2/7/22
Dear Room 205 Families,
Below are some curriculum highlights for January and February:
Reading: We finished our novel study on Meet Addy, which takes place during the Civil War. We have been working on literacy skills such as making connections, inferring, and summarizing. Ask us about the story and Addy's journey to freedom.
Writing: We are publishing our expert books this week. Each student wrote an informational text about a topic of their choice and worked to incorporate nonfiction text features (headings, glossaries, etc.)
Math: We will finish Topic 6 this week, which focused on subtraction with regrouping. In Topic 7, we will work on multistep word problems with addition and subtraction. Topic 8 will focus on time and money.
Social Studies: In January, we learned about Early Chicago, including DuSable's trading post and Fort Dearborn. We are now learning about the Civil War and researching the Underground Railroad.
Science: We began our new unit, Amazing Animals, which will cover animal classifications. This week, we are researching insects and creating insect models.
Notes for this week:
Report Cards: Report cards and reading level reports went home in yellow folders on Friday (2/4).
Valentine's Day Celebration: We will have a small Valentine's Day celebration on the 14th. Students are welcome to bring cards and/or non-edible trinkets to pass out to the class. There are 24 students in our class.
Math Test: Students took home their practice tests today. The Topic 6 test will be on Thursday. Students can earn a punch on their punch card if they complete their test.
Spelling Test: We will have our next spelling test this Friday.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Ms. High
Below are some curriculum highlights for January and February:
Reading: We finished our novel study on Meet Addy, which takes place during the Civil War. We have been working on literacy skills such as making connections, inferring, and summarizing. Ask us about the story and Addy's journey to freedom.
Writing: We are publishing our expert books this week. Each student wrote an informational text about a topic of their choice and worked to incorporate nonfiction text features (headings, glossaries, etc.)
Math: We will finish Topic 6 this week, which focused on subtraction with regrouping. In Topic 7, we will work on multistep word problems with addition and subtraction. Topic 8 will focus on time and money.
Social Studies: In January, we learned about Early Chicago, including DuSable's trading post and Fort Dearborn. We are now learning about the Civil War and researching the Underground Railroad.
Science: We began our new unit, Amazing Animals, which will cover animal classifications. This week, we are researching insects and creating insect models.
Notes for this week:
Report Cards: Report cards and reading level reports went home in yellow folders on Friday (2/4).
Valentine's Day Celebration: We will have a small Valentine's Day celebration on the 14th. Students are welcome to bring cards and/or non-edible trinkets to pass out to the class. There are 24 students in our class.
Math Test: Students took home their practice tests today. The Topic 6 test will be on Thursday. Students can earn a punch on their punch card if they complete their test.
Spelling Test: We will have our next spelling test this Friday.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Ms. High
11/22/21
Dear Room 205 Families,
Ms. High
- Below are a few brief reminders for this short week. I wish everyone a restful holiday break!
- No spelling words this week. Instead, students can participate in an optional word challenge. See instructions below.
- Our next math test is scheduled for the Thursday, December 1st. The practice test will go home after we return from Thanksgiving break.
Ms. High
Thanksgiving Word Challenge (Optional)
Instead of spelling words, students have the option to participate in the Thanksgiving Word Challenge! Students can work with family and friends in order to make different words out of the letters in the word Thanksgiving.
Guidelines:
Students should turn in their lists by the Monday after Thanksgiving (11/29).
Students cannot repeat letters in their words unless the letters are repeated in the word Thanksgiving.
Students should list real (and school friendly) words that can be found in the dictionary.
Students are welcome to ask for as much help as they would like, but final lists should be in their handwriting.
Students should number their list.
Prizes for a Little Extra Fun:
25 words- Students earn a special Thanksgiving Word Challenge sticker.
50 words- In addition, students earn a themed eraser.
75 words- In addition, students earn a themed pencil.
100 words- In addition, students earn a trip to our classroom treasure chest.
Instead of spelling words, students have the option to participate in the Thanksgiving Word Challenge! Students can work with family and friends in order to make different words out of the letters in the word Thanksgiving.
Guidelines:
Students should turn in their lists by the Monday after Thanksgiving (11/29).
Students cannot repeat letters in their words unless the letters are repeated in the word Thanksgiving.
Students should list real (and school friendly) words that can be found in the dictionary.
Students are welcome to ask for as much help as they would like, but final lists should be in their handwriting.
Students should number their list.
Prizes for a Little Extra Fun:
25 words- Students earn a special Thanksgiving Word Challenge sticker.
50 words- In addition, students earn a themed eraser.
75 words- In addition, students earn a themed pencil.
100 words- In addition, students earn a trip to our classroom treasure chest.
11/1/21
Dear Room 205 Families,
Below are a few highlights:
Thank you!
