The Weber Weekly

Busy, busy, busy!!  We are so busy in second grade trying to accomplish many more goals before the end of the school year.  The children have been working really hard and I'm very proud of their efforts.  I would like to point out that fourth quarter midterms will be coming home this Friday.  Please be on the lookout in your child's take-home folder.  The midterm will need to be reviewed and then signed by Monday, April 23rd. 

Grand Prairie is hosting a Poetry Night on Thursday, May 10th.  The event will take place from 5-7 pm at the Joliet Public Library (Black Road Branch).  Be watching for more information. 

 

Has your child been reading books for the Slammers Book Contest?  Don't forget that one book equals one base and the goal is to get "home".  Your child will need to read four "just-right" books in order to earn a ticket to the baseball game.

 

Our BIG end-of-the-year sight word test is sneaking up on us.  Your child will need to read, spell, and write all of the second grade sight words by the end of fourth quarter.  I will be sending home a list of all the words this week.  Encourage your child to practice, practice, practice!

 

Second grade will be starting an ABC Countdown this Friday.  Can you believe there will only be 26 days of school left?!  Each letter in the alphabet will represent something we'll do here in the classroom.  We'll start with Z (Zebra Day) on April 20th and end with A (Autograph Day) on the last day of school.  Be watching for the calendar in your child's folder this week.    

 

School Supply forms for next year are due back this Friday, April 20th. 

Our field trip to Pilcher Park is happening May 1st.  Thank you to the 14 family members who volunteered to chaperone; unfortunately I can only take two of you.  We randomly picked names out of a bucket on Friday and if you were chosen you should have received an email from me. 

 

One of your child's fellow classmates has a dad that needs your help.  Please check out the following link:   http://www.giveforward.com/justinabrahammedicalfund 

 

Grand Prairie will be celebrating Earth Week April 23rd through the 27th.  Be watching for more information.  

On Thursday, April 26th, Dr. Fran Walfish will be speaking at PEHS from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.  The topic of the presentation is The Self Aware Parent: Resolving Conflict and Building a Better Bond with Your Child.  This presentation is aimed at helping parents cope with the challenges of raising children in modern society.  Specific takeaways from this event include: learning how to set boundaries, establishing sound disciplinary structure, problem-solving strategies, gaining control over children of varying academic levels in one household, opening the lines of communication with children, and knowing when behavioral symptoms warrant therapeutic intervention.  

With the warm weather upon us, I would like to remind all of you of Grand Prairie's dress code.  Shorts and skirts must be such a length that when you stand with your arms at your side, the fingertips touch the bottom hem.  Off the shoulder, backless, strapless, or shirts with thin "spaghetti" straps (at least two finger widths wide) will not be allowed unless a shirt is worn over them.  Shirts must also cover the stomach. 

The Weber Weekly

I hope you all had a very enjoyable spring break!  To get back into the swing of things and ensure a successful remainder of the school year, we are reviewing rules and routines this week.  I want all of my students to be prepared for third grade, not only academically, but behaviorally as well.  The expectations have been set and the children are working hard to stay on green for the next 34 days.  I introduced the class to a new "yellow" policy today and I want to explain it to all of you as well.  It's simple:  if a child has a yellow (or orange or red) day, he/she will be filling out a form indicating the reason for the yellow and the actions that can be changed for the future.  I will read over what your child has written and we will both sign it.  Then your son/daughter will bring the form home for you to look over and sign as well.  It's very important that you discuss the behavior with your child, sign the form, and return it back to school.  If your child forgets the paper, he/she will be missing recess the following school day.  My hope is that this new policy will help everyone stay on track for the last two months of second grade. 

We are starting a new math unit this week:  MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!  We will be counting coins, showing different ways to make the same amount, estimating prices, and adding totals/making change.  You can help your son/daughter prepare for this unit by counting coins in a piggy bank, paying for things at the store, or having him/her add up things from the weekly grocery ads. 

Our shared reading focus this week is character traits and character development over time.  We will be exploring the main character in a famous Jack Ezra Keats book, A Letter to Amy.  We're also starting a new chapter book this week for read aloud, The Mouse and the Motorcycle. 

In writing we've been looking at various authors that have written persuasive texts and the similarities between them.  The children will be drafting another persuasive essay this week. 

Over the next several weeks, we will be researching different animal habitats in science.  The children will explore the arctic, desert, alpine tundra, ocean, grassland, and rainforest. 

I'm sure you've heard by now that we won our tenth ribbon for our whole-class behavior.  The children voted once again for a PJ and Stuffed Buddy Day.  On Wednesday, April 11th, the kids can wear their jammies and bring one small, stuffed buddy to school.  Please make sure the stuffed animal is small enough to fit on top of a desk and that it doesn't make any noise.  The children are so excited and looking forward to Wednesday.  I'm very proud of all of them!

On Thursday we will be having another School Spirit Day - - Go Green!  (Dress in green clothes.)

Your child recently brought home information for the Joliet Slammers reading program.  He/she has the opportunity to earn a ticket to a baseball game simply by reading four "just-right" books.  Each base equals one book and your child needs to reach home plate.  The books your child needs to read should be just right for him/her, so for some kids that means four chapter books. 

Tomorrow night, April 10th, there is a PTO meeting at 6:00 in the Media Center. 

I will be out of the building tomorrow for district training with the rest of the second grade team.  If you need to get in touch with me, I will be checking email periodically and returning phone calls Wednesday.  Please encourage your child to have a GREEN DAY tomorrow by showing respect to our substitute. 

And now I leave you with pictures of my Easter Bunny...