Week 23

This week we celebrated National Lutheran Schools Week. We had a blast dressing up everyday, cheering at the 8th grade vs. teacher volleyball game, and collecting change for Pastor Sam in India. We even learned a little too:) In science, our chapter is about the Earth and Space. For this chapter, I am going to give the kids two smaller tests followed by a large chapter test at the end (the final chapter test will be open book and note).  The first test over Lesson 1 and 2 will be on Tuesday. We will review on Monday in class and I'll have the kids take home their books and notes on Monday evening. The next test will not be until the following week.

Next week, we are also going to start up math centers! The goal is to better individualize each student's needs, and to give the kids further practice using different manipulatives, games, and smaller group instruction. Because of this, we may not have sufficient class time to finish side A of the homework sheets every day, so don't be alarmed if those come home unfinished. Side B will still be homework.

Also, just wanted to remind everyone that the January book it form is due on Monday, so please remind your child to bring this to school!

Working on tricky words endings

"I have...Who has..." Fact and Opinion Style

Quadruplet Hairstyles on Wacky Tacky Day

Some Wacky Outfits

Howdy Partner!

They found "Zion" in the dictionary and were pretty excited:)

Superheroes!

As part of National Lutheran Schools Week, we joined Mrs. Beaty's 8th grade class to make Valentine's day cards.  It was so fun to watch the younger and older kids working together and having some fun!

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: 4th Commandment- Honor your father and your mother. 1 Chronicles 16:34- "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever."
Spelling: Lesson 19, chunk -ai
Grammar/Phonics: Suffixes for words ending in Y
Reading: Problem and Solution
Math: Test Thursday OR Friday, I'll let you know:)
Science: Chapter 8 Lesson 1 and 2 Test Tuesday


News
-Wednesday Feb. 4th, dismissal at Noon
-Zion’s Annual Sausage Supper is scheduled for Sunday, February 15 from 12:30 to 7:00 PM.

-Enrollment for 2015-2016 opens to the community on February 1^st.  PDO, PS and younger grades will fill up fast.  Please don’t delay on getting your paperwork filled out online to make sure you have a spot.  We look forward to healthy enrollment in many classes for the upcoming school year.

Week 22

We had a wonderful week in 2nd grade! In reading, we talked a lot about fractured fairytales. We read all sorts of stories from a wild western Cinderella to a "Dustylocks" and the three bears. During guided writing, the students began brainstorming ideas for their own version of a fractured fairytale. I'm excited to see how their great ideas turn out!

This week we also began a keyboarding program called "Keyboarding Without Tears." With this program, the students will hopefully learn basic typing skills, which are extremely beneficial 21st century skills.

Working on subtraction skills using a "wrap up" tool

A math game: the winning team added numbers to 950!

Claude Monet- Water Lily Pond inspired art

This coming week will be National Lutheran Schools Week. The 2nd graders will sing at the 11am service on Sunday. Please have your child meet us in the room up by the balcony by 10:45. After the service, stick around for Zion's open house. Be sure to stop by our classroom and hallway to check out some of their awesome work.
The week will be filled with dress up days and some fun activities.  Monday is PJ day, Tuesday is Wacky Tacky Day, Wednesday is Western Day, Thursday is Spirit Day, Friday is fairytale/superhero day. Our school will also be doing a Change WAR. The goal is to raise money for Pastor Sam and his church ministry in India (the change war will take the place of a chapel offering for the week). Each classroom will have a large bucket. The goal is to fill it with change which counts as positive points. Any bills in our bucket will count as negative points to our score. Scrounge through pockets, couches, and floors to find spare change to help our class win the change war!

Next Week:
Memory: 3rd Commandment Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.”    Luke 18:27

Spelling: Chunk oat/ote
Grammar/Phonics: abbreviations
Reading: Fact and Opinion
Math: TEST Thursday
Science: Chapter 8 The Earth, Moon, and Planets--stay tuned for when this test will be-it's a huge unit and I want to find out where the students are in their knowledge of the information before planning for a test.

