News for the last day of school, Friday, June 6
Students should wear their Field Days tshirt with St. Linus P.E. shorts or sweatpants.
We will attend Mass at 9:45 and then head to the football field for Field Day!
Students may bring a sharpie marker (with your permission) to sign their friends' tshirts. Please do not send a lunch.
Students will return to the classroom for report card distribution and goodbyes at 11:30 a.m.
It's been a joy to serve as your child's 2nd grade teacher. Have a wonderful summer with many adventures!
Love,
Ms. O'C
p.s. Don't forget to complete your summer reading assignment from Ms. Goldsmith before you return to school in August.
News for the Week of May 27-30
We are in the home stretch!
This week in Reading our selection is Cinderlad. Vocabulary words we will practice this week are: moaned, desire, strolled, abruptly, clearing, eligible, scaled, amused.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on the different sounds of the ough spelling pattern, silent letters, and prefixes re-, pre-, and mis-. Spelling words we will practice this week are: whistle, fought, preorder, trough, replace, debt, misjudge, predawn, although, knew, exhaust, reappear, rearrange, preseason, mispronounce.
There will be no reading or spelling tests this week.
In Math, we are beginning Topic 15: Graphs and Data
News for the Week of May 19-23
This week in Reading, our selection is The Art of Storytelling. Vocabulary words from this nonfiction selection are: account, spark, impression, tablets, civilizations, generation, organizations, fond, founded, wonder, stir, styles.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on silent letters and the prefixes dis-, un-, and non-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: listen, castle, answer, nonslip, rhino, unscrew, unharmed, nondairy, could, distract, discover, scenic, rhyme, unfriendly, rhythm.
Our final weekly Reading and Spelling tests will be this week!
In Math, we are working with Topic 11: Subtract within 1,000 using Models and Strategies. We will practice subtraction from 3-digit numbers with and without a need to regroup, and will have a Quiz on this topic at the end of the week.
Reminder - there is no school on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
News for the week of May 12-16
As we begin Unit 6 in Reading, this week's selection is One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.
Vocabulary words from this selection are: meanwhile, spark, bazaar, polished, fortune, sultan, procession, word, acquainted, extraordinary, spectacular, lord.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the ough spelling pattern, antonyms, synonyms, compound words, multiple-meaning words, and homophones. Spelling words for Friday's test are: cough, dough, pancake, through, thought, rough, allowed, aloud, moonlight, enough, thorough, throughout, thoughtful, foreword, forward
In Math we continue Topic 10 and will soon begin Topic 11: Subtract within 1,000.
Happy First Communion to our 2nd graders who are receiving this Sacrament on Saturday.
Remember, please arrive between 9:00 and 9:15 and meet with the teachers in the red tile vestibule (our lunchroom.) Enter through the flagpole doors, which are the doors we use at dismissal every day. After parents drop students off, they can find their assigned pews in Church by looking for their child's banner.
News for the Week of May 5-9
Reminder - Wednesday, 5/7 is a 1:30 dismissal day.
This week in Reading our selection is Election Day, which we will use to review Unit 5 skills and strategies. There will not be a weekly test because we will complete the Unit 5 Assessment on Thursday and Friday this week. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: mock, tolerant, agreement, compassion, courage, *manager, training, demonstrating, errand, traditional, stocked, arranging, *discipline, ballots.
*will be included in the Unit Assessment
Unit 5 Phonics and Spelling skills will also be reviewed and many of the following words will be included on the Unit 5 Assessment: shook, highest, crowd, kindness, quickly, itchy, sauce, small, choice, boys, gloomy, cowboy, rebought, loiter, voyage
In Math we are finishing Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000 with review work on Monday, and likely a Test on Tuesday. Then we will move on to Topics 10 and 11 to practice adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers.
News for the Week of April 28 - May 2
First, thank you for the beautiful flower arrangement and condolence messages following the passing of my Mom. She was an amazing teacher and an inspiration to me. I am comforted knowing that she is finally together again with my Dad.
We are in the home stretch! Let's keep learning and doing our best as we reach the end of 2nd grade and head into 3rd.
This week in Reading our selection is called D is for Democracy. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: express, committees, convention, liberties, strife, judicial, jury, mint, inauguration, politicians, organize, movement.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the /oi/ sound spelled oi and _oy, and words with the same base. Spelling words for Friday's test are: join, walked, spoil, choice, walking, enjoy, sidewalk, placed, boys, replace, royal, placement, moist, rejoice, oyster.
In Math, we will continue our work in Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000, then begin adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers using strategies we learned with 2-digit numbers.
First Holy Communion is right around the corner, on Saturday, May 3rd. We will be meeting with 8th Grade Sacramental Buddies during the week to play 1st Communion Bingo, and will be practicing in Church for this important milestone.
News for the Week of April 14-16
For this short week before our break, there will be no Reading or Spelling Test. However, the phonics and spelling skills, vocabulary words, and reading strategies will be assessed later in our Unit 5 Test in a few weeks, so we will be working hard Monday through Wednesday.
This week's selection is I Pledge Allegiance and the vocabulary words to learn are: pledge, represent, efficiently, indivisible, bond, justice, refers, values.
Our phonics focus is on the spellings of the /aw/ sound: aw, au_, augh, ough, all, and al, as well as the suffixes -able, and -ment. We will practice these spelling words: argument, hawk, sauce, payment, walk, bought, caught, treatment, small, lovable, movement, daughter, sought, chalk, enjoyable
In Math we are continuing with Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000
We are learning every day about the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. We will be rehearsing in the Church during the week after break.
Reminder: There are no classes on Thursday or Friday, 4/17-4/18. Classes resume on Monday, April 28.
Have a joyful and blessed Easter and a peaceful spring break!
News for the Week of April 7-11
This week in Reading our selection is called The Flag We Love. Vocabulary words from the selection are: ideals, connotations, allegiance, diligent, patriots, solemn, weary, righteous.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on /oo/ and /ow/, and the suffices -ly and -y. Spelling words for Friday's test are: foot, windy, lightly, plow, quickly, cents, sense, sound, itchy, bravely, birdhouse, easily, scowl, chowder, thirsty.
In Math this week we begin Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000.
We have an all-school Mass this Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. You are always welcome to attend.
Saturday, April 12 is the First Communion Retreat at 9 a.m.
Spring Break begins on Holy Thursday, 4/17. School is back in session on Monday, 4/28.
News for the week of March 31 - April 4
Update - Ms. O'C won't be in the classroom on 3/31 or 4/1. If you need to get a message to the sub, please contact Mrs. Delisi in the office. Thanks!
This week in Reading our selection is called United States Citizenship. The Vocabulary words we will learn from this selection are: citizen, legally, naturalized, republic, voice, rights, symbol, democracy, emigrated, immigrated, oath, traits.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on /ow/ spelled ow and ou_, as well as suffixes -er, -or, and -ness. Spelling words for Friday's test are: teacher, hour, loud, kindness, crowd, town, howl, baker, actor, brightness, collector, outside, powder, laziness, shower
In Math, we will finish our study of geometry with a test on Topic 13: Shapes and Their Attributes, likely Friday.
Parents, please watch for a letter coming home early next week regarding our Empowering God's Children Safe Environment program. As in year's past, we will be teaching students about their safety rights and boundaries, at an age-appropriate level, during the week of April 7-11. If you do not want your child to participate in these lessons, please sign the OPT-OUT portion of the letter and return it by the end of the week. Only sign and return the form if you do not want your child to participate. There has been some confusion about this in the past.
News for the week of March 24-28
We begin our new Reading unit with a realistic fiction selection called A Brand-New American Family. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: gnawed, register, federal, courthouse, vendors, revolving, anticipation, hints, keen, charge, uphold, faithfully.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the /oo/ spelling pattern that sounds like look, comparative endings -er and -est, and irregular comparatives. Spelling words for Friday's test are: look, good, shook, stood, highest, hotter, brook, hoof, better, least, worst, childhood, bookmark, uncooked, happier.
In Math we begin Topic 13: Shapes and Their Attributes, a study of geometry.
Friday, April 28 is POPCORN DAY for 2nd grade. Don't forget your $1 if you'd like to buy a bag at lunchtime.
News for the Week of March 18-21
This week, we are reviewing Unit 4 skills and strategies and will have an assessment Thursday/Friday. This week's reading selection is called Winston and George. Vocabulary words to learn from this story are: snout, moment, hovered, demanded, prowling, stammered, clattering, resist, current, shoal, suddenly, yank, reluctantly, tempted. There are no new spelling words to learn, but the following list will be used to review for the unit assessment: stone, boat, music, rescue, disagree, unlock, tooth, rewrite, grew, misread, rooftop, renewed, unload, foamy, disuse. Words with similar spelling patterns will be reflected in the unit assessment.
This week in Math we will complete Topic 12: Measuring Length. Our next topic will focus on Shapes and Their Attributes.
Reminders:
Our class begins with morning announcements this Wednesday. Be sure your child is prepared and on time on their announcement day.
For our Field Trip on Wednesday, students should wear their regular St. Linus school uniform. We will have lunch in our classroom upon our return.
News for the Week of March 10-14
This week in Reading our selection is The Green Grass Grew All Around. Vocabulary words from this selection are: middle, ground, ever, around, root, branch, twig.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on the oo sound spelled with u, u_e, _ew, and _ue, as well as the prefixes pre- and mis-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: clue, blew, tube, misread, preheat, student, grew, precut, mislead, June, blueberry, salute, misunderstand, preview, assume.
In Math this week we continue our study of Measuring Length.
We will be going on a field trip to see a live performance of The Jungle Book on Wednesday, March 19. Please return your child's permission form and payment no later than March 14, so that we can give an accurate count to the theater. Thanks! On that day, we will eat our lunch in the classroom upon our return from the performance. Students should wear their regular St. Linus School uniform.
Morning Announcements! Our class will begin reading the morning prayer, Pledge, and announcements soon. See your child's Home folder today for a practice sheet with their scheduled date, and what they will be reading. Please encourage them to practice several times at home, and be sure they are dropped off by 7:50 a.m. on their scheduled day. Morning prayers begin promptly at 8 a.m. right after the tardy bell rings. Thanks!
Reminder - Friday, 3/21 is an early dismissal day. School will dismiss at 11:30, and there is no extended day care.
News for the Week of March 3-7
This week in Reading our featured selection is Busy Bees. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: design, products, limbs, vacant, invade, antenna.
Our Spelling/Phonics focus is on oo, as in hoop and tooth, and the prefixes non- and re-. Spelling words for this week's test are: hoop, tooth, mood, nonstop, rewrite, bloom, food, nonfat, repaid, pool, nonsense, school, bedroom, rooster, recycle.
In Math we are beginning to study Measuring Length. We will use different tools and units of measure.
Wednesday, 3/5 is a 1:30 dismissal day. There is an Ash Wednesday prayer service in Church at 9:30. All are welcome.
Important Information about First Reconciliation
The St. Linus Faith Formation coordinators have passed along some important information for Saturday's celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please check your child's folder on Friday, 2/21 when they come home from school.
News for the Week of February 24-28
This week in Reading our main selection is Where's the Honey, Honey? Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: beehive, wilderness, flush, wax (or beeswax), effective, ancient.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on a review of long o and u spelling patterns. We will also learn about the prefixes dis- and un-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: tow, humid, disagree, soap, unplanned, fuel, cone, unlock, distrust, pure, disobeys, unzipped, unable, cocoa, argue.
In Math this week we will finish our study of Money and Time. Students should be able to tell time to 5 minutes on an analog clock, tell time before and after the hour, count coins and bills to find totals, and solve story problems to make simple change with coins or bills.
News for the Week of February 18-21
This week our main Reading selection is Hungry Little Hare. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: hind, scent, only, snoopy, stump, exactly, slender, prying, wily, drowsy, blend, tender.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus will be on the long u sound, spelled _ew, ue, u, u_e, multiple-meaning words, and homophones. Spelling words for Friday's test are: pew, hue, few, hair, hare, cell, sell, cute, human, rescue, uniform, confuse, view, pupils, statue.
In Math this week we continue Topic 8 and will be working on problems involving time.
News for the Week of February 10-13
Progress Reports were sent home on Thursday, 2/6. Please sign and return one copy. Keep the second copy.
This week we begin our new Reading unit with the selection Flower Power. Vocabulary words to know from this explanatory text are: comfortable, develop, minerals, nutritious, advance, carbon dioxide, oxygen, exhale, pollen, produce, transfer, observe.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on long o spellings ow, oa, o, and o_e, compound words, synonyms, and antonyms. Spelling words for Thursday's Test are: stone, flown, notebook, stroke, boat, know, blow, hello, oatmeal, show, borrow, coast, goldfish, owe, loan.
In Math we are beginining a new topic, Work with Time and Money.
On Thursday afternoon we will celebrate Valentine's Day. Students may (but are not obligated to) bring valentine cards to share with their classmates. Please include all. We have 9 girls and 8 boys in the class, for a total of 17.
Reminders:
Friday, 2/14 is an St. Linus professional development day and there is no school. The following Monday, 2/17 is Presidents Day - no school. Enjoy the long weekend!
Celebration of First Reconciliation is Saturday, 2/22 at 9:30 a.m., in Church.
News for the Week of February 3-6
This week our Reading selection is Night Shift. It introduces new vocabulary words shift, smartly, jam, adjust, assemble, lingers, nocturnal, perishable, freight, port, nudges. We will spend the first half of the week reviewing Unit 4 phonics, comprehension, spelling, and grammar skills, and will assess with a Unit Test on Wednesday and Thursday. There will be no regular weekly reading or spelling test this week.
In Math, we are finishing Topic 7: More Solving Problems Involving Addition and Subtraction and the following week we will begin Topic 8: Work With Time and Money.
Progress Reports will be sent home on Thursday, 2/6. Don't forget that there is no school on Friday, 2/7 as it is an Archdiocesan Professional Development Day.
News for the week of January 27-31
HAPPY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK!
There are many exciting things happening at our school. We kick off Catholic Schools Week with Mass and an Open House this Sunday and hope you'll join us. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open in the Library on Sunday. Please visit!
Our Reading selection this week is The Stranger and the Soup. Vocabulary words from this story are: indeed, surely, gasp, wilted, wringing, plaza, sighed, well, simmer, seasoning
This week's Phonics and Spelling focus is on long i spellings. Spelling words are: pie, night, fly, pile, child, right, shy, lie, mice, try, recognize, skyscraper, style, knight, mighty
News for the week of January 21-24
Important: Please see the note in your child's Home folder regarding the Sacramental Parent Meeting. The most recent change shows that this meeting will now take place on 1/28 at 6:30 p.m. in Church.
This week our Reading selection is The Langston Times. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: blared, revealing, result, seams, features, solar panels, sources, progress, officials, values. Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on /s/ spelled ce, ci, cy and /j/ spelled ge, gi. Spelling words for Friday's test are: age, peace, pencil, magic, ice, spicy, face, gem, circus, large, piece, gentle, tragic, century, excite
In Math, we are beginning Topic 7: More Solving Problems Involving Addition and Subtraction. Please keep reviewing both addition and subtraction basic facts. Not knowing them is the reason for many errors in solving 2-digit problems.
Sacramental Meeting for Parents
Please note that the meeting for 2nd grade parents is at 6:00 p.m. in Church on Tuesday, 1/21, not 6:30 p.m. as noted in a letter sent home. The calendar is correct and a new letter with the correct time should be coming home soon. Please make a note of this. Thanks.
News for the week of January 13-17
We begin our second iReady diagnostic assessments for Reading and Math starting on Monday. Testing will take place during first period each day this week right after prayers and announcements. Please be sure you are on time and ready to do your best work!
This week in Reading our main selection is Victor's Journal. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: while, blueprints, cement, lever, frame, insulated
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week will be a review of long a spellings and silent letters. Spelling words for Friday's test are: limb, herb, lamb, doubt, phone, graph, half, scent, phase, crumb, alphabet, island, plumber, nephew, photo
In Math we have been practicing many strategies for solving 2-digit subtraction problems, including column subtraction using regrouping. We will finish this topic this week with a little more practice and a test.
Hello Parents and Students,
In case you haven't already heard, sadly, we must close down school today, Friday, 12/20, due to a water main break. I hope you have a blessed and joyous Christmas and a peaceful 2025. Merry Christmas!
News for the week of January 6-10
Welcome back to a Happy New Year!
This week in Reading our main selection is My Community and Me. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are role, evolve, gain, rely, running, develop, discover, fascination, courteous, true.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on long e spelled _ie, _7, _ey, ee, and ea. Spelling words for Friday's test are: field, lady, money, breeze, stream, baby, speech, brief, monkey, teach, squeeze, kneel, speaker, seashell, finally
This week in Math we will learn and practice column subtraction, both without and with regrouping.
Other news and reminders for this week:
On Wednesday, 1/8 there is an All School Mass at 9:45. All are welcome. This is also an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.
News for the week of December 16-20
Reminders:
Tuesday is Christmas Pajama Day. Friday is Red & Green Holiday Spirit Day. Please see the note that was sent home on Friday.
Friday, 12/20 is an 11:30 a.m. dismissal. There is no extended day care after school.
This week in Reading we begin Unit 3 with a selection called Gross Jobs. Vocabulary words to learn are: vital, clogged, waste, plant, install, flexible, expired, landfill, flee, ensure
Phonics/Spelling skills in focus are long a spellings ai_, _ay, a, and a_e. Spelling words for our weekly test are: stay, rain, base, April, May, chain, trace, play, paid, fable, waist, railroad, pavement, flavor, Thursday
News for the week of December 9-13
Reminders:
We will visit Santa's Secret Workshop to shop on Tuesday and Friday. If you'd like your child to purchase gifts for family members, please return forms sent home last week.
The annual Christmas Concert for grades K-2 is on Thursday at 2 p.m. Students should wear festive holiday attire (not school uniforms.) We hope to see you there!
This week we are reviewing Unit 2 phonics/spelling skills and reading strategies. We will have a unit assessment Thursday/Friday. We will read the selection Volcano Rising. Vocabulary words to review and learn (a few are new) are: boundaries, interact, valley, plucking, tufts, haze, witness, creative, streams.
