Spelling & Homework

In addition to a new homework packet comes another spelling list for the week. However, this spelling list comes with additional homework for the students to complete. Wahoo!!

Students are going back over words that end in -ly or -y that have the /ee/ sound. Spelling also includes a homework activity on the back that helps them learn the spelling for each word by placing them in alphabetical order. This is due on Friday with the other homework assignments. 

We had a mini lesson in the classroom on how to alphabetize, and will continue to also do different examples of alphabetizing throughout the week and the rest of the school year. I encourage you, to after this week, go beyond the spelling list and have your child continue alphabetizing. For example, your family names, cereal boxes, spices, cookbooks, ect. Could help your house and kitchen get organized at the same time! :)

What is Your Opinion??

We have had several lessons thus far learning how to write a letter persuading someone to do something. Our new unit includes teaching second graders how to write a persuasive letter. They are understanding, when trying to persuade someone, you are trying to convince them to agree with your opinion, to change their mind, and to essentially think more in your direction. We talked about the difference between fact and opinion, by giving reasons from their point of view that they believe will support their topic. We are leading our learning towards our new learning goals for writing. 

Persuasive papers are beginning to introduce ideas with opening sentences, then using transition words to lead into three reasons, and wrap up with a closing sentence. In addition to the format, students are also selecting different goals to work on while they are writing in order to become a better author and to produce a quality piece of writing.

Students are doing fantastic with this new genre of writing! They are engaged in this new type of writing and are really showing excitement by giving their opinion on an array of topics. 

March is READing Month!

March is the month for doing extra special activities focused around READING! Each day there is a special assignment students can participate in to bring out there excitement for reading and to show their love and passion for reading. Here is the schedule for this week:

Monday

I can read with eyes wide shut

Wear a t-shirt you can read

Here are all the students (who wanted their picture taken) who wore a t-shirt with words to read!

Tuesday

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish day

Read one book, read two books, read a red book, or read a blue book

Wednesday

Dr. Seuss Birthday!
Wear stripes, polka dots, and/or bright clothes 

Thursday

Lorax Day!

Be on the lookout for the Lorax today!

Friday

Cat in the Hat Day!

Wear a hat to school today

Fractions

As you have heard in conferences, we are at the tail end of fractions pushing ourselves into more challenging content. The students have two sets of learning goals that we are diving into! We are working with our required second grade goals, but also dabbling in goals that go beyond!

Below you will see students not only comparing fractions of different sizes, but also trying to identify equivalent fractions. They are beginning to understand the value of fractions can be the same, but the form of the fractions changes. 

We are using many different tools (fraction cubes, fraction strips, peers, etc.) and resources to deepen our understanding.

 

 

 

 

Spelling

This weeks spelling list revolves around the theme of the /aw/ sound.

War of 1812

This domain will introduce students to an important period in the history of the United States—the time during the War of 1812. The War of 1812 is, perhaps, best remembered as the war that gave birth to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Students will also learn why the War of 1812 is often called America’s second war for independence. Students will learn how the United States was affected by the Napoleonic Wars between France and Great Britain. They will learn about James and Dolley Madison, and their direct connection to the War of 1812. Students will learn about Great Britain’s three-part plan to win back the United States. This includes attacks on Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and the Battle of New Orleans. This domain will build the foundation for learning about Westward Expansion, The U.S. Civil War, and Immigration later in Grade 2.

Within our new domain of the War of 1812, we have learned about a few influential people in American history. We have seen many portraits and small descriptions that give short  accomplishments of a persons life. Students were able to create their own self portrait of their own to show their significance and what makes them unique. They turned out very interesting and special!

Reminders...

Last week was a very busy week! Parent/Teacher Conferences, two different birthdays, Presidents Day, and a field trip all on top of our daily routine. Hopefully everyone was able to get rest and enjoy the beautiful weekend! We are heading into another fun filled week!!

Field Trip

Thursday was our field trip to Central Grade Schools (Lars Hockstad) for Charlotte's Web. It was a GREAT play that fully engaged the students. We are currently finishing our read aloud in the classroom Charlotte's Web where we are extending our learning to find similarities and differences between the play and story. Conversation continues by finding connections to personal experiences, and also cross text connections. 

 

WW Blackstar Farms Event

Friday, March 4

Our goal at Westwoods is to give each student the best literacy support available. This fundraiser is to help support our literacy programs K-5 for 2016-2017 school year. 

Tickets are $100 each. The dinner will include a three course meal with wine pairings and a cash bar available. Please use the link below to sign up. Also please invite anyone that would be interested in this event to 

  https://events.bytepro.net/evening-of-art

Parent/Teacher Conferences

It has been so great to meet with many of your last week for two rounds of conferences! We have been able to discuss the successes, growth, concerns, and future plans of your child. This has helped to keep you involved and updated on the direction of where your child is academically and behaviorally. All you do outside of school to help your child's educational experience has made a difference. Thank you for your continued support! The extra effort of helping with homework, giving the friendly reminders that help to strengthen responsibility and independence, and constantly encouraging their attitudes helps! 

