February News

January was a very busy month, and it looks like February will be too!  Before I mention all that is going on this month, I would like to say thanks to everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with me for conferences.  It was nice to sit down with you to go over your child's progress.

There are many new things happening in February.  In math,  students have been studying fractions, measuring with both standard and metric units, and learning how to read a variety of thermometers.  We will revisit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping, compare four digit numbers, learn how to count out change with money, and study more about graphs and tables.

Students are excited about our new focus for writing.  They are learning how to write persuasive paragraphs as they continue to engage in all the steps of the writing process. 

This month we will be finishing our unit of study about energy.  We will be doing some great activities with puff mobiles, so be sure to ask your child about it!

This week we began a study of Japan.  Throughout the unit students will rotate to each second grade classroom to learn about the culture of Japan through many hands-on activities.

Cobb County firefighters will be visiting our classes as part of a second grade program about fire safety.  We will have four visits.  Firefighters will be teaching the children about safety precautions and procedures.  Students will have a chance to demonstrate some of what they have learned as they go through the "Fire Safety House"  during the last visit. 

CRCT Prep

Many of you have asked if I could send home the information again about the website for the CRCT practice tests.  Watch for this information to come home.  I will send the website along with your child's number.  The test will be the third week of April. Now is a good time to start practicing.

Art Show

You should have received an invitation to the "First Art" art show that will take place on February 7th along with Bingo Night.  If you can't attend the show and would like to purchase your child's artwork, you need to wait until after the 7th to make the purchase.  If you purchase the artwork earlier than this date, it will be shipped to you and will not be available for the show. 

Contests

There are two contests going on this month.  The first is "Honoring Our Heroes", an essay contest sponsored by the PTA. Entries are due February 15th.  The second is a contest to design a flag for Mountain View.  This contest is being done as part of the 80th birthday celebration for Mountain View. Entries are due on February 28th. 

Technology Night

Mark your calendars for Tech Night on February 26th.  Each grade level will meet with parents to demonstrate how technology is used in that particular grade.  The time is from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  We have many new and exciting things to show you.  I hope to see everyone there!

Read, Read, Read!

I really appreciate how much everyone has been doing to encourage your children to read.  The agendas have been a wonderful way for me to keep track of how much students read each day.

We still have two more months to go in the Pizza Hut Book-It reading contest.  Overlapping this contest is the Six Flags Six Hour reading contest.  Recording sheets for this contest are due on February 22nd.  Students are welcome to turn in their reading logs before that date. 

February Book Report

This month's book report will be a Character Walk.  Students will come to school dressed as the main character from a book they have read on their reading level.  They will need to make a nametag to wear that names their character as well as write a brief summary about the book.  Information will be sent home, including the date of the walk.

Picture Day

Picture Day is February 7th.  Only students who return picture envelopes with payments will have individual pictures taken.  Everyone will be included in a class picture. 

Dates to Remember

Feb. 7th-----Picture Day, "First Art" art show, Bingo Night

Feb. 12th---Bank Day

Feb. 15th---"Honoring Our Heroes" entries due

Feb. 18th---Student holiday

Feb. 19th---Student holiday/Teacher workday

Feb. 22----Six Flags Reading contest logs due

Feb. 26th--Tech Night, Bank Day

Feb. 28th--Mountain View flag contest entries due