CogAT

Between Wednesday, September 25 and Friday, September 27, second grade students will complete the Cognitive Abilities Test, Form 7 (CogAT).  At the second grade level, testing will take approximately forty-five minutes during three days.  Please refer to the schedule below.  It is also important to note that this will impact the lunch schedule.  On Thursday and Friday, students will be having lunch at 12:40.

 

Wednesday, September 25-9:15-10:15

Thursday, September 26-9:15-10:15

Friday, September 27-9:15-10:15

Mystery Reader

We would like to thank Mrs. Hall for coming to our classroom to read King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood & Don Wood.  The students were very entertained and loved every second of the time she spent with us. 

Curriculum Night

I hope you will join us for Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 18th.  This year we will have two sessions of 40 minutes each.  Since Mrs. Lent is currently on leave , there will not be a special session for the Project Arrow Program.  Parents may  proceed directly to classrooms upon arriving at school.  The sessions will be 40 minutes in length with a 10 minute "passing period" following the schedule below.  Parents are invited to visit the PTA, volunteer and scouting tables in the LMC throughout the evening.

6:20-6:30 Parents arrive and head straight to classrooms
6:30-7:00 Session I
6:30-7:10 Session II

While we respectfully ask parents to attend the evening without their children, we know that childcare is not always possible, and would prefer you attend with children than not attend at all.

We hope to see you at Curriculum Night!

Mystery Reader

Our class would like to thank Mrs. Elliott for being our very first Mystery Reader of the year.  The students really enjoyed learning new information about cats, and they were so intrigued by the book Vacation Under the Volcano that it might just be our next read aloud.  We very much appreciate her taking time out of the day to read aloud to 2F!  We would like to invite others to join in on the fun...see you soon!

Guided Math

I am excited to share with you that we will begin Guided Math on Monday, September 16th.  Over the past few weeks, students have been learning about the procedures and routines needed to be successful during this time of our day.  Students will be rotating through the following 4 stations each day: teacher station, game station, math journaling station and independent work station.  I was extremely impressed yesterday as we practiced rotating through each station.  The students were able to follow directions, remain at a level 0 and arrive at the appropriate place in a timely manner. 

We have also been working a lot on math journaling.  This learning task will allow students to explain their mathematical problem solving by writing down their ideas. Students will also be creating a visual representation of their thinking. In addition, students have learned about how to practice Otter Creek with a partner and how to complete math boxes. When they finish tasks early, they will be able to work independently by playing a math game which will align to the skills being taught throughout the unit.

I am confident that students will do well during the upcoming weeks and will become increasingly independent as the year progresses. This week students will begin to receive math homework.  Please encourage your child to do their very best and to turn it in on time.

Slice of Life

If you have not sent an electronic copy or hard copy of a photo for our upcoming "Slice of Life" writing unit, please do so. Students will be using these photos to complete a paragraph about a special memory.  We need each child to have a picture in order for this project to be successful. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

IPICK Rap

Students have been learning about the acronym IPICK. This acronym reminds students of the importance of choosing good-fit books.  A few days ago, the students viewed a video and learned the IPICK rap.  They caught on very quickly and some were even doing the movements.  I can tell that we have some very good dancers in 2F! Below is the video that was shown in class. Please feel free to view this with your child and ask them tell you about what they know about choosing good-fit books.  Students will be encouraged to choose books that are a good fit throughout the year. Also, the lyrics can be found in the Literacy Links section of our blog.  Enjoy!!

Welcome Back!

I am looking forward to seeing all of the Second Graders tomorrow. Thankfully, the temperatures will be cooler!! I am confident that everyone will be more comfortable during the school day and excited for the learning process to continue. I would also like to remind parents that Curriculum Night will be next Wednesday, September 18th, at 6:30. I look forward to seeing all of you and informing you about the curriculum and much more! 

Coin Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that the due date for students to turn in their coins for Math is tomorrow, Friday, September 6th.  If you are in need of another letter, please remind your child to let me know.

Story Elements

Over the last two weeks, we have been focusing on story elements during literacy.  "Five Things" is a fun, rhythmic rap that students have viewed during class time to help them remember the important parts of a fictional story.  I think some students almost know it by heart.  As you are reading with your child at home, please have your child identify the important story elements and explain what each one means.

Brain Break

This week, we began taking some much needed time out of our day to do brain breaks.  This enables students to re-energize, get their wiggles out and, most importantly, have lots of fun.  Luckily, the temperatures have cooled down and we are now able to make this part of our daily routine. Below is a video of our very first brain break.  Take some time and have a SHAKE BREAK with your child...enjoy!

