This week went great. The students adjusted well to our "real" everyday curriculum. We had small groups and all our testing. It will be a slight challenge each Friday to get all our work in around all the special classes we have on that day. But we will manage.

I want to send a SUPER SPECIAL THANKS to EVERYONE who sent in "toy box" treasure items this past week. WOW... I couldn't have provided the quantity of good toys we received. The kids are overjoyed and asked EVERY day if this was the day we pick.

*We will do this type of bring in again, later this year.

We also had our Gotcha Kickoff assembly this past Friday. Students learned about earning Gotcha's for gettiing caught being good, and earning Minor Behavior Incidents when they are caught breaking one of the 3 school rules. An MBI takes away an already earned Gotcha. Students will need to earn 3 over the next two weeks to go to the first Gotcha "DANCE" party.

I have confidence that everyone will be attending from our class.

*Shaved Ice went great...many bought. The next day for Shaved Ice is September 9th.

This week in class:

Our reading story will be about Space.

Our Science "Balancing and Weighing" Unit will start Monday. That is one of our AMSTI kits and it takes about a month to complete it.

We will keep a B & W notebook "in class" that will count for a grade when complete, along with weekly tests on the material.

*I may also take a science grade on the material that goes along with our weekly story (space). This will be covered and completed in a Reading center.

In Math we will continue to work on addition strategies.

Our special classes this week are:

Wednesday: Counseling with Mrs. Bush at 10:30

Friday: Computer Lab = 9:15 Music = 10:30 Free centers = 2:00

The First Week of School Went GREAT!!!!!!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, my new batch of babies.
What a sweet class... This year is gonna be Great.

I want to send out special Thanks to:
Alurrian's Mom for helping me with labeling supplies the first day of school. That was the smoothest my first day has EVER been. WOW... what a difference. Thank you so much.
Thanks to all of you who brought your supplies to open house...that also helped with organization.
Thanks to EVERYONE who completed and turned in their paperwork and fees this week. That's one less thing we have to worry about. I will remind those of you who I am still missing items from.
And Thanks to Rachel's mom for joining us for lunch one day this week. Your baby was so excited.

Our first DIBELS testing will be this coming Wednesday. Please make sure your child has a good night's sleep on Tuesday night, and a good Breakfast Wednesday morning. DIBELS scores will help me determine how to help your child read better through our reading groups.
(We will test again after Christmas and again at the end of the school year)

Monday we start our curriculum and homework. Be on the lookout for Reading books to come home that week as well as homework and reading passages.

For Reading.... Monday is Day #1 And Friday is Day #5
Reminder.... Day 1 (we introduce spelling words/pretest, introduce the reading story and vocab.)
Days 2 and 3 (we practice the reading skill of the week, and read the story with comprehension questions)
Day #4 we Take the story quiz (13 questions are completed on the computer)
The written part of the test has two questions about the story.
Then there is a FRESH READ story with 5 questions about it. (using the same story skill we learned that week)
***You will receive the Written part of the test each week to see
(it will have the breakdown of how many your child missed in each section.
Day #5 We review the week... and do story art.
**REMEMBER due to holidays ...sometimes the day #1 may not fall on a Monday and day #5 may not fall on a Friday.

Language Tests will be given on Day #5 as well as Spelling Tests.

Usually FRIDAY's are a VERY busy TEST DAY.
HOWEVER, it also is our SPECIAL CLASSES day.

Every Friday we will have Computer Lab 9:15 - 9:45am Wooooo Hooooo
Then We alternate weeks with Music and Library from 10:30 - 11:10
THEN We have free centers every Friday from 2:00 - 2:25 (for those who earn it)
WOW... busy busy.

We start fresh the next Monday with new words, a new story etc. SOOOO it is very important to ATTEND SCHOOL on Friday's if at all possible. It is a big day.

Have a great Weekend.
-Mrs. Mainor

Welcome To Second Grade:)
We had a Wonderful turn out at Open House last night. Thank you all for making the time to attend. I enjoyed meeting/seeing all of you. This is one of the few times throughout the school year that I get to see whole families together and I Love it.
Be on the watch for upcoming events like..Family Math Night, Family Reading Night, The Spring Fling and of course our Awards ceremonies at the end of the school year.
Throughout the school year there are several opportunities to come join us. You can come for lunch ANYTIME, you can come on field trips, you can volunteer to help out at school or in our class, and you can join us for any special activities/ class parties. The kids LOVE the times when you get to be a part of their school day.
Last night I mentioned a new program we are using that can help the kids practice reading and math skills. It is called: "CLASSWORKS". As I learn more about how students can use the program at home I will relay the info. to you.
Please make sure your paperwork is filled out and returned by next Friday, August 19th. Thanks.
Over the first few weeks of school be sure to check our blog several times. As we adjust to the new school year I will be posting new info. as I get it. After that I will post once a week to update the lesson plans and our weekly newsletter.
Remember to sign up as a blog follower. This should remind you through email when a new blog post has been made.
If you have any questions about the handbook information or paperwork we are filling out please let me know. You have multiple ways to contact me and I will get your answers as quickly as possible.
Have a GREAT last WEEKEND of SUMMER with your babies.
Monday... We get down to Business.
-Mrs. Mainor