Math enrichment packets for chapter 8 went home today. They are due no later than Friday, 2/3 to receive extra credit. I will be giving 8 points total for completed work.
Thanks :)
Monday, January 30, 2012
Spelling Menus are Here!
Hi Parents-
This week we will begin using our spelling menus. I reviewed the expectations for the menus in class after I passed them out, but I wanted to reiterate what I told the students in case anything was misunderstood. All students were given menu "b." This menu has activities for those students with 2 or more incorrect words on their pretest who are on list "B." (I believe the top of the paper says 3 or missed words, but it is 2...sorry). Only students studying list "a" this week were also given menu "a." Menu "a" has different activities that are more challenging and more suitable for advanced students. If your child is on list "a," they are only to choose activities from list "a." I gave them the "b" list as well, as some students are not always on a specific list depending on pretest results. In turn, any students who make list "a" in the future will be given the "a" list to choose from if they do not already have the list.
Every Monday, the students will need to choose only 2 activities for the week from their menu. They will have 4 nights to complete the activities (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs) and the assignments will be due on Friday. The assignments are to be completed in their red spelling notebook UNLESS they choose an activity that requires glueing objects etc. In these instances, please have your child write me a note in their spelling notebook to "assignment on separate sheet" and they may hand in their assignment separately from the notebook. If an assignment is something that cannot be turned in, I am asking parents to write a note telling me the activity was completed with a signature (I think there are only 1 or 2 activities such as these).
I decided to change our spelling home learning mid-year, as I felt that the students were bored with the 3 routine assignments we were doing each week. Furthermore, it is really important to provide "choice" to students to keep them more engaged and for them to have a sense of ownership over their work. Lastly, I found some of these activities to be more challenging and interesting which always makes learning more fun!
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I want this to be a positive experience for everyone.
Thanks so much,
Ms. Walker
This week we will begin using our spelling menus. I reviewed the expectations for the menus in class after I passed them out, but I wanted to reiterate what I told the students in case anything was misunderstood. All students were given menu "b." This menu has activities for those students with 2 or more incorrect words on their pretest who are on list "B." (I believe the top of the paper says 3 or missed words, but it is 2...sorry). Only students studying list "a" this week were also given menu "a." Menu "a" has different activities that are more challenging and more suitable for advanced students. If your child is on list "a," they are only to choose activities from list "a." I gave them the "b" list as well, as some students are not always on a specific list depending on pretest results. In turn, any students who make list "a" in the future will be given the "a" list to choose from if they do not already have the list.
Every Monday, the students will need to choose only 2 activities for the week from their menu. They will have 4 nights to complete the activities (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs) and the assignments will be due on Friday. The assignments are to be completed in their red spelling notebook UNLESS they choose an activity that requires glueing objects etc. In these instances, please have your child write me a note in their spelling notebook to "assignment on separate sheet" and they may hand in their assignment separately from the notebook. If an assignment is something that cannot be turned in, I am asking parents to write a note telling me the activity was completed with a signature (I think there are only 1 or 2 activities such as these).
I decided to change our spelling home learning mid-year, as I felt that the students were bored with the 3 routine assignments we were doing each week. Furthermore, it is really important to provide "choice" to students to keep them more engaged and for them to have a sense of ownership over their work. Lastly, I found some of these activities to be more challenging and interesting which always makes learning more fun!
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I want this to be a positive experience for everyone.
Thanks so much,
Ms. Walker
Spelling Lists Week of 1/30
List A:
seem, seashell, between, believe, reason, sneakers, creature, heaven, meadow, jealous, healthy, beetle, squeeze, disagree, kneeling
*electricity *reflection *rural *Gulf of Mexico *plaque
List B:
dream, mean, sweep, free, street, cheat, leave, feel, read, need, least, seem, sea, geese, stream
*electricity *between *reason *believe *plaque
seem, seashell, between, believe, reason, sneakers, creature, heaven, meadow, jealous, healthy, beetle, squeeze, disagree, kneeling
*electricity *reflection *rural *Gulf of Mexico *plaque
List B:
dream, mean, sweep, free, street, cheat, leave, feel, read, need, least, seem, sea, geese, stream
*electricity *between *reason *believe *plaque
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Chapter 8 Math Tests Graded and Posted!
