Weekly Newsletter 9/25

THE HOOT -  News from Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade - 9/25/15
Dear Parents,
We have had a busy week in second grade!  The NWEA fall testing is over, (except for a few make-up tests), and we are beginning to get into a good routine.  We have switched our schedule to a literacy block in the morning, math at 11:05 am after our special, and science, social studies, or writing workshop in the afternoon.  
This week our afternoons focused on:  SCIENCE ACTIVITIES  In Mrs. Wight’s room, second graders enjoyed the seed dispersal game where they discovered animals play an important role in dispersing seeds.  Some seeds get eaten, some just don't survive, some get buried (make more plants), and some get stuck to fur and may or may not survive.
In  my room, students participated in a hands-on activity that demonstrated how bees pollinate flowers.  The activity was designed to bring pollination to life for our second graders as they were suppose to see how the pollen moves from flower to flower. We were still able to see this through video representation as we learned that sometimes experiments need to be tweaked in order to work. Scientists are always learning!
In Mrs. Lee’s room it was all about the soil.  Students took an in depth look at the difference between loam, silt, sand, clay, and rock.  They observed the way water flows through the different materials (permeability).  They discussed the importance of nutrient rich soil to grow healthy plants.  
Homework: I am pleased with the effort students are making to complete spelling activities, study spelling words, and keep track of their reading progress.  Your effort and support makes the difference! (See the attached letter for more information on the Reading Log Homework.)
RAZ: Second graders can use Raz Kids for their Reading Homework as well.  Attached is the information to get online and their passwords.
Other Services:  Once all the data from the NWEA are in, we will be meeting to discuss Title One Reading and Math services and G/T math.  
Math: Students are still being taught all the strategies for learning their math facts.  We will continue to work on the zero property, starting with the biggest number then adding 1 , 2, or 3 (2 + 7; think 7, 8, 9) making ten (8 + 5; think 10 + 3), and all the combinations that make ten.  Knowing their facts is key to their success in many of the upcoming math lessons.  Please practice with your child at home.  I recommend card games, the Dollar Tree has flash cards, practicing in the car, etc.  
Dates to remember:
October
10/9 - No School (Workshop Day)
10/12 - No School - Columbus Day
10/13 – School Picture Day
10/16 – Grandparent’s Day at CPS
November
11/3 - No School (Workshop Day)
11/4 - Flu Shots
11/11 - No School - Veteran’s Day
11/25 - 11/27 - Thanksgiving Break
Sincerely,
Ms. Lavoie

Weekly Newsletter 9/18/15

THE HOOT -  News from Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade - 9/18/15
Hi All!
    It has been a fun and busy week here second grade!  It was so nice to see everyone who was able to come out for Open House!  It is so exciting for the kids to show off their classroom and the things they have been doing.  I love listening to them share and explain things to their guests.  Our Can You Guess Your Child? display was a lot of fun to watch unfold as many of you got your first taste of augmented reality with the app Aurasma.  I can already see other uses for the kids to bring their 2-D world to life with story writing, and another way for students to share their learning. Learning is so fun!  
  I would like to send out a very big thank you to all of our wonderful chaperones who helped out on the trip to the Agricultural Fair.  There were so many neat things to see, explore and learn.  Be on the lookout for pictures of this event on the blog.   
Our science focus this week was on seed dispersal and finishing up the stem experiment. We also did an introduction to goods, services, consumers and producers.
     In math class right now we are working on learning mental strategies so that your second grader will be better able to add and subtract within 20 from memory.  (OA.2)  If you go to my blog and pull the tab on standards, all of the standards are posted.  There is a great deal of vocabulary also connected to the understanding of this standard and other standards. Hopefully, once we have gone through all of the strategies  I will see a HUGE improvement on their fact recall.  Keep practicing at home on those doubles and doubles plus one.  
 This week on the iPads we have added work on Spelling City that works in conjunction with the words that students are working on this week.  This will continue to be a beneficial way kiddos to get individual instruction and practice each week.  
    BOOK ORDER :  If you placed an order for books through the book order they should be here within two weeks or less!
    NWEA TESTING:  The children completed 2 out of 3 NWEA Tests so far.  One more to go on  Wednesday 9/23 - Language.  Please be sure that your child is well rested so he/she is prepared to do his/her best!
    HOMEWORK - Keep up the great work on the homework.  Word Study and spelling homework will continue each week and we will be adding a simple reading log to track nightly reading. Be on the lookout for more information on this on Monday! :)
Don’t hesitate to contact me any time you have questions or concerns.  
    VOLUNTEERS:  Volunteer Program – Thank you all for turning in your communication form.  As soon as all the NWEA testing is completed,  I will get our volunteers in the classroom.  (There is always so much to be done!  :)


