January Updates

Here are just a few quick January updates:

You should have received both the grade level newsletter AND the Summative Project guidelines yesterday. Just in case, pictures are attached. Today, please look for the venn diagram to either use in the project or to use as an example for Google. Also, there is a letter about the login process for Google if your student has decided to use Google.

Today, we started a differentiated novel study. Please look for your student's novel and study guide to come home along the way. Some portions will be completed in class, some will need to be finished at home. We will study reading concepts such as: figurative language, inferences, connections, and many other critical thinking skills.

In math, we are working on using place value to solve larger equations, possibly into the thousands.

In writing, we started our nonfiction unit. We brainstormed topics about which we know a lot and could teach other people. Ask your student about their brainstorming sheet and help them choose an appropriate topic.

This week, we are working to reassess word study so that groups are appropriate as move forward in the second semester. Your student may or may not move, but I SO excited by the growth I have seen so far.

Have a great end of the week!

It's a New Year!

Welcome back! I hope that everyone had a wonderful break, full of of family, friends, and rest!

I love the start of a new year! I feel like it's a chance to see things differently and to challenge yourself to grow. I don't really like resolutions, but I DO like real, attainable goals. I know I have taken time to set some for myself, both personally and professionally.

Before I give you an inside look at January, I want to rewind and make sure that I share the AMAZING kindness bag project. Your students, because of you families, packed 48 bags that were delivered to the homeless community right here in Tuscaloosa. My friend John Frye came to speak to our classes and delivered the bags himself. He was kind enough to share photos of that kindness in action:

I hope you think these pictures are as beautiful as I do.
I'll be back tomorrow with a January overview, including information about our Celebrations project.

The Internet is BACK!

We survived!

Our internet was restored last Thursday, and we are so glad! It's amazing how much we rely on the internet just for everyday routines like attendance, receipting, and of course communication! I am glad we are done with that. 

This week...
     
     - We will have IB Action Hero Day on Thursday. Dress like an action hero! 
     - Picture Day is Friday. 
     - Our first unit in Math will come to a close. 
     - Garden class will meet on Friday. 
     - We will study symbols to include: flags, seals, and landmarks. Think about how your               student could contribute to this conversation based on their experiences. Have they                 visited an important landmark? Is your family from another country or state? 
     - Ask your student about their narrative writing. This week, we are working to revise by            adding details. 

* If you still have your video permission slip from Miss Smith, please return it as soon as you are           able.

* Next Monday is our first field trip. We will leave for  the Bama as SOON as the buses arrive. Don't    be late!

Have a great week! 

Happy Monday!

Happy (3rd) Monday! 

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! I know that I am on the countdown to football season, so I spent this weekend making sure all of game gear is ready to go! :) 

Thank you so much for your patience with the Scholastic book orders. I am not sure why the site was down, but it appears to be back. I'll place the order tomorrow to give everyone a chance to log in. 

This week, we will use a picture book to introduce small group reading. Everyone will read A Bad Case of Stripes as we learn literature circle routines. 

Our first week of word study groups were a SUCCESS! Please continue to work with your student at home throughout the week, and always feel free to find ways to learn the vocabulary with them as well.

Friday is the first school-wide run of the year. If you can, come run! I think I will. :) It should be at 1:00 for us, but I will send a time when it is confirmed. 

Lastly, don't forget...NO SCHOOL next Monday! I am heading to Indianapolis to spend the weekend with my sister; I hope your family is able to have some fun, too! 

Have a great week! 

Four weeks to go...

Bits from the Birdhouse... D

4/20/15

Friends! We are down to the end! The last month of school is PACKED with activity, so be sure to watch all school communication closely. 

Please remember to sign your student up for the 5k in May. Students run for free!

There is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday. I forgot, and made book orders due on the 24th. Oops! Have them turned in by Monday the 27th instead. 

Be sure to ask your student about this week’s happenings! We will...

• Wrap up Natural Resources and our impact on the Earth.

• Continue working on problem solving strategies. 

• Finish The Magic Finger. 

• Work on biography poems as part of our celebration of National Poetry Month. 

• Finish our mini-reports about endangered animals.

• There will NOT be word study lists this week. 

• If The Most Important Thing book comes home with your student this week, please be sure to read and write a quick response. Thanks! 

We’re ready for a 

great week!

April has Arrived!

I don't know about you, but I am always floored at how quickly the school year flies by. I can't believe it's already April! Honestly, April can get a little tough. Expectations are high because we are almost third graders, and the struggle is real because everyone is starting to get antsy for summer. Please remind your student of the importance of completing work, both in class and at home and to remember classroom behavior expectations as the end of the year approaches.

Bits from the Birdhouse... D

4/6/15

Good morning! I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter weekend with family. 

Be sure to ask your student about this week’s happenings! We will...

• Continue to learn about Natural Resources and our impact on the Earth. 

• Begin our math unit about partners and teams, which is a foundation for multiplication. 

• Have new word study lists. Please be sure to study at home!

• Start a new novel, The Magic Finger. It is a wonderfully weird little story! :) 

• Work on opinion writing. 

• Take Classworks Math on Wednesday.

• If The Most Important Thing book comes home with your student this week, please be sure to read and write a quick response. Thanks! 

We’re ready for a 

great week!

Back to real life...

Bits from the Birdhouse... D

3/23/15

Welcome back from Spring Break! 

I hope that you were able to enjoy a great week with your family. I was able to visit Pensacola (which is where we lived before we came here), and it was so nice to see old friends. The more I go back to visit though, the more I have come to love Tuscaloosa. I really never thought that would happen, and I am so glad that it has! 

I can't believe that we are on the countdown to the end of second grade. It just doesn't seem possible! 

Please remember that Women's History projects are due on Friday. If your student misplaced theirs over break, PLEASE email me and I will happily send a second copy home. Also, Scholastic book orders are due on Friday. I sent an email with the class code for everyone just in case. 

Be sure to ask your student about this week’s happenings! We will...

• Introduce our new unit about Natural Resources.

• Begin our math unit all about fractions. 

• Have new word study lists. Please be sure to study at home!

• Start a new novel, Snow Day Dare. 

• Work on opinion writing.

• Have popcorn on Wednesday! 

• Teacher lunch is Thursday. If you can come sit with our class at 12:30, I would be so thankful! 

• Send report cards home on Friday. 

We’re ready for a 

great week!