I was eager to see the results, so yes, the chapter 8 math tests they took today are graded and posted! Our class average was a 90 A....WOW!!! I am so proud of these students. They are absolutely amazing! Most errors came from forgetting to regroup, not showing work, forgetting cents signs for money problems, performing the incorrect operation (e.g. addition instead of subtraction and vice versa) and not knowing their basic facts. Conceptually, they nailed this unit!
I will be sending home this test, as well as the Ch. 7 test (which counted for Q2 but I didn't have a chance to send home for corrections) tomorrow. Each test is eligible for +5 extra credit points. Chapter 8 will be added to their test grade and Chapter 7 will be factored into their Q3 average.
Once again, awesome job!
I will be sending home this test, as well as the Ch. 7 test (which counted for Q2 but I didn't have a chance to send home for corrections) tomorrow. Each test is eligible for +5 extra credit points. Chapter 8 will be added to their test grade and Chapter 7 will be factored into their Q3 average.
Once again, awesome job!
Check your email :)
Hi Parents--
Please make sure to read this week's weekly updates. It's quite a novel, but I had a lot to tell you! Lots of exciting things coming up-- literature circles, learning multipilication, biographies unit with a live museum and more.
One thing I forgot to include is the spelling menu. I PROMISE they will be ready and sent home on Monday :) Thanks for your patience!
Ms. Walker
Please make sure to read this week's weekly updates. It's quite a novel, but I had a lot to tell you! Lots of exciting things coming up-- literature circles, learning multipilication, biographies unit with a live museum and more.
One thing I forgot to include is the spelling menu. I PROMISE they will be ready and sent home on Monday :) Thanks for your patience!
Ms. Walker
Monday, January 23, 2012
Accelerated Reader Leaderboard :)
Hi Parents-
The new leaderboard was posted in the library last week for the top five readers in each grade.We have 4 out of the 5 top readers for second grade! I couldn't be more proud of not only the students on the leaderboard, but the class as a whole. Everyone is doing great with reading daily and taking multiple quizzes per week during reading centers. The following students are on the leaderboard with the most books read with quizzes passed:
#1 Chase Hollingworth- 58 books!! AMAZING!!
#2 Samuel Ovalle- 50 books
#3 MacKinzye Arend- 49 books
#4 Kylie Martinez- 44 books
Keep up the great work! Please continue to encourage your children to choose challenging books within their reading range. Their new AR levels were sent home on the STAR assessment results last week that most of you reviewed and signed. If you can't remember your child's level, send me an email and I will get it for you. It's important to keep striving to achieve higher reading levels :)
Best,
Ms. Walker
The new leaderboard was posted in the library last week for the top five readers in each grade.We have 4 out of the 5 top readers for second grade! I couldn't be more proud of not only the students on the leaderboard, but the class as a whole. Everyone is doing great with reading daily and taking multiple quizzes per week during reading centers. The following students are on the leaderboard with the most books read with quizzes passed:
#1 Chase Hollingworth- 58 books!! AMAZING!!
#2 Samuel Ovalle- 50 books
#3 MacKinzye Arend- 49 books
#4 Kylie Martinez- 44 books
Keep up the great work! Please continue to encourage your children to choose challenging books within their reading range. Their new AR levels were sent home on the STAR assessment results last week that most of you reviewed and signed. If you can't remember your child's level, send me an email and I will get it for you. It's important to keep striving to achieve higher reading levels :)
Best,
Ms. Walker
Chapter 8 Math Test on Thursday, 1/26
We will have our chapter 8 math test this upcoming Thursday. We will have a review in class on Wednesday and I will send home a sheet to review for the test tomorrow.
Please continue to practice basic addition and subtraction facts. Many of the students are understanding concepts, but are unable to arrive at the correct answers due to lack of knowing their basic facts.
Thanks!
Please continue to practice basic addition and subtraction facts. Many of the students are understanding concepts, but are unable to arrive at the correct answers due to lack of knowing their basic facts.
Thanks!
Spelling Lists Week of 1/23
Please note: I am finalizing the spelling menu and will have it for use next week.