For Spelling, the list of words that reviews skills learned in Unit 2 is: mild, paper, unit, most, wren, sign, spoke, begin, sleep, cube, mope, screen. The Unit assessment will review all spelling and phonics skills taught in the last 6 weeks, including long vowel sounds/spellings, silent g when paired with n, silent k when paired with n, silent w when paired with r, homophones, and homographs.
We will review in class Monday through Wednesday, and will break the test into manageable parts on Thursday and Friday.
We should be ready for a Math assessment on 2-digit subtraction strategies on Tuesday. We have been doing a lot of extra practice in class. The strategies we learned are counting back on an open number line, adding up on an open number line, breaking apart the subtracted number, and using compensation to subtract. Ask your child to show you how to do these strategies. They are really showing their stuff on the board in class! We will have one more day of in-class practice and some homework to review on Monday.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Report cards for Trimester 1 were sent home on Friday, 11/22. Parents, please sign and return ONLY the ENVELOPE on Monday, 12/2 following Thanksgiving break. The report card is yours to keep.
This week in Reading our selection is In My Own Backyard. Vocabulary words to know from this fantasy fiction selection are: brook, plowed, settlers, mist, sheets, haze, grazed, skimmed, blurry, pulsed.
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is on the long e spellings e, e_e, ee, and ea. Spelling words for Friday's test are: real, reel, we, eve, steel, steal, creek, creak, knee, sleep, complete, evening.
In Math we are working in Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies. This week we will review break apart, practice using compensation to subtract, and solve 1- and 2-step problems.
Please continue to practice both addition and subtraction basic facts at home.
iReady lessons are happening in the classroom 2-3 days each week, but that doesn't mean your child can't work on them at home, too. This trimester we are encouraging all students to complete (and pass) a minimum of 2 math and 2 reading lessons each week in order to make progress. We are keeping track of progress in the classroom and when we fill our motivation poster, our whole class will get a reward.
Just a heads-up... During the week of December 9-13 the annual Secret Santa Workshop will be at St. Linus. Children enjoy shopping for gifts for family members. If you'd like your child to shop, these are the dates we are signed up to attend -- Tues., 12/10 and Fri., 12/13.
News for the week of November 18-22
This week in Reading our selection is an informational text called All about Earthquakes! Vocabulary words from this selection are plates, interact, collide, boundaries, energy, absorb, structures.
Our phonics/spelling focus is on long e spelled e and e_e. We will also review long a, i, o, and u. Spelling words for Friday's test are: label, vine, bonus, wild, begin, these, gate, use, meter, spoke, basic, athlete.
This week in Math we begin Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies. Please continue to encourage your child to practice their basic facts, both addition and subtraction, and to review 2-digit addition with and without regrouping.
Report cards will be distributed on Friday, 11/22. Please sign and return just the envelope. The report card is yours to keep.
News for the week of November 11-15
This week in Reading our selection is a myth called What Makes the Earth Shake? Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: spied, restless, settled, secures, aloft, shivers.
Our phonics/spelling focus is on long vowels a, i, o, and u, inflected endings -er and -est, and /r/ spelled wr, /n/ spelled gn and kn. Spelling words for Friday's test are: wren, knot, knife, write, sharper, fastest, gnat, sign, longer, thickest, highest, wrinkle.
This week in Math we will learn and practice the 2-digit column addition algorithm, first without regrouping and then with regrouping. We will likely have a quiz on Friday.
News for the week of November 4-7
Reminders...
Library book reports (the Pie Project) are due on Tuesday, 11/5.
Wednesday, 11/6 is a 1:30 Dismissal Day.
Our annual Veterans Day assembly is on Thursday, 11/7 in Church at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome!
Friday, 11/8 is an Archdiocesan Professional Development Day, so there are no classes.
In Reading and Spelling this week we are reviewing last week's selection A River of Ice, and our weekly tests are on Tuesday. Watch for the Reader and Word Work Notebooks to come home on Monday for review and study.
In Math, we are finishing up Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100 with some review, and will have a Test likely on Thursday. Then we will spend some time practicing 2-digit addition with and without regrouping using the stacked numbers algorithm most of us are used to, before we move onto our next topic in Subtraction.
News for the week of October 28 - November 1
This week in Reading our nonfiction informational text selection is A River of Ice. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: glacier, over, time, press, crevasse, happens, scratch, rub, valley, fjords.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus will be on the long o and u sound/spelling patterns: o, o_e, u, u_e. We will review closed and open syllables. Spelling Words are: menu, nose, most, cube, joke, unit, vote, fuse, over, mule, stone, bugle.
Because Halloween is on Thursday and I don't want to assign homework on Thursday evening, we will push off our Reading and Spelling tests until the following week, likely on Tuesday, so that we can review again on Monday, 11/4. The week of 11/4 is also a shortened one, so we will stretch out the work with this week's selection, which is a complex one.
In Math, we continue Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100. We have learned several concrete strategies using place value to add 2-digit numbers that require regrouping, and are headed toward the 2-column stacked addition that we all grew up with. Please continue to access the digital platform www.savvasrealize.com for homework videos we viewed in class, additional practice, and games that support math learning.
On Halloween, students may wear their costumes, but no weapon-type props should be brought to school. They will be in their costumes all day, so they should be wearing something comfortable. Students may bring a store-bought, packaged, treat, stickers, etc., to share with their classmates during our celebration, which will be from 1-2:30 pm. Please do not send any items that contain nuts.
Unfortunately, I still haven't located my party signup sheet that I had laid out on Welcome Back Night, so I don't know who to contact regarding party planning, volunteers, etc. If you signed up to help and are Virtus-trained, please let me know asap! Sorry, and thanks!
News for the Week of October 21-25
This week in Reading we begin Unit 2 with a selection called Mattland. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: jagged, peaks, tufts, smoothed, pasture, plucking, wind, culverts, prickly, cleared
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is on the long a and i sounds/spelling patterns a, a_e, i, i_e. We will also learn about open syllables. Spelling words for this Friday's test are: m;ild, pale, pilot, paper, bake, time, sale, ride, able, kind, apron, final. We are up to 12 Spelling words!
We have begun Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100 in our Math learning. I hope you've had a chance to explore the digital Math platform www.savvasrealize.com. Your child's login information was sent home and can be found in the Home folder. There are videos, practice activities, and games relevant to each lesson learned in class.
I sent home the Topic 3 Math Test on Friday. If there is a note asking for corrections, it is because your child needs additional practice. Feel free to help them work through their errors and if they return the work corrected, they can earn back a few points. All tests should be signed and returned on Monday.
The 11th Annual Gobble Gobble Run or Wobble St. Linus 5k is quickly approaching on Saturday, November 2nd at 9am! Registration is currently open online (https://raceroster.com/events/2024/94147/gobble-gobble-run-or-wobble-5k) or you can register by printing out the attached paperwork and returning it to the main office. The deadline for a guarantee tshirt at packet pickup is Thursday, October 17th.
Looking to volunteer? Please check out our SignUp Genius! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45AAA628A1FDC16-52015111-2024#/
Let's make this our largest 5k yet!
News for the Week of October 15 -18
This week in Reading our selection is Ellie's Long Walk. We will use this story to review Unit 1 concepts and reading strategies. Vocabulary words from this selection to know are: adopt, entire, faced, inch, journey, panic, raged, startled, slick, slope, surface, turned.
We will review Unit 1 sounds and spelling patterns including short vowel sounds, endings -s, -es, -ed, -ck, -ch, -tch, -dge, -ng, -nk, -ing, and bossy r sounds /ar/, /er/, /or/.
We will have a Unit 1 Reading Assessment on Thursday and Friday, which will include a spelling section. There won't be a regular weekly spelling test this week, but we will practice Unit 1 spelling patterns using these review words: march, shed, judge, track, clapped, wishesw, middle, shrank, chores, purple
This week in Math we will finish our review of addition strategies learned in Topic 3 and will likely have our test on Wednesday.
News for the Week of October 7 - 11
This week in Reading our selection is The Final Game. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: managed, grandstand, tense, piercing, checked, eagerness, opponent, sneered
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on /er/ spelled er, ir, ur, or, and ear, as well as /or/ spelled or and ore. Spelling words for Friday's test are: bird, chores, short, antlers, snored, stork, purple, whirling, perched, explore
This week's grammar skill is a review of first letter capitalization in sentences. We are beginning a new English unit on Nouns.
In Math we are continuing in Topic 3: Add Within 100 Using Strategies. We have learned these four new strategies: Adding with a hundreds chart, adding with an open number line, the break apart strategy, and compensation. We will practice these strategies again this week and hopefully be ready for an assessment the following week.
News for the Week of September 30 - October 4
Reminders: $5 Recorder fee due 9/30.
Wednesday is a 1:30 dismissal day.
This week in Reading our selection is A Cherokee Stickball Game. Vocabulary words we will learn this week are: roared, disappointed, humbly, pity, part, furious.
Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is on word endings -ng, -nk, -ing, the schwa sound, and /el/ sound spelled el, le, al, and il. Spelling words for Friday's test are: think, middle, rushing, strong, pickle, sink, gravel, shrank, grinning, blank.
In Math we are beginning Topic 3: Add Within 100 Using Strategies. We will practice adding 10s and 1s on a Hundreds Chart and using an Open Number Line. We will learn how to break apart 2-digit numbers into the values of their 10s and 1s to add. Finally, we will learn to use the Compensation strategy to add.
Please continue to practice basic addition and subtraction facts at home.
News for the Week of September 23-27
Reminder - No school on Friday, 9/28. It is an Archdiocesan Professional Development Day.
This week in Reading our selection is The Bat, Birds, and Beasts. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: annual, emphasize, inquired, loyal, strategy, accepted.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on inflected endings -s, -es, and -ed. Spelling words for Thursday's test are: clapped, shops, locked, patches, picked, wishes, started, stacks, grabbed, pitches.
In Math we are finishing the short Topic 2: Work With Equal Groups, and will have a test likely Wednesday.
There are many activities planned for Homecoming Week. Students may dress down according to this schedule:
Monday, 9/23 Pajama Day
Tuesday, 9/24 Disney Plus Day
Wednesday, 9/25 Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, 9/26 St. Linus Spirit Wear
News for the Week of September 16-20
This week in Reading our selection is Ants and Aphids Work Together. Vocabulary words from this nonfiction selection are: symbiosis, scurry, liquid, partners, shelter, relationship, honeydew, predators, colony, team.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on /j/ spelled _dge, /k/ spelled _ck, /ch/ spelled _tch, and closed syllables (a syllable with a short vowel sound has at least one consonant following the vowel.) Spelling Words for this week are: check, wedge, latch, judge, kick, switch, track, ledge, badge, flock. We will stick to 10 words for Unit 1 and then add a few more words that are a bit more challenging when we reach Unit 2.
In Math, we are starting Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups. Please continue to practice basic addition and subtraction facts to 20 at home.
iReady Diagnostic Testing will wrap up soon, and once it is complete we will strive for 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math lessons each week. However, we can't complete it all during school hours, so students will be expected to work toward that goal at home as well. I'll update you when we are ready to add iReady lessons to independent work at home.
News for the Week of September 9-13
This week in Reading, we begin Unit 1 with the selection The Mice Who Lived in a Shoe. Vocabulary words from the story that we will learn this week are: huddled, safety, gathered, shelter, observed, merchant, timber, fetched, platform, admired. We will introduce and practice these words during the week in class, and students will be asked to review them Thursday for Homework. Our weekly reading Test will take place on Friday.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the sounds /ch/, /th/, /sh/, /w/ spelled wh, and /ar/ spelled ar. For this week's test on Friday there will be 10 Spelling words: ship, chin, that, march, which, shed, with, shark, chop, harsh. They will be introduced on Monday and we work on them throughout the week. On Wednesday or Thursday you can expect a Homework assignment to write the words 5x each in their Word Work Notebook (WWNB.) Please review their work to make sure they are spelling the words correctly so they don't make the same errors on their Friday Test.
This week in Math we will finish Topic 1: Fluently Add and Subtract Within 20. We have practiced several addition and subtraction strategies, but it is still important to memorize the basic facts. Please continue to practice at home. Our first math test will likely be on Thursday.
PICTURE DAY REMINDER!
Friday, 9/6 is St. Linus Picture Day! Don't forget your form and to wear something nice for your photo.
Dippin Dots orders are also due on Friday.
News for the Week of September 3-6
In Reading we are reviewing 1st grade skills and concepts this week. Next week, we will begin our 2nd grade routine that will include a weekly Spelling and Reading test. Watch for next week's spelling words on this webpage at the end of the week if you want to get a head start.
In Math we are reviewing addition facts and strategies in Topic 1. We will likely have a test on this topic next week. Occasional math homework begins this week. Please see the Homework link at the top of the page. Your child will be writing their Homework assignments daily in their Assignment Notebook. Please look it over, help only if needed, and make sure they take responsibility for returning it in their Home folder.
Monday, Aug. 26, 2024
As our first full week of school begins, here are a few notes and reminders...
It is going to be HOT for a few days. Students may wear their P.E. uniforms through Labor Day to be more comfortable.
For the first couple of weeks in Reading we will be reviewing first grade skills and concepts. Once we get into our 2nd grade Reading/Spelling routine you'll be able to find weekly Vocabulary and Spelling words posted here on this link. This week and next, we are reading two selections from our Reader together, The Cowardly Lion and Big Animal Vets.
If you haven't yet signed the St. Linus Handbook page, please locate the digital handbook on the St. Linus website, review it, then click on the link on the last page, and sign digitally. The first class that completes this task will receive a surprise from Ms. Hayes - we only need a couple of signatures!
If you haven't yet sent in $10 for your child's Assignment Notebook, please do so asap. This notebook will be used throughout the year. Thanks!
Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024
We had a great first day of 2nd grade. Today we organized school supplies, did some activities to get to know each other, went over some routines and rules, and enjoyed some time in Library and Music.
Thanks for being so prompt with returning the green questionnaires, $10 for Assignment Notebooks, and sending in school supplies. If you ordered the supply kits, they were not sent with a zippered pencil pouch, so if you could purchase one and send it in at your earliest convenience, that would be great, and a size range of about 6" x 10" will fit in their desks. The hard plastic square art boxes sometimes don't fit with all their books. Meanwhile we are storing writing supplies in ziploc bags if your child doesn't have one.
Quick reminder - please send only water in the water bottles to be consumed in the classroom. If your child prefers another drink besides milk for lunchtime, that is fine, but should be in a different drinking container.
If your child is signed up for extended day, please let me know which days they will be attending. Some can't remember from day to day if the schedule changes often. Also, if signed up for an afterschool activity, it is really helpful to know, especially if you are making arrangements for your child to go with another student's parent. I don't always get a master list and am not comfortable releasing your child to someone without hearing from you. Thanks!
WELCOME TO 2ND GRADE, August 20, 2024
Welcome to Room 4 and a new school year! I hope you're excited and ready to be back in school on Wednesday, 8/21. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you. Here are some things to know as we begin...
Enter school through Entrance #1, which is the door nearest the main office. At dismissal time, however, we will leave through the school doors near the flagpole and the church. Parents, please exit your car to pick your child up near these doors so we can ensure they reach you safely. If your child will be leaving school with another adult, please send me a note or email.
Students may wear their P.E. uniforms daily through Labor Day, if they'd like. This first week of school our dismissal time is 1:30 p.m.
Room 4 Specials Schedule
MONDAY P.E.
TUESDAY P.E.
WEDNESDAY LIBRARY AND MUSIC
THURSDAY ART AND MUSIC
FRIDAY LIBRARY
We eat lunch at around 11:10 each day, followed by 20-30 minutes of outdoor recess. Please be sure to send appropriate outerwear once the weather begins to get chilly. Water bottles can be sent for students to sip throughout the day at their desks, but please make sure they are the spillproof type. These should contain water only. A separate drink can be sent in the lunchbox or students can sign up for daily milk.
Please send $10 in an envelope marked with your child's name for their Assignment Notebook. It will be used throughout the year and will help your child stay organized and build responsibility.
A small amount of homework is often assigned Monday through Thursday. It should not take more than 15-20 minutes to complete, and most should be able to complete this work with minimal help from parents. I post upcoming Spelling Lists and Vocabulary Words each Friday in CLASS NEWS on this Google site, and daily Homework assignments are also listed in HOMEWORK. Please check the site often for news about our classroom and upcoming school events.
Our St. Linus Student Handbook is available to read on the website. Please make sure you have signed the Parent Signature page and returned it. Ms. Hayes has a special prize for the classroom that turns in all their paperwork first!
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Just a reminder that our last day of school ends at 11:30 a.m. Students should wear their Field Day t-shirts. We will attend 8:30 a.m. Mass and head out to the field shortly after. An early lunch and drinks will be provided, so students don't need to bring anything. We will return to the classroom shortly before 11:30 a.m. to distribute report cards and say our summer goodbyes, and will dismiss through the same doors as usual.
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!
News for the Week of May 28-31, 2024
No school on Monday, May 27 - Happy Memorial Day!
We are finished with homework and weekly Tests, but will be working and reviewing next week.
News for the Week of May 20-24, 2024
This week in Reading our selection is Cinderella Tales. Vocabulary words to learn from the selection are: unfortunately, rivaled, transformed, grace, opportunity, dismayed, compelled, summoned.
Spelling words for Friday's test: tighter, boot, took, somehow, arrow, deepest, worse, speaker, visitor, weakness, driftwood, typhoon, director, downtown, borrow.
This week in Math we begin Topic 14: Graphs and Data.
News for the Week of May 13-17, 2024
Reminder - don't forget to bring in a fun board game to share with your 8th Grade Sacramental Buddy on Monday.
This week in Reading our main selection is Cinderlad. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: moaned, desire, strolled, abruptly, clearing, eligible, scaled, amused.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on the ough spelling pattern and silent letters, as well as prefixes re-, pre-, and mis-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: whistle, fought, preorder, trough, replace, debt, misjudge, predawn, although, knew, exhaust, reappear, rearrange, preseason, mispronounce.
