Gift Exchange and Christmas Program

Christmas Program:
When:  Tuesday, December 20 at 2 pm and 7 pm
When kids should arrive:  6:30 pm
What to wear:  2 pm--standard of dress, 7 pm--standard of dress OR dressy clothes

Gift Exchange:
When:  Wednesday, December 21
What to bring:  a book or school supply, NOT gender specific, $5 spending limit, giver's name on the present

Upcoming News

Gift Exchange:
Just a reminder that 2nd grade is doing a gift exchange on December 21.  The spending limit is $5 and the gift can be either a book or a school supply.  Your child should have their name written on the from section of a gift tag, and the gifts should appeal to either gender.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Christmas Program:
Our Christmas program is December 20 at 2 PM and 7 PM.  For the program, the students should wear the following:
     ~2 PM: standard of dress
     ~7 PM: standard of dress OR dressy/Christmas clothes
Please plan on your child arriving to the school at 6:30 for the evening performance. 

Christmas Program Requests:
~There will be a special place for overflow parking (see the diagram below).  Please be very careful of children and pedestrians when pulling into any part of our parking areas.
~Please watch for the parking attendants as you pull in.  They have a plan!  It will make the parking situation better for everyone!
~Be very careful walking in as the ground in the overflow parking is not always level.
~Please stay seated immediately following the 2 pm and 7 pm performances.  For safety, the students must be picked up from the classrooms.  Our program is designed to allow the students to exit before the audience leaves the gym.
Thank you!

 

Book Orders and Gift Exchange

Book Orders:
Book orders are due by tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 6).  I will submit them after school.  Each order we get gives us points and rewards towards free books for the classroom!

Gift Exchange:

Second grade is having a gift exchange on Wednesday, December 21, the last day of school before Christmas break.

The students will each need to bring 1 gift (either a book or a school supply), wrapped and with their name on the “From” section of a gift tag.  Please limit your spending to $5 on the gift.  We will randomly exchange the gifts on the 21st, so please make sure the gifts are not gender specific.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Math Tutorial

Good afternoon!  Our math today laid the foundation for regrouping (you might have learned the term "carry the one" when you were growing up--same thing, different word).  We did some great practice in class today, but there are a lot of steps involved, so I told the kids I would put a mini tutorial here to help them if they get stuck (and to help you)!  :)

Note:  While this may seem tedious and confusing, it is essential to helping 2nd graders understand why we regroup (or "carry the one"), helping them to understand the math on a deeper level, rather than just learning the process.

Step 1:  Show the problem
Show the problem on the workmat.  For example, problem 1 on page 23 is 24+7, so students will show 2 tens and 4 ones, then add 7 ones.

 Step 2:  Add the ones and tens
Add the ones, then the tens.  Write the sums on the homework sheet.  Then decide if you need to regroup (you will need to regroup if the ones have 10 or more).  On problem 1 of page 23, there are 2 tens and 11 ones.  We will need to regroup.

Step 3:  Regroup, if needed
If there are less than 10 ones, you can skip this step.
If there are ten or more ones, regroup on the workmat.  Circle 10 ones and move them over to the tens, creating a new ten. On problem 1 of page 23, we group 10 ones together and create a new ten.  There is 1 one leftover.

Step 4:  Write the sum
Once you have regrouped, write the sum.  On problem 1 of page 23, there are now 3 tens and 1 one leftover.  The sum is 31.

I hope this helps!

Pentatonix

Today during lunch I showed the kids a video by Pentatonix, which is an a capella group.  They were pretty impressed with them, especially the video with them clapping and using their bodies to make the percussion sounds.  I told them I would put the link on the blog.  At the end of the video, they can click on another video that teaches them the choreography.

Here's the link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10drRI3VQ0

Book Orders and Christmas Program

Book Orders:
If you plan on ordering books from our book order, please remember to submit those by Tuesday, December 6.  I will be officially submitting the order after school that day.

Christmas Program:
Save the date!  Our Christmas program will be on Tuesday, December 20 at 2 pm and 7 pm.  Invite friends and family!