Dates to remember:
                                     September
9/23 - NWEA Language Test
October
10/9 - No School (Workshop Day)
10/12 - No School - Columbus Day
10/13 – School Picture Day
10/16 – Grandparent’s Day at CPS
10/27 - Mahoosuc Performance "Tinpanic Steel Band"




Sincerely,

Gina Lavoie

Weekly News 9/11/15

THE HOOT -  News from Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade - 9/11/15
Happy Friday All!
    It has been very warm and steamy upstairs in second grade!  We are very fortunate to have an air conditioner, but honestly, it has felt that it is hardly working with the high temps and warm bodies! The kiddos have been real troopers!   We continue to go over school, hallway, and classroom expectations daily. I have been passing out Wise Choice Owl Coupons and Brainbucks in class to reinforce positive behavior and class participation. The children are able to turn them in for a small prize when they receive a certain amount. This week, we have introduced consequences for not following expectations. This is typically owing five minutes of recess time, if the expectation is not followed after two reminders/warnings. The children are also working hard to earn Coyote Coupons to show they are responsible, respectful, and safe. This is part of our new whole school behavior program.  Stay tuned for more to come on this! :)
    Plants have been our focus in science this week. On Wednesday all the second graders got together to discuss what they already know, what they want to know, and a little bit about the specific function of each plant part! On Thursday all the second graders rotated through the classes learning more about roots and beginning two plant experiments involving the basic needs of plants and how the xylem in stems/trunks carry nutrients to necessary parts.  
    In math we are continuing our practice of doubles, and number sense in general. Doubles Tic-tac-toe, Xtramath addition, IXL and the Teach Me app for the iPad have all been introduced or used this week!
    I am still trying to finish up individual beginning of the year assessments for reading. The children have been learning about Expert Reader behaviors and practicing how to choose just right books and build stamina for independent reading.
    BOOK ORDER :  Please remember that all book orders need to be returned to school or placed online by September 18th!
   FLAT STANLEY: I am still missing 4 copies of the Flat Stanley book.  If you happen upon one still at home, please send it in!  Thanks you!
    FIELD TRIP: Our first field trip is still scheduled for Sept. 16  Many of you have signed up to chaperone for this event!  Thank you!  Please understand though that we will not be able to accommodate chaperones on the bus.  Chaperones will need to meet us at the fair. Also, if you are truly planning on chaperoning a group, I am asking that any younger siblings not attend. This is for the safety of all our children as the fair is a busy place on this day. I sent a sheet for those of you who have signed up to chaperone that I would like filled out and returned to me by Monday.  This will allow me to group children accordingly.Thank you!
    NWEA TESTING:  Our schedule has arrived!  As of right now it is the following:    Tuesday 9/15 - NWEA Math,  Friday 9/18 - Reading,  Wednesday 9/23 - Language.  Please be sure that your child is well rested so he/she is prepared to do his/her best!
    HOMEWORK - Next week's homework will continue to focus on math.  We will be adding Doubles Plus One Facts to the flash cards your child practiced this week.  Ten minutes on these facts per night is fine.  :). Your child's Word Study and spelling homework will also begin next week.  Be on the lookout for more information on this on Monday! :)
Don’t hesitate to contact me any time you have questions or concerns.  
Dates to remember:
                                September
9/15 - Open House 6 - 7 pm
9/16 – Field trip to the Oxford Agricultural Fair
9/15 - NWEA Math Test
9/18 - NWEA Reading Test
9/18 - Book Order Due
9/23 - NWEA Language Test
October
10/9 - No School (Workshop Day)
10/12 - No School - Columbus Day
10/13 – School Picture Day
10/16 – Grandparent’s Day at CPS



