Bolek's Bulletin

May News

Wow!  We are now in the last month of school.  We will be working hard to finish a science unit about life cycles, to write responses to literature, to review spelling words learned this year, to practice multiplication and division readiness problems, and to finish our big Bare Books writing project.  We will also have several special events this month. 

Boosterthon

Thanks to everyone  for your help with pledges for the Boosterthon Fun Run.  Students had a great day at the actual Fun Run and our class had a very high number of participants with pledges.  Please turn in pledge collection envelopes by Monday, May 18th.

Clean Up Day

Our class participated in the Mountain View clean up day by picking up trash and debris in the grassy area near the bus lanes.  The whole school pitched in to keep the Mountain View grounds safe, clean, and welcoming.

Field Day

The Kindergarten, First, and Second grade Field Day was a huge success even though the weather wasn't bright and sunny.  Students had fun participating in each station (including water stations!), and I am proud of them for both their effort and good sportsmanship.  Thanks too to all the parent volunteers.  We wouldn't be able to do this without you!  Field Day for grades 3, 4, and 5 is May 15th.

Media Center

The last day for the Accelerated Reading program and the last day to check out library books was May 8th.  Please return any overdue books or take care of fines for damaged books as soon as possible. 

Young Authors' Celebration

Mountain View second graders have been working hard on "Bare Books".  Each student has created a book with a cover, title page, dedication page, text, and illustrations.  Students will be sharing their books with their peers on Friday, May 15th.  Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to facilitate or who have volunteered to send in water or cookies.  It is a very special day for the students. 

Portfolio and Bare Book Sharing

All parents are invited to join us in the classroom on Monday, May 18th, from 8:30 am -9:30 am.   This is a time for students to share their writing portfolios and Bare Books with you.  They are very proud of their accomplishments as writers this year!  I think you will be too.

End of Year Celebration

The second grade end of the year celebration will be on Wednesday, May 20th from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm.  Thanks to our room moms Teri Benoit and Sharon Troisi for helping to organize this event.  Everyone is welcome to join us!

Last Day of School

The last day of school is Friday, May 22nd.  All student work and books will be sent home on Thursday.  Students will not need bookbags on the last day of school.

Report Cards

Report cards for the fourth nine weeks will be mailed to you.  Please note that all monies for ASP, lunches, and overdue books must be taken care of by the last day of school.  If money is owed report cards will not be mailed.

April News

We have a lot going on in April!  Here are some of the highlights:

Curriculum:

Math:   We will continue addition and subtraction of three digit numbers with and without regrouping.  We will also be working with multiplication and division.  In second grade students will focus on learning that multiplication is repeated addition  They will visually represent multiplication by creating arrays for multiplication facts.  They will also learn how to use a multiplication table.  Students will not be required to memorize multiplication facts, although many children begin to learn them from the work they are doing in the classroom. The focus for division will be on various ways to divide groups. Students should keep practicing math facts, counting money, and making change.  These skills will be assessed again at the end of the year.   

Language Arts:  Students will continue to read both fiction and non-fiction books.  They will be reviewing different texts as they learn to respond to what they have read by making connections.  Students will be focusing on text-to-text, text-to self, and text-to- world connections.  In addition, we will be working on expanding our writing by using more details, using more exciting adjectives and verbs, and by including conversation when appropriate. 

Spelling:  Students will continue to work on skills such as base words, prefixes and suffixes,  different spelling patterns for the same sounds, homophones, homographs,  double letters, and contractions.

Science: We have just begun a unit on life cycles.  Students will be investigating the life cycles of many different plants and animals.  We will be raising Painted Lady butterflies right in our classroom!  Students will have the chance to observe and record the changes from caterpillar, to pupa, to butterfly.  They will see a chrysalis form and will feed and observe the adult butterflies before they are released outdoors.  We will also be planting several different types of seeds and recording our observations as the plants grow and change. 

Research Skills:  This month we will still be working on research skills by using dictionaries, thesauruses, glossaries, and indexes.  Students will use these resources for specific lessons and as an integrated part of reading, writing, and science.  They should be familiar with each resource and how and why it is used.  Students should understand and be able to use guide words in dictionaries. 