In Math we continue in Topic 13: More Addition, Subtraction, and Length and will finish this short topic by the end of the week.
News for the Week of May 6-10, 2024
First Communion reminders:
Please arrive at 10:30. Children can be escorted to the red tile vestibule (lunchroom,) where Ms. Anderson and I will supervise and line them up, and parents/families take seats in the pew with your child's banner attached. No photos during Mass, please. There will be an opportunity after Mass to take all the photos you'd like. A professional photographer will capture your child's image as they receive the Sacrament. God Bless our 2nd graders as they celebrate this very special day!
Don't forget to join us at the special May Crowning Mass on Sunday, May 5. Children can wear their special 1st Communion attire and see their 8th grade Sacramental Buddies crown Mary.
Our Reading selection this week is The Art of Storytelling. Vocabulary words from this selection are: account, spark, impression, tablets, civilizations, generation, organizations, fond, founded, wonder, stir, styles
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on silent letters and the prefixes dis-, un-, and non-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: listen, castle, answer, nonslip, rhino, unscrew, unharmed, nondairy, could, distract, discover, scenic, rhyme, unfriendly, rhythm.
In Math, we will be taking our Topic 15 test on Shapes and Their Attributes on Tuesday. Then we will work in Topic 13: More Addition, Subtraction, and Length beginning Wednesday.
The final iReady Diagnostic Assessments for Reading and Math will begin this week. We will start with Reading this week, and complete Math next week. Please do not allow your child to work on the iReady assessments at home, or we will need to reset them and have them start over. Thanks!
News for the Week of April 29 - May 3, 2024
Reminder - Wednesday, May 1 is a 1:30 Dismissal Day.
This week in Reading our main selection is One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. Vocabulary words from this selection are: meanwhile, spark, bazaar, polished, fortune, sultan, procession, word, acquainted, extraordinary, spectacular, lord.
Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is on the ough spelling pattern, and we will review antonyms, synonyms, compound words, multiple-meaning words, and homophones. Spelling words for Friday's test are: cough, dough, pancake, through, thought, rough, allowed, aloud, moonlight, enough, thorough, throughout, thoughtful, foreword, forward.
In Math, we will likely conclude Topic 15: Shapes and Their Attributes with a Test on Friday.
News for the Week of April 22-25, 2024
Reminder - students are not in school on Friday, 4/26 due to an Archdiocesan-wide professional development day.
This week in Reading our selection is Election Day which we will use to review for our Unit Reading Assessment. There will be no weekly reading or spelling tests and we will complete the Unit Assessment at the end of the week. The Vocabulary and Spelling words (or words with similar patterns) may be included in the Unit Assessment. They are:
Vocabulary: mock, tolerant, agreement, compassion, courage, manager, training, demonstrating, errand, traditional, stocked, arranging, discipline, ballots
Spelling: shook, highest, crowd, kindness, quickly, itchy, sauce, small, choice, boys, gloomy, cowboy, rebought, loiter, voyage
In Math we continue our work in Topic 15: Shapes and Their Attributes.
One last reminder about the 1st Communion Retreat this Saturday, April 13th, 9-11:30 a.m. in Church.
News for the Week of April 15-19, 2024
This week in Reading our selection is D is for Democracy. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: express, committees, convention, liberties, strife, judicial, jury, mint, inauguration, politicians, organize, movement.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the /oi/ sound spelled oi or _oy, and words with the same base. Spelling words for Friday's test are: join, walked, spoil, choice, walking, enjoy, sidewalk, placed, boys, replace, royal, placement, moist, rejoice, oyster.
This week in Math we will complete our study of measuring length with a test likely on Wednesday.
Have a beautiful and blessed Easter, and a peaceful break.
Here's what's happening when we return the Week of April 8-12, 2024
This week in Reading our selection is I Pledge Allegiance. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: pledge, represent, efficiently, indivisible, bond, justice.
Our Spelling/Phonics focus is on the /aw/ sound spelled aw, au_, augh, all, al, and suffixes -able and -ment. Spelling words for Friday's test are: argument, hawk, sauce, payment, walk, bought, caught, treatment, small, lovable, movement, daughter, sought, chalk, enjoyable.
This week in Math we continue with Topic 12: Measuring Length. This week we will work with metric units and comparing lengths.
Reminders: Wednesday, 4/10 is a 1:30 Dismissal Day.
There is a First Holy Communion Retreat on Saturday 4/13.
News for the Week of March 25-27, 2024
Reminder - there is no school on Holy Thursday, 3/28 or Good Friday, 3/29.
This week in Reading our selection is The Flag We Love. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: ideals, connotations, allegiance, diligent, patriots, solemn, weary, righteous.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is a review of /oo/ and /ow/, homophones, and the suffixes -ly and -y. Spelling words we will practice are: foot, windy, lightly, plow, quickly, cents, sense, sound, itchy, bravely, birdhouse, easily, scowl, chowder, thirsty.
Because this is a brief week, there will be no weekly reading or spelling tests.
In Math, we are beginning Topic 12: Measuring Length. This week we will learn about estimating, measuring with inches, and measuring inches, feet, and yards.
After our holiday break, classes will resume on Monday, April 8. Have a blessed Easter and a restful break.
REMINDER regarding First Communion Photos...
Just a reminder that there are still some appointments available March 20-21 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the Cardiff Center if you have not yet booked First Communion pictures for your child. Even if you don't want to order, your child will still be in the composite of all 2024 First Communicants if you stop by on either of those days.
Please schedule an appointment by clicking on the following link:
https://stlinuscommunion.as.me/
Each Communicant will have a variety of poses taken including full body pose. Please bring your own rosary or prayer book if you would like them in your photos.
Photo proofs and information on how to order photos will be emailed to you around April 1st.
Any Questions, Please email, text or call
info@portraitspluschicago.com or 773-896-5322.
News for the week of March 18-22
This week in Reading our main selection is informational text called United States Citizenship. Vocabulary words are challenging this week: citizen, legally, naturalized, republic, voice, rights, symbol, democracy, emigrated, immigrated, oath, traits.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus will be on the /ow/ sound spelled ow and ou. Spelling words for Friday's test are: teacher, hour, loud, kindness, crowd, town, howl, baker, actor, brightness, collector, outside, powder, laziness, shower.
This week in Math we will finish Topic 11: Subtract Within 100 Using Models and Strategies with a test likely on Thursday. Then we will dive into Measuring Length in Topic 12.
News for the week of March 11-15
This week in Reading we begin Unit 5 with a realistic fiction selection, A Brand New American Family. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: gnawed, register, federal, courthouse, vendors, revolving, anticipation, hints, keen, charge, uphold, faithfully.
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is on the /oo/ sound as in book, as well as endings -er and -est. Spelling words for Friday's test are: look, good, shook, stood, highest, hotter, brook, hoof, better, least, worst, childhood, bookmark, uncooked, happier.
In Math this week, we dive into Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. Please review basic subtraction facts regularly at home.
News for the Week of March 4-8
Please sign and return only the envelope that contained the 2nd trimester report card. The report card is yours to keep.
This week in Reading we will review Unit 4 skills and strategies, then have an assessment late in the week. This week's selection is Winston and George. New vocabulary words from the selection are: snout, moment, hovered, demanded, prowling, stammered, clattering, current, resist, shoal, suddenly, yank, reluctantly, tempt. There will be a spelling test that is a review of sound/spelling patterns previously learned in Unit 4. Spelling words for this test are: stone, boat, music, rescue, disagree, unlock, tooth, rewrite, grew, misread, rooftop, renewed, unload, foamy, disuse
This week in Math we will finish Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. We will have a test likely on Thursday, then begin Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies.
News for the Week of February 26 - 29
Reminders: Thursday, 2/29 is an 11:30 dismissal day (no extended day care,) and there is no school on Friday, 3/1.
This week in Reading our selection is The Green Grass Grows All Around. Vocabulary words from this selection are: middle, ground, ever, around, root, branch, twig
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on the /oo/ spelling patterns u, u_e, _ew, _ue, and prefixes pre- and mis-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: clue, blew, tube, misread, preheat, student, grew, precut, mislead, June, blueberry, salute, misunderstand, preview, assume
In Math we are working in Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. We will review many strategies students learned with 2-digit addition, and apply them to 3-digit addends.
News for the Week of February 20-23
No school on Presidents Day, Monday, February 19.
This week in Reading our selection is Busy Bees. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: design, products, limbs, vacant, invade, antenna.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on oo (as in school,) and the prefixes non- and re-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: hoop, tooth, mood, nonstop, rewrite, bloom, food, nonfat, repaid, pool, nonsense, school, bedroom, rooster, recycle.
In Math we are finishing Topic 9 this week and will likely have a test on Wednesday after some review on Tuesday. Then we will move on to Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies.
News for the Week of February 12-15
Reminders - Friday 2/16 is a teacher professional development day. No classes. Monday, 2/19 is President's Day. No classes.
On TUESDAY, 2/13 we will celebrate Valentine's Day in the afternoon. Students may bring Valentines to share with their classmates. We have 17 students - 10 girls, 7 boys.
On Wednesday, 2/14 we will have an Ash Wednesday prayer service at 9:30 a.m. in Church. All are welcome.
This week in Reading, our selection is Where's the Honey, Honey? Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: beehive, wilderness, flush, wax, effective, ancient.
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is a review of long o and u, and the prefixes dis- and un-.
Spelling words for THURSDAY'S test are: tow, humid, disagree, soap, unplanned, fuel, cone, unlock, distrust, pure, disobeys, unzipped, unable, cocoa, argue.
In Math this week we continue in Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000.
We are finishing our Science chapter on Plants and Animals and will likely be ready for a chapter assessment by Thursday.
News for the Week of February 5 - 9
Reminder - Wednesday, 2/7 is a 1:30 Dismissal Day.
This week in Reading our main selection is Hungry Little Hare. Vocabulary words to learn this week are: hind, scent, only, snoopy, stump, exactly, slender, prying, wily, drowsy, blend, tender.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on long u spelled: _ew, _ue, u, and u_e. We will also review homophones, words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings. Spelling words for Friday's Test are: pew, hue, few, hair, hare, cell, sell, cute, human, rescue, uniform, confuse, view, pupils, statue.
In Math, we are working in Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000.
Note: A few have asked about Valentine's Day. We will have a small classroom celebration of the holiday on Tuesday, 2/13 because Wednesday 2/14 is also Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. If your child would like to bring in Valentines to share with their classmates, we have 10 girls and 7 boys. We will pass out our Valentines in the afternoon on Tuesday.
News for the Week of January 29-February 2
Catholic Schools Week Celebrations begin this Sunday, January 28 with an all school Mass at 10 a.m. followed by Open House until 12:30. Please join us if you can. Students should wear their St. Linus School uniforms.
We will celebrate throughout the week with the junior high science fair to see on Monday, Vocations Day and Catholic Bingo on Tuesday, Student Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Community Day on Thursday, and Teacher Appreciation on Friday.
On Wednesday, students may dress in their St. Linus Spirit Wear. Our day will include St. Linus Trivia, Popcorn and a Movie in the afternoon, and no homework.
For Thursday, students are asked to help kick off our Pre-Souper Bowl by donating a can of soup or two. These will become part of the Our Lady of the Ridge Food Pantry.
This week in Reading our selection is Flower Power. Vocabulary words to learn in this selection are: comfortable, develop, minerals, nutritious, advance, carbon dioxide, oxygen, exhale, pollen, produce, transfer, observe.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the long o spellings _ow, oa_, o, o_e, and compound words. Spelling Words for Friday's test are: stone, flown, notebook, stroke, boat, know, blow, hello, oatmeal, show, borrow, coast, goldfish, owe, loan.
In Math this week we are reviewing 2-digit addition and subtraction and problem-solving and will begin Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000.
January 22, 2024
UPDATE: eLEARNING WORK IS PUBLISHED ON THE HOMEWORK LINK ABOVE.
Good Morning - Today is an eLearning Day due to a water main break at school. I will be posting some assignments on the Homework link of this page shortly. Stay tuned!
News for the Week of January 22-26
This week we are reviewing Unit 3 Reading skills and strategies. Our Unit 3 Assessment will take place Thursday and Friday. There will be no new Spelling words this week, so no Weekly Spelling or Reading Tests.
We will be reading the selection Night Shift and studying the following Vocabulary words as we review this week: shift, smartly, jam, adjust, assemble, lingers, nocturnal, perishable, freight, port, nudges, maneuverable.
In Math we are finishing Topic 8: Time and Money this week, with a Test likely Wednesday or Thursday.
Reminder: If you haven't turned in the St. Linus Re-enrollment Form for 2024-25, please do so.
News for the Week of January 16-19, 2024
This week we will begin the 2nd iReady Diagnostic Assessments for Reading and Math. Please do not have your child work on iReady at home until we finish the assessments in school. Thanks!
This week in Reading our main selection is The Stranger and the Soup. Vocabulary words to know from this folktale are: indeed, surely, gasp, wilted, wringing, plaza, sighed, well, simmer, seasoning.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the long i sound spelled _igh, _ie, and _y. We will also review long i spellings i and i_e. Spelling words for this week are: pie, night, fly, pile, child, right, shy, lie, mice, try, recognize, skyscraper, style, knight, mighty.
In Math we continue to work in Topic 8, Money and Time.
Thursday, 1/11
Please see today's Homework page for an important announcement!!!
Dear Parents,
The weather forecasts are all over the place for this coming weekend and early next week. If it becomes necessary to close school due to inclement weather and Ms. Hayes calls an "eLearning Day," please be sure to check this class website for any assignments to be completed at home. Since 2nd graders don't have access to Chromebooks and many don't have home devices, all assignments will be posted here.
Thanks,
Ms. O'C
News for the week of January 8-12
Happy New Year!
This week in Reading our selection is The Langston Times. Vocabulary words to know from the story are blared, revealing, result, seams, features, solar panels, sources, progress, officials, values.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on /s/ spelled ce, ci_, cy, and /j/ spelled ge, gi_. Spelling words for Friday's test are: age, peace, pencil, magic, ice, spicy, face, gem, circus, large, piece, gentle, tragic, century, excite.
In Math we are starting Topic 8: Working with Time and Money.
Reminder - Wednesday, January 10 is a 1:30 dismissal day.
News for the week of December 18-22
This week in Reading our selection is Victor's Journal. Vocabulary words to learn from this story are: while, blueprints, cement, lever, frame, insulated. Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on /f/ spelled ph, /m/ spelled _mb, and silent letters. We will also review the long vowel spellings of /a/ and /e/. Spelling words for this week are: limb, herb, lamb, doubt, phone, graph, half, scent, phase, crumb, alphabet, island, plumber, nephew, photo.
In Math this week we continue to review double digit addition and subtraction. After the Christmas break we will change our focus to a study of money and time.
Reminders:
On Thursday, 12/21 there is an All School Mass at 9:30 a.m. You are always welcome to join us.
We hope to see you at our annual Christmas Singalong on Friday, 12/22 at 8:30 a.m. in the school gym. School will be dismissed at 11 a.m. on Friday, 12/22 for the start of Christmas break. There is no extended daycare on this day.
News for the week of December 11-15
Reminder - Wednesday, December 13 is the K-2 Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. in Church. Please join us! Students should dress up in their Christmas best on this day. Following the concert, students will return to class and be dismissed at 2:40 through their doors they usually exit.
This week in Reading our selection is My Community and Me. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: role, evolve, gain, rely, running, develop, discover, fascination, courteous, and true.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on the spellings of long /e/ - _ie, _y, _ey, ee, and ea. Spelling words for Friday's test are: field, lady, money, breeze, stream, baby, speech, brief, monkey, teach, squeeze, kneel, speaker, seashell, finally
In Math this week we continue to subtract 2-digit numbers in Topic 6.
News for the week of December 4-8
December 3 is the first Sunday of our Advent Season. We created Advent Nativity Calendars and are joyously and impatiently waiting for the birth of Jesus.
We have been preparing for receiving the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and students are excited (and a bit nervous, as it is their first experience.) Please remind them, as I have many times, that the priest they confess their sins to has taken a vow to never tell anyone what they share and that they will feel so awesome when they are finished. We are reviewing and discussing daily in class. While they should be practicing the Act of Contrition at home, it is okay if they don't have it fully memorized. They should be comfortable with reading the prayer. We will likely read it together at Church. The Sacrament will be celebrated Tuesday evening, December 5th at 6:30 and usually takes about an hour from start to finish.
This week in Reading our selection is Gross Jobs. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: vital, clogged, waste, plant, install, flexible, expired, landfill, flee, ensure
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on long a spelled ai_ and _ay. Spelling words for Friday's test are: stay, rain, base, April, May, chain, trace, play, paid, fable, waist, railroad, pavement, flavor, Thursday
In Math we continue our work in Topic 6: Fluently Subtract Within 100. This week we will be practicing subtracting 1-digit and 2-digit numbers from 2-digit numbers using column subtraction with and without regrouping.
Reminder - Wednesday, December 6 is a 1:30 dismissal day.
Wednesday, December 13 is the annual Christmas Concert for grades K-2. We hope you can attend!
News for the week of November 20-21
Report cards were sent home Friday, 11/17. Please keep the report card, but sign and return the envelope on Monday. Thanks.
During this shortened week we will begin to review Unit 2 Reading and Spelling skills. We will do some Topic 5 review work in Math.
Reminders:
Student Council Bake Sale is Monday. Students may bring $1-$3 to purchase goodies.
There is an All School Mass on Tuesday, 11/21 at 9:30. You are always welcome to join us. Dismissal is at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
There is no school Wednesday.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
News for the week of November 13-17
This week marks the beginning of our 2nd trimester. Trimester 1 Report Cards will be sent home on Friday, 11/17.
This week in Reading our main selection is a fantasy story called In My Own Backyard. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: brook, plowed, settlers, mist, sheets, haze, grazed, skimmed, blurry, pulsed.