Sincerely,

Gina Lavoie

Agricultural Fair Field Trip


Weekly News 9/4

4:47 PM Posted by Unknown 0 comments
THE HOOT -  News from
Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade
Hello All!
    What a fun and busy week it has been!!  I am truly enjoying getting to know everyone! These first short weeks are allowing us get to know one another, settle into a new routine and get a handle on expectations.  I do try my best to send a weekly letter home on Fridays.  I want you to be informed as to what is going on.  I feel that school/home contact and involvement is very important!   The yellow H.O.O.T (Helping Organize Our Things) folder should come back and forth everyday.  Please take a few minutes each day checking the folder for any notes, notices, or work.  I will check it every morning when it arrives for any notes or information from you. Thank you!  Below is some information you may find helpful:
    FLAT STANLEY: We began sharing our Flat Stanley (personal) adventures this week and working independently and as a whole group to complete some follow up activities. I will be sending the journals home in a week or so for the kiddos to keep. I am still missing several copies of the Flat Stanley book.  If you happen upon one still at home, please send it in. :)
    LUNCH ENVELOPES:  I will try to remember to send lunch envelopes home each week.  It makes life so much easier for all of us if you can let me know on the first day of each week what your child is doing for lunch the entire week.  (If you do send in money during the week, you MUST have the money sealed within an envelope and clearly marked with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and what the money is for.)  
    BUS NOTES: The end of the day can be quite hectic getting the students ready to board their bus.  If your child is taking a different bus than usual, you must send in a note in the morning with your child so that a bus pass can be issued.  If the note does not come in with your second grader, please inform the office prior to 10:00 or no later than 11:00 (unless it is an emergency).  Notes on the first day of the week are encouraged.  Although I am happy to have families have my contact info, please know that school is a busy place and my first priority is to the learners in my room. If you need me to know about a bus change or pick up info it is better to go through the office as I will not typically respond to my phone until the school day is done.
    FIELD TRIP: Our first field trip is scheduled for Sept. 16   Next week we will be talking about the field trip and what agriculture means.  Students will be learning about consumers and producers and more! **Please remember that if you wish to chaperone on this trip or volunteer in any capacity at the school, you need to have filled out the Volunteer Application and have been approved.  If you need an application, call the office and we will send it home with your child.**
    NWEA TESTING:  The computer math, reading, and language tests will begin the week of Sept. 14.  I will let you know our schedule as soon as I get it.  After all the NWEA testing is done, we can begin to look at our Title 1 programs and GT Math.
    DRA TESTING: Hooray!  Most of the DRA testing is done, thanks to those of you who were able to schedule an appointment prior to the beginning of school.  What a difference it has made in our week!  
    BLOG: For those of you who are not familiar with blogs; a blog works like a journal where the blog owner records information.  A blog can be accessible to anyone on the Internet.  In addition, some blogs allow images posted with text.  I try my best to keep a classroom blog updated so families will have another place to access information and get a glimpse into the happenings of the classroom.  The classroom blog is still and always will be a work in progress; as new things continue to get posted each week.  I have attached a magnet with all my contact info as well as the classroom blog address.  Check it out!  You may also sign up to “follow” the blog by email.  This feature is located on the right hand side of the blog.  Once you are signed up, you will get an email every time something new has been added to the blog. :)
    IPads - Second graders have had the opportunity to get their hands on their iPads this week.  We went over the contract to ensure that they know the rules and how lucky they are to be able to learn with this wonderful technology. They have begun a new app for them, Xtramath.  I have two accounts set up where one one day they practice addition facts and another day subtraction.  It begins with an assessment on what facts they already know and will drill them on the facts that they are not fluent with.  The app also has “race the teacher” which they will enjoy. Once I have all programs up and running, I will send home their passwords and links so they can be accessed from home as well.
    HOMEWORK - Since next week is another short week, we will not begin our spelling homework program until the following week.  We will be sending home some math homework on Tuesday next week, as many of the students are anxious to begin homework.
Don’t hesitate to contact me any time you have questions or concerns.  
Dates to remember:
ASAP – Papers from the office need to be returned
                                     September
9/7 - No School - Labor Day
9/15 - Open House 6 - 7 pm
9/16 – Field trip to the Oxford Agricultural Fair
October
10/9 - No School (Workshop Day)
10/12 - No School - Columbus Day
10/13 – School Picture Day
10/16 – Grandparent’s Day at CPS



Sincerely,

Gina Lavoie

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