After only 8 days...

Wow! I can't believe everything we have accomplished in a week and a half of school! We are well into our first Math investigation. Be sure to ask your students about using math tools, the games they play in math, and math workshop in second grade. In reading, we are diligently working to finish start of the school year assessments so we can accurately move students forward in their reading. We have started reader's workshop and learned how to rotate through stations while I am working with a student or small group. The new writing program is off and running! I am learning a lot this year as well, and am excited to see how I improve as a writing teacher while my students improve as a writer. Ask your student about "letting their story grow" and telling it across their fingers. Remind them to think of ideas to record in their idea file, and that those ideas can come from anywhere! We have introduced the first I.B. theme of the year, How We Organize Ourselves. Students should be able to start telling you what it means to be part of a community, both locally and globally. The first project letter came home today (Wednesday), and I can't WAIT to get this project started. I already have photos from a few really awesome places, thanks to my friends. I used FaceBook to network with my well-traveled friends- you can do the same in addition to the mailed letter. This is the first time for this particular project in second grade. It came about in our reflection on last year's community unit. We really want to emphasize the internationally-minded aspect of I.B., and hope that this project will be a great start. For all of the truly wonderful things, we have had a few bumps in the road. Most of them will fade as students adjust to second grade and move away from being first graders. However, please talk with your students about listening the first time, asking friends for help first, and taking care of themselves rather than making sure everyone else is doing the right thing. :) This has been THE best start to a school year. This year is going to be great!