Spring Break is HERE!

Hello 2-3 Families,

While the weather may not be cooperating, spring break is here!  I just wanted to pass along a few things before you take a week to relax!!

2nd GRADE PRIDE!
Wednesday was our spring Spirit Day and each grade level was assigned a color.  2nd graders wore RED and we were proud to do so!!

CONFERENCES
It was so nice meeting with many of you to discuss the progress of your children.  For those that need to have conferences rescheduled, we can find a time that works best either before school, after school, or via phone to discuss your child's progress.

REPORT CARD ENVELOPES
If you have not done so already, please sign and send back your child's report card envelope.  We still have 1 more trimester to go through and I will send the envelopes home for you to keep in June.

SPECIAL DELIVERY
Our Australia unit has wrapped up and we had a safe flight home.  We saw so many wonderful places, ate incredible new foods, and learned about the rich history of Australia.  I hope you have all received something special in the mail from your child's trip to the Land Down Under!!  Up next, we will be learning about the history of Arlington Heights.  During this unit we will also be taking a trip to the AH Historical Society.  I will be contacting those of you who signed-up to volunteer in a couple weeks with more details.  If you have not yet had an opportunity to volunteer in the classroom or go on a field trip and would like to do so, please let me know and I will do my best to get you involved!

AU ANIMAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
The students of 2-3 are so excited about their AU Animal Research Project.  Who knew that so many unique animals can be found solely in Australia!  Just a reminder that these project are due on Tuesday April 2nd and the kids will be presenting them to their classmates that week.  I am very excited to see the projects the kids create!


I wish you all a safe, relaxing, and FUN spring break!  See you in April!

- Danielle

Bi-Weekly Update

Hello 2-3 Families,

I hope you've all had a great week.  I can't believe that next week is our last week before spring break!  Here is a look at what we have been up to the past 2 weeks....


PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME!
Each child has an envelope in his/her backpack that contains trimester 2 progress reports! You will notice that the comments for this trimester have been stapled onto the report card.  This is a new format that we are trying out since it allows us to be free from character/word restrictions for how much information we can type.   I am very proud of the hard work that the students in 2-3 have been putting into their work.  Parents, you may see that some grades did not change or went down.  Please do not be alarmed by this.  The material the students have been learning has increased in difficulty since the first trimester.  Also, my expectations of the students have gone up so I am expecting more from their performance and effort.  I am looking forward to speaking with everyone at conferences next week!  If you need a reminder of your time, just let me know and I will email it to you!  Please remember that our conferences are only 20 minutes!  I love speaking with each of you and I will try my best to stay right on schedule during our conferences next week.  If there is anything we would need to speak about at length, I will gladly schedule additional time for another day! I look forward to seeing you next week!

IT'S ALL GREEK TO US!
Today we completed another Genius Hour project and this time we traveled to GREECE!  The kids spent the afternoon researching information about Greece, the history of the Olympics, Greek Mythology, food, animals, and fun facts.  Today the kids compiled their research and on Monday they will create their videos about what they studies   I will post them all on our blog once I have been able to upload them.  Such a fun and informative afternoon!!

AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL PROJECT
Just a reminder that the Australian animal projects will be due on April 2nd when we return from spring break.  Every student in the classroom has chosen an animal to research and create their own presentation about.  I am looking forward to learning more about these animals and seeing the kids' creativity come through in their projects.

PERIMETER AND AREA
Unit 9 in math has focused on measuring objects.  This week the kids learned about perimeter and area.  I explained the difference between these two types of measurements by telling the kids when thinking about perimeter, picture a fence going around a yard.  The fence goes around the yard and the perimeter is the measurement around the outside of something.  The area measures the amount of space inside an object.  Many of the students told me that they have area rugs inside different rooms of their homes.  I said when thinking about area, picture an area rug and that goes inside your home so when you measure the area, yo are measure the amount of space inside of an object.  Perimeter -- measures around the outside.  Area -- measures the amount of space inside.