***Classroom Wish List: Paper towels

Week 21

This week we talked a lot about fairytales- we read several and discovered that fairytales have a lot of things in common! Ask your 2nd grader about fairytales to see how many special elements they can remember!

This week we talked a lot about fairytales- we read several and discovered that fairytales have a lot of things in common! Ask your 2nd grader about fairytales to see how many special elements they can remember!

This week we also had a great time spending some extra time with our dads as we had donuts for dads followed by chapel. It was so great to see so many dads and grandpas on Wednesday morning. Thank you for being great examples for your kids! What a great reminder that we have a Father in heaven who loves and cares for us too. And who knows, maybe even one day we will get to eat a donut with our Father in heaven:)

Next week for centers, rather than guided reading, I will be leading guided writing to help guide the students as we begin writing our own fractured fairytales. For homework, I will not be sending home a guided reading book. Instead, make sure your child reads for 20 minutes each night. Sign their planner sheets to record their homework as having been completed. Thanks for your help!

Sorry, I don't have pictures for this week. It flew by so fast!


Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: The Second Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
 “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”     Matthew 28:20
Spelling: chunk -ee
Grammar/Phonics: commas in a series, past tense words
Reading: Fractured Fairytales
Math: TEST Thursday

News
-No School on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
-2nd graders will sing at the 11am service on Sunday Jan. 25 to kick off National Lutheran Schools Week
-Change War for Pastor Sam and the Christian Resource Center in India:
Each classroom will have a tub outside of their door throughout NLSW for students to add change (positive) and dollar bills (negative).  The classrooms (prek-3 & 4-8) with the most positive amount by the end of the week will receive a Pizza Party!
-Love and Logic helps:

By being a trusted leader in the market for over 35 years
Parents raise really responsible kids by giving specific strategies, tools/techniques and the actual words to say
People see that they can enjoy healthy, happy relationships

It is not too late  to join the Bible Class on Love and Logic.
Due to the class size we will be meeting in the Family Life Center (lower level of the church, the glassed in room).
Sundays, January 8-March 15, 9:30-10:30

Week 20

It was great to see all of our second graders back at school this week. I really missed everyone! We stayed busy this week learning about homophones, the water cycle, and the differences between fiction and nonfiction books.

Fiction and Nonfiction Book Hunt

Preparing for our Water Cycle Experiment

The Water Cycle in Action

A "Pair of Pears" Homophone Practice

A "Pair of Pears" Homophone Practice

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: 1st Commandment- You shall have no other gods. Psalm 56:11- "In God I trust, I will not be afraid."
Spelling: Lesson 16, chunk -ear and -ath
Grammar/Phonics: Helping verbs, abbreviations
Math: Test Wednesday
Science: Chapter 7 Test Friday


January is a very busy month here at Zion, so here's a look at what's coming up:
-This Wednesday, January 14, is Donuts for Dad's. Dad's are welcome to come to the church basement beginning at 7 to enjoy a donut (or 2 or 3) with their child. Dad's are welcome to join us for chapel at 8 as well!
-Enrollment Packets were sent home in Friday folders, so you may begin the re-enrollment process online at anytime!
-Love and Logic Parenting class will be offered on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am beginning January 11th. Love and Logic® provides simple solutions, tips, and practical techniques to help adults with kids of all ages to raise responsible kids, have more fun in their role, and strengthen the relationship with the kids in their life. The class will also give you tips, advice, and real solutions. The class will be held in Discipleship Room 1 on the lower level. We hope to see you !-Pack the Gym Night is next Friday, Jan. 16. Join us in the gym as the Zion basketball teams kick off their weekend tournament.
-No School Monday Jan. 19th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
-National Lutheran Schools Week kicks off on Jan. 25 with an open house of Zion School. Be sure to stop by and say hello as we celebrate our school. The school week to follow will include dress up days and lots of fun activities.

***Our classroom is in desperate need of a few supplies- pencils, pencils, pencils! We could also use expo white board cleaner and kleenexes as the flu season is upon us. Donations would be greatly appreciated!***