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on the ee and ea spellings of long e. We will review the e and e_ e spellings of long e. We will also learn about homophones and homographs.
Spelling words for this week: real, reel, we, eve, steel, steal, creek, creak, knee, sleep, complete, evening.
In Math, we continue working in Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies. This week the strategies we focus on will be Break Apart and Compensation.
In Religion we have been learning about forgiveness as we start our preparation for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. I am sending home a copy of the Act of Contrition prayer so children can practice it at home. Please tell them not to worry about it being perfectly memorized. In the coming weeks we will learn how to receive this important Sacrament.
Please be sure your child has a warm jacket, hat, gloves, etc. as we move into the colder weather so they can enjoy their outdoor recess time. Thanks!
News for the week of November 6 - 10
Reminders:
Veterans Day assembly is Wednesday, 11/8 at 9 a.m. in Church. You are welcome to join us.
November 9 is the last day of the first trimester.
There is no school on Friday, November 10 due to teacher professional development.
This week in Reading our main selection is All About Earthquakes. Vocabulary words to learn from the selection are: plates, interact, collide, boundaries, energy, structures, absorb
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on the long e sounds/spelling patterns e and e_e, as well as a review of the other long vowel sounds we've recently practiced: a and a_e, i and i_e, o and o_e, u and u_e. There are 12 spelling words on this week's list:
label, vine, bonus, wild, begin, these, gate, use, meter, spoke, basic, athlete
In Math, we are working in Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies. We suddenly discovered that this year's batch of Math workbooks is missing many of the pages from this topic, so don't be surprised if you see photocopies of work coming home for the next week or so.
News for the Week of October 30 - November 6
Tuesday, 10/31 - HALLOWEEN - Costume parade is at 8:30 and all are welcome!
Wear or bring your gym shoes for P.E.!
Students may bring Halloween goodies to share with their classmates in their afternoon, but all will be sent home. Non-edible treats are an option that everyone can enjoy! Please don't send anything homemade.
This week in Reading our main selection is a collection of myths under the title What Makes the Earth Shake? Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: spied, restless, settled, secures, aloft, shivers
Our phonics focus this week is a review of the long vowel sounds of a, i, o, and u, and the inflectional endings -er and -est.
Our Spelling focus is on /n/ spelled kn_ and gn, /r/ spelled wr_, comparative ending -er, and superlative ending -est. 12 Spelling Words for Friday's test are:
wren, knot, knife, write, sharper, fastest, gnat, sign, longer, thickest, highest, wrinkle
Reminder - Wednesday, November 1 is a 1:30 dismissal day.
News for the Week of October 23-27
This week is Red Ribbon Week. Friday will be a dress down day. Students can wear red.
This week in Reading our main selection is informational text called A River of Ice. Vocabulary words to learn in this selection are: glacier, over, time, press, crevasse, happens, scratch, rub, valley, fjords.
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is on the long sounds/spellings of o and u. We will work on the spellings o, o_e, u, u_e. Spelling words for Friday's test will be: menu, nose, most, cube, joke, unit, vote, fuse, over, mule, and challenge words stone, bugle.
In Math we continue in Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100. We will be ready to test our 2-digit addition using columns early next week. Keep practicing the basic facts!
News for the Week of October 16-20
Sunday, 10/15 is 2nd/8th Grade Family Mass. If your student volunteered to participate, they should look for Ms. Hayes before Church.
REMINDER - our field trip to see Charlotte's Web at Richard's HS is on Friday. If you haven't returned the permission form, please do so on Monday.
This week our main Reading selection is a realistic fiction story called Mattland. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: jagged, peaks, tufts, smoothed, pasture, plucking, wind, culverts, prickly, cleared.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on long vowel sounds/spelllings of a and i, spelled a, a_e, i, i_e. We will also learn about open syllables. When a sinigle vowel spelling is NOT followed by a consonant, the vowel sound is usually long. This is called an open syllable. An example is the word he. Students should remember that every syllable in a word needs a vowel sound and vowel spelling. Multisyllabic words can also have open syllables. And example is beyond, which is broken into be/yond. In this word the first syllable is an open syllable. The second syllable is a closed syllable. In the word beyond, the open syllable has the long vowel sound. The closed syllable has the short vowel sound. We will cover this in class, but hopefully this explanation will help parents, too.
Ten Spelling words to know for Friday's test are: mild, pale, pilot, paper, bake, time, sale, ride, able, kind. We will also practice two challenge words: apron, final but these two last words won't be scored on this week's test.
This week in Math we begin Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100. Many students are still needing much practice in their basic addition and subtraction facts. A lot of test errors are due to simply not knowing the facts to 20. Thanks for encouraging your child to keep practicing them, so that more complex problem-solving work to come won't be too difficult.
HALLOWEEN
We will have our traditional St. Linus Halloween Parade at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 10/31. Students may wear costumes, but certainly aren't obligated to. Please do not allow your child to bring any costume pieces that are weapons. We will be doing some work during the day, so if your child is wearing a costume that may not be comfortable to sit in all day, please have them wear their P.E. uniform underneath. We will have P.E. that day. We will have a classroom celebration in the afternoon. Your child may bring store-packaged treats to pass out to all their classmates, but again, there's no obligation. Please do not send any homemade treats in case of food allergies. Students will be asked to wait to enjoy any edible treats until they are home with you that day.
FAMILY MASS THIS WEEKEND
This Sunday, October 15, our 2nd and 8th Graders are being featured in the St. Linus Family Mass. We hope all will join us. If you know you'll be attending and would like your 2nd grader to help out in some way, perhaps to bring up the gifts or greet people with their Sacramental Buddy as they enter Church, please let me know. We are hoping for a great turnout. Each month a different grade (or two) will be featured.
News for the Week of October 10-13, 2023
Reminder - no school on Monday, October 9.
This week in Reading we will review and practice Unit 1 concepts and skills with the selection Ellie's Long Walk, then complete an benchmark assessment at week's end. There will be no new Spelling or Vocabulary words this week. We will review the following Spelling Words: march, shed, judge, track, clapped, wishes, middle, shrank, chores, purple.
In Math we will finish our Topic 3 work and likely have a Test on Friday.
Your child brought home their 1st Trimester progress report on Friday. Please consider this a snapshot of their progress at the moment. I have already reached out to you if I have concerns about your child's learning progress.
Now that we have completed the first iReady diagnostic, students are free to work on their iReady Math and Reading lessons on their home devices. We do spend about 90 minutes each week working in class, but students can benefit from about 10 minutes a day at home as well. Student login credentials are located inside the front cover of their Assignment Notebooks.
Students brought home a permission slip for a field trip to see Charlotte's Web at Richard's High School on October 20. Please complete and return the permission slip by Monday, 10/16. Students should wear their regular school uniforms and bring their lunches, as usual.
News for the Week of October 2-6, 2023
Reminder - Wednesday, 10/4 is a 1:30 p.m. dismissal day.
On Monday, 2nd graders will be introduced to their 8th Grade Sacramental Buddies. They will do a craft and get to know each other at this first meet-up. Throughout the school year they will sit together at school Masses and get together to support each other as they prepare for the Sacraments they are receiving.
This week in Reading our main selection is a realistic fiction story, The Final Game. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: managed, grandstand, tense, piercing, checked, eagerness, opponent, sneered.
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is on /er/ spelled er, ir, ur and /or/ spelled or and ore. Spelling words to know are: bird, chores, short, antlers, snored, stork, purple, whirling, perched, explore
In Math we continue in Topic 3: Add Within 100 Using Strategies. This week we will use open number lines, break apart, and compensation to add 2 digit numbers.
Going forward, please do not send edible food treats for your child to pass out for birthday celebrations. While it is fun for most, there are some students who are not able to participate due to nutrition or allergy related concerns. Your child is most welcome to share something nonedible, such as stickers, pencils, etc. Another option is to donate a book to our class library that we can enjoy together. I'm sorry for any inconvenience, but we are trying to make the birthday experience enjoyable for all.
News for the Week of September 25-29, 2023
It's St. Linus Homecoming Spirit Week! There is a lot happening...
Monday is Pajama Day - be comfy but wear gym shoes for P.E.!
Tuesday is Color Day - 2nd grade is YELLOW. Wear gym shoes for P.E.!
Wednesday is Jersey Day!
Thursday is USA DAY!
Friday is Spirit Day - wear your St. Linus Spirit Wear for our Pep Rally!
This week in Reading our main selection is a folktale called A Cherokee Stickball Game. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: roared, disappointed, humbly, pity, part, furious. Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is on /ng/ spelled _ng, /nk/ spelled _nk, and inflectional ending spelling ing. We will also work with the schwa and /el/ spellings el, le, al, il.
Spelling words to know for Friday's test: think, middle, rushing, strong, pickle, sink, gravel, shrank, grinning, blank.
In Math, we are reviewing Topic 2 concepts on Monday and will have an assessment on Tuesday. Then we begin Topic 3: Add Within 100 Using Strategies. Basic fact mastery will be important as we begin working with larger numbers, so please encourage regular practice at home.
On Thursday, all are invited for the annual Spirit Week Bonfire from 6-9 p.m.
On Friday, you are welcome to join us at our 9:30 a.m. All School Mass.
On Saturday, we celebrate St. Linus Homecoming!
News for the Week of September 18-21, 2023
Reminder - no classes on Friday, 9/22 - teachers have a professional development day.
This week in Reading our main selection is called The Bat, Birds, and Beasts. Vocabulary words we will learn in this selection include: annual, emphasize, strategy, inquired, loyal, accepted.
Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is on inflected endings -s, -es, and -ed. Ten Spelling words to know are: clapped, shops, locked, patches, picked, wishes, started, stacks, grabbed, pitches.
This week our Weekly Reading and Spelling Tests will take place on Thursday.
In Math we continue in Topic 2: Work With Equal Groups. We will learn to use and make arrays to help us model and solve problems. Please continue to encourage your child to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts to build fluency.
On Thursday, students may bring in $2 to purchase popcorn and support our soldiers overseas. Popcorn will likely be distributed during lunchtime and enjoyed over recess.
News for the week of September 11-15, 2023
St. Linus Family Mass this Sunday, 9/10 at 10 a.m. All are welcome!
Dippin' Dots orders are due on Monday. Dippin Dots will be served on Wednesday, 9/13.
Chalktoberfest is Thursday, 9/14, 3-5 p.m.
Hawktoberfest is Saturday, 9/16
This week in Reading our main selection is informational text called Ants and Aphids Work Together. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: symbiosis, scurry, liquid, partners, shelter, relationship, honeydew, predators, colony, team.
Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is on closed syllables, /j/ spelled _dge, /k/ spelled _ck, /ch/ spelled _tch.
Ten Spelling words to learn this week are:
check, wedge, latch, judge, kick, switch, track, ledge, badge, flock
We will increase our Spelling word list to 12 words in a few weeks, when students are ready for an adjustment.
Parent FYI - One of our regular weekly homework tasks is writing the spelling words 5x each. In a regular 5-day week, this homework will usually be assigned on a Wednesday. If our week is shortened due to a holiday, it could be a Thursday assignment.
This week in Math we are finishing Topic 1 with a test likely on Tuesday. Then we will begin Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups. I'm noticing that many are really rusty on their addition and subtraction facts. They should be practicing them regularly at home.
Please always feel free to contact me by email at loconnell@stlinusschool.org if you have a question or a concern. If you need to make alternate arrangements for pickup or extended day, please contact Mrs. Delisi in the office so she can be sure I get the message before end of school day. I don't always have time to check my email before we leave for the day.
News for the week of September 5-8, 2023
No School on Monday, 9/4.
Wednesday, 9/6 is a 1:30 dismissal day with Papa Joe's Eat & Earn in the evening.
Friday, 9/8 is School Picture Day! Wear your Sunday best and bring your order form. We also have a 9:30 All School Mass and all are welcome.
This week we really begin our Reading/Language Arts routine with Unit 1's first main selection The Mice Who Lived in a Shoe. Vocabulary words to know from the selection will include: huddled, safety, gathered, shelter, observed, merchant, timber, fetched, platform, admired. We will have our first Weekly Reading Test on Friday.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on words with the sound/spelling patterns /ch/, /th/, /sh/, /wh/, and /ar/ (bossy r.) Spelling words for Friday's first Weekly Spelling Test include: ship, chin, that, march, which, shed, with, shark, chop, harsh. There are 10 words to learn this week. We will practice in class and you can expect some homework assigned to review on Thursday.
Soon we will complete the iReady diagnostic assessment for both Reading and Math. If you haven't already, please complete and return the 1:1 Technology form that was sent home. Thanks.
In Math we have been working our way through Topic 1: Fluently Add and Subtract within 20. I'm noticing that some don't have good mastery of their basic addition and subtraction facts yet, and I hope you will encourage practice at home. Knowing their facts will allow them to complete more complex problem-solving tasks with less frustration and fewer errors.
Thanks for sharing your kiddos with me - we're having a great time getting to know each other!
Wednesday, August 30
Please check your child's folder for duplicate forms I haven't received. Complete and sign asap, please. Thanks!
If your child has returned their signed iPad agreement form, they will begin working on the iReady Reading and Math diagnostic very soon. I've been waiting to issue the iPads until forms are in.
As students are just learning to be responsible about bringing back their materials from home, please remind them to repack their Home folder and their Assignment Notebook in their backpack. A few assignment notebooks seem to be missing at home already, and I need to add their login information for iReady inside.
Next week we will dive into our normal routine for reading/language arts. For your information, I typically post the following week's Spelling and Vocabulary words that will be assessed on this Classroom Connection web page on Fridays. Spelling words are usually introduced on Mondays in class with a "pre-test." Vocabulary words are usually introduced on Tuesdays. There is a main reading selection that we read and discuss in class several times throughout the week. Mid- to late-week, there will be spelling review homework and students will be asked to reread the story at home. Weekly spelling and reading assessments usually happen on Friday.
Also FYI, beginning next week there may be math homework assigned on some days, usually Monday through Wednesday. Students will bring a page home and it will reflect work done in class that day. If they struggle to complete it independently, you are free to help them with it, and can jot a note if there is material you feel needs review. Thanks, and have a great Labor Day weekend!
Monday, August 28
Welcome to our first full week. Dismissal is at 2:40 p.m.
Please check your child's Home folder. I have sent home a printed copy of the iPad 1:1 agreement. Please sign and return the last page if you haven't already. Thanks!
We discussed my behavior expectations in class today. Please review the green "I Will" page with your child, sign together, and return.
Wednesday, August 23
We had a great first day of school.
Thanks to all who have already sent in $6 for your child's Assignment Notebook and the yellow Parent Questionnaire.
For those who ordered the school supplies that were delivered directly to school - there was supposed to be a zipper pencil pouch included in the kit and they are not included. Please send one to school at your earliest convenience. Cloth, with a zipper works best for the space they have in their desk. We are making due with plastic ziploc bags for now, but they won't hold up for long. Thanks, and I apologize for the inconvenience.
Watch for forms, forms, forms in students' Home folders for these first couple of weeks. There's a lot happening at the beginning of the school year.
Additional forms I'm collecting include milk order forms, Hawktoberfest tshirt order forms, Handbook Acknowledgments, and the iPad 1:1 Signature Page. Please get them in when you can.
If your child will be attending Extended Day after school, please let me know.
Here is our Specials Schedule:
MONDAY & TUESDAY P.E. (wear gym uniform)
WEDNESDAY Art and Library
THURSDAY Art
FRIDAY Library
We are in the hiring process for a Music teacher, and I'll let you know when that is added to our weekly schedule.
As a reminder, please drop off at the Main Office entrance in the morning, but pick up your child at the entrance closer to the church (still on Lawler Ave.) If you can't get a parking spot on Lawler, it's best to park in the church lot and walk over. I can't release your child to an older sibling unless I have your written permission. Once your child points out their designated pick-up person to me as we wait outside, I send them on their way.
Thank you for sharing your lovely children with me this year! I can't wait to get to know them.
WELCOME TO THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR AND OUR CLASS!
Dear students and parents,
I hope you're excited and ready to get back to school on August 23rd. I can't wait to get to know you and begin our year together. Here are a few things to keep in mind as we begin...
2nd graders enter school through Entrance #1, the door nearest the main office. At dismissal time, we exit through the doors closer to the church, near the flagpole. If you park in the church lot, please exit your car and walk over to pick up your child outside these doors so we can ensure they reach you safely. Students won't be allowed to leave my presence until they point out the person there to pick them up. If your child will occasionally leave with another adult, please send a note or email to make me aware.
Our Specials Schedule
MONDAY & TUESDAY P.E.
WEDNESDAY ART, LIBRARY, POSSIBLY MUSIC
THURSDAY ART
FRIDAY LIBRARY
Our first few days of school have an early dismissal time of 1:30. Students should bring a lunch on these days. Please let me know if your child will be attending Extended Day Care after school.
Lunch and Recess begin around 11 a.m. Students may bring a full, insulated water bottle (spillproof, please) to school for use at their desks if they'd like. Water only, please. They can bring a separate drink of their choice for lunch, or you can prepurchase milk from school. Weather permitting, we are outside for recess each day, so please send appropriate outerwear when the temperatures get chillier.
Finally, please send $6 (in a labeled envelope) to purchase your child's Assignment Notebook. Using this book each day will reinforce organizational skills and teach responsibility. It will help them keep track of homework and announcements, and should last them the entire school year. I also post upcoming spelling lists, daily homework assignments, and important news on this Classroom Connection page of our school website, so be sure to check in often.
The St. Linus Handbook is available for viewing on the website. Please download, print, and sign the signature page, and return it to school as soon as possible.
In the coming days and weeks we will be providing login information for iReady and other learning platforms used in our classroom. We are excited to be able to provide all 2nd graders with an iPad for use in school.
If you haven't already, please complete and return the short questionnaire I sent home to help me learn more about your child.
There will be much more news and information to come, so please stay tuned, and get ready for a great school year!
All the best,
Ms. O'C
Last reminders...
