The Weber Weekly

It's hard to believe September has already come to an end.  The kids have been working really hard and they're showing a LOT of growth.  I'm really looking forward to meeting with all of you at conferences in a few weeks.  I appreciate all of you returning the conference forms so that I can get those scheduled.  I'll be sending home a confirmation letter indicating your date and time next week. 

I want to thank all of you for thinking of me on my birthday yesterday.  I was amazed with all the beautiful handmade cards and heartfelt gifts.  We have such a sweet and caring group of kids in our class.  I can't stop bragging to my husband (also a teacher) about how perfect my class is this year.  Each child adds so much personality and I truly enjoy every one of them. 

Here are some of the things we've been working on this week:

• Your child has been writing a personal narrative on a topic of their choice.  They've learned how to add dialogue and similies to make their writing much more enjoyable.  We'll be sending these home next week.  I think you'll be really proud of the writing progress your child has made thus far!
• We began topic 4 in math this week which is all about place value.  We're going to become secure with the ones and tens place first and then move all the way up to the 10,000's place.  We'll be working hard on place value for the next several weeks. 
• In shared reading the kids have been learning the difference between the 5 W questions:  who, what, when, where, and why.  They explored these questions while listening to and reading a narrative fiction book, Dear Mr. Blueberry.
• Did you hear about "Apple Smiles" yet?  This was our first "Snazzy Snack" that we created to finish off our Johnny Appleseed unit in social studies.  The children wrote the recipe in their best second grade handwriting and then followed step-by-step directions to create the treat.  Remember at the end of the year, your child will be bringing home their recipe books so your whole family can try them out together.  Thanks again to Raegan and Gabe for being our "Snazzy Snack" shoppers this month!

I wanted to let you know about a slight change in Word Study that will be starting on Monday.  In order to differentiate for idividual student needs, the second grade team has decided to move to a flexible grouping model.  We will be splitting all the second graders into groups that will focus on specific needs.  The children will meet with one of the second grade teachers (Palmer, Cox, Leipart, or myself) every day for 20-30 minutes.  The purpose of this flexible grouping model is to provide smaller group instruction in the area of word study in which your child needs the most support.  We strongly believe that this method will be the most beneficial for all of our second graders.  The kids are really looking forward to starting this new approach next week!  

Please take note of the following upcoming dates:

• Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, October 4th at 6:00 pm in the Media Center.
• Picture Day is next Wednesday, October 5th.  If you'd like to order school pictures, please complete the Lifetouch form and return it on Wednesday.
• The October book order will be sent home on Monday.  It will be due back to school on Thursday, October 13th.  Remember that this is a very inexpensive way to build your child's classroom library.
• We do not have school on Monday, October 10th in rememberance of Columbus Day.
• Market Day pick-up will be at 4:45 on October 13th in the school gym. 

Have a nice, relaxing weekend!  If you need to get in touch with me, please feel free to email at jweber@psd202.org

The Weber Weekly

We had an AWESOME week in second grade!  The kids earned their 10th ribbon for whole-class behavior and we celebrated with a Dance Party!!  We had a great time doing the Cha Cha Slide, Hokey Pokey, and YMCA.  I hope your child had as much fun as I did.  :)  I'm so proud of this class!  I can't stop bragging to my husband (also a teacher) about how wonderful my class is this year.  We have a great group of second graders!

Here's a recap of what the kiddos learned this week:

• The kids have been working really hard on their math facts.  I can't believe the improvements I've seen in such a short amount of time.  They have been practicing their facts every day and have most of the addition facts memorized.  It's pretty amazing what they can do now.  
• The children started brainstorming ideas for a personal narrative this week.  They're choosing an event that has happened in their life and they are going to write about it using several details.  One of their details must include a simile.  They had a lot of fun learning about similes and writing simile poems. 
• We learned about a new genre in reading this week called Historical Fiction.  This type of text has characters and events that could have happened in the past.  This was confusing for some children because it's very similar to Realistic Fiction; the only difference being the time period in which the story could occur.      

 Please take note of the upcoming events:

• October 4th - PTO Meeting in the Media Center at 6:00 pm
• October 5th - Picture Day
• October 13th - Market Day pick-up at 4:45 in the gym

In other news...