Bare Books:

This month we will start an exciting writing project!  Students will each receive a "bare book."  This is a blank hard cover book with blank pages inside.  Each child will create a book with text and illustrations.  We will be working on this project throughout April and May.  

Junior Achievement:

I would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Melton, Lizzy's dad, for serving as our Junior Achievement volunteer.  We concluded the lessons at the end of March.  Mr. Melton did a wonderful job. Students were always engaged in the lessons which tied in nicely with our Social Studies unit about goods and services, spending, and saving. 

Book Reports:

Wow!  The March time line book reports were fantastic!  Students chose a variety of interesting books and really did a great job on their posters and presentations.  This was our last book report for the year.  Thanks for all the support you gave your children this year with the book report projects! 

CRCT:

The CRCT is just around the corner!  Test dates are April 21-April 24 with make up days scheduled for April 27-30.  The building will be closed to visitors on those days from 7:20 am until testing is finished for the day.  Classes may finish at different times, usually around mid-day.  Please encourage your children to keep practicing on-line! 

Reminder:

Please return report card signature cards and envelopes if you have not done so. The envelopes should be self-addressed with two stamps affixed.  End of the year report cards will be mailed to you. 

 

Dates to Remember:

April 1------Moon Calendars due

April 3------Scholastic book orders due

April 3-----Bank Day

April 6-10-----Spring Break

April 15-----Volunteer Luncheon

April 17---Bank Day

April 21-24----CRCT testing

April 27-30----CRCT make-up testing

March Update

On-line Texts and Test Preperation

I hope everyone has had a chance to explore the on-line text for math and social studies.  Students have now been set up to access the science text on-line too.  Here is a recap of the information for the sites, along with the science information.

Math:  www.eharcourtschool.com

Username:  (Use the student ID number that was sent home.)

Password:  bunny

We have just completed chapter 20 (Add 3-digit Numbers).  We will be working on Chapter 21 (Subtract 3-Digit Numbers) and Chapters 22 and 23 (Multiplication and Division Readiness) simultaneously in preperation for the CRCT.  These skills will be revisited during April and May. 

Social Studies:  http://www.eduplace.com/eservices

Username: cobbstudent2

Password:  password

We have just completed a unit on the allocation of goods and on spending and saving money.  We used Unit Three as one resource for this unit. 

Science:  www.thinkcentral.com

Username:  (Students should use their school ID number.  This is the number they use to log on to the computers at school.)

Password:  education

Next week we will be starting a unit on life cycles.  We will be using Chapter 8 as one resource. 

CRCT Preperation:  http://www.georgiaoas.org

Students were given their ID numbers and passwords earlier in the year.  Hopefully everyone has been practicing.  If you do need another copy of your child's information, please send me an email. I will get another copy to you.

March News

February really went by fast!  Thank you so much to everyone who sent in stickers for our Valentine bags.  Students enjoyed making bags for their Valentine exchange.  Thanks too for all the donations sent in that made Star Lab possible.  The presentation was outstanding and students had a change to observe stars and how they move in the "night sky" right in our media center!

Here's what's happening in March:

Language Arts:  Students will be completing our study of persuasive writing.  They will begin learning how to write responses to literature.  We will continue reading both fiction and non-fiction stories and working with reading strategies and how to use resources in non-fiction books.

Math:  We will be working on addition and subtraction of three digit numbers, with and without regrouping.  Students will also begin work with multiplication and division readiness. 

Spelling:  We will continue to work with rules for adding suffixes, homographs and homophones, contractions, r-controlled vowels, compound words, and words with double consonants.   Students will be learning about prefixes too. 

 Research:  Students have had several lessons with Mrs. McDonald. our media specialist,  in order to learn how to read call numbers and how to find books in different parts of the media center.  This month we will be working in the classroom with dictionary skills and how to use a thesaurus. 

Science:  We are continuing our study of the sun, stars, and the moon.  Students should be working on their monthly assignment for observing and recording the phases of the moon.  These are due April 1st.

