Grandparent's Day.

Students enjoyed having their grandparents in the classroom.  Students taught them games, showed them math and spelling practices and performed a Reader's Theater. Students also read with grandparents and visitors. Thanks to all who came.  I hope you enjoyed yourselves!

Place Value.

In Math, we are working with place value.  Students are exploring numbers, representing them in different ways, identifying the value and using number names.  Here are some great interactive websites to use at home to work on these skills.  Within each game, there are various levels for students to practice at their individual levels.  We will explore these tomorrow in the computer lab.

ABCya Place Value
Game Aquarium Place Value
Math Place Value Games
Sheppard Software Place Value

Lunch & A Movie.

Students reached another goal for good behavior and teamwork as a class.  Students will enjoy lunch in the classroom with a movie tomorrow.  Students can either bring their own lunch or take school lunch as planned.  They will simply bring it to the classroom to enjoy :)

GREAT WORK SECOND GRADERS.

Book Fair.

The book fair is officially here!!! Students were excited to see a video and visit it to make their wish lists.  Remember that you may send money with your child to purchase books while at school.  They will get a special pass from me to shop.  Shopping and visiting can also be done during conferences later this week.  Your child filled out a special wish lists.  Books make great holiday gifts! 

Halloween Safety.

Officer Friendly came today to speak with the students about safety and trick-or-treating.  He also gave each student a hot orange trick-or-treat bag as a reminder of the safety rules.

Grandparent's Day!

Tomorrow is an 11:30 dismissal.  We will have Grandparent's and friends visiting from 9-10:45. They are also able to visit the book fair.

Please remember to notify me IF your child will not be taking their normal after school transportation and being taken home by their grandparent.  Without a note or email, they will not be able to.

Thanks!

Stuffed Animal Day.

Students work hard to achieve a common goal.  They enjoyed Stuffed Animal Day for good teamwork and good behavior. GREAT WORK SECOND GRADERS. I am proud of you!
Mrs. Kopitzke

When they reach their next goal, the reward they chose is: 

Eat lunch in the classroom and watch a movie!

Thick and Thin Questions.

We have been focusing on asking questions as readers.  It is important to think about every text and asking questions, along with many other things, helps a reader think about and understand the story or book (fiction and nonfiction).

Students understand that there are many places we can find answers:

T - RIGHT THERE in the text
OS - outside source: another book, movie or computer
E - an expert
I - in your head, inferring (using clues and your schema)

Thick questions are the ones we want to focus on.  They make us think.  We usually have to put ideas together to come up with the answer or go somewhere else to find it.  It's not RIGHT THERE (thin questions).  Help your child focus on thick questions. Of course, good readers need to be able to work with and respond to both types of questions.

Check out the video we watched today.  Story Lords is a program that focuses on reading strategies.  Students enjoy seeing other kids apply the strategy.  It helps confirm the importance of them!

WATCH HERE!
See other video links to the right ---->

Conferences Next Week!

Please double check when your conference time is.  I am looking forward to meeting with you and discussing your child.  It's hard to believe it will be the end of the first quarter later this week.

A conference form is coming home this week to help prepare and make the most of our short time together. Please feel comfortable to address concerns and ask questions. Please return it as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support.

Pen Pals.

Students began a new kind of writing today.  We will be learning about letters and how they are written.  Students will learn about the importance of the date, the greeting, the body and the closing. Students were excited to find out who their pen pal was today.  Ask them the name of their pen pal.  We are sending the first letters.  They will be sent in the mail on Friday this week.

Our pen pals are from Marshfield, Wisconsin.  I have a teacher friend who teaches second grade there.  For the past three years we have carried on this tradition with our classes.  Our hope is that it will help increase writing skills as well as writing for a purpose. I hope it will encourage students to take the time to hand-write letters to friends and relatives as well.

SPOOKY SKATE NIGHT.

Skate Night is tomorrow. Students are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes. Have fun!

1st Writer's Celebration Success.

