8/29-9/2

This week we learned about the world- the names and locations of the continents and oceans, as well as the name of our country, state, and city. We also began to use all four centers during literacy time, and met our chapel faith families for the first time on Wednesday. It was a great week!

In math we worked a lot with patter blocks this week-making observations about their size and color, and creating patterns and designs. 

Finding types of sentences in books

For our social studies centers, the kids worked with maps of the St. Louis Zoo, the city of Chicago, and google earth. 

For writing, we interviewed a classmate and wrote a paragraph about them. 

Interviewing friends

Sorting words by their vowel sounds

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed (part one)

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. 

Spelling: ick: sick, pick, tick, stick, lick, trick, click, brick, kick, flick
Phonics: Long and Short O
Grammar: Subjects and Predicates
Reading: Author's Purpose
Math: Lessons 11-13
Social Studies: Types of Communities
Writing: We will do a short writing project for each type of author's purpose- persuade, inform, and entertain.

Important News and Information:
-No School on Monday 9/5 for Labor Day
-We had our first trip to the school library this week. We will have library every Tuesday. Students are allowed to check out two books at a time. Students can renew their books as many times as they would like and they will automatically be renewed until they are returned.

I encourage students to look for books that they enjoy and are able to read, just like books on our classroom shelf. However, the books are not marked by reading zone in the school library and while I offer guidance, they are given more independence in book selection.  I tell them they may pick out at least one book to read for AR, and then they may pick out a "fun" book (but really, all books are fun:) ) Your child can take an AR test on a library book if it is in their reading zone. My hope is that students will become more aware of themselves as readers and will be able to identify books that they can read on their own as they grow this year. Please take a look at the books your child brings home and have a discussion with them about their book choice. Together, we can help guide them in their book selections that will meet their interest and help them be successful.
-The kids will need to bring a small box in for music class on Thursday to make a musical instrument. A kleenex box, shoe box, etc., will work great!

Aug. 22-26

This week was our first full week of school. We spent the week learning our new routines, as well as long and short e sounds, sentences, and reasons why maps are important. On Monday, we drew a map of our classroom and I hid a treasure in the classroom. The kids took turns reading the map to find where the treasure was hidden. Then, later on in the week, we introduced another map--Google Earth. The kids loved seeing their houses and neighborhoods, and sharing it with their friends.

Using Moby Max, a differentiated math website 

Word Work Center

Taking turns being the teacher in math

Teaching one another by telling time to the hour

Google Earth was a big hit!

Spelling City during Thursday's Spelling Center

Phonics Sorting Game

Working in small groups to create a map of a community

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: First Article of the Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

Spelling: ack: hack, tack, shack, attack, rack, smack, lack, quack, black, backpack
Grammar: Types of Sentences--declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory
Phonics: Long and Short A
Reading: Author's Purpose
Math: We will have our first math test on Fri. 9/2 which will consist of a fact test and a written test
Social Studies: Our world- continents, oceans, countries, states, and cities.
Writing: Write to Inform


Important News and Information:
-Scholastic Book Orders were sent home on Friday with the kids. It is extremely helpful to order these books online if possible. Our class code is N98GL. You can use the scholastic website to place your orders. I will place the orders a week from today on Fri. 9/2.
-Renaissance Home Connect is a way for you to check your child's scores on their AR quizzes taken during the school day. If you would like to sign up for this service, information went home in your child's folder on Friday.
-Wed. 8/31 will be our first half day. We dismiss at noon. If pickup is different from usual, please let me know!
-No School on Labor Day Monday 9/5
-A small recap of back to school night information:

•      Birthday treats must be store bought and peanut free
• Memory Work is tested on Fridays or the last day of that school week
• Spelling Tests are on the last day of the school week. Students will also be given a sentence with words from the week before- tested on spelling, capitalization, and use of end marks. 
• Weekly Report is sent home the last day of the week. This is to help encourage communication between home and school. Please initial and return the following week.
• Please record church/Sunday School attendance. The log is located in the front pocket of your child's homework folder. 
• We do a lot of STEM projects throughout the year, and are always looking for donations of empty paper towel and toilet paper tubes, duck tape, straws, masking tape, empty tissue/oatmeal boxes, and paper grocery sacks. If you are willing to donate any of these things, feel free to send them with you child to school at any time.
• We take a STAR test once a month on the computer to measure literature skills and reading ability. Scores from this will be sent home. The student's zone of proximal development is gathered from this test and can be used to find books appropriate for their reading level. 
• Each quarter, students will create an AR (accelerated reader) goal and will take quizzes (at school only) of the books they have been reading. If they do well on the quizzes, they earn points towards their goal. I will send home the students goal, as well as their progress towards their goal about halfway through the quarter. You can use the website arbookfind.com to find books that are on the AR quiz program. 
• For the first semester, we ask that the kids read for 20 minutes a night, 4 times a week as part of their homework for the week. Then, during second semester, that increases to 40 minutes a night, 4 times a week. Studies have shown that kids who read for 40 min. at least 4 times a week perform the highest on standardized tests. This is our goal for students, but each student has different needs and abilities, so this may need to be adjusted for your child. Kids who struggle with reading will try to avoid reading as much as possible, so help push your child to their limit without frustration. 