Thank You!

I would like to personally thank Mrs. Hall for volunteering to cut out lamination. I had so many responses to the form that was sent out about volunteering during the school year. Please know that this support is very much appreciated, and I will soon be taking you all up on your offers. (:

David Goes to School

 

After reading the book David Goes to School by David Shannon and agreeing upon our classroom rules, the students were given the task of creating a fun craft of the main character David. It was a great opportunity for me to learn about each student's ability to follow multi-step directions. The products were spectacular! Below is a picture of 2F's phenomenal work!

Money Games

This year we will continue to implement Math Common Core Standards.  One of the initial skills students will be taught is coin identification.  Students will also be learning the values of each coin in order to accurately count money. In an attempt to solidify these skills, I will be posting a variety of games that can be played at home on the computer.  From time to time, students will play these games at school either in the computer lab or during guided math.  It is important that their learning is reinforced at home as well.  Please encourage your child to take advantage of these educational games.

Fruit Shoots Coins  
Fruit Shoots 2
Fruit Shoots Dollar and Cents
Matching Coins-Level 1
Counting Money
Quarters to $ and Cents
Dollars, Dimes and Pennies to Dollars and Cents
Count US Coins
Lunch Lady

Behavior Calendar

On the first day of attendance, students were given a behavior calendar for August in order to communicate with their parents about their behavior at school.  I want to inform all parents that you only need to talk to your child about their behavioral choices if they have clipped down to Think About It (blue), Teacher's Choice (purple) or Parent Contact (pink). Students who are on Ready to Learn (green), Great Job (orange) or Outstanding (red) have consistently made good choices throughout the day. The calendar does not refer to Ready to Learn (green) as being an appropriate place to end the day; however, I want to reassure you that if you see the color green on your child's calendar it means that they have exhibited positive behavior.  Please be sure to look at your child's calendar each night and initial it in the the appropriate square.  

Water Bottles

As many of you may have already heard, the temperatures over the next two days are going to be quite steamy.  Please send your child to school with a water bottle so that they can remain hydrated throughout the day.

Daily 5 and CRAFT

The Daily 5 is a management system that I will use during reading to allow students more time for independent reading activities and myself more time for independent and group conferencing with students. The Daily 5 helps students to develop "stamina" by practicing 5 specific reading tasks daily until they have developed the ability to complete these tasks for a prolonged period of time without interruption. These five tasks are:

Read to Self

Read to Someone

Work on Writing

Listen to Reading

Word Work

As students become independent in these tasks, the teacher can allow students to independently develop reading comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary while he works with students to sharpen those skills even further. Through Daily 5, students also learn that there is more than one way to read a book and that each way of reading a book makes them a better reader. Practice some of the ways of reading a book at home with your child!

Read the Pictures

Read the Words

Retell the Story

The Daily 5 also fosters an awareness in readers unlike any other. Students are encouraged to select books that are "Good Fit" books for them. They should be books that interest them but that also are not too hard and not too easy. We even recall the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears when we learn about "Good Fit" books because we are reminded of Goldilocks finding the things that were "just right" for her in that story! When your student wants to find a "Good Fit" book, encourage them to use the "Five Finger Rule." 

Look at the cover.

Read the Title and the Author.

Read the blurb on the back.

Flip through the book.
Read the first page.

Use the 5 Finger Rule (fingers represent unknown words on one page):

0-1 Fingers - Too easy

2-3 Fingers - Good fit

4-5 Fingers - Too hard

But most importantly, I want to make sure that students are reading books that interest them in a way that makes them want to read more and read on. For this we use our I-PICK strategy to gauge interest in a book to decide if it's the right book for us. Not everyone will like the same book -and that's ok! 

I choose a book. 

Purpose - Why am I reading it? 

Interest - Does it interest me? 

Comprehend - Do I understand it? 

Know - Can I read most of the words?

(This is where a 5 Finger Strategy should be used.)

Click here for more information on the Daily 5.


CRAFT
CRAFT is an acronym for Comprehension, Respond to Text, Accuracy, Fluency and Text Features - all of the essential elements for building a strong reader! With each letter from our acronym come many lessons, activities, and strategies to develop the areas with which your student struggles. Through individual conferencing and small group meetings, I will be able to deliver lessons that are relevant to the students who need them and focus my attention on their specific development in areas where they are weaker. By using CRAFT in conjunction with the Daily 5, I will be able to engage all students in independent, meaningful reading activities while allowing myself time to meet with students individually or in groups to focus on their specific needs.

Click here for more information about  CRAFT.

