SWR - Spelling, Writing, and Reading

Hello!  Now that we have started the second grade curriculum, I wanted to take some time to fill you in on some of our academic subjects. I will start with our spelling block, also referred to as our SWR time.   We have SWR time for 30 minutes a day.

I begin each week with a pretest so I can check which students already know the skill and which students need more support.  I use this information to tailor my instruction for the week. After our pretest, the entire class completes a worksheet and talks about the rule.  We brainstorm words that fit in this rule and we spell them together.  We practice for 20 minutes so that everyone knows and understands the rule.

Once I have looked at the pretest, I arrange the students into one of three groups, depending on their familiarity with the current spelling rule.  On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the students rotate through various activities.  One day, your child will meet with me to review and work on the spelling skill, another day they will independently complete a worksheet or word sort that reviews our skill, and lastly they will play a game that reinforces the skill that I am teaching. They will receive LOTS of practice with their spelling skil throughout the weekl. 

Lastly, on Friday, I give a spelling check-in to see who has mastered the spelling skill and who still needs to pracitce it.  The information I gain from the check-in helps me plan my instruction for the coming week.

Every Monday I send home a spelling homework sheet introducing the spelling skill and giving multiple words that fit the spelling rule.  You will also notice a list of red words that we have worked on so far.  Even though there is no homework to return to me, please have your child practice the skill for 5-10 minutes a night.  Some suggested activities are playing "I Spy" and look for words the fit the rule in a book.  You can give your child a spelling test with various words each night.  Your child can pick 3 words from the list and spell 4 rhyming words.  They can write sentences using their red words (look for capitals and periods!).  You can create a word unscramble or a crossword puzzle.  The sky is the limit for ways to practice spelling!  Thanks for your help with this!!

Working Hard!

We have been working very hard and settling into the second grade routine for the last two weeks.  We have created our classroom rules and started to decorate some of the bulletin boards.  I think the children are finally getting used to the fact that I have to talk a lot to explain and review second grade expectations!!

We have started the Everyday Math series and our first math homelink (homework) will go home on Wednesday, September 19th.  Spelling and reading homework have already been sent home.  We are easing into our Reading workshop routine and our current social studies theme is Friendship/Community.  We have been busy little bees for the last 12 days!

Here are some pictures of us learning and having fun!

Small group work with me!

 

 



Playing a sightword game!

 

 



Playing a rhyming game and practicing our partner skills!

 

 



 

Everyone looked amazing on picture day!

 



The First Three Days

Our first week of school was wonderful!!  We were blessed with beautiful weather and 19 excited kids!!  We spent the first three days getting to know each other as well as  learning to work together.  We earned a highly anticipated ice cream sundae party on Friday to cap off all of our wonderful behavior and effort! Here are some pictures!  Everyone was so excited and full of sugar by the time the party was over!

Mr. Antonicci even came to enjoy the fun!  We had a GREAT first week!

News From Mrs. McCleary

Here is a link to Mrs. McCleary's blog with some important information!

http://umsschoolcounseling.blogspot.com

The First Day of School!

Tomorow, August 29th, is the first day of school and I am so excited!  I have so many fun things planned for our first three days together!  We will take time this week to get used to being back in school, learn some new routines, and practice being respectful.  It was so wonderful to see many familiar faces during Open House this morning. I definitely feel less nervous now that I can put a face with each name.  Enjoy your last day of summer and I will see you tomorrow!

Time To Think About School

School is just around the corner so I hope you and your family have enjoyed a relaxing and fun summer!  I have been busy getting our classroom ready for an amazing year!  I wanted to take the time to remind you of two second grade activities happening soon!

1.  Second Grade Curriculum Night for Parents :  The Second Grade Team (Tammy Davis, Debbie Howard, Sherry Thibault, and myself) is hosting a curriculum night on Thursday, August 23rd at 6:30 p.m.  Please meet in my classroom, Room 9.  There will be a brief power point presentation on the curriculum requirements of second grade and then there will be a chance for parents to ask questions.  This is an informal evening for parents, there is no childcare available.  If you can not make it, I will be sending home the same information in your child's green folder on the first day of school.

2.  Second Grade Open House for Students:  On Tuesday, August 28th, there will be an Open House for all incoming second graders. It is from 8:00-9:00 in the morning. This is a very relaxed event. Students can come to our classroom (Room 9) and find their seat, hug friends, and get a little gift!  This is a chance for the students to get familiar with their classroom before the first day of school, which is Wednesday, August 29th!  Hope to see everyone there!

Enjoy the last few days of summer and I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

UMS Field Days

On Wednesday, June 6^th, the entire school will be traveling to Airport Park for our annual UMS Field Day!  We will leave school at 8:45 a.m. and return after lunch.  We will play lots of games and have a picnic lunch.  Parents and siblings are welcome to attend.  Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for this event. I recommend sneakers, sunscreen, a sweatshirt, a bottle full of water, and a bag to put it all in! Your child can also bring a towel to sit on if he/she would like.  Many parents bring their child home after this event, and that is fine.  If you plan on bringing your child home after Field Days, please just send me a note!