Aug. 17-19

We had a wonderful first week of school! I enjoyed getting to know your kids and am looking forward to the rest of the school year! This week we learned lots of classroom procedures, made Jitter Juice to take away our first day jitters, explored science tools, and completed our first STEM project of the year with marshmallows, spaghetti noodles, and tape. We also had several conversations about our theme verse for the year which is from Romans 12. We learned about how God made us each special, and even though we are different in some ways, we are ALL for ONE.

Brainstorming things we hope to learn in 2nd Grade

Signing our Classroom Rules Chart

Drinking Jitter Juice

Exploring our Classroom

We are all different, but we are all connected because we are ALL for ONE

Exploring the Classroom Library

Exploring Balances

Exploring Thermometers

Exploring Magnifying Glasses

STEM Challenge: using 20 noodles, a piece of tape, and a piece of string, and in 15 minutes, can you balance a marshmallow on top of your spaghetti noodle tower?

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: ...So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:5

Spelling: ip / ug/ aw:

dip, slip, flip, trip, drug, plug, tug, dug, paw, straw

Grammar: What is a sentence?
Phonics: Long and Short E
Reading: Introduction to Centers and AR
Math: Introduction to Moby Max (individualized math instruction on the iPads), and lessons 1-5 covering numbers to 100 and time to the hour.
Social Studies: Maps
Writing: Introduction to Writing, Learning how to brainstorm and pre-write

News and Information:
-Back to School Night will take place this Tuesday from 6:30-8:00. There will be three 20 minute sessions from which to choose to come by the classroom and learn information about our class and many of the things we will be doing this year. Hope to see you all there!

-Coming up on Wednesday, August 31st is our first inservice day of the school year. If you need half day care provided by Zion for this day, please fill out the form sent home on Friday and return to school as soon as possible.

-SPROUTS TO BEGIN SOON! A ONE-DAY PER WEEK TODDLER PROGRAM OFFERED IN THE CHURCH NURSERY ON THURSDAYS FROM 8:00-11:00AM!

Zion is excited to begin a new children’s ministry this August when we initiate a program to serve parents of young children through a one-day per week program.  On Thursdays from 8 to 11 am,  parents will be invited to bring their little one ages 18-36 months to Zion’s nursery where they will be cared for and taught by professional staff while parents enjoy three hours of time to refresh, accomplish tasks and spend time with friends and other family members.   Children in the program will have the opportunity to interact socially with other children in a small group setting and have their budding faith strengthened through Bible stories and guided play time under the direction of professional teaching staff.  Amber Medrano formerly a preschool teacher at Zion will be the lead teacher for this exciting new ministry.

Enrollment in “Sprouts” will begin immediately and classes will begin on August 29.  Annual tuition for this program will be $822 which can be billed over 9 months (September - May).  A registration fee of $65.00, a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunization record,, and a completed registration form are required for enrollment.  Interested parents are asked to contact the church office (636) 441-7425 or mthomason@zionharvester.org for more information.  We look forward  to hearing from you!

Welcome to the 2016/2017 School Year!

Welcome everyone to the 2015-2016 school year! I am very excited for the school year to begin.

Be sure to check out our class blog on a weekly basis for updates, reminders, and information about what we are up to in 2B.

Next Week's Events:
--Open House is Monday 8/15 from 2-7pm. Come on by to check out our classroom and to drop off school supplies for the year. Students will also get their picture taken for the yearbook in the gym. Various booths will be set up in the commons, so be sure to check those out as well!

--First Day of School is Wednesday 8/17. It will be a full day of school with dismissal at 3pm.

The school year has officially come to an end. I feel so blessed to have been a part of your children's lives throughout this past year. They are incredible kids and they taught me so much! I pray that they always remember how much God loves them. Thank you for all of your support this year! Have a wonderful summer!

5th grade Egg Drop

Math Olympics

Math Olympics

Jackson Pollock Day

Towards the beginning...not too covered in paint yet....

By the end, some of the kids were covered from head to toe!

Jackson Pollock Success!