Alex, along with his mom Mei, introduced the class to their family tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year. Alex, joined by Zach, led the class as the head of the dragon dance through the classroom. We learned that this is the year of the "dog". Each child received a good luck red envelope filled with money and then ended the celebration with a chocolate coin. We greatly appreciated their thoughtful presentation!
This was a week of celebrations, including Valentine's day. Thank you to Lisa and the parent volunteers from the other classes who brought in our delicious snack of juice and fresh fruit.
The children were invited to explore our newest addition to our playground this week and it officially opened for all to use on Friday. Children across the grades have made suggestions regarding how to use this new space.
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Have fun, be safe
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Slow down
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Look before you leap
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Be kind to the plants and stay on the paths
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Go down the turf slope and up the sides
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2 people per boat hammock
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Do not climb on the top of the castle walls
Our class was represented at the Ash Wednesday service with 5 classmates serving as acolytes.
Miller
Zach
Beatrix
Arvin
**Please be sure your child is in the classroom by 7:45 a.m. to go up to the chapel with the 5th grade helpers to prepare for the Lower School students' arrival. You are certainly welcome to attend this chapel and take photos.
**Please be sure your child is in the classroom by 7:45 a.m. to go up to the chapel with the 5th grade helpers to prepare for the Lower School students' arrival. You are certainly welcome to attend this chapel and take photos.
Math
Second graders have been solving, creating and writing picture story problems. The context for this work has been various scenarios that involve single presents or parcels of 10. Students have been learning to pull out key information to solve problems, show their thinking clearly, and create problems that are interesting and challenging for other Second Graders to solve. In the process, we are branching into larger numbers and getting a secure hold of place value as we add and subtract with those numbers. The pictures are a powerful visual to help support the child's problem solving, but kids are also expected to use shorthand ways to represent larger numbers with efficiency and accuracy.
Ask your child about his or her story problem.
We have also worked in pairs to understand time, graphing and place value.
Homework due: 2/20:
- Reading log
- Math Journal page: 81-82
Homework for the week of 2/20, due 2/26
- Read for at least 20 minutes each night Monday through Friday (weekends are bonus) and fill in the reading log nightly
- Math Journal: page 83-84
Many thanks for the extra time and efforts in supporting our hero interview portion of the curriculum. We have enjoyed listening to them in class and hearing about the special traits of the people we are hearing about.
Progress Reports: Mid-Year Expectations
Progress reports will soon be available via the Parent Portal. This grade report reflects your child's growth since September and where he or she is in relation to second grade mid-year expectations. We encourage you to review these expectations as you read your child’s report card. Please do not consider the five letters on this report comparable to the A through F scale on a traditional report card. Below is how classroom teachers use the letters:
• E Your child's work is consistently above expectations in that area. There are proportionately few E's given.
• M+ Your child is consistently meeting our expectations, working independently with persistence, initiative, and self-motivation.
• M Your child is meeting grade level expectations. This is a good grade. Children feeling secure at this level can develop the confidence to be more independent learners.
• M- Your child is working towards grade level expectations. We will continue working together in class to progress toward the goals. This is not a “failing” grade.
• R Your child is not meeting expectations or showing sufficient progress in this area. If your child is not already getting extra help in this area, we will need to make a plan for support.
One thing to keep in mind is that with each grade, the curriculum and expectations change. If your child received a lot of M+'s and E's in first grade that does not mean they will receive the same marks in second grade. Considering the different developmental stages of children entering second grade, one of the most important things we take into account is the progress that each child has made. We consider this progress, along with grade level expectations, in assigning grades.
• E Your child's work is consistently above expectations in that area. There are proportionately few E's given.
• M+ Your child is consistently meeting our expectations, working independently with persistence, initiative, and self-motivation.
• M Your child is meeting grade level expectations. This is a good grade. Children feeling secure at this level can develop the confidence to be more independent learners.
• M- Your child is working towards grade level expectations. We will continue working together in class to progress toward the goals. This is not a “failing” grade.
• R Your child is not meeting expectations or showing sufficient progress in this area. If your child is not already getting extra help in this area, we will need to make a plan for support.
One thing to keep in mind is that with each grade, the curriculum and expectations change. If your child received a lot of M+'s and E's in first grade that does not mean they will receive the same marks in second grade. Considering the different developmental stages of children entering second grade, one of the most important things we take into account is the progress that each child has made. We consider this progress, along with grade level expectations, in assigning grades.
We look forward to discussing your child’s strengths, areas of growth and plans for the remainder of the year during Parent-Teacher conferences on Thursday, 3/1 and Friday, 3/2.
Warmly, The 2nd Grade Teachers
Warmly, The 2nd Grade Teachers
Upcoming Conferences
I am looking forward to meeting with you on March 1st and 2nd for our Spring conferences. I appreciate you taking the time to complete our conference planning form. You will also receive a hard copy in the Wednesday Express next week. I use this information in preparation for conferences, and will use your responses in goal setting with your child. Please complete and return this form to me by Monday, February 26th..
Mary Peterson, who will be replacing me during my sabbatical, will be attending all the conferences to meet you and learn more about your children,
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