September 28- October 2

Last week we had a surprise visit from Frank Cole who is the author of Hashbrown Winters. This was great for the students to talk with him and realize that they too could also be an author.

On Friday, Fundraiser packets were sent home. Please read the attached yellow note on the envelope. There are 10 spelling words that the students will get pledges for. We picked easy words because for every word they spell right our school gets money! The money the students earn pay for playground equipment, field trips, and many other student activities. Turn in the white envelopes to class by Thursday, October 8th so we can take our spelling test on Friday, October 9th which will be right on the envelope. On Friday the 9th, I will correct these 10 words and send envelopes home. Then students will collect money for words spelled correctly. Checks can be made to Coral Cliffs Elementary PTA. Students will return envelopes and money by October 16th. Everyone who returns the envelope will win a prize. 100% of all money raised will go directly to Coral Cliffs! The students are really excited about this, so if you have any questions please call Becky VanLehn at #435-862-5931.

Take Home Library has started! Parents please initial the slip of paper after your student reads their book and return back to school the next day! Be sure to record your reading minutes on your Reading Calendar for September. Students turn your reading calendar in on Thursday with at least 400 minutes and parent signature and you will be given a prize!

Language Arts: Reviewing Compound Words and learning Adjectives.

Phonics: We will be learning consonant blends- br, tr, fr, dr, pr, cr, and gr.

Writing: Students will learn how to include more details in their writing.

Science: Nutrition and Health

Math: In class we are learning Measurement and Geometry. Our math camp focus is patterns, number patterns, and growing patterns.

This week's math focus:
- Make connections among units of length.
- Use tools to measure length.
- Solve problems that involve length.
- Compare lengths.
- Measure with multiple copies of standard units of the same size, placed end to end.

September 21-25

Spelling went very well last week! I know a few of you are still confused with the spelling sorts. Please read the green papers I have sent home; these include step by step directions for each sort. Parents- feel free to keep asking questions; I promise it will get easier!

I hope everybody was able to enjoy the rodeo last weekend! On Thursday we had an exciting assembly with the Rodeo Queens and the clowns! Also, Reflection packets were sent home last week. If any students are interested in participating, turn in your entry form and media release form to either me or the office. The projects are due October 23rd.

I'm hoping Take-Home Library gets started today, Monday! Look for books coming home this week!

Reading: Last week we starting Guided Reading groups. During centers, it is my time to pull back kids in small groups based on their reading level. The students have been doing great and they're motivated to work hard with their reading.

Math: We will be finishing up Topic 2 and taking the test this week. We are starting Math Camp this week on Patterns.

This week's math focus:
- Create number stories with a given answer and complete the related number facts.
- Understand the relationship between addition and subtraction.
- Interpret, analyze, and represent data in a graph.
- Recognize length, capacity, and weight.
- Measure length with nonstandard units.

September 14-18

Last week was a great but crazy week! We had a lot going on and managed to get most of it done! Parents thank you for coming to Literacy Night on Wednesday. We had a great turn-out, and I know it will be beneficial to helping your child with their spelling homework.

Thanks, Becky and Ben VanLehn, for coming on Friday to celebrate Halli's birthday. The kids enjoyed having you here!

Also, a big THANKS to Laurie Caldwell and Becky VanLehn for being our Room Moms this year! I'm excited to get to work with you, and thank you for your time and support.

Language Arts: Compound Words

Science: We will be learning and talking about Germs.

Writing: We will start Writer's Workshop and learn how drawing pictures can be a prewriting activity.

Math: Keep practicing time at home.

This week's math focus:
- Choose the appropriate operation (+ or -) and use it to solve a story problem.
- Understand the relationship between addition and subtraction.
- Create number stories.
- Interpret, analyze, and represent data in a graph.

September 7-11

No School on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day!

Parents thank you so much for coming to your SEP conference! I enjoyed getting to know you and telling you all the wonderful things your kids are doing so far!

Remember- Wednesday, September 9th, is Literacy Night from 5-6 pm. Come learn the homework sorts with your child and get pizza provided by the school. Also, Friday, September 11th, is Picture Day!

This week Halli is our Big Kahuna! Her 8th birthday was Sunday, September 6th! Happy Birthday Halli!

Grandparent's Day is Sunday, September 13th! We will be creating cards for our grandparents!

Language Arts: We will continue learning about Verbs.

Reading Comprehension: We will focus on Connections.

Spelling: This week I will give the students a simple sort that we will practice and learn the different sorting activities together. I will not be testing the students on these words; they will just be used to practice the sorting patterns. On Friday, I will be sending their spelling homework with them that will be used for their first spelling test the following Thursday.

Math: We are still focusing on Time and are starting basic addition and subtraction facts.

This week's math focus:
- Solve subtraction problems that involve finding a missing addend.
- Solve subtraction problems that involve finding a difference.
- Choose the appropriate operation (+ or -) and use it to solve a story problem.
- Understand the relationship between addition and subtraction.

August 31- September 4

SEP WEEK- I look forward to meeting with you!

Last week we had a really fun and great week. On Friday the students met their 5th grade buddies. We will meet with them every Friday for an activity. The students love and look up to their buddies.

Just a Reminder- No School Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th for Labor Day! Enjoy your long four day weekend! I will be sending home homework on Thursday.

Save the Date- Wednesday, September 9th is Literacy Night from 5-6 pm. Come and learn the homework spelling sorts and enjoy pizza provided by the school! Also, Friday, September 11th is Picture Day!

Language Arts: We will begin learning about Verbs.

Writing: We are making sure that our sentences start with a capital and end with a period. Please watch for this at home. The students are doing a lot of writing, and it is fantastic! We just need to remember the mechanics.

Math: The 2nd grade is starting their first math camp. This is when all the second graders are given the same assessment on a certain concept; our current focus is time. Next, we split the students into four groups based on their ability and knowledge of time. Then we can focus on exactly what they need to work on. We meet for math camp everyday from 2:30-3:00.

Please practice time at home. Just an idea ... buy your child a watch, that is analog not digital, ask them what time it is through out the day!

Our math focus for this week is:
- Solve problems that involve addition.
- Write addition number sentences.
- Use the count-on strategy to add 1, 2, or 3.
- Use a double to add numbers by 1 or 2.
- Solve subtraction problems.

We will be learning about all kinds of safety.