I have gotten some questions on what the students are expected to wear for the Christmas program.  Here's the information I have:
     2 PM: Standard of dress
     7 PM:  dressy church/Christmas clothes

Book Orders

We didn't do book orders while I was on maternity leave.  So, the first book orders of the year are going home today!  They are due on December 6.  I am only accepting online orders this year, and there is a link on the blog for book orders.  You will need the class code on the note attached to the book orders.  They should be here in time for Christmas break, so if you are ordering Christmas presents for your child, please let me know.  We can find a sneaky way to get it to you. :)  Happy shopping!

Conferences

Good afternoon!

Conferences are coming up soon.  As of today, every 2nd grade family has received an e-mail with information on how to sign up.  If you did not receive it, please let me know and we will make sure we get you signed up.  If you are not signed up by 3:00 PM on Wednesday (November 16), I will be signing you up for a time slot.  So, please take a moment to go online and sign up for a conference time that works for you!  If nothing listed works, please let me know and we will find another time to meet.  Thank you!

Back in the Saddle!

Good afternoon!

I have had a great first day back from maternity leave!  I really had missed these kids, and it is so fun to be their teacher again!  We have a short week, but it will be filled with learning and fun!

Operation Christmas Child:
We will be packing OCC boxes with our buddies tomorrow afternoon.  If your child would like to bring a special item or letter to include in their box, please have them bring it to school tomorrow.  We will be packing boxes right after lunch.

Tests on THURSDAY This Week:
We will be taking spelling and memory work tests on THURSDAY this week, since there is no school on Friday.  Please work with your child so they are prepared for the tests.  They will also be given extra time in class to study.

Veterans' Day Chapel:
Our Veterans' Day chapel is this Wednesday, November 9 at 8:40 AM.  Please feel free to join us and invite any veterans that you know!  We would love to honor them!

A Visit from Baby Josh (and Mrs. Picker)!

Hi again!  This is Mrs. Picker writing a new post on the blog!  After 8 weeks of enjoying my time getting to know my new son, I got to come back and visit my class today!  I have missed these kids over the last two months, but I know they were in excellent hands.  Ms. Rhodes has kept me in the loop about what was going on in the classroom, and she has shared some wonderful insight on each individual student.  I know she has loved these kids and has worked hard to make sure they each get what they need to succeed.  We were all truly blessed by her these last two months.

I am looking forward to starting back on Monday!  There will be a time of adjustment as both I and the students work on getting back into the rhythm that we were just falling into before my maternity leave.  Ms. Rhodes did an excellent job keeping the kids on track and following my procedures, so I am confident the transition will be as swift and smooth as possible.

I am excited to have had a chance to visit with the kids today.  Josh even woke up to  visit with them, and I'm sure he loved the ooh's and aah's he got from all of the kids!  I look forward to getting to know each of your kids more and more as we embark on the rest of the school year together.  Have a blessed weekend and I will see you on Monday!

Operation Christmas Child, Spelling Words and Memory Work

On Tuesday, November 7th our class will be working with the 7th graders to pack Operation Christmas Child boxes. We are still in need of 9 plastic bins with lids (shoe box size). Students can also bring a picture of themselves or family to attach to the letter they are going to write with the 7th graders and/or stickers to share as well.


Spelling Words:
1. Mr.
2. Mrs.
3. Dr.
4. Jan.
5. Aug.
6. Dec.
7. Tues.
8. Wed.
9. Sun. 
10. St.
11. rehearse
12. search
13. before
14. blue
15. room

Challenge Words:
16. cranes
17. directions
18. promise
19. twitch
20. worry

Memory Work:
"[God said, ] 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.' " --Isaiah 43:1

Monday Announcements

There will be no Spelling or Memory Work this week, enjoy the vacation! 

Spirit Wear Last Day is tomorrow!

Operation Christmas Child is underway and we are getting ready for a packing party with the 7th graders on November 8th.We are hoping to fill 10 boxes as a class. If any of you would like to donate a plastic bin (shoe box size) with a lid, we would really appreciate it. Stickers and /or a picture of your 2nd grader can also be sent. We will be writing letters with our 7th grade buddies to put in our OCC boxes as well.