Students are coming home today with their summer reading novel Saving Winslow and a journal. The journal is theirs to keep and fill with ideas, thoughts, and summer memories. Please return the novel to school at the beginning of 3rd grade.
Tuesday, June 6 is our last day of school. Dismissal is at 11:30 a.m.
Students should wear their new 2023 picnic tshirt and their St. Linus P.E. shorts. Please do not send them to school with a Sharpie. They aren't allowed to write on each other's shirts.
No backpacks or lunches are needed for tomorrow. We will attend Mass at 9:30, and picnic until almost 11:30. Hot dogs, chips, and water will be provided. Students will be sent home with their report cards at dismissal.
It's been a great year of learning and growth, and I feel blessed to have gotten to know your child and been part of their life this past year. Today, each of them chose a book from me to enjoy. Please encourage them to keep reading, and have a wonderful summer!
Reminders for the last few days of school, June 5-6
On Monday, students may wear their P.E. uniform. It is a full day.
On Tuesday, students should wear their picnic tshirts with their P.E. shorts and shoes. Dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m.
It's been an honor and blessing to serve as your child's 2nd grade teacher this year. Have a peaceful and fun summer!
Last-minute news:
Picnic tshirts are coming home with your child today. Please look for them in their backpack. They are meant to be worn on Tuesday, June 6, at the school picnic with their P.E. shorts. Please do not send your child to school with a Sharpie marker. They are not allowed to write on each other's shirts due to some issues with inappropriate content in the past.
Reminders:
No school Thursday, 6/1
Our class has a dress down day Friday, 6/2.
Students should wear their P.E. uniform on Monday, 6/3.
Report cards will be distributed on Tuesday, 6/3 before dismissal.
News for the week of May 30 - June 2
It is expected to get very warm this week. Students may wear their P.E. shirts and shorts all week.
Our classroom won a dress down day for our 3rd place finish in donations for the Baby Bottle collection. Our dress down day will be next FRIDAY, JUNE 2.
Picnic tshirts will be sent home late next week to be worn on the last day of school, Tuesday, June 6.
We are finished with all of our tests! We will be doing some reviewing activities this week, but there should not be any homework
News for the week of May 22-26
We are in the home stretch! This week in Reading our main selection is Cinderlad. Vocabulary words to know from this fairy tale are: moaned, desire, strolled, abruptly, clearing, eligible, scaled, amused. We will review the ough spelling pattern and silent letters, as well as prefixes re-, pre-, and mis-. Spelling Words for this week are: whistle, fought, preorder, trough, replace, debt, misjudge, predawn, although, knew, exhaust, reappear, rearrange, preseason, mispronounce. We have completed all the 2nd grade Math topics, as well as some introduction to 3rd grade math topics. For these last days of school we will be reviewing 3-digit addition and subtraction, time, money, 2D and 3D shapes, perimeter, etc.
Happy Mothers Day!
News for the week of May 15-19
This week in Reading our main selection is The Art of Storytelling. Vocabulary words to know from this information text are: account, spark, impression, tablets, civilization, generation, organizations, fond, founded, wonder, stir, styles. Our Phonics/Spelling focus this week is on silent letters, and the prefixes dis-, un-, and non-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: listen, castle, answer, nonslip, rhino, unscrew, unharmed, nondairy, could, distract, discover, scenic, rhyme, unfriendly, rhythm.
In Math we continue with our Step Up to Third Grade topic. There will not be any test for this group of lessons. We will be reviewing important 2nd grade math skills and strategies through the remainder of the school year. Students should continue to practice their addition and subtraction basic facts over the summer AND begin memorizing their multiplication facts to be ready for 3rd grade.
News for the week of May 8-12
God Bless our 2nd graders who are receiving their First Holy Communion this Saturday, May 6. Mass begins at 11 a.m. Our students have been learning, practicing, and praying, and they are ready to celebrate this blessed sacrament!
We are beginning our final Reading unit this week. Our main selection is One Thousand and One Arabian Nights: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. Vocabulary words to know from this folktale are: meanwhile, spark, bazaar, polished, fortune, sultan, procession, word, acquainted, extraordinary, spectacular, lord. Our Phonics and Spelling focus is on the ough spelling pattern, compound words, and homophones. Spelling words for Friday's test are: cough, dough, pancake, through, thought, rough, allowed, aloud, moonlight, enough, thorough, throughout, thoughtful, foreword, forward.
In Math we have completed ALL of the 2nd grade topics and lessons. We will begin a section of our book called Step Up to 3rd Grade and will also be practicing and reviewing 2-digit and 3-digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping.
We hope to see all the 2nd graders in their First Communion attire again on Sunday for the 10 a.m. May Crowning Mass. Please join if you can.
News for the week of May 1-5
This week we finish Reading Unit 5 with a realistic fiction selection called Election Day. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: mock, tolerant, agreement, compassion, courage, manager, training, demonstrating, errand, traditional, stocked, arranging, discipline, ballots. This is a review week, so there will be no new spelling words or test on Friday. We will complete a Unit 5 Assessment on Thursday and Friday that will include phonics and decoding skills, spelling words, grammar skills, and comprehension strategies that were our focus for the last several weeks. We will spend some time reviewing before we begin our assessment on Thursday.
In Math, we continue to work in Topic 15: Shapes and Their Attributes. We may finish this topic by Friday.
The final iReady diagnostic assessments for Reading and Math will begin later this week. Please encourage your child to take their time and do their best, as sometimes children don't take their digital assessments as seriously as they do written assessments.
Also this week - we will have rehearsals for First Holy Communion this Thursday and Friday. Your child brought home a gift bag that included information needed for seating and photographs. I hope they gave those papers to you.
Finally, Popcorn Day for grade 2 is this coming Friday, May 5. Please send $1 if interested.
News for the week of April 24-28
This week our main reading selection is D is for Democracy. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: express, committees, convention, liberties, strife, judicial, jury, mint, inauguration, politicians, organize, movement.
Our phonics and spelling focus is on the /oi/ sound spelled oi and _oy. We will also analyze words with the same base. Spelling words for Friday's test are: join, walked, spoil, choice, walking, enjoy, sidewalk, placed, boys, replace, royal, placement, moist, rejoice, oyster
In Math we have begun Topic 11: Shapes and Their Attributes. This week we will learn about polygons and angles, we will work with 2-dimensional shapes, cubes, and more.
First Eucharist is right around the corner on May 6. We are spending some time practicing as we prepare to celebrate this important Sacrament for the very first time.
Reminder - Friday, 4/28 is the Father/Daughter Dance.
News for the week of April 17-21
I hope you had a joyous Easter and a relaxing spring break. As we return to school for the final stretch this week, our main Reading selection this week is informational text called I Pledge Allegiance. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: pledge, represent, efficiently, indivisible, bond, justice, refers, values. Our phonics and spelling focus is on the /aw/ sound spelled aw, au_, augh, ough, all, and al, as well as suffixes -able and -ment. Spelling words for Friday's test are: argument, hawk, sauce, payment, walk, bought, caught, treatment, small, lovable, movement, daughter, sought, chalk, enjoyable.
In Math we are continuing to work in Topic 4: Graphs and Data and the students really seem to be enjoying it.
News for the week of April 3-5
Reminder: Wednesday, April 5 is a 1:30 dismissal day. Easter break begins on Thursday, April 6. We return to school on Monday, April 17.
During this abbreviated week our phonics focus will be a review of /oo/ as in foot, /ow/ and /ou/ as in cow and loud. We will also review homophones and work with suffixes -ly and -y. There will be no weekly Spelling or Reading tests this week, but we will work with a reading selection called The Flag We Love and learn the following vocabulary words: ideals, connotations, allegiance, diligent, patriots, solemn, weary, righteous.
In Math we are working in Topic 14: Graphs and Data this week.
News for the week of March 27-31
This week is Reading/Language Arts our main selection is informational text called United States Citizenship. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: citizen, legally, naturalized, republic, voice, rights, symbol, democracy, emigrated, immigrated, oath, traits. Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on /ow/ spelled ow and ou, as in loud or crowd as well as suffixes -er, -or, and -ness. Spelling words for Friday's test are: teacher, hour, loud, kindness, crowd, town, howl, baker, actor, brightness, collector, outside, powder, laziness, shower.
In Math we are working in Topic 13: More Addition, Subtraction, and Length. We will like have a test on this topic on Thursday, and will begin Topic 14: Graphs and Data at the end of the week.
Our class has done a fabulous job with morning prayers and announcements and will finish this week. They sounded great over the P.A. system! If your child hasn't had their turn yet, please continue a little practice so they are comfortable reading their part.
News for the week of March 20-24
This week in Reading/Language Arts we begin a unit that focuses on Citizenship. Our main selection is realistic fiction entitled A Brand New American Family. Vocabulary words to know are: gnawed, register, federal, courthouse, vendors, revolving, anticipation, hints, keen, charge, uphold, and faithfully. Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on /oo/ (as in book) and comparatives/superlatives -er and -est. Spelling words for Friday's test are: look, good, shook, stood, highest, hotter, brook, hoof, better, least, worst, childhood, bookmark, uncooked, happier.
We completed an in-class descriptive writing workshop and created some fantastic leprechaun stories and illustrations. They will hang in our hallway for a week or two to entertain all who pass by and scare away the naughty leprechaun who might dare to visit.
In Math we will be ready for the Topic 12 Test on Tuesday after some review. Then we will begin Topic 13: More Addition, Subtraction and Length.
We just began a new Social Studies unit called Our Country Today which will coincide nicely with our Reading unit.
Our class began morning announcements this week and are doing a fabulous job. Keep practicing and be sure to be on time when it is your day! Ava and Brooke are up on Monday.
News for the week of March 13 - 16
Reminders:
On Thursday, students may bring $1 to donate and dress down in GREEN.
There is no school on Friday, March 17. It is a professional development day.
This week in Reading/Language Arts we will have our Unit 4 benchmark assessment. We will also be working on a fun leprechaun descriptive writing project. There are no new spelling or vocabulary words for this week.
In Math we are working in Topic 12: Measuring Length. We began with standard units of measure and are now working in metric units. We will likely finish this topic and have our test the week of March 20.
Please continue to send warm outerwear for our outdoor recess. We rarely stay inside. Spring fever is taking over and the kids need to move, but often the wind is cold and sharp even on sunny days at this time of year.
Also, please ask your child if they need to replenish their pencil and crayon supplies. Thanks!
News for the week of March 6-10, 2023
Reminders:
Report cards were sent home on Friday, March 3. Please sign and return only the envelope.
Thursday, March 9 is an 11:30 a.m. dismissal day for Parent/Teacher conferences throughout the afternoon and early evening. If I need to speak with you regarding your child's progress I included a note in the report card envelope that includes a link to the conference sign-up page. If you feel a need to schedule a conference and I haven't reached out to you, please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email and I'll be happy to forward the link.
There is no school on Friday, March 10.
Included in the Report Card envelope is a letter regarding the upcoming Empowering God's Children safety lesson. This year's lesson focuses on personal boundaries. If you do not want your child to participate in our classroom lessons, please complete and return the OPT OUT form at the bottom of the letter by March 8. If you want your child to participate, you need to do nothing.
This week in Reading our main selection is fantasy fiction entitled Winston and George. Vocabulary words to learn from the selection are: snout, moment, hovered, demanded, prowling, stammered, clattering, current, resist, shoal, suddenly, yank, reluctantly, tempt. We will review Unit 4 skills and strategies this week and have a weekly Reading test, but there will not be any new spelling words introduced, or a spelling test this week.
In Math, we are working in Topic 2: Measuring Length. It's a refreshing change from the many weeks of addition and subtraction.
News for the week of February 27-March 3, 2023
Happy Seuss Week - please see the flyer that went home for special dress down days throughout the week.
Reminders - Wednesday is a 1:30 dismissal day. Report cards will be distributed on Friday, March 3. If a conference is needed, I'll reach out to schedule a meeting on March 9. If you don't hear from me, but feel a conference is needed, please don't hesitate to reach out.
If interested in Friday Pizza during these next few weeks, don't forget to return the form with payment by Monday, 2/27.
This week in Reading our main selection is a rhyming fiction entitled The Green Grass Grew All Around. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: middle, ground, ever, around, root, branch, twig. Our phonics and spelling focus is on the /oo/ spellings u, u_e, _ew, and _ue, as well as prefixes pre- and mis-.
Spelling words for Friday's test are: clue, blew, tube, misread, preheat, student, grew, precut, mislead, June, blueberry, salute, misunderstand, preview, assume
In Math we will complete Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies this week, with a test likely on Wednesday. Then we will move into Topic 12: Measuring Length.
News for the Week of February 21-24, 2023
Reminder - there is no school on Monday, February 20.
This week in Reading our main selection is Busy Bees. Vocabulary words to know from this informational text are: design, products, limbs, vacant, invade, and antenna. Our phonics and spelling focus are on the long u sound spelled oo, as well as the prefixes non- and re-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: hoop, tooth, mood, nonstop, rewrite, bloom, food, nonfat, repaid, pool, nonsense, school, bedroom, rooster, recycle.
In Math, we are working in Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. Please encourage your child to practice their basic subtraction facts. Some are struggling because they haven't yet mastered these basics or have gotten rusty.
News for the Week of February 13-16, 2023
This week in Reading our main selection is Where's the Honey, Honey? Vocabulary words from the selection are: beehive, wilderness, flush, wax, effective, ancient. Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on long o and long u, as well as prefixes dis- and un-. Spelling words for Thursday's test are: tow, humid, disagree, soap, unplanned, fuel, cone, unlock, distrust, pure, disobeys, unzipped, unable, cocoa, argue.
In Math we are completing Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies with a Test, likely Tuesday. We will begin Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies on Wednesday.
Reminders: We will celebrate St. Valentine's Day on Tuesday, February 14 during our afternoon. If your child would like to share Valentine cards with their classmates, please include one for everyone. We have 9 boys and 9 girls in our class.
There is no school on Friday, 2/17 due to a teacher in-service.
News for the Week of February 6-10, 2023
This week in Reading our main selection is Hungry Little Hare. Vocabulary words from the selection are: hind, scent, only, snoopy, stump, exactly, slender, prying, wily, drowsy, blend, tender. Our phonics and spelling focus is on long u sound and spellings _ew, _ue, u, and u_e. We will also practice multiple-meaning words and homophones. Spelling words for Friday's test are: pew, hue, few, hair, hare, cell, sell, cute, human, rescue, uniform, confuse, view, pupils, statue.
In Math, we continue in Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. Many of the strategies were used with 2-digit numbers, so this is a valuable review as we prepare to add 3-digit numbers with regrouping soon.
The weather promises to warm a bit this week, so we can return to outdoor recesses. Please remind your child to bring their hats and gloves for the chillier days.
We will have a St. Valentine's Day celebration in our classroom the afternoon of February 14. If your child would like to share Valentine cards with their classmates, please include one for all. We have 9 boys and 9 girls in our class.
News for the Week of January 30 - February 3, 2023
Happy Catholic Schools Week! Please join us to kickoff the celebration at 10 o'clock Sunday Mass, followed by Open House. We are all decked out!
This week there is a lot happening to celebrate. Students can dress down in their St. Linus spirit wear on Monday. We do have P.E. On Tuesday, we appreciate our students with a Pajama Day and no homework. We will relax with a fun movie and popcorn in the afternoon. On Wednesday, students may wear their red, white, and blue as we celebrate our community and country. We will be collecting donations for the Our Lady of the Ridge food pantry. 2nd graders have been asked to donate crackers, but any nonperishable item is welcome. On Thursday, we celebrate Vocation Day. Students should wear their regular school uniforms on this day. We will enjoy a performance by the McAuley Choir. On Friday, students may wear our St. Linus colors, blue, yellow, or white.
In Reading we are beginning Unit 4. Our main selection this week is Flower Power. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: comfortable, develop, minerals, nutritious, advance, carbon dioxide, oxygen, exhale, pollen, produce, transfer.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on the long o sounds and spellings: _ow, oa_, o, and o_e. Spelling words for Friday's weekly test are: stone, flown, notebook, stroke, boat, know, blow, hello, oatmeal, show, borrow, coast, goldfish, owe, loan.
In Math we are finishing Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000 with an assessment on Tuesday or Wednesday. Then we will begin Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. Please review basic addition and subtraction facts often - many of the kids seem to have forgotten them!
Most of our students have completed the second iReady diagnostic assessment for Reading and Math and are back to their lessons. Please encourage some iReady practice and lesson completion at home, especially on days with light homework. We try to reach our goal of 45 minutes of both Reading and Math here in class, but it's not always possible. I'd like to see each student successfully complete 2-3 lessons each week in each subject, if they can. Some lessons are longer than others, but that's what we are setting our sights on.
Hope to see you during Open House this Sunday, January 29, after 10 a.m. Mass.
News for the Week of January 23-27, 2023
This week there will not be regular weekly spelling or reading tests. We will review the skills and strategies practiced before completing the Unit 3 Benchmark Test this Thursday and Friday.
In Math we continue our work with numbers to 1,000.
Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, January 29. We will celebrate with fun dress down days and activities throughout that week.
News for the Week of January 17-20, 2023
No school on Monday, January 16, as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This week in Reading we will enjoy a folktale The Stranger and the Soup. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: indeed, surely, gasp, wilted, wringing, plaza, sighed, well, simmer, seasoning.
Our phonics and Spelling focus is on the long sounds and spellings of i: _igh, _ie, and _y. We will also review long spelling of i: i, i_e.
Spelling words for this week are: pie, night, fly, pile, child, right, shy, lie, mice, try, recognize, skyscraper, style, knight, mighty.
In Math we begin Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000 as we work with 3-digit numbers.
Progress Reports will be coming home this week.
Happy New Year and Welcome Back to School!
News for the Week of January 9 - 13, 2023
Reminder - Wednesday, January 11 is an early dismissal. School is out at 1:30.
Please be sure to send children to school with gloves and hats. We go outside for recess unless it is below freezing or too sloppy. They need the fresh air!
This week in Reading our main selection is The Langston Times. Vocabulary words for this week's test are: blared, revealing, result, seams, features, solar panels, sources, progress, officials, values.