• Conference time is quickly approaching.  Be watching your child's folder next week for important fall conference information.
• Some of the children have been very forgetful with their Book Buddies.  Please remind your child to be extra responsible with the books and the bags.  All Book Buddies need to be returned to school every Thursday with all the books inside.  I really want to continue this program throughout the school year and that will only be possible with your support. 
• Big thanks to the families of Raegan and Gabe for being our "Snazzy Snack" shoppers for the month of September.  Next week your child will be creating their first recipe, Apple Smiles.  This will surely be a memorable experience!
• Mystery Readers will be starting in two weeks.  We still have some available dates if you'd like to sign up.
• I'd like to thank all of the parent volunteers that started this week.  The kids really enjoy seeing their family members in the classroom and I really appreciate all the extra help.  Thank you!
• We are in need of a few extra supplies in our classroom.  If you can help out with any of the following, the kids and I would sure appreciate it.  The items include:  Clorox disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, Ziploc baggies (all sizes), and colored cardstock paper.  Thanks for thinking of us during your shopping trips.  :)  
• As always, my door is always open.  If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.  The easiest way to reach me is via email at jweber@psd202.org.  You could also call the school or send me a note in your child's yellow folder.  
• Have a happy weekend! 

Funnies

Everyday something is said that makes me chuckle inside.  I thought I'd start a Blog post about funny class stories.  I hope you get a good laugh like I did...

• During a social studies discussion about different languages a boy raised his hand and said, "My brother talks like he's from the very South, but really he's from right here where we are now."
• When coloring the behavior chart at the end of the day a girl whined, "Oh no, I have to color yellow again.....my mom's gonna run out of pencils!"
•  One little girl caught me itching my belly and exclaimed, "Mrs. Weber!  Your baby is growing!!"

These are just a few of the funny moments from the week.  I'm sure I'll be adding more again soon.  :)

The Weber Weekly

Anytime there's a post titled "The Weber Weekly", you can expect to find a recap of our week as well as a list of upcoming events.  Here's what was happening this week:

• In math we continued working on addition and subtraction strategies.  The children learned how addition and subtraction can be related, also known as "fact families".  Please look in your child's folder each evening for graded homework and Quick Checks to see how he/she is doing in math. 
• Have you heard about "IPICK" or the "Five Finger Rule"?  These are strategies that the children must use every time they are choosing new books.  Using these strategies will enable children to read books that are "just right" as well as books that are interesting and serve their purpose for reading. 
• In writing we worked really hard on cinquain poems.  The children were so excited to share their poems with their classmates.  They have become experts on cinquains!
• During social studies, the class exlopred different types of maps.  They learned all about map keys, a compass rose, and maps created from an aerial view.  We are also learning about different types of communitites, focusing specifically on cities.

Here are some upcoming events:

• We do not have school on Labor Day which is this Monday, September 5th. 
• There is a PTO Meeting on Tuesday, September 6th at 6:00 pm in the Media Center.
• Thursday, September 8th, is the due date of our first book order.  Remember you can go online to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs   On the parent page, click the "Don't have a User Name and Password?" link, then register for your own username and password.  When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code, which is GQGGP.  This code ensures that your order is sent to me.
• The Grand Prairie Ice Cream Social is next Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm.
• On Friday, September 9th, our school will be recognizing Patriot's Day.  Please encourage your child to dress in red, white, and blue. 

Here a few important reminders:

• Please make sure you're dressing your child appropriately for school.  Shorts must be long enough so that they go past the fingertips when arms are held at sides.  Tank top straps must be at least two fingers wide.  Remember you can also send a sweatshirt with your child since our classroom is rather chilly.
• Don't forget we have snack time every afternoon in second grade. 
• Book Buddies come home every Monday (or Tuesday if we don't have school on Monday) and they must be returned again on Thursday.  If your child does not return his/her Book Buddy, they can no longer participate in the program. 
• If your child is celebrating his/her birthday in school, please do not send edible treats.  Instead, I encourage you to wrap a gift that your child can open and then donate to the classroom, such as an indoor recess game or books for our classroom library.