Have a great week!

Spelling Words and Memory Work

Spelling Words:

1. learn
2. earnest
3. earth
4. heard
5. pearl
6. search
7. rehearse
8. earn
9. yearn
10. research
11. horseback
12. rocket
13. early
14. pretty
15. someone

Challenge Words: 

16. alongside
17. chores
18. engine
19. simple
20. sprout

Memory Work: 

"Blessed be the Lord, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me." --Psalm 31:21

Picture Day Reminder

Thursday, 10/13 is picture day! Please make sure your child brings back their picture money envelopes.

Also, 2nd grade will be taking their Chapter 2 Math Test tomorrow. As a class we reviewed the chapters contents and each student was encouraged to study at home.


 

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday 2nd grade families! It was exciting to be back in class today with all the discussions of Fall Fest and other events that our kids participated in this weekend!

Below are the Spelling Words and Memory Work for this week. As a reminder to students, tomorrow, Tuesday 10/11, is FREE DRESS DAY!


Spelling Words: 
1. black
2. pack
3. crack
4. snack
5. horseback
6. lock
7. rocket
8. flock
9. shock
10. clock
11. appreciate
12. acrobat
13. grow
14. last
15. mouse

Challenge Words: 
16. enormous
17. grew
18. planted
19. strong
20. turnip


Memory Work: 
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life."
--John 3:14-15

MAP Testing, Spelling Words and Memory Work

Day 1 of MAP (Math) Testing is done! We will continue with Reading on Thursday morning. Your 2nd graders worked hard, I am very proud of them! 

 

Spelling: 

 

1. sat 

2. ate

3. acrobat

4. flat

5. that

6. fat

7. gate

8. appreciate

9. create

10. state

11. worried

12. studied

13. children 

14. each

15. girl

 

Challenge Words: 

16. amazing 

17. clustered

18. gathered

19. raced

20. wandered  

Memory Work:   The Memory Work scripture on your child's Homework and Behavior Record is actually an explanation, not the scripture they need to memorize. I am sending them home with the correct scripture below. 

 

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

-Rev. 21:4

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

We had a great week in 2nd grade! Next week we begin MAP Testing on Monday morning and again on Thursday morning. Please encourage your 2nd graders to eat well, sleep lots and have a relaxing weekend!

This afternoon we played Where We Live - Washington Jeopardy! Below is the link if you are interested in playing a round with your 2nd grader!

https://jeopardylabs.com/play/where-we-live-washington2

Spelling Words and Memory Work

Happy Monday!

Our Spelling and Memory Tests will be this Friday, September 30th.

Spelling Words:
1. cried
2. hurried
3. replied
4. fried
5. tried
6. worried
7. carried
8. copied
9. married
10. studied
11. remarked
12. finished
13. alone
14. river
15. think

Challenge Words:
16. fine
17. cheer
18. meadow
19. reason
20. spoiled

Memory Work: 

"The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation."
 --Exodus 15:2

Math and 2nd Grade Humor

Math:

2nd grade is finishing up Chapter 1 in Math. We will be doing a review tomorrow and the Chapter test will be on Friday morning. Your students have been actively participating in Math lessons and we have faced the challenges together as the work becomes progressively more challenging and exciting!!  As a reminder, the list below includes the material that has been covered in Chapter 1.

• Lesson 1: Tens and Ones
• Lesson 2: Place Value to 100
• Lesson 3: Problem-Solving Strategy: Use Logical Reasoning (ask your child what this means, they are superstars!)
• Lesson 4: Read and Write Numbers
• Lesson 5: Estimate Amounts
• Lesson 6: Order Numbers
• Lesson 7: Compare Numbers
• Lesson 8: Patterns 
• Lesson 9: Problem-Solving Investigation: Choose a Strategy
• Lesson 10: Patterns on a Hundred Chart 

2nd Grade Humor:

How does NASA get ready for a party?

•  They planet!

Spelling, Memory Work and Other Monday Business!