List A:
trousers, flounder, outstanding, blouse, allowance, cowgirl, mountain, fountain, ounce, surrounded, pout, doubtful, vowel, powder, amount
Bonus:
List B:
town
List A:
trousers, flounder, outstanding, blouse, allowance, cowgirl, mountain, fountain, ounce, surrounded, pout, doubtful, vowel, powder, amount
Bonus:
*disguise
*costume
*peninsula
*Tallahassee
*soldier
List B:
town
hour
sour
frown
cow
clown
found
how
mouse
brown
sound
loud
around
towel
about
*disguise
*costume
*peninsula
*Tallahassee
*soldier
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Science Test on Thursday, 1/19
Hi Parents--
As stated in your child's planner, there will be a science test covering states of matter and changes in matter this Thursday, 1/19. We have been working on this unit for the past 9 weeks, so they have had plenty of in-class assignments, lab activities and review. I reviewed the notes in their blue spiral that I would like them to review tonight and tomorrow evening. I told them it's not necessary to memorize the notes verbatim, but rather understand the concepts e.g. when ice is heated, it melts....or when water boils and reaches a high temperature, it evaporates. They will also need to know vocabulary terms such as solid, liquid, gas, property, balance, mass, volume, freezing, melting, condensation, evaporation just to name a few. They can review any science packets that have been sent home for this unit, and I will send home a few more tomorrow that they should be familiar with.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I am more than happy to answer them :)
Thanks,
Ms. Walker
As stated in your child's planner, there will be a science test covering states of matter and changes in matter this Thursday, 1/19. We have been working on this unit for the past 9 weeks, so they have had plenty of in-class assignments, lab activities and review. I reviewed the notes in their blue spiral that I would like them to review tonight and tomorrow evening. I told them it's not necessary to memorize the notes verbatim, but rather understand the concepts e.g. when ice is heated, it melts....or when water boils and reaches a high temperature, it evaporates. They will also need to know vocabulary terms such as solid, liquid, gas, property, balance, mass, volume, freezing, melting, condensation, evaporation just to name a few. They can review any science packets that have been sent home for this unit, and I will send home a few more tomorrow that they should be familiar with.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I am more than happy to answer them :)
Thanks,
Ms. Walker
Extra Credit Reading/Language Arts Assignment-- Due 1/19 :)
Hi Parents-
I sent home an extra credit assignment today with your child. The assignment is due back on Thursday, January 19th as grades are due that day. Your child is to choose ONE book that they are currently reading or recently read that they can easily recall the main events and characters. The first activity is a flow map of the important events. I told the students to think of this activity as "beginning, middle, end." The first box should tell the beginning (introduce the character(s) and the setting). The three middle boxes should be the most important events in the story. The end should tell the solution to the problem in the story. The second activity is a Venn Diagram. Your child is to choose two characters and write the name of each one at the top of each circle. They are to write 3 characteristics that are different for each character (total of 6) and 3 characteristics that are the same in the middle of the diagram.
Students are expected to write in complete sentences on the flow map, the Venn Diagram can be descriptive words or phrases. You may help discuss the book and guide your student, but they need to complete the chart with their own handwriting and use their own vocabulary.
This assignment will replace their lowest grade in either reading or language arts for the second quarter.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
Ms. Walker
I sent home an extra credit assignment today with your child. The assignment is due back on Thursday, January 19th as grades are due that day. Your child is to choose ONE book that they are currently reading or recently read that they can easily recall the main events and characters. The first activity is a flow map of the important events. I told the students to think of this activity as "beginning, middle, end." The first box should tell the beginning (introduce the character(s) and the setting). The three middle boxes should be the most important events in the story. The end should tell the solution to the problem in the story. The second activity is a Venn Diagram. Your child is to choose two characters and write the name of each one at the top of each circle. They are to write 3 characteristics that are different for each character (total of 6) and 3 characteristics that are the same in the middle of the diagram.
Students are expected to write in complete sentences on the flow map, the Venn Diagram can be descriptive words or phrases. You may help discuss the book and guide your student, but they need to complete the chart with their own handwriting and use their own vocabulary.
This assignment will replace their lowest grade in either reading or language arts for the second quarter.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
Ms. Walker
Spelling Words Week of 1/17- Review Week!
*Please note all students will have the same list of words this week. We have 20 regular spelling words that are a comprehensive review from the year thus far. I have chosen words that students use often and are expected to spell correctly in their writing. There will be no bonus words this week, but we will resume with a normal spelling schedule and the introduction of our spelling menu next week!
was
those
goes
one
these
outside
school
house
used
their
you're
shouldn't
where
ask
any
talk
really
through
went
people
was
those
goes
one
these
outside
school
house
used
their
you're
shouldn't
where
ask
any
talk
really
through
went
people
Monday, January 16, 2012
Please check updated grades in Progressbook!
