I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We have 3 busy weeks at school and then Christmas time!

Second grade has an opportunity to sing at the Creche festival in Chico on Thursday.  Kerri Laufer, Alexa's mom and our Glee class teacher, has invited us to sing with the Glee class.  We will be performing at 4:00 in Chico.  I would like as many second graders as possible to attend.  Let's carpool and get the kids down there if we need to.  I know it is after school and not an official field trip, so please let me know if you can come so I have an idea.  Lets meet at Achieve at 2:30 and leave at 2:45.

This week marks the beginning of our Famous Person unit.  The students will each be studying a different person from history.  Take some time with your child this week to fill out your top two choices.  It does not have to be an American.  Kids this age are generally really interested in civil rights.  It does not have to be someone on the list provided.  Much of the research and project will take place in class after the first of the year.  Just getting started.  

Our big focus in math is double digit addition.  Regrouping is coming soon!  This week in writing we will review Step Up To Writing format for expository writing.  Lastly, I'm hoping each student is award of and focused on their third trimester goal.  The goals written are really high quality.  Let's make sure to remind them often of their goal and plan.  

     It looks like a beautiful fall week for an outdoor field trip!  Thanks for all of the driver support.  If you are driving, please plan on being at school by 8:45.  We have our Third Trimester Awards Assembly and then we will leave as soon as possible.  I would like to leave by 9:00 at the latest. 
     Please have students dress for the weather and be ready to be outside all day.  Dress in layers.  Wear sturdy shoes for hiking.  Students should bring a water bottle.  Some of the students have been asking about other things to bring.  I'm fine with students bringing paper and pen for notes, magnifying glass, camera or other things to study rocks.  However, students will have to carry thier own stuff, so encourage them to pack light.  

Now the fun begins.  By the end of the second trimester students will be masters of adding and subtracting with regrouping.  This means carrying and borrowing.  We will start this week by adding two digit numbers.  Stay tuned for ways you can help your child at home.  One way to practice with your child is counting by tens starting on different numbers.  10, 20, 30, 40...27, 37, 47... 15, 25, 35, 45...

This was one of our favorite holiday activities last year in 2nd grade.  Make the stories short.  Maybe spend one night writing, one night editting and then final draft.  Homework is due Thursday this week.  Students will want to read them to the class.  We will probably incorporate this into our Thanksgiving party on Thursday morning.  

We will have our party Thursday, since we will be on a field trip Friday.  The only available time on Thursday is first thing, so this will be a breakfast party!  Thanks to all who signed up.  Feel free to come to school and hang out during the party.  Should be fun!

-December 3 at 4:00.  We have been invited to join Kerri Laufer and the middle school Glee class and perform a couple of our Christmas songs at the Creshe Festival in Chico.  No permission slip needed as this is an after school event.  I'm hoping most families can make it.  Maybe we can work out some carpools to get students there if you work and can't make it.  Let me know.
-December 10 at 6:30.  Achieve Christmas Show in the CMA gym.  More info to come.
-December 18 at 10:30. Second grade performs Christmas songs at Atria.  I will send home permission slips after Thanksgiving.