I look forward to my last round of conferences this up coming Wednesday!

Carnival

Friday, February 26

Volunteers are needed!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaac2ca5fd0-2016

Valentines!

We had a bit of a late start to our party, due to extra learning in math. Hard to stop once you get into the groove! However, looking at the smiles on all their faces and their extreme flexibility to an always changing schedule, they did not mind at all! Our celebration was a success!! Valentines were handed out with a lot of excitement and energy! Then students found their space and buddies to spread out the love and sneak a peak at the awesome notes from their peers!

Happy Valentines Day!!

 

 

 

McNitt Updates & Reminders

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/teacher conferences start next week! Looking forward to meeting and seeing you all again! I still have some families that have not signed up for a time and date to meet. I have sent e-mails to those families, but please sign up for a date that corresponds with your schedule as soon as you can. Slots have filled fast, but there is still availability left. Here is the website to use:

https://ptcfast.com/schools/Westwoods_Elementary

Thank you!

Valentines Celebration

A note regarding our Valentine celebration went home last week. We will be celebrating that afternoon with an exchange of Valentines, a small snack and a Valentine craft. We are keeping our Valentine party on a healthier note, so please do not send in any additional cookies, candy or goodies for our celebration. I am providing popcorn for the kiddos as my treat and that will be all the food we need to help keep our minds and bodies healthy and in check for the rest of the afternoon.  Please also remind your child to bring in a box or bag (option of decorating) to store their Valentine cards in and to transport home. 

If you have any further questions please let me know. Thank you for your support!

Field Trip

Thursday, Feb. 18th

Due to my absence Tuesday and a snow day Wednesday, the intended parent permission slip and note home has obviously not yet made it home. However, please look for this in your child's communicator Thursday. I have below what the parent letter home will entail that includes details for the day and what I need from parents to allow their child to leave school grounds. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you!

Hello Families!

We have a field trip coming up on Thursday February 18^th! All second grade classrooms will be traveling to Lars Hockstad Auditorium at Central Grade School to view the play Charlotte’s Web.

The play begins at 12:30 that afternoon, which means busses will be leaving Westwoods at 12:00. Our regular lunch time has been moved to 11:30 to attend the play on time. Which means students will still be enjoying lunch at Westwoods and can follow their normal routine of hot or cold lunch that day. We will return back to school around 2:00.

We are asking for a $4 donation for all students. This includes the price of admission to the play and busses to and from Central Grade.  

On the back is a parent permission form. Please fill out the bottom portion and send it back with your $4 donation no later than Tuesday, February 16^th.

Please contact your classroom teacher with any further questions or concerns!
Thank you!
Mrs. McNitt, Mrs. McCain & Mrs. Maxbauer

Parent Formal Dinner Event

At Westwoods we believe the cornerstone to learning is a solid foundation in reading.  Our goal is to give each student the best literacy support available.  Our current program for grades K-2 is currently being supported by PTO funds and costs $25/student.  We would like to provide this same support to all students, grades K-5, in the 2016-2017 school year.  As a way to raise needed funds for this program, we will be holding a formal parent dinner at Black Star Farms on March 4, 2016.  The cost is $100 per ticket and will include a three course meal with wine pairings.  A cash bar will be available.  The night will also include bidding in a silent auction with some amazing donations that have been made to Westwoods. Please use this link to participate in a fun evening with other Westwood Parentshttps://events.bytepro.net/evening-of-art.  The formal invitation is attached on the side of our blog site.

Silent Auction

Westwoods silent auction ends this week!
Last chance to get many items that are still less than half price.

Box Top Contest
Feb. 8 - Feb. 12
Please send in all Boxtops to our classroom by Friday Feb. 12! Thank you!

Hope everyone is enjoying the snow!!

Spelling Words!

This weeks spelling words review the /ee/ sound and all four spellings that make the sound /ee/.

e_e, ee, e, ea

Please help your child review the words throughout the week. There will be an activity coming home on Wednesday for the students to complete that corresponds with this weeks spelling list. 

They did an AWESOME job on last weeks spelling test!! 

I am looking forward to another great week!! 

Thank you for your continued support at home!

Westwoods Benefit: Black Star Farms Dinner Event

Fourth Grade Buddies

As you know, each Tuesday morning we spend thirty minutes with our fourth grade friends in Mrs. DePlaunty's classroom enjoying books with one another. This week we changed it up a bit! Instead of doing reading buddies, we switch subjects and were math buddies! Fourth and second grade students were paired off and played multiplication war! It was a a hit! The dynamic of the partnerships were completely at random, but worked so well. One grade, as of a few months ago, new to multiplication, and the other practicing their multiplication facts to strengthen their mastery. As I walked around and sat in on a couple games, I heard students sharing strategies, skip counting, sharing a helpful hint, laughter and math chatter!
The success of our first try will for sure book future math buddy days with new and different games! Nice to mix it up :)