Hi Parents-
Over the past week, I have been inputting a number of grades into Progressbook for various subjects. Grades for the second quarter are due by Thursday, January 19th so please make sure you take a look on Progressbook. I don't want anyone to be surprised come report card time. For the most part, I have seen incredible improvement in each one of your children over the course of the past few months. Remember, I am striving to challenge them so I'd rather your child make a B and work really hard than give them an A with work that doesn't promote their growth :) This is not to say there aren't As because there are many!
Also, each one of your students are well aware of their missing assignments. I went over assignments that were missing with each one of them on Friday. Most of them were hiding in the back of their desks or in their incomplete folder, so I will continue to grade them as they are turned in.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Ms. Walker
Over the past week, I have been inputting a number of grades into Progressbook for various subjects. Grades for the second quarter are due by Thursday, January 19th so please make sure you take a look on Progressbook. I don't want anyone to be surprised come report card time. For the most part, I have seen incredible improvement in each one of your children over the course of the past few months. Remember, I am striving to challenge them so I'd rather your child make a B and work really hard than give them an A with work that doesn't promote their growth :) This is not to say there aren't As because there are many!
Also, each one of your students are well aware of their missing assignments. I went over assignments that were missing with each one of them on Friday. Most of them were hiding in the back of their desks or in their incomplete folder, so I will continue to grade them as they are turned in.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Ms. Walker
Monday, January 9, 2012
Spelling Words Week of 1/9
List A
container, complain, raisins, explain, praise, raindrops, mailboxes, paintbrushes, haystack, cupcakes, painful, steak, essay, details, display
*emergency, directions, question, answer, firefighters
List B
birthday, way, wait, aim, great, waste, tale, shave, snail, stage, grape, break, trail, obey, stain
*emergency, directions, question, answer, firefighters
container, complain, raisins, explain, praise, raindrops, mailboxes, paintbrushes, haystack, cupcakes, painful, steak, essay, details, display
*emergency, directions, question, answer, firefighters
List B
birthday, way, wait, aim, great, waste, tale, shave, snail, stage, grape, break, trail, obey, stain
*emergency, directions, question, answer, firefighters
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Grades in Progressbook
Hi Parents--
Thank you very much to those of you who have been consistently checking your child's grades in Progressbook. I am behind from the holidays, so please bear with me as I get the assignments graded and recorded this week. I entered a few grades today and will continue to do so as I grade each assignment. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks in advance for your patience :)
Thanks,
Ms. Walker
Thank you very much to those of you who have been consistently checking your child's grades in Progressbook. I am behind from the holidays, so please bear with me as I get the assignments graded and recorded this week. I entered a few grades today and will continue to do so as I grade each assignment. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks in advance for your patience :)
Thanks,
Ms. Walker
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year, Higher Expectations...
Hi Parents--
Happy New Year to all of you! I am very excited to be back for a great second half of our year. As I begin to prepare the students for the increased rigor that 3rd grade requires, we will be "stepping it up" in our classroom in order to acclimate them better to what will be expected in their future. Please note the following changes in policies/expectations as follows:
Home Learning:
Reading
Students are still required to read for 20 minutes each night, but I am going to hold them more accountable for this component as they are openly admitting they don't read each night that it is assigned. I have sent home a reading log that is to be filled out Mon-Thurs and returned Friday with the rest of their home learning. Two nights per week, they will be required to not only fill out the log and get a parent signature, but also write a 3-sentence summary or reflection of what they read. Our main skill we are trying to reinforce is writing in complete sentences and understanding how to write a summary. I told the students that ONE of their entries per week may be a reflection of what they thought about their reading if they choose to do so.
Spelling
Beginning next week, students will be given a "spelling menu" which will be housed in their binders and will have a wide variety of assignments for them to choose from for practice. I believe student choice is very important in continuing to motivate the students and I don't want them to fall into monotany of doing the same 3 assignments each week. I will review the assignments with the students next Monday, but please let me know if you have any questions. I hope this change will provide a nice change of pace!