2nd grade is chugging along! I feel so fortunate to be working with your students. They are bright, energetic and amazing little people.

Below you will find the spelling words for this week. Challenge words are also included. Your child knows if they will be doing these words, so please check in with them.

Week 4 Spelling List:  
1. barked
2. licked
3. backed
4. thanked
5. painted
6. opened
7. mailed
8. remarked
9. checked
10. finished
11. mistake
12. became
13. about
14. few
15. same

Challenge Spelling Words:
16. chipmunks
17. picked
18. sniffing
19. south
20. woods

Memory Work:
"For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." ---Psalm 86:5

Fall Fest:
Fall Fest packets were turned in today, money was collected, counted and returned back to your students to raise more! I am so impressed with our class for working so hard on that this weekend, let's keep it up and WIN the classroom prize!  

Have a wonderful week and please let me know if you have any questions!
mrhodesbl@outlook.com

Week 3 Spelling Words & Memory Work

Your 2nd graders are bringing home their Homework and Behavior Records today (they're bright orange, can't miss em').

Week 3 Spelling Words:

1.games
2. take
3. make
4. name
5. flame
6. same
7. became
8. brake
9. snake
10. mistake
11. eyelid
12. slide
13. line
14. more
15. together

Memory Work:

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matthew 5:44

Joshua Wayne Picker

Joshua Wayne Picker has arrived! He was born on Saturday, September 10th.
Weighing in at 8 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long, he is one handsome little man! Mama Picker and baby boy are both doing well!

As Mrs. Picker sends more information (and hopefully more pictures!), I will keep you and the 2nd grade class updated!
Thank you for keeping the Picker family in your prayers.

Good Luck Mrs. Picker!

Hello Parents!

Today is Mrs. Picker's last day until after maternity leave, hopefully baby boy Picker will join their sweet family very soon!  We are praying for a quick and safe delivery!

I had the opportunity to shadow Mrs. Picker this week. I feel so fortunate to have had this time to learn classroom routines and procedures as well as get to know your 2nd graders. I look forward to working with your children while Mrs. Picker is gone.

Like Mrs. Picker, I will be updating the blog regularly with information about upcoming events, special instructions or clarification on homework as well any other important information. Please feel free to email me any questions or concerns that you may have. mrhodesbl@outlook.com. 


I look forward to this time with your students and thank you in advance for your support!

Meghan Rhodes  

Flash Cards and Spelling Pretest

I hope you all had a great, restful three day weekend!  I know I needed it after the first week of school!  I wanted to let you know about a couple of things that are new this week:

Flash Cards:
The students started cutting out their yellow flash cards today.  These flash cards can be used for their nightly 5 minutes of flash cards.  If they are not done cutting them out, please have your child finish cutting them out at home tonight. Then they will put the cut flash cards in the Ziploc bag and put that in the little pocket in their homework folder.  Please have the students put their initials and their number on the back of each flash card--that way we can return them to the correct person should they be misplaced.

Spelling Pretest:
We had our first spelling pretest this morning.  The kids take this test at the beginning of each week before they see the spelling words.  The purpose of this test is to show the students which spelling words they already know and which they need to study a bit harder.  It does not count toward their spelling grade--it is just a diagnostic tool for them to assess which words they need to spend more time on during the week. 

We Did It!

We survived our first week of school!

 

Today was our first memory work test.  The students had a fill-in-the-blank format for this, as they will each week.  Today the students also continued working on their reading baseline test.  I look forward to finishing this next week and seeing the results and adjusting my teaching based on where the students are.

After lunch we had the exciting opportunity to meet our 7th grade reading buddies!  We will meet with them each Friday afternoon to read and get to know them.  After reading buddies, the students got to start their Interactive Journals.  This is an opportunity for the students to write to me, including pictures if they want to, and I write back each week.  It is a neat chance for me to get to know the students on a different level.

The students also got their AR levels today.  You received a pink note (in their homework folders), giving you the results of the STAR test, which gives the students their levels.  Take a look at that when you get home!