Junior Achievement:

Lizzy's dad, Mike Melton, is teaching five Junior Achievement lessons to our class.  We began in February and will continue through March. 

Dates to Remember:

March 6:  Second grade "Friends" musical in the cafeteria at 8:30 am.

March 6:  Family Fun Night 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

March 9-13:  Scholastic Book Fair in the media center.  Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 7:30 am -3:00 pm and Tuesday 7:30 am -6:00pm.

March 12  End of third nine weeks grading period

March 19:  Report cards go home

March 26:  Time line book reports are due

April 1:  Moon Observation calendars are due

February 19

On-line Texts

Math

This week students brought home information about how to access the Math text on-line.  Check out this exciting new feature!  Not only are the workbook pages available, but students can also practice skills with interactive practice sections in each chapter.  Another feature that you might like is the "Learning Link" located on the home page.  Through the Learning Link students can find activities, games, and songs for each math chapter.  You will need to enter some information the first time you try this link.  You will need the name of one of the authors of the text as a password.  Use "Andrews."

Social Studies

The social studies text is now also available on-line.  Watch for information to come home with the site and password information.   We will be working on Unit 4:  American Government next week. 

Reminders:

• Book reports and Six Flags reading logs are due next week.
• Star Lab is coming to Mountain View next week (Feb. 25th).
•  The CRCT is approaching quickly.  Go on line to practice, practice, practice!
• Mark your calendars for the second grade "Friends" play the morning of March 6th (more information will be coming.)

 

 

 

 

 

February News

Thanks to everyone who came in for conferences in January.  It was nice to be able to sit down with you to discuss your child and his/her progress. 

Here's what's happening this month:

Curriculum:

Language Arts:  Persuasive Writing

Math:  Place value with four digit numbers,  comparing four digit numbers, measurement with length and temperature, making change from a dollar

Science:  Phases of the moon

Social Studies:  Civil Rights, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Parent Training

There will be a training session on Thinking maps for parents on February 12th at 6:00 pm in the media center.  This session will be taught by teachers to inform you about how your child uses visual organizers in this program to help with writing. 

Valentines

Our class will have a Valentine exchange on Friday, February 13th.  We will be decorating bags in class to use for our exchange.  If you have any stickers, foam cut outs, etc. that could be used to decorate bags we could really use them.  Thanks to those who have already sent some things in!   Exchanging valentines is an optional activity.  However, if your child chooses to participate please have him/her make a valentine for each child in the room.  This is an excellent opportunity to encourage good handwriting as students sign and address envelopes.  A class list has been sent home.  A parent has volunteered to send in a special valentine snack that the class will have during snack time, but we are not having a party.

Spaghetti Night and Spelling Bee

There will be a teacher spelling bee and spaghetti dinner on Friday,February 20th.  This is a fund raiser for Relay for Life. 

Star Lab

Permission slips will be coming home soon for Star Lab.  This will be an in house field trip where students will learn about space and how the moon and the stars move in the sky. 

Six Flags Reading Club

I hope everyone is reading for the Six Flags 600 Minute Reading Club!  Students have until February 24th to complete six hours of reading.  Students who have read this amount will recieve a ticket to Six Flags Amusement Park.  The tickets will be given out in May and are good for certain weeks in the summer. 

February Book Report

Our February book report is a Character Parade!  Students will read a book on their level and dress up as a character from their book.  They will be asked to present some information orally.  There is no writing required for this report!  Our parade will be on Friday, February 27th.  Students have already taken home information sheets with more details about this project.

Heroes Contest

 The deadline for the Heroes writing contest is February 11th.  This is a voluntary activity but one that I hope many students will participate in. 

CRCT Online Tests

During conferences a second copy of instructions for accessing the CRCT online practice site was given out.  This is a great opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the format of the test and the types of questions they will see.  You will also get immediate feedback to know which problems were correct or inncorrect. 