Our Phonics/Spelling focus is on /s/ spelled ce, ci_, and cy as well as /j/ spelled ge and gi_.
Spelling words for this week's test are: age, peace, pencil, magic, ice, spicy, face, gem, circus, large, piece, gentle, tragic, century, excite
In Math we will continue in Topic 8, working on Money and Time.
News for the Week of December 19-22
There will be no Reading or Spelling Test this week. We are reviewing the long vowel sounds of a and e and will enjoy the story Victor's Journal.
In Math we are solving money problems in Topic 8.
Reminders - Tuesday is Pajama Day! Students may wear their favorite Christmas p.j.s
Thursday is Red and Green Day! Get into the holiday spirit in your red and green attire.
Our St. Linus Singalong is Thursday at 8:15 in the gym. We will be singing "Jingle Bell Rock" and our part in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is "Eight Maids-A-Milking!"
Remember, Thursday is an early dismissal day. School's out at 11:30 a.m. and there is no extended day care.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
News for the Week of December 12-17
This week our main Reading selection is My Community and Me. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: role, evolve, gain, relies, running, develop, discover, fascination, courteous, true. Our phonics and spelling focus this week will be on the long e spelling patterns -ie, -y, and -ey. We will review long e patterns spelled e, e_e, ee, and ea.
Spelling words for Friday's test are: field, lady, money, breeze, stream, baby, speech, brief, monkey, teach, squeeze, kneel, speaker, seashell, finally.
In Math this week we will finish Topic 7, and may have our Test on Wednesday or Thursday.
Important Reminders:
1st Reconciliation is Saturday, December 10, at 9:30 a.m. Students should dress nicely, but comfortably. I suggested they wear something they would wear to Mass.
Please join us on Tuesday, December 13 at 2 p.m. in Church for our Christmas Concert. Students should dress in their Christmas best for school on Tuesday. They can bring their gym shoes for P.E.
News for the Week of December 5-9
This week we begin Unit 3 with a selection called Gross Jobs. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: vital, clogged, waste, plant, install, flexible, expired, landfill, flee, ensure. Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week will be on the long a spelling patterns ai_ and _ay. We will review long a spelled with a and a_e. Spelling words for Friday's test are:
stay, rain, base, April, May, chain, trace, play, paid, fable, waist, railroad, pavement, flavor, Thursday
In Math we are beginning Topic 7: More Solving Problems Involving Addition and Subtraction. Your children are getting very comfortable with double-digit addition and subtraction. I'm very proud of their success.
This week our St. Linus Santa Workshop is back. Our class will preview the shop on Tuesday. If you are interested in having your child buy Christmas gifts for family members, they can bring their envelope with cash by Thursday. We will revisit Santa's Workshop on Thursday to make our purchases. If you'd like to send the envelope back early, I will hold it for them until Thursday.
As a reminder, we have an early dismissal day on Wednesday, 12/7. Students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.
News for the Week of Nov. 28 - Dec. 2
Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.
This week in Reading we will review Unit 2 skills and strategies. There will be an assessment at the end of the week. We will review with the new reading selection Volcano Rising. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: catastrophes, destructive, creative, majestic, magma, gases, seep, swelling, bulge, streams, dome, witness.
For Spelling, we will review words from earlier in the unit, and add some new, including:
mild, paper, unit, most, wren, sign, spoke, begin, sleep, cube, mope, screen, knead, wrath, clone
This week in Math, we will complete Topic 6: Subtract Fluently Within 100. There will be a Test on Friday.
Reminder - if you are interested in ordering from the current Scholastic Books catalogs sent home recently, please order by 11/28. Thanks.
Report Cards for the 1st Trimester were sent home with your child today. Please keep the report, but sign and return just the envelope it came home in.
On Monday, November 21 we have an 11:30 dismissal. Please join us for a Thanksgiving prayer celebration in Church at 11:00 if you are available.
There is no school Tuesday - Friday. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Parent/Teacher Conferences
As you may already know, 1st Trimester report cards will be distributed this Friday, November 18. Ms. Hayes will be sending out the link to sign up for a conference on Monday, November 21. Feel free to choose a time slot that is convenient for you. We are back to in-person meetings, so if you are unable to meet in person on that day, please let me know with an email or a note and we can set up a phone conference on another day.
News for the Week of November 14-18
This week our main reading selection is fantasy fiction entitled In My Own Backyard. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are:
brook, plowed, settlers, mist, sheets, haze, grazed, skimmed, blurry, pulsed
Our Spelling and Phonics focus this week is on the long vowel sound of e spelled ee and ea. We will also learn about homophones - words that sound exactly alike but have different spellings and meanings.
Spelling words for this week's test are:
real reel we eve steel steal creek creak
knee sleep complete evening
The final 3 spelling words are challenge/bonus words. They are:
please between eagle
In Math we will begin Topic 6: Fluently Subtract Within 100. Students will learn how to subtract 1-digit and 2-digit numbers with regrouping.
We have finished our Social Studies unit on Geography and will begin a Science unit on Plants and Animals this week.
We are excited to begin cursive writing in the 2nd Trimester. We will take it slowly. Students won't be required to use cursive in 2nd grade, but it will be taught and reviewed again in 3rd grade. As with manuscript writing, this is an effort grade only.
Reminder - Friday, 11/18 is Report Card Day. Please sign and return the report card envelope. The report is yours to keep.
News for the Week of November 7 - 11
This week our main Reading Selection is informational text called All About Earthquakes! Vocabulary words to know from this selection are:
plates, interact, collide, boundaries, energy, structures, absorb
Our phonics and spelling focus is on long /e/ spelled with e or e_e, and we will review the long vowels /a/, /i/, /o/, and /u/. Spelling words for Friday's Test are:
label, vine, bonus, wild, begin, these, gate, use, meter, spoke, basic, athlete,
usual, equal, secret
Once again, students are responsible for the first 12 words on their Spelling Test, and the final 3 will be bonus/challenge words.
In Math we have been practicing Subtraction Strategies as we work in Topic 5. We will finish this topic and have a test at the end of the week.
It's hard to believe our first trimester ends on Friday, November 11. Student Report Cards will be distributed on Friday, the 18th.
Just a reminder to please send your child with outerwear for recess. We will continue to go outside for recess even in colder weather, so students should have jackets, hats, and gloves when needed. Thanks!
News for the Week of October 31-November 4
Our Halloween costume parade begins at 8:15 a.m. on Monday. Feel free to be a spectator. We will be outdoors, weather permitting. Please don't send your child with any toy "weapons." If your child may be uncomfortable in their costume all day, it might be a good idea to have them wear their P.E. uniform underneath so they can slip their costume off, if needed. We will have a classroom celebration in the afternoon. I'll be serving popcorn with a not-too-spooky movie. Students may (but aren't obligated to) bring treats to pass to their classmates (we have 19 total.) I won't be allowing any candy to be eaten during class, but it will be brought home for you to check, in case of food allergies.
This week our phonics and spelling focus is a review of long vowel sounds and inflectional endings -er, -est, as well as /n/ spelled kn- and gn, /r/ spelled wr-
Spelling words on this Friday's test will be:
wren knot knife write sharper fastest gnat sign
longer thickest highest wrinkle known looser funniest
Once again, students are responsible for the first 12 words, and the final 3 are challenge/bonus words.
Our main selection in Reading this week is a myth called What Makes the Earth Shake?
In Math we are working in Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies.
News for the Week of October 24-28
This week our phonics and spelling focus is on words with long o spelled with o or o_e, and long u spelled with u or u_e.
Spelling words to know for this week are:
menu
nose
most
cube
joke
unit
vote
fuse
over
mule
stone
bugle
And challenge words: total hugest suppose
Our main reading selection is called A River of Ice. Vocabulary words to learn this week are:
glacier, over, time, press, crevasse, happens, scratch, rub, valley, fjords
This week in Math we will finish Topic 4 with an assessment likely on Wednesday.
Reminder - Peter and the Wolf field trip is Wednesday. We will have lunch when we return. Students should wear their regular St. Linus school uniforms and bring a jacket for the bus ride.
News for the Week of October 17-21
This week we begin Unit 2 in our Reading series. Our phonics and spelling focus is on long a spelled with a or a_e, and long i spelled with i or i_e. We will practice and study 15 words. Students are responsible for the first 12 on their spelling test, and will be challenged with the final 3, for a total of 15.
mild
pale
pilot
paper
bake
time
sale
ride
able
kind
apron
final
while
became
radar
This week's main reading selection is realistic fiction entitled Mattland. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: jagged, peaks, tufts, smoothed, pasture, plucking, wind, culverts, prickly
In Math, we have moved into Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100. We have practiced partial sums addition and are working our way into column addition with regrouping. Please encourage your child to practice their basic facts often. If they have them mastered they will be more successful with higher level concepts and work with larger numbers.
As we head toward Halloween I wanted to remind parents about some of our friends with dietary restrictions and allergies. We will have a classroom celebration on Monday, 10/31 in the afternoon. Children are welcome (but not required) to bring packaged treats of candy, stickers, pencils, small Halloween toys, etc. We will pass these out near the end of the day and I'll ask the students not to eat any of the treats until you've seen them. Please don't send homemade food treats that may cause a problem for some of our students. I'll provide a party snack and we will enjoy a not-so-spooky movie.
If your child's Halloween costume may become uncomfortable for them to wear throughout the day, please have them wear their P.E. uniform underneath, or bring it with them to school. Also, please don't send any accessories that are "weapons" such as toy guns, swords, etc. Parents, please plan to join us for our annual 8:15 a.m. Halloween Parade if you can. I'm not sure if it will be held outside or in the gym, but I'll let you know when I can. Bring your camera!
News for the Week of October 11-15
Reminder - there is no school on Friday, 10/7 or Monday, 10/10.
Dr. Antos asked me to remind you about the Parent Meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday evening for 2nd grade Sacraments.
Please check your child's Home folder for their 1st Trimester Progress Report and the results of the first iReady Diagnostic. The screening was completed in the first few weeks of school. When you look over the iReady data for your child, please keep in mind that this assessment was given just after summer vacation and does not reflect the progress your child has already made since 2nd grade began. The Progress Report is simply a snapshot of your child's academic scores at this point in time. It reflects grades earned through the month of September, and may change before our first trimester comes to a close in November.
This week in Reading we will complete our Unit 1 Assessment and begin Unit 2.
In Math, we will complete our work in Topic 3 and will likely have a Test on Wednesday or Thursday.
News for the Week of October 3-7, 2022
This week we will review the sounds and spellings, skills, and strategies practiced over the last 5 weeks in Unit 1. Our main reading selection is Ellie's Long Walk.
There will not be a weekly spelling test this week. We will begin our Unit 1 Assessment either on Thursday or early next week, depending on our review progress during this shortened week.
In Math this week we continue with Topic 3: Add Within 100 Using Strategies. This week we will add using compensation as a strategy to our toolbox, which also includes using hundreds charts, open number lines, and breaking apart numbers.
In Science we are finishing our study of Matter and will be ready for our Chapter 1 Test mid- to late in the week. We will review in class and I'll send home materials to review at home.
On Monday, the 2nd graders will meet their 8th grade Sacramental Buddies. We will sit together during school Masses beginning 10/4 and throughout the school year. The students will also get together at various times to support each other as they prepare to receive the sacraments. We are happy to be bringing back this St. Linus tradition.
Reminders -
Scholastic Book orders, if interested, are due Oct. 5. You can easily order online using my teacher code H3ZD8 noted on the flyers. If you choose to turn in a paper order, please do not send cash.
Field Trip permission forms and payment for "Peter and the Wolf" are due at the end of the week.
Wednesday is a 1:30 dismissal day and there is no school on Friday, 10/7 or Monday, 10/10.
Please be sure to send your child to school each day with a jacket or sweatshirt. Some of our recesses have been chilly lately!
News for the Week of September 26-30, 2022
Happy Homecoming Week! On Monday, students can wear their pajamas to school. Be sure to have sneakers for P.E.! Popcorn will also for $1 during lunch.
This week our phonics and spelling focus is on /er/ spelled -er, -ir, ur, and /or/ spelled -or and -ore. Friday's Spelling Test will include these words:
bird
chores
short
antlers
snored
stork
purple
whirling
perched
explore
Our main Reading selection this week is The Final Game. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: managed, grandstand, tense, piercing, checked, eagerness, opponent, sneered, broke, commotion.
In Math this week we begin Topic 3: Add Within 100 Using Strategies. We will learn to use hundreds charts, open number lines, and the break apart strategy. During Science we will finish Chapter 1: Matter, and begin reviewing for our first Science Test the following week.
News for the Week of September 19-23, 2022
This week our phonics and spelling focus is on the sounds/spellings of -ng and -nk, and inflectional ending -ing, as well as the schwa sound spelled -el, -le, -al, or -il. Once again, this week our Spelling Test will reflect 10 words we practice throughout the week in class and at home. Spelling words for Friday's test include:
think
middle
rushing
strong
pickle
sink
gravel
shrank
grinning
blank
This week's main reading selection is a folktale called A Cherokee Stickball Game.
Vocabulary words to know from the selection and for Friday's assessment are:
roared, disappointed, humbly, pity, part, furious
In Math this week we will finish the short Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups. We've been working with even and odd numbers. This week we will learn how to use and make arrays and will practice using models to show and solve problems. We will likely be ready for a Math test on Friday. Weekly fact quizzes will also continue, so keep practicing the basic addition and subtraction facts at home.
News for the Week of September 12-16, 2022
This week in Room 4 our Phonics and Spelling focus is on the sounds/spellings of inflectional endings -s, -es, and -ed. Ten Spelling words for Friday's test include:
clapped
shops
locked
patches
picked
wishes
started
stacks
grabbed
pitches
Our main Reading selection is a fable called The Bat, Birds, and Beasts. Vocabulary words to know for Friday's test include:
loyal, strategy, annual, emphasize, inquired, accepted
In Math, we will finish and assess Topic 1, and move into Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups. Please encourage your child to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts to 20, so that they become automatic. Thanks.
Reminders: - Chalktoberfest is Thursday after school. Hawktoberfest is Saturday, 9/17. Hope to see you there!
Room 4 News for the Week of September 5-9, 2022
Calendar reminders for the week:
No school Monday - enjoy the holiday!
Wednesday is a 1:30 dismissal day.
Dippin Dots orders are due by Friday, 9/9.
We finished our first week in Unit 1 of our new Reading series this past week with "practice" weekly spelling and reading tests. These were not graded, as we are just establishing our routines. For this coming week our phonics and spelling focus will be on closed syllables along with the sounds /j/ spelled dge, /k/ spelled ck, and /ch/ spelled tch.
Here is the list of this week's 10 tested Spelling Words:
check
wedge
latch
judge
kick
switch
track
ledge
badge
flock
We will also work with 5 additional Challenge Spelling Words that won't be tested at this time:
catcher, watch, locket, hatchet, fidget
This week's main selection in Reading is informational text Ants and Aphids Work Together. This selection includes the following Vocabulary Words some of which may be included in the end of week test: symbiosis, scurry, liquid, partners, shelter, relationship, honeydew, predators, colony, team
For your information, Spelling and Vocabulary words are introduced at the beginning of each week, but I will always try to give you a heads up the Friday before on this google site. We work with the words throughout the week through our guided reading practice, workbook practice, and other classroom activities. Spelling Homework is usually assigned on Wednesday/Thursday to practice and review for the Weekly Test. I will often ask that your child also practice reading the week's main Reader selection aloud to an adult at home the evening before the test as well. Comprehension questions on the Weekly Reading test are based on the selection, which we will have read and discussed twice during class time. The third read at home both builds fluency and reminds your child of the story details.
This week in Math we will continue to review and practice addition and subtraction fact strategies. Please encourage your child to master their facts through practice at home as that will ease their learning of new concepts down the road. Math Homework will usually be assigned a few days each week. We complete work in class together and independently each day that is reflected in the homework. Your child may need assistance with directions, but most should be able to complete the problems, at least on the first side, independently. If they are struggling consistently with their math homework or it is taking longer than 20 minutes to complete on a regular basis, please let me know.
In Science we have begun our first chapter on Matter. We have learned about several different properties of matter and will be focused on the kinds of matter this week - solids, liquids, and gases.
Reminder -- School Pictures are Thursday, 9/1. Please wear something nice, but comfortable to school on Thursday. Bring your payment form/envelope. Thanks.
More News for this Week...
This week we begin work with our new Reading/Language Arts series. As part of our typical weekly routine, students will be presented with a phonics/spelling skill each Monday, and will be introduced to the week's 15 spelling words, which will be assessed on Fridays. Students will bring home their Word Work Notebooks with these words to practice, usually on Wednesday and Thursday, and you can always find them on this web page. I will try to post them the Friday before the week they are presented going forward. This week's words will include the following:
ship, chin, that, march, which, shed, with, shark, shop, harsh, what, chef, when, shoe, throw
Weekly Reading and Spelling assessments will take place typically on Fridays. Most weeks I will send students home with their hardcover Reader on Thursday evenings to reread the main selection aloud with you. This supports fluency-building and helps them remember story details during their test on Friday. The weekly reading tests will assess your child's understanding of the week's phonics skill, story vocabulary and comprehension, reading strategies, and will include a written response question related to the week's main selection. In these early weeks as I get to know your child's strengths and weaknesses, I'll be reading the weekly test questions and answer choices aloud, but my hope is that they will be able to work more and more independently as they progress.
News for the Week of August 29-September 2
This week we will begin the iReady Diagnostic Assessment for math and reading. Please encourage your child to do their best, take their time, and R E L A X. This diagnostic assessment will set them up for individualized learning. They should be well-rested and have a good breakfast to be ready to do their best. Also - if you have not yet sent in iPad compatible earbuds or headphones, please try to send them by Monday. Each student needs their own set.
If I haven't received the iPad 1:1 Initiative Agreement final page, I sent a new booklet home with your child. Please return the signed page on Monday, so I can issue your child their iPad.
