October 9, 2017

Grandparent's Day 2017

There's some things that should never change...in my opinion, Grandparent's Day at Achieve Charter School is one of those things!  Friday, was such a delight!  It is very special to see grandparents parade through the halls at Achieve.  The students were beyond excited to host their grandparents, introduce them to friends and share their reports.  Thank you to everyone who helped!  It was a very special day!  The link to the video can be found in Monday's email as well as the private class page on Facebook.  

Prodigy Math App

I've had a few of you ask about the Prodigy app that we are using class.  I have allowed the students to play Prodigy, a math app that some of the students used in 1st grade.  I have researched it, and there are great reviews and some really cool features!  Look for your child's password in the Monday Folders this week.  

This Week in 2nd Grade

Math- We will continue Chapter 2 this week.  We will be looking at odd and even numbers, arrays and equal groups.  

Science- Our focus this week will be on inventions and the process of trying to "improve" something.  We will look at different materials with useful properties and will ask:  What is the best material for the job?  Has it been invented yet?!?!?

Reading/Writing-  Reading Groups will start this week!  I'm super excited to see the groups in action and to establish this new routine.  The groups will rotate through centers that will work on reading, writing, spelling, comprehension and fluency.  

Social Studies-  The students did a great job on their reports!  It was the first time for many of them to type and publish something that they wrote.  I was so proud of them!  Now that they have become experts on the past, we will tie in other learning opportunities like science and  geography.

Spelling-  Look in the Monday Folders to find your student's spelling list.  Each student will be placed at a level that they were assessed at. Some of these lists will be easy and some will be tricky, the progression through the lists will be valuable.  Every Friday we will take a spelling test and if they pass with a 80% or higher, then they will move on to the next list.  If they don't pass, they will stay at that list until they pass.  As I mentioned above, we will have time to talk about the lists, find the spelling pattern and practice the words during Reading Groups.  

STAR Homework

Reading- I bet you read right past this one because you know what I'm going to say, right?!  That reading is the BEST homework option for your student!  Any kind of reading!  Being read to, partner reading, silent reading, chapter books, easy readers, cereal boxes...they are all great!  Switch it up, read with a flashlight or outside on the grass.  Ask questions, even if you didn't read with them.  1 star for every 10 minutes of reading.  Students should try to read for about 20-30 minutes each night. 

Math-  Practice, practice, practice!  I loved seeing and hearing the variety of ways each student is practicing.  We have kids writing their own story problems and making timed tests for themselves!  Remember, our goal is for them to quickly recall simple math facts.  Prodigy and ST Math are also great options for a math activity.

Writing-  The goal is for the students to come up with creative ways to practice their grammar (capital letters, punctuation & complete sentences)!

Spelling-  I have included Spelling Tic Tac Toe in the Monday Folders.  This is just an optional activity for your student to use to practice their spelling words at home.  Spelling City is an online site that the students can access their list and play games.  Their user name is their first name and acs (ex: jessicaacs) and their password is their name (ex:  jessica).  Their test will be on Friday morning.

Upcoming Dates & Events

​10/21 - Golf Tournament
10/31- Halloween (classroom snack celebration)
11/1- No School (Staff Development Day)
11/2-3 PLP Conferences (Dismissal at 12:30)