Dates for your calendar:

Feb. 5----Picture Day

Feb. 6----Bank Day

Feb. 11----Heroes Essay Contest writing due

Feb. 12---Thinking Map training for parents

Feb. 13---Valentine Exchange

Feb. 16---Student Holiday

Feb. 20----Bank Day

Feb. 20----Teacher Spelling Bee and Spaghetti Night

Feb. 24----Six Flags reading sheets due

Feb. 27---Character Book Parade Book Report

 

January News

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing winter break.  December was an exciting month with a lot of special activities for students.  I would like to thank everyone for sending in supplies and/or coming in to help in the classroom.  I appreciate all your help!

We are now ready to have a great start to the new year!  January will be a busy month.  Here are some highlights for the month.

Curriculum

Language Arts:  This month we will be focusing on writing persuasive paragraphs and letters.  We will also be reading new books (fiction and nonfiction) to practice strategies of good readers, increase vocabulary, and use elements of books such as the index, glossary, headings, and table of contents.  

Math:  Students will study fractions, explore more about place value and how numbers can be represented and compared, and work more with money and making change. 

Social Studies:  We will be reading and learning about Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King, Jr. and how these men influenced civil rights.

Spelling:  As we continue to work with words and spelling patterns have your child keep practicing his/her Words to Learn list.

Book Report

Our January book report is called "Reader's Choice".  Students may choose from a list of activities to represent their book.  Directions will be sent home the first week of January.  Reports are due on Tuesday, January 27th. 

Field Trip

Our next field trip is on Thursday, January 15th.  We will be going to Fernbank Museum of History.  Thanks to everyone who offered to chaperone.  I will be sending more information to chaperones before the trip.

Fire Safety

This month second grade students will receive four visits from the Cobb County fire department as part of a fire safety program.  Be sure and ask your child what he/she has learned!

Conference Week

Conference week is January 26-30.  Students will be dismissed each day at 12:20 pm.  You will receive a letter with your conference time.  Please return your form as soon as possible to confirm your conference time.  I look forward to the opportunity to meet with each of you to discuss your child's progress this year. 

Dates to Remember:

Jan. 6----Students return to school after Winter Break

Jan. 9 and 23------Bank Days

Jan. 15--------Field trip to Fernbank Museum of History

Jan. 16, 20, 22, and 23------Fire Safety Program

Jan. 26-30------Conference week

Jan. 27--------Book Reports due

December News

December is a short but busy month for us! 

Curriculum:

Math:  In math we are studying both plane and solid shapes.  Students have a lot of new vocabulary to learn!   We will also be reviewing money, time, and subtraction of two digit numbers with regrouping. 

Language Arts:  We are still working on writing informational paragraphs, reading both fiction and non-fiction texts, and identifying and using components of books such as the glossary, index, headings, and captions. 

Science:  We just finished an exciting unit about energy and pushes and pulls.  Students rotated to different classes for a variety of hands-on activities. 

Social Studies:  We are learning all about good and services and  ways people obtain their needs and wants.

Book Reports

In place of a December book report students have been assigned a report about a family tradition.  Instructions for the report have been sent home.  Please note that the tradition your child writes about does not have to be holiday related.  It can represent a tradition your family celebrates at any time throughout the year.  Reports are due on Tuesday, December 16th.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to:

Maura ---December 25th

Vincent--December 26th

Christina---December 30th

Caleb-----December 31st

Gingerbread Houses

We we be reading several books about gingerbread families this month.  As a follow up activity we will be making gingerbread houses and writing about our creations.  A sheet about the project was sent home along with a request for an item needed for the project.  If you are able to donate an item at this time, please send it in by Monday, December 15th.  Anyone who is interested in helping out is welcome!  We will be working in small groups and extra adults are very helpful!  Please let Mrs. Benoit know if you can join us right after lunch (12:30 pm) on Wednesday, December 17th.

Winter Party

Our class will have a winter party on Thursday, December 18th from 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm.  Please contact Mrs. Benoit if you are interested in helping out.  Everyone is welcome!

Field Trips

We enjoyed our field trip this month to the Cobb Civic Center where we saw a performance of the Nutcracker.  Ask your child to retell the story for you!