Ms. High
Below are a few highlights:
- Room 205 filled their marble jar and voted to have a pajama day with stuffed animals and flashlight reading. It will be scheduled for a day next week-more information coming soon.
- We finished our Freckle Juice novel study. Ask us about the ending!
- We had a fabulous Friday that was full of Halloween fun. Thank you to everyone who helped send trinkets, crafts, and snacks!
- There is no spelling this week. We will resume next week.
- Students will take their Topic 3 math test this Thursday (11/4). The practice test went home today. Students have three days to work on it. If students complete it and turn it back in, they can earn a punch on their punch card. The answer key will be emailed out as a reference. If helpful, students are welcome to to use a hundreds chart or place value blocks during the test.
- Report Card: I will share a Google Doc sign-up (via email) tomorrow. It will include virtual and in-person options.
Thank you!
Ms. High
10/12/21
Dear Room 205 Families,
Below are a few reminders for our four-day week:
Thank you!
Ms. High
Below are a few reminders for our four-day week:
- Spelling: There is no spelling test this week.
- Math: Students will take their math test this Thursday (10/14). The practice test will go home today. It is approximately 7 questions. Students have two days to work on it. If students complete it and turn it back in, they can earn a punch on their punch card. The answer key will be emailed out as a reference.
- Our Pride Stride event is on Friday.
- The curriculum night recording will be shared through email. Thank you to everyone who attended!
Thank you!
Ms. High
10/7/21
Dear Room 205 Families,
Below are a few highlights:
Thank you!
Ms. High
Below are a few highlights:
- We finished reading Toad for Tuesday. Ask us how the story ended and if we had a favorite part! We are now writing newspaper narratives about the story.
- In social studies, we continued to explore conflict resolution and practiced map skills.
- In math, we are learning about odd and even numbers. We are also exploring repeated addition and arrays.
- Curriculum Night: Curriculum night is this evening at 7:00 p.m. I will send our meet link through email.
- Reading Levels: I sent home TRC reading test reports yesterday. These reports include information about each student's current reading level. I will share more information about the TRC test at curriculum night.
- Math Test: Topic 2 is a short unit with 5 lessons. We will take our next math test on Thursday of next week. The practice test will go home on Tuesday. It is seven questions long.
- Spelling Test: We will take this week's spelling test on Friday. We will take a break from spelling next week.
Thank you!
Ms. High
9/27/21
Dear Room 205 Families,
Below are a few highlights from last week:
Thank you!
Ms. High
Below are a few highlights from last week:
- Literacy: We started reading Toad for Tuesday and identified story elements (characters, setting, etc.)
- Math: We learned more about addition and subtraction fact families.
- Science: We worked as biologists to observe mealworms and conduct a preference trial.
- Curriculum Night: Room 205's night will be Thursday, October 7th. The Meet link will be shared soon.
- Math Test Procedure: Students will take their first math test this Thursday. Students who need additional time will be able to finish on Friday. I will read the test questions out loud. Students can use a 100s chart or number line as a reference tool during the test.
- Math Practice Test: We are currently working on test review in class. I also sent home a practice test today. The practice test is a longer assignment, so I encourage students to break it up and try problems over several school nights. The practice test is not graded, but it is encouraged. Students can earn a punch on their punch card if they turn in their completed practice test on (or before Thursday). I will send out an answer key for reference.
- Spelling Test: Spelling words are posted to the website and Google classroom. Students now have access to Vocabulary A-Z online. Students can use this online site to play review games and take a practice test.
Thank you!
Ms. High
9/7/21
Dear Room 205 Families,
Thank you for a wonderful first week of school! I have enjoyed getting to know this lovely group of second graders and I look forward to the year ahead.
Below are a few highlights from last week:
Thank you!
Ms. High
Ms
Thank you for a wonderful first week of school! I have enjoyed getting to know this lovely group of second graders and I look forward to the year ahead.
Below are a few highlights from last week:
- Literacy: We analyzed fictional stories by Robert Munsch as part of our first author study.
- Math: We reviewed rounding, place value, and 100s chart puzzles to prepare for our first math unit.
- Social Studies: We explored themes of community and responsibility as we reviewed the Cougar Code.
- Social-Emotional Learning: We tried mindful practices and discussed growth mindset/positive self-talk.
- Spelling: Students will receive their first list of spelling words next week Monday (9/13). Students will take their first spelling test next Friday. The words lists will be available on the website and Vocabulary A-Z.
- Enrichments: The enrichment schedule is posted under the schedule tab. Students should remember to wear comfortable shoes for P.E. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Students should bring back library books on Thursdays.
- Parent Survey: If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to complete the parent survey.
Thank you!
Ms. High
Ms