If I sent home a Handbood signature page, please sign and return. The classroom that returns all forms first receives a surprise from Ms. Hayes.
Thursday is School Picture Day. Students should wear something nice, yet comfortable. On all other days of this coming week, students may wear their P.E. uniform. We will begin wearing regular school uniforms after Labor Day.
We will begin our regular 2:40 dismissal schedule this coming week.
This year we are using a new Reading series called Open Court. We are just getting introduced to it in the classroom. Once we settle in, I'll provide a little more information about our weekly Reading/Language Arts routine.
This week we dive into our first math topic - Topic 1: Fluently Add and Subtract Within 20. Your child may have a math Homework page to complete a few days each week, usually Monday-Wednesday.
A few notes and reminders...
School Picture Day will soon be here. Look for the order form in your child's Home folder today. Picture Day is next Thursday, September 1st. Students should wear something nice, but comfortable.
We will begin iReady diagnostic testing next week. Your child cannot be issued an iPad until the 1:1 Agreement final page has been signed and turned in. If you still have that at home please try to send it in before Monday. Students also need to have their own iPad compatible headphones or earbuds. Thanks! If you ordered the prepackaged supply kit, they came with it.
We will begin using our new Assignment Notebooks next week as well, whenever there is homework to be completed. If you have not yet sent in $5, please do so. Thanks!
Finally, each family needs to print out the final page of the St. Linus Handbook from the website, sign and return it to school. The class who has all their forms turned in the fastest will get a surprise from Ms. Hayes!
DAY ONE... DONE!
We had an excellent first day today. School supplies are organized and put away. Please continue to send in anything you may have missed from the 2nd grade list. If you are still shopping for the 2 cloth book covers, please make sure you find some labeled "Jumbo" to ensure they fit. Your child has a Home and Back folder labeled with an "H." This is their folder to use for bringing papers to and from school, whether it is school mail, homework, etc. Once I begin assigning homework, they will be writing their assignments in their new Assignment Notebooks. If you haven't already sent in $5, please do so this week, and I'll distribute their assignment notebook to them. Homework assignments can also be found on my Classroom Connection page, in case you need to check.
We spent some time today discussing expectations. Your child came home with a green "I WILL" paper. Their homework today or tomorrow is to go over the form with you, their parent. Please sign and return just the bottom portion. The top can remain at home as a reminder.
Remember, both Monday and Tuesday are P.E. days, but for the first 2 weeks, students may wear their P.E. uniforms all week long. I believe we will be required to be in regular uniforms beginning after Labor Day, but I'll let you know if that changes. We have 1:30 dismissal every day this week, and next week will be on our normal 2:40 dismissal schedule.
Students should have a lunch and something to drink each day. I believe the Buona Beef days this year will again be Tues/Wed/Thurs and the signup should be available soon, if it isn't already. Both milk and Buona Beef hot lunches will start up after Labor Day.
Extended Day - Please let me know via email or a written note if your child will be spending afternoons after school with Mrs. Gute. Sometimes the kids think they know when they are supposed to head down there, but are mistaken. If they are Extended Day regulars, just notifying me once is fine, unless your schedule suddenly changes. Thanks!
If you need to reach me right away, it is best to contact me through the School Office (708) 425-1656. Mrs. Delisi can get a message to me. I do check my email daily but not always before school is out for the day. My email is loconnell@stlinusschool.org If it is more convenient, you can also send a written note in your child's Home folder, but be sure to tell them to give it to me!
Don't forget to return the yellow questionnaire, the final signed page of the St. Linus Handbook, the final signed page of the iPad 1:1 Agreement, and the green "I Will" form at your earliest convenience. Thanks!
Finally, thank you for entrusting me as your child's 2nd grade teacher. It is an honor to be a partner in your child's education. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions!
All the best, Mrs. O'C
WELCOME BACK!
I'm excited to meet you on Welcome Back Day, Thursday, August 18, from 4-7 p.m. Stop in the gym to pick up Hawktoberfest tshirts, P.E. uniforms, and check out the FTC table. Then be sure to head to Room 4 so we can meet. I'll have a Welcome Letter on your desk with some handy information about our class. If you preordered school supplies, they are in the classroom. If you'd like to drop off newly purchased school supplies from home, feel free to bring them to the classroom. We will sort through everything and put it away on the first day of school, which is Monday, August 22. It will be here before we know it!
Remember, for our first week of school, dismissal is at 1:30 p.m. daily. We will be having lunch daily at 11 a.m. beginning the first week, so be sure to send one. Also, our P.E. days (at this writing) are on Monday and Tuesday, so be sure to wear the P.E. uniform on those days. For the first two weeks of school, students may, if they choose, wear their P.E. uniforms every day. They are a little cooler than their regular uniforms. I'll let you know if Ms. Hayes extends this due to excessive heat.
Enjoy your last few days of summer freedom and get ready for a new learning adventure in 2nd grade!
All the best,
Mrs. O'C
Last day of School is Tuesday, June 7
For the last day of school, students should wear their picnic tshirt and St. Linus P.E. shorts or sweatpants. They do not need their backpacks. They should not bring a lunch. Hot dogs and drinks will be served on the football field during our Field Days Picnic following Mass. School will be dismissed at 12 noon and report cards will be distributed at dismissal.
News for the week of May 23-27
On Friday your child brought home an order form for their 3rd grade school supplies. If you'd like to take advantage of this convenience, please return your form by June 3.
This week in Reading we will enjoy the last selection in our Reader, called Grace for President. Vocabulary words featured in this realistic fiction selection are assembly, election, microphone, rallies, slogan, speeches. Our Spelling and phonics focus is on prefixes mis-, mid-, micro-, and non-. Spellling words to know are: midair midway, midweek, mismatch, misplace, misprint, misbehave, misdeed, mislead, midday, midyear, mistake, bought, either.
We are continuing to work through the Step Up to 3rd Grade Math lessons this week. The kids are enjoying this introduction to 3rd grade math work without any homework!
This week in Reading our main selection is informational text called Cowboys. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are campfire, cattle, cowboy, galloped, herd, railroad, trails.
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on the suffixes -ness, -less, -able, and -ible. Spelling words for Friday's test are: kindness, careless, goodness, useless, fearless, darkness, sadness, sickness, helpless, thankless, fitness, weakness, machine, wash.
We have completed Topic 15 in Math. We are excited to begin our final Step Up to 3rd Grade lessons in our math workbook this week!
We will finish our final iReady Reading and Math diagnostics assessments this week. I can't wait to see the individual progress that has been accomplished by all our students over the course of the school year!
Reminders -
1st Eucharist is this Saturday, May 7. Please be at Church at 1:15. Your child should sit at the end of your assigned pew before Mass begins. Ms. Anderson and I will lead the children out in order at the start of Mass before our procession. We are so excited for your child to receive this sacred Sacramental experience!
If you haven't already, please return the green End of Year Picnic Tshirt order form by May 11.
This week in Reading our main selection is realistic fiction entitled A Birthday Basket for Tia. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are aunt, bank, basket, collects, favorite, present. Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on words with final syllables -tion, -ture, -ion. Spelling words for Friday's test are: mixture, nation, section, future, picture, action, caution, station, fixture, motion, nature, feature, piece, tomorrow
In Math we continue with Topic 15: Shapes and Their Attributes.
This week we begin our third and final iReady Diagnostic Assessment for the school year. These Reading and Math assessments are to be completed only at school. Please encourage your child to do their best to show what they have learned since their last assessment. Do not have your child log in to iReady at home to work on it. Again, it is to be completed during school hours in our school environment. If your child has earbuds or headphones, please remind them to bring them to school each day over the next 2 weeks. Students will spend about 30 minutes each day working at their own pace until they have completed their Assessment.
Reminder - Please return the green End of Year Picnic Tshirt order form by 5/11.
News for the week of May 2-6
Reminders - Wednesday, 5/4 is an early dismissal day. School will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. There is no extended day care. Saturday, 5/7 is our First Eucharist Celebration at 1:30 p.m. in Church.
This week in Reading our mail selection is an informational text called Red, White, and Blue The Story of the American Flag. Vocabulary words from the selection are: America, birthday, flag, freedom, nicknames, stars, stripes. Our phonics/spelling focus this week is abbreviations. Spelling words to know for Friday's test are: Mr., Mrs., St., Jan., Feb., Aug., Dr., Ms., Rd., Oct., Nov., Dec., and the high frequency words won and learn.
In Math we are completing our work with Graphs and Data this week. Soon we will move to our last Topic 15: Shapes and Their Attributes.
We will soon be working (in school) on the final iReady Diagnostic Assessments of the year for Reading and Math. It is important for our students to do their best as we complete this important work to show how far we have come since September of 2021. These assessments will be completed during class time. Please do not have them work on iReady assessments at home.
News for the week of 4/25-4/29
Welcome back! We are entering the home stretch!
This week in main selection in Reading is Just Like Josh Gibson. Vocabulary words to learn from this selection are: bases, cheers, field, plate, sailed, threw. Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on inflected endings. Spelling words for Friday's test are: tried, trying, planned, planning, liked, liking, skipped, skipping, heavier, heaviest, lighter, lightest, promise, because
In Math we begin Topic 14: Graphs and Data
Preparation to receive First Eucharist continues. This week and next we will be reviewing and rehearsing in Church. Students are excited to receive this important Sacrament for the first time on Saturday, May 7.
News for the week of 4/11-4/15
This week in Reading we will review Unit 5 skills and strategies and have a benchmark assessment. There are no new spelling words. There will be no weekly spelling or reading test during this short week.
Reminder - There is no school on Thursday or Friday.
Please continue to support and encourage your children as they complete iReady Lessons for both Reading and Math at home. These lessons are assigned twice weekly (usually) to supplement the time we are able to work on iReady in the classroom. Students who complete at least 45 minutes weekly in each of these subjects show growth in their skill development at a level that is customized just for them.
News for the Week of April 4-8
This week in Reading our main selection is The Signmaker's Assistant. Vocabulary words to know from our selection are: afternoon, blame, idea, important, signmaker, townspeople.
Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is on the vowel patterns aw, au, au(gh), al. Spelling words for this week's test are: talk, because, August, caught, draw, walk, chalk, auto, taught, thaw, fault, launch, heard, bought
In Math this week we start Topic 13: More Addition, Subtraction, and Length.
Please check your child's assignment notebooks for iReady Homework assignments. Some students are not completing their iReady Homework when it is assigned and are not meeting their weekly goals of 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math. Thanks.
Reminder - Wednesday, April 6 is a teacher inservice day with a 1:30 dismissal.
News for the Week of March 28-April 1
This week in Reading our main selection is Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: adventure, climbed, clubhouse, exploring, greatest, truest, wondered.
Our Phonics and Spelling focus this week is consonant patterns ph, gh, ck, ng. Spelling words for Friday's test are: phone, enough, backtrack, laugh, ticket, duckling, graph, tough, photo, rough, cough, clang, half, front
In Math, we are finishing Topic 12: Measuring Length and will likely have an assessment on Friday.
Please encourage your child to work toward the weekly iReady goal of at least 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math. Some students are not completing the lessons when they are assigned as homework, and aren't able to reach their goal with the amount of class time we are able to commit to this important resource. Thanks!
News for the Week of March 21-25
This week in Reading our main selection is Bad Dog, Dodger! Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: chased, grabbed, wagged, chewing, practice, dripping, treat. Our phonics and spelling focus is on consonant patterns kn, wr, gn, mb. Spelling words for Friday's test are:
knock, sign, knee, wrong, write, climb, wrap, wren, gnat, lamb, comb, knob, certainly, listen
In Math we have begun Topic 12: Measuring Length.
Thursday, March 17 is a Dress Down Day to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Students may dress down in GREEN or their St. Linus parade celebration apparel.
News for the Week of 3/14-3/18/22
This week in Reading our main selection is Carl the Complainer. Vocabulary words from this selection are annoy, complain, mumbles, P.M., shrugs, and signature.
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on the prefixes un-, re-, pre-, and dis-. Spelling words for Friday's test are: unsafe, disappear, rewind, regroup, preheat, unlock, unpack, preschool, rerun, discolor, unplug, disagree, watch, toward.
News for the Week of 3/7-3/10/22
Reminder - no school on Friday, 3/11
This week we begin our new Reading unit with a main selection called Fire Fighter!. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: building, burning, masks, quickly, roar, station, tightly. Our phonics and spelling focus is on the suffixes -ly, -ful, -er, -or, and -ish. Spelling words for our test on Thursday are: cheerful, visitor, slowly, weekly, teacher, helper, hardly, graceful, yearly, quickly, fighter, sailor, beautiful, neighbor.
In Math we are working in Topic 11: Subtract within 1,000 using models and strategies.
Remember, if you received an invitation in your child's report card envelope for a conference, please complete and return it on Monday so I can accommodate your scheduling needs. If you did not receive an invitation, I do not have a need to meet with you, but if you'd like to schedule a conference, please reach out and we will work out a plan. Conferences are virtual at this time. Also, you do not need to return your child's report card. Just sign and return the envelope it came home in. Thanks!
Friday, March 4, 2022
Report cards are being sent home this afternoon in your child's Home folder. Please sign and return only the envelope. The report is yours to keep. If I feel we need to have a conference at this time I have included an invitation to schedule one for Thursday, 3/10 in the report card envelope. Conferences will be virtual. If you do not receive an invitation, I have no concerns at this time. However, if you feel we should meet to discuss your child's progress, please feel free to reach out and I'm happy to schedule time with you.
All the best,
Mrs. O'C
News for the Week of 2/28-3/4
Reminders:
If you haven't already, please return the yellow Donut Day form with $1 and your child's choice of chocolate or vanilla. This is due on MONDAY so the order can be placed and delivered on Fat Tuesday. One per student, please.
Library teacher Ms. Goldsmith sent home a Shamrock assignment for the kids to complete and return on MONDAY. It is in their Home folder.
Wednesday is a 1:30 dismissal day. We will have a 9:30 a.m. Ash Wednesday prayer service. You are always welcome to join us in Church if you are available.
We will be reviewing for a Reading Benchmark Test (Unit 4) this week. The assessment will be on Thursday and Friday. There are no new Spelling words or stories for this week.
In Math we are completing Topic 10 and will have a Test on Tuesday. Then we will move on to Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies.
News for the Week of Feb. 22-25
This week in Reading our main selection is a legend called The First Tortilla. Selection Vocabulary words to know are: awaken, cliffs, mountain, prize, rainbow, suffer, volcano. Our phonics and spelling focus is on the vowel digraphs oo, ue, ew, and ui. Spelling words for Friday's test are: too, blue, suit, juice, new, true, spoon, drew, fruit, fool, clue, flew, know, won't.
In Math we continue Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models and Strategies. Much of this topic is a recap of skills learned earlier in the year, except we've extended to 3-digit numbers.
I hope you enjoyed the snow day on Thursday. Please remind students to return to school with the 3 books sent home with them on Wednesday - their Handwriting, Religion, and English books. They should not have completed any pages in these books since a snow day was called instead of an eLearning day.
Just a reminder to encourage your child to work on their individualized iReady Reading and Math lessons at home. We are striving for at least 45 minutes weekly in each subject in order to achieve results. If your child does not have a device they can use at home, please let me know so that I can make arrangements for you to borrow one.
Spelling Words for the week of Feb. 14-17
downstairs, football, cowboy, houseboat, railroad, rainbow, boyhood, oatmeal, soybean, roadway, outplay, daydream, none, hour
Vocabulary Words for the week of Feb. 14-18
balance, canyons, coral, rattle, slivers, away, whisper
Because there is no school on Friday, our weekly Reading and Spelling Tests will be on Thursday.
News for the week of February 7-11
This week we will hopefully back to our regular routine, if the weather cooperates! I hope you enjoyed your snow day.
This week's main selection in Reading is called Soil. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: grains, materials, particles, seeps, substances, texture.
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on the diphthongs ou, ow, oi, and oy. Spelling words for Friday's test are: around, out, gown, sound, flower, howl, toy, noise, royal, moist, coil, cow, world, push
In Math we will be finishing up Topic 9 with an assessment on Friday.
We have finished our Science unit on Plants and Animals. We are starting up in Social Studies again with a unit called Working Together.
I will once again be assigning iReady independent lessons as occasional homework. As a reminder, our goal is for each student to complete 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math each week. While we can do some of this work during our Friday Library time, the majority of the lesson time should be spent at home. Please encourage your child to take their time and not rush through the lessons. It is important that they pass the lesson in order to move on with success.
SNOW DAY ON WEDNESDAY, 2/2. NO WORK TO DO ON WEDNESDAY! ENJOY!
If Ms. Hayes calls for an eLearning Day on Thursday, please click on the Homework link above for the assignments. Remember to bring your books back to school on Friday for our early dismissal day. There will be no Extended Day Care on Friday and we dismiss at 11:30 a.m.
News for the week of January 31-February 4
Our Catholic Schools Week celebration begins this Sunday with Mass at 10 a.m. We hope you can join us!
Students may wear their St. Linus Spirit Wear on Monday. They can come to school in their cozy pajamas on Tuesday. Be sure to have gym shoes for both days because we do still have P.E.
This week in Reading our main selection is an expository text called Life Cycle of a Pumpkin. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are bumpy, fruit, harvest, root, smooth, soil, vine. Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on vowel patterns oo and u, as in cook and put.
Spelling words to practice for Friday's test are: cook, stood, full, wood, July, shook, push, pull, brook, book, hood, put, does, give.
In Math this week we continue to work in Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000.
In Science we have completed our study of plants and animals. We will have a Test this week, likely on Tuesday or Wednesday. We will review on Monday, and materials will come home for review.
News for the week of January 24-28, 2022
This week in Reading our main selection is A Froggy Fable. Selection vocabulary words to know are clearing, crashed, perfect, pond, spilling, splashing, traveled.
Our phonics and spelling focus is on words with final syllable -le. Spellling words for Friday's test are: ankle, cable, bugle, giggle, title, purple, bundle, sparkle, apple, able, bubble, tickle, you're, only
In Math we are beginning Topic 9: Numbers to 1,000 which will prepare students to solve 3-digit problems.
