Teaching Kids to Save

On Monday, our classroom had two visitors from Chemical Bank to discuss with the students on how to save money.

Students were given a book to keep and read the story together. This was a connection between squirrels saving nuts and people saving money. Students found the connection and discussed the different ways to save and why it is important to save. However, kids like to spend as well, so we were realistic about spending and saving too.

In their packet of goodies, students were taught how to fill out a deposit slip if or when they go to the bank to set up an account and deposit their own money.

Some students talked about their own bank account, which is awesome! However, if your child does not have a bank account and would like to start one at Chemical Bank, they are giving all students $10 in addition to any other funds deposited through the end of July. 

 These packets, and all information from Mondays visit, is coming home on Friday!

Homework

All homework came home Monday evening! Please help to remind your child to find chunks of time throughout the week to work on their homework. Their responsibility is to return all pages done by Friday. Reading fluency is optional, but suggested, and comprehension is require with complete sentences. Thank you for your help!

We do not have spelling again this week, but will resume with new spelling words

Monday, May 1!

Warning: the word list will increase to 20 words. 

Students found that out today and are up for the challenge!

Book Order

A NEW Scholastic Book Order came home yesterday with students. Needless to say, they were super excited about the thought of new books.

If you would like me to make an order for you please have your order in by Monday, April 24th.

If you would like to make an online order you can do so at your convenience at any point. 

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

Thank you!

Homework

New homework packets went home today!

We do NOT have new spelling words this week.

We are wrapping up Unit 5 with assessing which is taking place of spelling words this week.
We are also adding in some other extra activities and projects in addition to our everyday curriculum.

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

Creative Characters!

We had so much fun in library creating a favorite detail from a favorite book!

Dr. Seuss' hat, the 13th Story Treehouse, Harry Potters wand, Sisters braces, the goldfish from Big Fat Zombie Goldfish, Boxcar Children, and more!

Awesome Job!!

 

Read On!!!

There is no such thing as too many books!

The students are doing AMAZING reading and getting in their minutes!

Each brown paper is decorated with a variety of students favorite book! Each slip is worth 500 minutes of reading! 

Our classroom so far has 32, 459 minutes of reading logged!! Wahoo!!

Students are also doing an amazing job getting donations towards their reading! Thank you for all your help and support! Two more days of reading and getting donations! Thursday is our last day.

Here is some evidence in our classroom and how engaged students are in their reading.

 

Read Around the Bases

Beach Bums Posters were sent home today!

It is your time to step up to the plate and earn a base hit by reading five books! Every additional five books earn readers extra bases and some awesome rewards! Hit it out of the park by finishing 20 books to earn extra tickets and more! Here's how the program works:

Start reading!

Record every book you finish on your poster.

When you finish reading your way around the bases, have your teacher check your poster and add your name to the Super Reader List.

Prize Breakdown:

First Base (5 Books): Free children's Ticket (under age 12) - Not valid for playoff games or other events, regular season games only

Second Base (10 Books): Free Autographed Poster of Suntan and Sunburn

Third Base (15 Books): Coupon for Free Northwoods Soda Fountain Pop

Home Run (20 Books): Free children's voucher (under age 12) - vouchers are good for any 2017 home game

​Posters must be returned to classroom teachers on Tuesday, April 25! If you only read part way around the bases, that's okay! So get out there and read, read, read! Prizes and tickets will be delivered to each school during the month of May, depending on availability.

Homework & Spelling

Homework

New homework packets went home today! Math will be a little different in some packets and little more challenging since we are getting further into the year. All math homework is still review and students have had exposure and practice with all content and methods they will see coming home. However, please let me know if something is not working for your child and I will adjust to fit comfort. If students have any questions they also, as always, can bring them back to the classroom for further explination. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Reading comprehension (and optional fluency), math and word ladders are due back on Thursday this week. Spelling test and alphabetizing spelling words (on back) are due on Monday, April 17th.

Spelling

Spelling words this week all have endings le, el, tion

You will see on the students spelling list coming home they have organized their words into columns to better understand the endings and to help practice their words in groupings.

This week, alphabetizing is a little more challenging. Instead of separating words into small groups, they are alphabetizing words as a whole this week. This is due back on Monday, April 17th on the same day of the spelling test.

Civil War

 Our new domain on the Civil War will introduce students to an important period in the history of the United States. Students will learn about the controversy over slavery between the North and the South, which eventually led to the U.S. Civil War. In addition, how the Emancipation Proclamation changes the focus of the war. With General Lee surrendering to General Grant, ending the Civil War, and also ending slavery in the North and South all together. 
Throughout our journey we met just a few of the many influential men and women who made significant contributions during this time.
Our Domains include:
Harriet Tubman
The Controversy Over Slavery
Abraham Lincoln
The Division of the U.S.
The War Begins
Robert E. Lee
Clara Barton
The Emancipation Proclamation
Ulysses S. Grant
The End of the War 
This domain will lay the foundation for in-depth studies of the U.S. Civil War in later grades. It will also set the stage for later domains yet this year. 

Read A Thon

Read A Thon is still in full force! Our classroom is doing an awesome job building minutes while also building stamina. The drive to read has also increased the love to read. Awesome to watch! Next week we are rounding the corner and wrapping up the Read A Thon with spirit week & creating an object or character from their favorite book!

Monday

Wear a hat or shirt with words

Tuesday

Bring a blanket and flashlight, read in the dark

Wednesday

Reading gives you superpowers

Dress as your favorite superhero or make up your own!

Thursday

Pajama Day

PJ party in the gym as the entire school read together fr the last 10 minutes of our Read A Thon!

ALSO....

MakerSpace Donations Needed

As part of the wrap up to the Read-a-thon,

students will be making an object or character in a MakersSpace during their library time from one of their favorite books.  They will use everyday materials to create and construct this.  In order to make this possible, we need your help!  If you have any
of the following items, please send them to school with your child.  We are collecting the items in the library through next Wednesday.  Students will use this object to share about their reading in the gym on Thursday during the final assembly for the Read-a-thon.

• tape
• craft glue
• glue sticks
• glue dots
• staples
• pipe cleaners
• boxes
• buttons
• styrofoam
• felt
• nuts
• bolts
• beads
• straws
• toliet tubes
• paper clips
• yarn
• popsicle sticks
• plastic lids (milk, juice, pop)
• scrap booking paper

Spring Concert

All students came home with a note from Mrs. Williford. 

Grades 2/3 will be performing a spring music concert April 25th @ 6:30.