SHARE YOUR SOLES SHOE DRIVE
At the beginning of the year, I mentioned a shoe drive project to help the kids show others around the world that they matter by donating their gently used shoes.  I am thrilled to say that the 'SHARE YOU SOLES' Shoe Drive will be taking place during the Just Move It! Challenge on Saturday, April 13th.  Please see the flyer below for all the necessary details.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

-Danielle

A Fun Day by Katerina

Hello 2-3,

Please give a warm welcome to our blogger, Katerina!

Today I brought in my my sea frog, Devin.  He likes to swim in his tank a lot.  He is a boy, but lots of people think he is a girl because his tank has pink rocks in it.  His favorite color is green.  At night he likes to sleep on a green colored rock.  He is not a very good listener.  Today was a fun day!

- Katerina

Weekly News -- MARCH 1, 2013

Hello 2-3 Families!

It is so exciting that March has finally arrived.  While it has been a lot of fun watching the kids have a chance to enjoy all the snow, I am ready for longer days and warmer weather!  Your kids have been working so hard.  Here is a look at what has been happening in 2-3.


TREASURES
This week we learned all about “Habitats and Homes.”  This week we talked about making inferences.  We learned that we can make an inference by putting together what we read about with what we already know about that topic!  We had the opportunity to practice this skill while reading our main story selection, Nutik, the Wolf Pup. Next week is a review week and we will be taking a look back at the various vocabulary, grammar skills, and reading strategies we covered during Unit 4! It is hard to believe we only have 2 reading units left until the end of the school year!

MATH CHAPTER 8 - FRACTIONS
I know, I know.....fractions are hard!  I am so proud of how diligently the class has worked on their fraction skills over the past few weeks.  I have put together a little video to show you how I have been teaching fractions in class.  While we took the Chapter 8 test today, that does not mean we are done with fractions.  The Everyday Math program is a spiraling program so we will continue working on fractions for the rest of the year.  If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!

MATH FACT PRACTICE
Having a solid grasp of basic (0-20) addition and subtraction math facts will allow your child to confidently take on larger addition and subtraction problems.  While we are currently practicing subtraction facts everyday in class, home reinforcement is important as well.  Inside each students' folder is their login information for the Everyday Math website.  There are a variety of addition and subtraction activities that your child can work on at home.  Everyone also has login information for the Xtra Math website as well.  I know many of you are using this website and it definitely shows!  I want the students to be as confident as possible when it comes to their math skills.  Having a solid grasp of their basic facts is a great start!

CONFERENCES
Thank you for getting your conference confirmation forms back to me so quickly.  I am really looking forward to meeting with everyone to discuss your child's progress.  It is so hard to believe we are getting ready for the final push of the school year!  I cannot believe how fast the time goes.  If you are unable to attend conferences I will be reaching out to you to schedule a meeting either in person or by phone.  Thank you for all that you do for your children.  I feel so lucky that I get to spend part of each day with them!

AUSTRALIA ANIMAL RESEARCH
I cannot wait to see the projects the kids come up with for their Australian Animal Research Project. They had until today to turn their forms in and each child has been assigned an animal.  The kids have until April 2nd to complete their projects.  This is going to be so much fun!!  Your child's form is in their red folder.

Next week will will continue our travels through Australia and our Classroom Blogger will update you on our experiences there!  Have a safe and warm weekend!

- Danielle Porte

G'Day Mates by Ryan

Please welcome our 2-3 Blogger this week, Ryan!  

We are learning about Australia.  We have an Australia packet that we write in when learn new facts and information.  The kangaroo lives in Australia.  It carries its baby in its pouch.  It is a marsupial.  A baby kangaroo is called a joey.  I am looking forward to learning more about kangaroos.  Thanks for reading!

-Ryan

Weekly News from 2-3!

Hello 2-3 Families!

It has been such a great week in 2-3.  Take a look at what we have been up to......

