well behaved.  The 2nd grade singers did a fantastic job.  It sounds as if the Thursday evening concert was just as wonderful!

Wednesday is a 1:10 out.

Please remember to send a wrapped, regular size candy bar for our gift exchange.

Congratulations to Presley & Alexes for being selected to the 2nd Grade Leadership Team for next week!

Just a reminder about leadership lunches:
Visitors are welcome to come and eat lunch with students anytime.  They love having a guest!  When visitors eat with students in the lunchroom, it is fine to bring in a special lunch - Subway, McDonalds, KFC,  etc.   But, when students are a part of the Leadership Team and are sitting at the special Leadership table, we ask that visitors either eat school lunch with their special leader, or just sit with them and enjoy one another.  Being a leader is an honor and a reason to celebrate, which is why we let our Leadership students eat early, go to recess early, and sit at a table together.  There are many students chosen as leaders who are unable to have a guest come to lunch, or are unable to have a special meal brought in.  Yet they enjoy the special privileges we allow, which is our preference.   The second grade teachers have discussed this with Mr. Miller at length.  We don't want anyone to feel that if they are chosen to be a leader, someone has to bring in a special meal for them.  This information is in the letter that is sent home when your child is chosen as a leader.  Thank you for understanding.

Week of December 1st....

It was a busy, short week for us.

Students wrote letters to Santa.  They will be published in the Washington Evening Journal.  I believe they told us December 22nd.  If you would like to read your child's letter before then, please let me know.  I'd be happy to send it to you.

We enjoyed Mrs. Knowles guidance lesson on Thursday.  Mrs. Hall was here Tuesday and Wednesday for lessons with us.

Congratulations to Nelly & Luna for being selected to the Leadership Team for next week.  

A Short Week...

A fun week for us!!  Monday was popcorn day where we incorporated popcorn into reading, math, social studies, and snack!  I posted a picture of our popcorn graph and some poems on the photo tab.  Tuesday we learned about the life of a pilgrim girl and on Wednesday we learned about a pilgrim boy.  Let's just say the kids decided they did NOT want to trade places with them!  Wednesday students did a writing activity comparing and contrasting themselves with the pilgrim boy/girl.  We reviewed alphabetical order and logic puzzles as well this week.  Students are bringing home some Native American craft projects today.  Please ask them to tell you about them!

Friday afternoon we did a weaving project to combine Native American art and Thanksgiving.

We read with our kindergarten buddies on Wednesday.

Report cards are in folders.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving!  I'm blessed to work with your children each day, thank you for sharing them with me!  Safe travels to those of you leaving town.  See everyone on Tuesday, December 1st!