Stop, Walk, Talk

Gombert and all schools in District 204 are implementing a Bully Prevention Program called Stop-Walk-Talk. The goal of Stop-Walk-Talk is to “give students the tools to reduce bullying behavior through the blending of school-wide positive behavior support, explicit instruction, and a redefinition of the bullying construct.”


This week in Second Grade, your child will be learning some valuable steps in confronting bullies they may encounter at school. When students observe another student not following one of the 3 BEs of Gombert – Be Respectful, Be Resposible and Be Safe – they will initiate the Stop-Walk-Talk method.


The method is simple and easy to execute. Students first let their bully know that they would like them to stop their behavior by giving a firm “Stop Sign” with their hand raised up in the air, palm out. If the bullying continues, the student is encouraged to walk away or remove themselves from the situation. The final step, Talk, is used only when the behavior continues beyond the stop and walk. If the student finds that Stop and Walk have not helped them to remove themselves from a bullying situation, they are encouraged to find the nearest adult, teacher, or supervisor to inform them of the situation.


It is our hope that students will begin to use Stop-Walk-Talk to prevent bullying to themselves or their peers. We will continue to revisit these procedures throughout the year so that students may gain independence in their use.

Clip Chart

The clip chart is a behavior management system that promotes positive behavior among students. Each student's number is placed on a clothespin and clipped  to a chart located in the front of the room. There are seven categories which include: Ready to Learn, Good Day, Great Job, Outstanding, Think About It, Teacher’s Choice and Parent Contact. Each student begins their day on Ready to Learn. Throughout the day students have the opportunity to move their clip up the clip chart by following the classroom expectations. When students do this, they will be asked to “clip up” by the classroom teacher. Students who do not follow the expectations will, respectfully, be asked to “clip down.” The Think About It level of the Clip Chart aligns with the Setting Limits behavior management program as the warning at which point students will be provided with two choices. 

If their misbehavior continues the student will be asked to move their clip down to Teacher’s Choice and will be asked to reflect on their choices as in the Setting Limits behavior management program. When this occurs, a student may be given a Behavior Reflection note to fill out and take home to their parents. The teacher also has the option of giving the student a reflection break. If this occurs, the student will be asked to take his or her work to a designated area for approximately 7-8 minutes. After this time, they will return to their desk. The last category on the clip chart is Parent Contact. If a child has to move their clip to this section of the chart the parents will be contacted by phone.

Students may redeem themselves by showing appropriate behavior. If this occurs they are allowed to move back up the chart; however; they will still receive the consequence for being on Teacher’s Choice or Parent Contact. Each child will be encouraged to do their very best. It will be communicated to each student that everyone makes mistakes. It is what we do after we have made those mistakes that matters the most. It is all about CHOICES! For more information regarding this behavior management system please click here.

Papers, Papers, Papers!

During the first week of school many papers were sent home that needed to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to school. I am extremely happy to report that many students have been returning these important papers in a timely manner. However, there are students who still need to return papers. Below is a list of forms that were sent home. Please take the time to ensure that you have signed and given them to your child to return to school.

• Snack Permission
• Transportation Form
• Student Handbook Form
• Mystery Reader Sign-Up (optional)
• Parent Communication
• Blog Permission
• BYOT Permission
• Volunteer Form (optional)
• Classroom Management

Also, please remember that Scholastic book orders will be due on Tuesday, September 4th.  The money for the "Time For Kids" magazine subscription will be due on this date as well.

Transportation Form

Today your child should have brought home a transportation form. Please fill out this sheet and send it back to school at your earliest convenience.  It is very helpful to have the transportation information on file  in the office in case of an emergency.  Thank you so much for completing all of beginning of the year forms!  I know it is a lot.

Tumble Books

Gombert subscribes to the Tumble Book Library, an online collection of animated, talking  books (created from existing picture books).  To get started click here or go to www.tumblebooks.com.  Enter our school's user name and password in the sign-in fields at the top of the page.

User Name: ipsd
Password: books

You can also find this link under the "Literacy Links" tab located at the top of the page.

Happy Reading!

Class Schedule

Our class schedule has been added to the bottom of this blog.  Please scroll down to view.  Also,please remind your children to wear their gym shoes on P.E. days and to return library books in before their next checkout day.

Blog Permission

Below is the introduction letter that I sent home requesting your permission to post student pictures, work, and movies on my blog.  Please be aware that this blog will only feature your student's work, name, and pictures if you give consent.

Feel free to download the letter at any point if you change your mind about your child's privacy on my blog.

Thank you!

Blog Letter