Thank you so much to all of the parents that came out to the auction, donated to the auction, worked the auction, spent money, etc.  You all are amazing.  I hear we won another competition for getting the most tickets for our class basket.  You guys seriously rock!  I've never had 2nd grade win so many competitions.  Looks like this is the parent group to beat :)  Congrats to H.H. for getting teacher for the day!  Also, congrats to J.L. for getting the fire engine ride!  Any other exciting winnings?  Seriously, you all are amazing.  It makes a huge difference for our school to have this level of support.  It also means a ton to me to feel this level of support.  Thank you all!

Our annual musical with 3rd grade is coming up.  We are close to setting a date.  Maybe May 4th.  I will let you know soon.  Anyways, we are ordering matching shirts.  There is an order form in the Monday folders today.  Our first priority is getting the right sizing.  Send money whenever.  Please turn in the size request soon (like tomorrow if possible).  Sorry for the late notice.  That's my fault.  If money is an issue, please order anyways, we can cover it.  We all want to match.

Story time for homework this week.  I can't wait to see what the kids come up with.  I know it has the wrong date, oops.  Stories are due Friday and students will read them in front of the class.

We are now working on a chapter on 3 digit addition strategies.  Most students are already pretty good at this, so we are also working with 2 step problem solving.  Here are a few examples to try at home with your child if you feel so inclined.
1. Sam found 243 cool rocks on his hike.  He gave 75 to his sister and 56 to his brother.  How many rocks does he have left?
2. The bike store had 147 red bikes and 85 green bikes.  After the Big Spring Bike Sale there were 36 bikes left.  How many bikes did they sell?
3. Sarah found 37 sea shells.  Mike found 18 more than Sarah.  How many shells did they find in all?
4. Sarah found 37 sea shells.  Mike found 18 less than Sarah.  How many shells did they find in all?
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Good luck!  Just kidding.  Students have the skills to do these two math pages, but they don't know it yet.  This is sort of a preview for what is to come in 2nd grade during the 3rd Trimester.  I am guessing you will have to do it with your child.  Some will be very easy.  Some could be tricky (subtracting with regrouping across zero).  Just plan on doing it together and having fun with the crazy hard math they can do now.

Reading logs need to be turned in by tomorrow to count for the Read Across America Competition.  I heard from many students that they were reading like crazy last week!  Nice job!  

Wow, what a great couple of weeks it's been in science.  The excitement and enthusiasm is through the roof.  Last week we took advantage of Read Across America festivities and made Green Eggs and Ham while talking about Physical and Chemical Change.  Ask your child which type of change was used in cooking the eggs.  Thanks to Allie for bringing in fresh, green eggs from her chickens.
This week we will be talking more about matter starting today with Ryan Regnier and some really cool demonstrations.  Your child should be coming home excited!  
This week in science we will be studying:
 1. Which material is right for the job?
 2. Mixture or solution?

Students have one more trimester of 2nd grade.  We have a few major focuses over the course of this final trimester.
1. Students will master addition and subtraction with regrouping and working with larger numbers.
2. Students will work with increasingly more sophisticated problem solving strategies.  
3. Students will learn comprehension strategies to help them understand what they read.
4. Students will write with evidence supporting their ideas.  
3rd grade is right around the corner.  Let's finish strong and push these guys to learn as much as possible.