Thank you to all the parents who came to support the students.  They did a great job sharing their stories.  It was enjoyable to see their confidence build with each time they read. Please enjoy the stories that were brought home.  I will be saving writing samples throughout the year so you can see the growth throughout second grade.

Junior Achievement: Making Products.

Students used a pretend donut shop to learn about goods and how they are made.  Students worked together to produce a sellable product and learned about waste.

Take Home Reading Responses.

Students will start receiving a take home reading response about every other week.  The students will have one week to complete it and can be done any time throughout the week with a book of their choice.  Nightly reading is important for fluency and accuracy but comprehension is just as important.   Students should be discussing their books with you. The take home reading responses will help encourage students to be consistently using strategies and increase the home to school connection to their learning.  Please let me know if there are any questions.

This week's response is about Schema (Prior Knowledge).  Students will choose a book and record their schema before reading.  These are connections, reminders, past experiences and anything known about the topic, book, or characters.

Thinking stems:

This reminds me of...
I know that...
I have a connection to...
I remember...

Fire Safety.

Students enjoyed a program put on by the Fire Department today.  Students learned about how to take care of themselves in a fire situation as well as what to do and where to go.  Please talk about this very important topic with your child.  Students also got to see and sit inside a real fire truck.  Students are coming home with a fire safety booklet addressing smoke detectors.  It is important your child know that they are in your house and working with a battery inside.  Students should bring back their completed booklet if they'd like a chance to win breakfast and a tour of the fire station coming up.  Two students will be picked and will also win a brand new bike.

Enjoy some photos!

XTRA Math.

Students should be working on math facts daily.  This can be 5-10 minutes of speedy practice to increase accuracy of simple facts. There are many ways students can practice. Below are some suggestions:

• flipping cards over and adding a specific number
• using flashcards
• homemade flashcards
• online math sites
• ipad apps
• rolling dice and adding them together

Students practice in a variety of ways at school each day.  

Each month, students will be timed on their math facts of addition and subtraction.  Students will set goals and graph their progress throughout the year. Watch for their monthly scores when they come home! 

Students are excited about an opportunity to practice their math facts with a site called Xtra math.  Access it here or find it under "Wonderful Websites" on the right side of this page. A letter came home about log in instructions. 

Enjoy!

Open House.

ATTENTION FAMILIES!!!

Open House is next week Thursday.  I hope to see you and your family here in our room.  Getting involved in your child's education helps increase self-esteem, confidence and overall success. Come check out all of the cool things we are learning and doing in our classroom.  Students will have the opportunity to share their special work spaces around the room, daily routines, learning experiences, materials, using iPads and games! It will be a fun evening! We will have music and brain breaks!

Remember to turn in your RSVP slip if you are planning on eating.

All are welcome!
Stop in, experience a taste of your child's school day and enjoy!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

RAZ Kids.

Earlier this week, students were able to experience RAZ Kids.  This is an online reading resource for students to access a variety of texts at their individual level.  The kids can choose books to listen to, follow along or record themselves reading.  There are comprehension questions that will follow.  Although it is optional, if you have the resource, I encourage you to check it out with your child.  There is a place where I (you as well) can send the student messages. I am able to check up on their progress and this is just one more way I can identify their needs.

Students earn stars for reading and comprehension tests. There is a robot builder area on the site that is just for fun.  It is even more motivation for the students to keep reading and do well.

You can access RAZ Kids here. 
You will also notice that I have added an area on my blog for sites that we use so they are more accessible. (Top Right.  It's called Wonderful Websites.)

ENJOY!

Math Talk.

Students are learning the importance of explaining their brainwork and the strategies they use.  It helps bring their learning level to a full circle increasing their understanding and enabling them to help others. Encourage your child to explain the strategies they use to solve problems and show their brainwork.

Once a week, students may bring home math homework. This will be a review of skills and a practice opportunity for them.  It is OK to help them.  Please send it back the next day.  Keep an eye out for math letter to parents that will come home as we start progressing through the math units.