Our next field trip will be on January 15th.  We will be going to the Fernbank Museum of History where we will take a walk through the regions of Georgia, explore interactive centers about light, energy and motion, and view an IMAX presentation about Great Places in the World.  Please return permission slips if you have not done so yet.

Days to Remember:

Dec. 8th--Fernmbank field trip permission slips due

Dec. 16th---Family Traditions reports due

Dec. 17th--Gingerbread Houses

December 18th---Winter Party

Dec. 19th--Last day of nine week grading period

Dec. 20th-Jan. 5th--Winter Holidays

Jan.6th--Students return to school

Have a safe and relaxing winter break! 

 

November News

We have been very busy this month!  Students have been studying time and money in math.  We are now working on subtraction with regrouping.  In writing we have been comparing fiction and non-fiction books, and we are writing our own informational paragraphs.  Everyone is reading a lot, and we are concentrating on strategies of good readers to help us learn new vocabualry, decode tricky words, study story parts, and infer meaning.  We just completed a unit on historical figures important in the establishment of Georgia.  We have now started studying Energy.  Students will gain understanding of energy of motion, heat, and light as they rotate through several second grade classes for lessons. 

Thanks!

Last month students had a great time participating in fall centers.  I would like to thank all the parents who helped with this activity. 

Welcome

We are excited to have a new student join our classroom!  Welcome to Nicole Berman.  She was our Star Student this week! 

Book Report

Our November book report is a "Book Talk".  Students received an information sheet about what to include in their talk.  Please encourage your child to practice for this presentation and to bring the book to school. Reports will be shared on November 20th.

Field Trips

The Funk Heritage Museum sent a speaker to our school last week.  Second grade students heard a presentation from the "Turtle Woman".  She shared information about the Cherokee Indians and their way of life. 

Our next field trip is scheduled for December 5th.  We will be attending a performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Cobb Civic Center. 

Elections

Students were excited to participate in the Weekly Reader Mock Election for Children this month.  All the children at Mountain View had the chance to vote via a website.  Their votes were counted along with other children across the United States. 

Thanksgiving

It was nice to see all the parents and grandparents who were able to join us for Mountain View's Thanksgiving lunch.  Students were very excited to have you here.

Dates to Remember

November 20th------Book Reports due

November 24th-28th-----No School, Thanksgiving break

October News

Curriculum

Reading:  Decoding skills. fluency, comprehension

Writing:  Informational paragraphs

Math:  Subtraction with and without regrouping, counting money, making change, writing money with dollar signs and decimal points

Science:  Matter, Energy and Motion

Social Studies:  Historical figures of Georgia

Congratulations

Congratulations to Nicholas who will be our Student Council representative and to Rachel who will serve as our alternate.  Our greeters for this year will be Billy and Christina.  I know they will all do a great job!

Special Thanks!

Special thanks to all the parents who volunteered in the room or sent in items for our edible Georgia maps project.  The students had a good time showing what they have learned about the regions of Georgia. 

Thanks to Mr. Melton for sending in extra snacks to have on hand!

Mrs. Troisi helped out during a matter experiment and Mrs. Benoit has done copying and laminating for me.  Thanks so much!

Book Reports

Students did a fantastic job on the September book report.  There was a great selection of books, and the puppets were adorable.  The oral presentations were very well done!  This month's book report is a Story Map.  Students have received directions and paper for this report which is due October 29th.

Specials Schedule

Please note that during the second nine weeks of school second grade will be on a five day rotation schedule for specials.  This new schedule will start October 13th and will be as follows:

Mondays---------Guidance or Computer Lab

Tuesdays--------P.E.

Wednesdays----Music

Thursdays------P.E.

Fridays---------Art

October Dates

Here are some dates for your October calendar:

Oct. 6th-----Native American speaker, Diamond Brown

Oct. 8th----Field Trip to the Funk Heritage Museum

Oct. 13th---Start of new specials schedule and second nine weeks of school

Oct. 13th---Reflections entries due

Oct. 15th---Early Release Day

Oct. 17th----Report cards go home

Oct. 20-24----Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 25th---Fall Festival

Oct. 29th---Story Map book report due

This month's bank days are October 3rd, 17th, and 31st.