Home Learning Grades/Participation
Beginning this week, I will be giving 5 pts of credit per subject area/per night (20 pts total per week/subject) for completed work. Reading log, spelling notebook and math workbooks will be checked and grades will be recorded in Progressbook for completion. I have always used home learning as a participation component when it came to behavioral marks or a borderline grade, but the students deserve credit for their hard work and effort at home. This is a great opportunity to improve grades that may not be as good on tests or class assignments.
Late Work
Late home learning assignments will be accepted for half credit within a reasonable amount of time. Students who are absent have one day for each school day missed to make up their work.
Behavior Managment Program/Incentives
Next Monday, we will officially begin our class money system and store. I have been talking to the students for quite some time about this exciting change. This will be a great way to incent positive behavior, while also teaching the students how to count money and value a dollar (even if it's fake). Every Friday, they will have an opportunity to visit my "store" and purchase prizes with their earned cash. I have bought quite a few things, but feel free to send in donations if you have them.
All of the changes I have put in place are to benefit the students! I know the reading log adds a little bit of extra work to their evening, but it should take no longer than 10 minutes max to write 3 sentences...they are all VERY capable!
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
Ms. Walker
Happy New Year to all of you! I am very excited to be back for a great second half of our year. As I begin to prepare the students for the increased rigor that 3rd grade requires, we will be "stepping it up" in our classroom in order to acclimate them better to what will be expected in their future. Please note the following changes in policies/expectations as follows:
Home Learning:
Reading
Students are still required to read for 20 minutes each night, but I am going to hold them more accountable for this component as they are openly admitting they don't read each night that it is assigned. I have sent home a reading log that is to be filled out Mon-Thurs and returned Friday with the rest of their home learning. Two nights per week, they will be required to not only fill out the log and get a parent signature, but also write a 3-sentence summary or reflection of what they read. Our main skill we are trying to reinforce is writing in complete sentences and understanding how to write a summary. I told the students that ONE of their entries per week may be a reflection of what they thought about their reading if they choose to do so.
Spelling
Beginning next week, students will be given a "spelling menu" which will be housed in their binders and will have a wide variety of assignments for them to choose from for practice. I believe student choice is very important in continuing to motivate the students and I don't want them to fall into monotany of doing the same 3 assignments each week. I will review the assignments with the students next Monday, but please let me know if you have any questions. I hope this change will provide a nice change of pace!
Home Learning Grades/Participation
Beginning this week, I will be giving 5 pts of credit per subject area/per night (20 pts total per week/subject) for completed work. Reading log, spelling notebook and math workbooks will be checked and grades will be recorded in Progressbook for completion. I have always used home learning as a participation component when it came to behavioral marks or a borderline grade, but the students deserve credit for their hard work and effort at home. This is a great opportunity to improve grades that may not be as good on tests or class assignments.
Late Work
Late home learning assignments will be accepted for half credit within a reasonable amount of time. Students who are absent have one day for each school day missed to make up their work.
Behavior Managment Program/Incentives
Next Monday, we will officially begin our class money system and store. I have been talking to the students for quite some time about this exciting change. This will be a great way to incent positive behavior, while also teaching the students how to count money and value a dollar (even if it's fake). Every Friday, they will have an opportunity to visit my "store" and purchase prizes with their earned cash. I have bought quite a few things, but feel free to send in donations if you have them.
All of the changes I have put in place are to benefit the students! I know the reading log adds a little bit of extra work to their evening, but it should take no longer than 10 minutes max to write 3 sentences...they are all VERY capable!
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
Ms. Walker
Spelling Lists Week of 1/3
List A
strength
shampoo
flashlight
fourth
thaw
shirt
shoulder
nothing
finished
mouth
chef
charcoal
whispered
stretch
switch
*chocolate
*chimpanzee
*immigrants
*celebrations
*delivery
List B
sure
thaw
whip
chest
much
why
punch
reach
checkers
beach
should
thumb
through
threw
chain
*celebrations
*delivery
*chimpanzee
*chocolate
*immigrants
strength
shampoo
flashlight
fourth
thaw
shirt
shoulder
nothing
finished
mouth
chef
charcoal
whispered
stretch
switch
*chocolate
*chimpanzee
*immigrants
*celebrations
*delivery
List B
sure
thaw
whip
chest
much
why
punch
reach
checkers
beach
should
thumb
through
threw
chain
*celebrations
*delivery
*chimpanzee
*chocolate
*immigrants
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