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...