The students also had their 2nd P.E. session with Mr. Haynes.  Ask them what they did!

We also talked about our purple hand pledge: "I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others."  We discussed what this meant, how to best use our hands and words, and then the students took the pledge.  To symbolize our pledge, the students made a purple handprint and signed it.  These will be displayed on our classroom door throughout the year to remind us of our pledge.

Reminder:  No school on Monday--Labor Day!

4 Days In!

This morning was pretty special.  We had a chance to do a Question and Answer session with our pastors, Pastor Mark and Pastor Andy!  They will be teaching Christian Studies to the 2nd graders when I am on maternity leave.  The kids got a chance to talk to them and get to know them better.  Ask them what they learned about Pastor Mark and Pastor Andy!

Our math today focused on algebra (very basic, of course), and measurement.  I am impressed with the students' understanding of math and their willingness to answer in front of the class!

The students took the first half of their reading baseline test.  Like the math placement test, this test doesn't factor into Their reading grades--it is a tool I use to see where the students are starting the year in math to better inform my teaching.

Reminders: Tomorrow is our first memory work test!  We also have P.E., so students should wear lace-up shoes and should bring their water bottles.

First Wednesday of the Year!

Now that we are settling into our first week of school, we started our first math lessons!  Today we focused on problem solving and numbers and operations (addition and subtraction).  We also had a chance to share The Rainbow Fish and work on a book report as a class.  The book report was on the moral of the story.  Ask them what the moral of the story was!

After lunch, the students had their first Spanish session with Mrs. Borgmann.  Ask them about Nacho!

They also got a chance to start their All About Me book--look for this to come home in the coming weeks!

Reminders:

Gym shoes:  If your child hasn't brought their gym shoes to school yet, please send them by the end of the week.  Mr. Haynes starts them off in the gym pretty early so he can get their fitness testing done, so they are needed ASAP!

Computer Use Form:  Please make sure you go over this with your child, sign it, have them sign and date it, and bring it back soon.  I'd like all of these returned by the end of the week.
Hot Lunch:  Hot lunch order forms for September are due THIS FRIDAY, September 2.

First Full Day

We got more into the swing of things today with our first full day of school.  I wouldn't be surprised if your 2nd grader needs a nap this afternoon--I know I will need one!  :)  

The students took a tour of their desk, becoming more comfortable with where things are and what tools they have to work with.  They also took a math placement test.  This test does not go towards their grade--it is simply a tool I use to better understand where each student is starting the year in math.  

The students also learned about our classroom procedures, including how to check out books from our classroom library.  We did a tour of the classroom and we talked about the jobs--ask your child if they have a job this week!

Some students had the chance to do their STAR test, which will give them their AR levels.  We will (hopefully) finish everyone's STAR test by the end of the week!

The students also had their first P.E. session with Mr. Haynes today.  Ask them what they did!

Computer Use Form:  We went over the computer use form.  This form needs to be signed by the student, their legal guardian, and returned before the student can use the computer lab.  Please return this by the end of the week.

First Day as Second Graders!

Today was the first day of school and it went so quickly!  We started off with chapel, led by Mr. Haan.  Ask your child what he talked about (a reminder for them: Olympics)!  Then we had a short time in the classroom to get acquainted with each other and with our desks.    The students got their mail and checked out their first homework sheet.  Here's what you need to know:

Hot Lunch Forms:  Hot lunch forms went home today.  They are due THIS FRIDAY (September 2), so it is a quick turn around this time!

Yellow Homework Sheet:  Your child is bringing home their first homework sheet with their reading log, memory work, etc.  This week, the reading log is EXTRA CREDIT.  I am encouraging the students to practice doing the 20 minutes of reading and getting their log signed, but there is no consequence if they forget this week.  

Memory Work:  There is not spelling list this week, but we will be having a memory work test on Friday.  The memory work is on their yellow sheet.  Our memory work tests are fill-in-the-blank and are given first thing in the morning on Fridays.

Getting to Know Mrs. Picker Event!

Click here for information about an event that I will be doing in place of home visits this year!  I hope to see you there!