G'DAY MATE!
This week the 2nd graders packed their suitcases, grabbed their passports, and headed to the Land Down Under!  We will be learning about Australia and doing a cultural comparison between life there and life in the USA.  The 2nd graders are also completing a special research project in the LMC where they have been broken into research groups and are studying the various territories in Australia.  It has been such an incredible hands-on learning experience so far!  We will be staying in Australia for the next several weeks, but I promise to keep you updated on our travels and experiences! We have to thank a special substitute in our building, Mr. Piper-Ballou for providing us with some goodies from United Airlines.  When Mr. Piper-Ballou isn't subbing, he works for United which happens to be the airline we flew to Australia.  Thank you so much Mr. Piper-Ballou for making our travels special!  G'day mates!!

WE LOVE 2nd GRADE
We had so much Valentine's spirit this week!  Thank you Mrs. Colias, Mrs. Woodland, and Mrs. Hasan for organizing such a fun Valentine's party for our class.  We had sweet and healthy snacks, played a fun game of bingo, and showed our classmates how much we can for them with the valentines that were passed out.  Mrs. Colias also worked with the kids to complete a VERY FUNNY "Dear Teacher" Mad Lib....check out all the pictures below.  I received so many special treats yesterday, I definitely felt the love!  I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day too!



MATH UPDATE
This week we took our Unit 7 math test.  I am so proud of the hard work and effort the kids put into this test.  They did an awesome job.  Next week we will begin Unit 8 -- Fractions.   Fractions can be a difficult concept to grasp.  I will be working to use a variety of strategies so that all the kids can feel successful in grasping the concept of fractions.  If you find that your child is becoming frustrated with the math Home Link that is sent home, please let me know.  The homework is meant to be a reinforcement of what was learned in class and should be able to be completed fairly independently.  If your child is struggling with the homework, I want to make sure to help reinforce that skill set in the classroom.

MRS. SESSLER IN JAPAN
Last Friday, our wonderful principal, Mrs. Sessler, left for Japan.  She has spent the week visiting schools and learning about the similarities and differences between school here and school in Japan.  We can't wait to hear all about it when she returns next week.  If you haven't had the chance to check out her blog yet, please do!  http://drydendolphinpride.blogspot.com 

Don't forget there is NO SCHOOL on MONDAY FEBRUARY 18th.  Next Thursday (February 21st) will operate as a Monday schedule so instead of having LMC, the kids will have music and gym.

Have a wonderful and safe long weekend!

-Danielle Porte

Reminders for This Week

Hello 2-3 Families!

I hope you are all enjoying the snow we have.  The sledding hill by our house has been filled with families!!  I just have a few quick reminders about some things happening this week......

1. BOOK FAIR
The annual PTA Book Fair launched yesterday!  The kids were so excited to preview all of the wonderful books available for purchase.  Please note that students are only allowed to shop during their recess and lunch times.  Students are not permitted to shop during the lunch hour until they have finished their lunch.  Tonight, 2/6, is FAMILY FUN NIGHT!!  We hope you can stop by!  The Book Fair will run through tomorrow.  Thank you to the PTA for all of their hard work in putting on such a great event to promote reading!

2. THE 100th DAY OF SCHOOL
Can you believe that tomorrow is the 100th day of school?  Time sure flies when you are having fun!  Yesterday I sent home bags with each student labeled "My 100 Bag."  Students are encouraged to bring in 100 of something that will fit into the bag so we can celebrate 100 days of learning together tomorrow!

3.  SHOE TYING
I have been noticing lately that there are several students in 2-3 who are not familiar with how to tie their shoes.  Being that the kids are wearing boots and then changing into gym shoes when they get to school, I strongly encourage your children to practice tying their shoes at home. I have been working on this skill with them in class, but continued practice outside of the classroom will be helpful.   This is an important skill for your children to master because it allows them to tie their own shoes when an adult is not available.  Thank you for your help with this.

I hope you are all having a great week! Let's hope Phil's Groundhog's Day forecast was correct and that spring is just around the corner.

- Danielle Porte