News for the week of January 10-14, 2022
This week in Reading our main selection is A Weed is a Flower. Vocabulary words to know from this biography are: greenhouse, agriculture, college, laboratory. High frequency words for practice and review are: clothes, hours, money, neighbor, only, question, taught.
Our Spelling and phonics focus this week is on comparative endings -er and -est. Spelling words for Friday's weekly test are: sooner, soonest, hotter, hottest, busier, busiest, happier, happiest, smaller, smallest, fatter, fattest, money, question.
In Math we continue Topic 2: Time and Money. This week we will be solving problems with coins and bills, then beginning work with time to 5 minutes.
We are working on the iReady Midyear Diagnostic Assessment during school this week. Students should NOT be working on iReady at home until we have completed it. I'll let you know when we switch back to independent lessons.
The cold weather has kept us inside during recess this past week, but please send your child with warm outerwear. When the temperature goes above freezing we will be outside enjoying some fresh air. Hopefully that will be soon!
News for the week of December 20-21
Christmas break is almost here! Tuesday is our last day of school until we return on January 5.
This week in Reading we will begin a new story called Rosa and Blanca. Vocabulary words to know from the story are: tortillas, luckiest, chiles. High frequency words to review are: alone, buy, daughters, half, many, their, youngest. Spelling words that will be introduced are: find, child, sky, bright, wild, fly, right, flight, spider, cry, blind, myself, their, buy. All of this will be reviewed when we return to school in January.
In Math we are completing Topic 7: More Solving Problems Involving Addition and Subtraction. When we return to school after break, we will begin Topic 8: Work with Time and Money.
Have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year!
Christmas Concert Reminder
Students should come to school on Wednesday, 12/15 in their festive Christmas outfits. The concert is at 2 pm at Church. After the concert, we will return to class briefly to gather backpacks and coats. Students will dismiss at the regular time, 2:40 p.m. We have been rehearsing and can't wait to see you in our audience!
News for the week of December 13-17
Reminders ---
1st Reconciliation is at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, 12/11. Students may use the booklet sent home on Friday to help them examine their conscience. They can also bring the booklet to Church on Saturday if they haven't memorized the Act of Contrition prayer with confidence. Note: We will say this prayer together as a group, so your child doesn't need to be worried if they don't know the words.
The annual Christmas Concert is this Wednesday, December 15 in Church at 2 p.m. Students should come to school dressed in their festive holiday clothes. They will not change for the concert. Mrs. Keelan sent home information regarding the number of guests who may attend for each family. Thanks for your understanding.
This week in Reading our main selection is a folk tale called Anansi Goes Fishing. Vocabulary words to know from the story are: weave, lazy, delicious, justice. High frequency words for practice and review are: been, believe, caught, finally, today, tomorrow, whatever. Our phonics focus this week is on compound words. Spelling words for Friday's test are: basketball, someone, weekend, something, birthday, riverbank, bathtub, backyard, driveway, bedtime, raindrop, mailbox.
In Math this week we continue working in Topic 7: More Solving Problems with Addition and Subtraction. My goal is to finish with this topic before Christmas break. After the holidays we will begin working with time and money in Topic 8.
News for the week of December 6-10
Reminder - We celebrate 1st Reconciliation on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in Church. Please continue to work with your child in the workbook The Gift of Reconciliation while we review and practice in class.
This week in Reading our main selection is Dear Juno. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are persimmons, photograph, envelope, smudged. High frequency words for practice are answer, company, faraway, parents, picture, school, wash.
Spelling words for Friday's test are: goat, hold, show, most, bowl, float, toast, ago, open, told, toad, slow, answer, school.
This week in Math we will finish Topic 6, with an assessment likely on Wednesday.
This week in Reading we begin Unit 3 with a fantasy fiction story called Pearl and Wagner Two Good Friends. Vocabulary words to know from this story are robot, wad, trash, electricity. High frequency words to practice are guess, pretty, science, shoe, village, watch, won. Our phonics/spelling skill this week is vowel patterns e, ee, ea, y, and our spelling words for Friday's test are: read, feet, easy, deep, seat, party, wheel, leave, windy, sleep, teeth, team, guess, shoe.
In Math we continue with Topic 6: Fluently Subtract within 100. Please continue to encourage review and practice of basic addition and subtraction facts.
News for the week of November 22-23
Since this is a very short week with our Thanksgiving break, we will not have any new spelling words/test or a weekly reading test this week.
This week in Math we continue to work in Topic 6, and are finally subtracting 2-digit numbers using column subtraction!
Each student has received a speaking part for "The Night Before Christmas" in the upcoming December 15 Christmas concert. They brought their part home on Thursday, along with information from Mrs. Keelan about dressing up for the concert. They should practice and memorize their part.
Don't forget that Tuesday is an 11:30 dismissal day. There is no school Wed. - Fri. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
News for the week of November 15-19
2nd Trimester begins on November 15. Report cards for the 1st Trimester will be distributed on Friday, 11/19. Please sign and return only the labeled envelope. The report card is yours to keep.
NJHS and Student Council Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive begins this week. 2nd graders have been asked to donate canned tomatoes or tomato sauce. Donations will benefit the St. Linus Food Pantry and can be brought to school anytime between 11/18 and 11/22. Thank you for your generosity.
This week in Reading we will review Unit 2 Benchmark skills and have an assessment at the end of the week. There will be no weekly Spelling Test this week.
In Math we are completing Topic 5 early in the week and will begin Topic 6: Fluently Subtract within 100.
Please continue to support your student through encouraging practice of their basic facts regularly and keeping up with iReady goals of 45 minutes each for both Reading and Math.
News for the week of November 8-12
Don't forget to turn your clocks back 1 hour and enjoy that extra hour of sleep this weekend.
Our Veteran's Day Assembly is on Thursday, 11/11 at 9:30 a.m.
Trimester 1 ends on Friday, 11/12.
This week in Reading our main selection is a folk tale called One Good Turn Deserves Another. Selection Vocabulary words to know are: groaned, creature, armadillo, snorted, grateful. High frequency words to practice are: behind, brought, door, everybody, minute, promise, sorry. Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on the long a vowel patterns spelled a, ai, and ay. Spelling words to learn for this week's test are: main, away, brain, today, wait, play, paint, tray, say, raise, stay, tail, everybody, sorry.
In Math this week we continue with Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies. Please continue to encourage basic fact practice and the use of the iReady app to build skills in both reading and math.
Happy Halloween from Room 4!
News for the week of November 1-5
Reminders:
All School Mass on Monday at 9:30 a.m. You are always welcome to join us.
Wednesday, 11/3 is an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed at 1:30.
This week in Reading our main selection is a drama/fairy tale called The Bremen Town Musicians. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are mill, monsters, robbers, excitement, musician. High frequency (sight) words in focus are bought, people, pleasant, probably, scared, shall, sign. Our phonics/spelling focus for the week is plurals. Spelling Words for Friday's test are: lunch, lunches, story, stories, tune, tunes, switch, switches, baby, babies, note, notes, people, scared.
In Math we begin Topic 5: Subtract Within 100 Using Strategies. This week we will use hundreds charts and open number lines as we work on 2-digit subtraction problems.
News for the week of October 25-29
Reminder - School Picture retakes are Monday, 10/25. Please return photos sent home last week if you are requesting a retake.
This week in Reading our main selection is expository text called Scarcity. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are hurricanes, resources, scarcity, scarce, and trade-off. High frequency words for study and review this week are: above, ago, enough, toward, whole, word.
The Phonics and Spelling skill for the week is r-controlled er, ir, ur. Spellling words for this week's test are:
person, nurse, dirt, turn, birth, serve, curb, curl, skirt, purse, turtle, her, whole, enough
In Math this week we will complete Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100. Keep reinforcing the basic math facts. Many of their errors are due to not having their facts memorized.
As mentioned last week, we will celebrate Halloween on Friday, 10/29. All are invited to our annual Halloween parade, which can hopefully be held outside at about 8:15 a.m. Students can wear their costumes to school and costume masks can be worn outside for the parade, but when back in the classroom we will have to wear our Covid-preventing masks, as usual. In the afternoon we will have a celebration. Students may (but aren't required to) bring a candy or other inexpensive item to share with their classmates. We have 18 students, 9 boys and 9 girls. Please do not bring in any homemade food items. All candy items need to be individually wrapped. Hoping for nice weather so we can spend part of celebration outside.
School Picture Retakes
The photographer will be here at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, 10/25 for picture retakes, and to photograph students who were absent for school pictures. If you would like your child's picture retaken please return the photos that were sent home earlier this week. Students who are having their pictures taken should be dressed for their photo.
News for the week of October 18-22
This week in Reading our main selection is informational text, called Abraham Lincoln. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: noticed, honest, lawyer, fault.
High frequency for practice this week are: certainly, either, great, laugh, second, worst, you're.
Our phonics/spelling focus this week is contractions. Words to know for Friday's test are: can't, it's he's, I'm, didn't, who's, she's, aren't, isn't, haven't, hadn't, I'll, great, worst.
This week in Math we continue our work in Topic 4, Fluently Adding Within 100.
Turkey Trot 5K: Early signups will receive tshirts for 2 upcoming Gobble Gobble dress down days. Classroom with the most participants wins a pizza party!
Halloween Heads Up: Students may wear costumes to school on Friday, 10/29. We will begin the celebrating with a Halloween costume parade outdoors at around 8:15. Parents are encouraged to enjoy the spectacle! We will have a classroom celebration in the afternoon. Students may (but are not required to) bring a Halloween treat to share with their classmates. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, no homemade food treats, please, and goodies should be individually wrapped. Non-edible goodies are always welcome! We will do a fun craft or play a game, and enjoy a not-too-spooky movie. Cross your fingers for nice weather.
News for the week of October 12-15
Reminder - Monday, 10/11 is Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day. There is no school.
This week in Reading we begin Unit 2 with a main selection called Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends. We will be working on the comprehension skills of identifying cause and effect and summarizing. Vocabulary words from this selection to know are: brave, slipped, collar. Our phonics and spelling focus is on r-controlled ar, or, ore, and oar spelling patterns. Spelling words for Friday's test are:
hard, born, horse, before, more, smart, farm, porch, corn, chore, score, part, pull, break
This week in Math we will review strategies for adding within 100 on Tuesday and have a topic assessment on Wednesday. Then we will begin Topic 4: Fluently Add Within 100 later in the week.
Please continue to encourage your child to take advantage of their individualized iReady instructional lessons in Math and Reading each week. Once they have completed at least 45 minutes in Math and 45 minutes in Reading they may enjoy the Learning Games on the app, which will reinforce skills taught both in the app and in our classroom.
In Science, we are completing our first chapter on Matter this week. The children are enjoying a fun STEM activity where they worked in teams to plan and build a bridge over a river that a car can travel over safely. We will have a Chapter 1 Test at the end of the week. Review materials will be sent home for study.
News for the week of October 4-8
On Monday, 10/4 there is a parent meeting regarding the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in Church at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, 10/6 we have an early dismissal at 1:30 p.m.
If you would like to place an October order from the Scholastic Books flyers sent home a week or so ago, please turn in the order online or to Mrs. O'C by Wednesday, 10/6.
This week in Reading we will review Unit 1 phonics skills and comprehension strategies then take a benchmark assessment toward the end of the week. There are no new spelling or vocabulary words this week.
In Math, we continue to learn and practice strategies to add within 100 in Topic 3.
Students are excited to see the iReady Leaderboard in the school library. We are working on the instructional lessons in Reading and Math during part of our library time each week. Please help your child login into iReady at home when it is assigned as homework to ensure they meet their goal of at least 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math each week. These individualized lessons will have a positive impact on their learning if they spend enough time using this learning app. Login credentials are taped inside their assignment notebook cover.
News for the week of September 27-October 1
It is Spirit Week at St. Linus. On Monday students may wear their cozy pajamas to school. Don't forget the gym shoes, because we do have P.E.!
This week in Reading our main selection is a drama selection called The Strongest One. Vocabulary words to know from this selection are: narrator, relatives, dangerous, gnaws. High frequency (sight) words to practice are: gone, learn, often, pieces, though, together, very.
Our phonics and Spelling focus this week is on consonant digraphs. Spelling words for this Friday's test are: that, wish, patch, when, what, math, them, shape, whale, itch, chase, bunch, gone, often.
In English we have completed our first chapter on sentences and will be taking the Sentence Challenge assessment this week.
In Math we are finishing and reviewing strategies and skills from Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups on Monday and should be ready for our assessment on Tuesday. Watch for some work to come home for review on Monday.
Going forward we will likely have iReady instructional lessons assigned as Homework once or twice a week. Our goal is for each student to be able to complete at least 45 minutes in Reading and 45 minutes in Math each week. We do carve some time out during school, but these valuable, individualized lessons will also need to be completed at home. Please ask your child to login regularly at home where you can see how many instructional minutes they have spent working. These individualized lessons can significantly improve student achievement IF students are encouraged to spend the time working on them.
News for the week of September 20-23
Reminder - Friday, 9/24 is a professional development day for faculty so students have the day off!
This week in Reading our main selection is expository text called A Walk in the Desert. Selection vocabulary words to know are: desert, climate, cactus, coyote, harsh. We will also practice the high frequency (sight) words: animals, early, eyes, full, warm, water.
Our phonics/spelling focus is on inflected endings -ed and -ing. Spelling words for our test on Thursday are:
dropped, dropping, excited, exciting, lifted, lifting, hugged, hugging, smiled, smiling, talked, talking, early, warm
In Math, we continue in Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups.
We have completed school-wide iReady diagnostic testing in Reading and Math and will begin the instructional part of this learning platform this week. While we spend some class time working in the iReady app, in order to meet our learning goal of 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math each week, there will need to be some iReady homework assigned each week. Students have their iReady login credentials taped inside their Assignment Notebooks and have learned how to log into the program. In order to be successful we will need you to encourage students to complete their iReady learning goals each week. When they login, they can see how many instructional minutes they have completed for the week, which runs from Sunday through Saturday. This program meets students' individual needs based on their diagnostic scores. I can't wait to see their progress.
News for the week of September 13-17
Last call for Scholastic Books and Dippin' Dots orders on Monday!
This week is Reading our main selection is Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: shivered, snuggled, drooled, lanterns.
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on consonant blends. Spelling words for Friday's test are:
stop, hand, clip, twin, strap, brave, stream, breeze, nest, ask, mask, state, build, couldn't
In Math, we will be ready for an assessment on Topic 1 on Wednesday. Then we will begin working in Topic 2: Work with Equal Groups. Please continue to encourage your child to practice their basic addition and subtraction facts. Once they are memorized the higher level math skills can be accomplished with more ease and accuracy.
We will also begin Science this week with a chapter on Matter.
September 3, 2021
Parents, please sign and return the School Handbook Validation form in your child's Home folder. The classes that return all their forms in earliest will get a pizza or ice cream party from Ms. Hayes!
News for the week of September 7-10:
This week in Reading our main selection is Exploring Space with an Astronaut. Vocabulary words to know from the selection are: astronaut, gravity, telescope, experiment, shuttle
High Frequency (sight) words for study this week are: everywhere, live, machines, move, woman, work, world
Our phonics and spelling focus this week is on long vowels with the VCe spelling pattern (Vowel/Consonant/final silent e.) Spelling words for Friday's Test on 7/10 are:
page, size, late, race, nose, fine, huge, rice, space, mice, blaze, vote, move, live
This week in Math we continue our work in Topic 1: Fluently Add and Subtract within 20.
September 1, 2021
Picture Day is tomorrow! Please bring in your picture day order form on Thursday. Students should dress nicely for their photo. No uniforms needed.
August 31, 2021
Just a reminder that Wednesday, 9/1/21 is an early dismissal day. School will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Also, if you have not yet sent in earbuds or headphones, please send them at your earliest convenience. We need them for iReady work. Thanks.
August 30, 2021
Students received their assignment notebooks today, with a short Homework assignment for Math written inside. A few still need to bring in $5 to cover the cost. We will use them several days a week to learn responsibility. Homework can also be found on the link above.
August 27, 2021
We had a great first week of school in Room 4. The early dismissals were a good way to deal with the end of summer heat. Next week we dismiss at our regular 2:40 time, except for Wednesday at 1:30. We will begin to get into a regular routine with our core subject areas. My fingers are crossed that the heat will break over the weekend.
Scholastic Book flyers were sent in the Home folder on Friday. If you'd like to order online be sure to use my teacher code H3ZD8 and you can choose to have items delivered here at school or to your home. If you'd like to order on paper using the form at the back of each flyer, please include a check as payment. No cash, please. Orders of $25 or more get you a free book. Please don't feel obligated to purchase. I'll send the order forms home every month or so.
A note about after school pick-up. If someone who is not your usual family member is picking your child up at the end of day, please let me know ahead of time with a note, email, or a call to the office. We need to be aware so that we can make sure all are safe. You might be surprised to hear that some students arrange after school play dates without their parents' knowledge!
We hope to begin using our Assignment Notebooks next week. If you have not yet sent in $5 for this, please do so at your earliest convenience.
Next week we will begin some diagnostic iReady testing in Reading and Math. This will be done in school, using iPads. We use earbuds or headphones for this. Many have brought them in and we keep them stored safely in a backpack pocket. If you have not purchased them yet, this weekend would be a great time. They do not need to be expensive, but they should be compatible with iPads.
We begin our regular classroom language arts routine next week. Most weeks there will be a Spelling Test and a Reading Test on Fridays. Next week's main Reading selection is called The Twin Club. Our Phonics focus will be a review of short vowels and consonants and we will practice these high frequency (sight) words: beautiful, country, friend, front, someone, somewhere. Students may be bringing their Reader home one day each week to read the selection aloud to you. This week's reading comprehension focus is on character and setting.
Spelling Words for Friday's first "practice" test are:
rock, list, desk, job, sad, chop, sack, tag, rib, mess, dust, drum, country, someone
We will practice them in class and there will be some homework/review required before Friday.
This week in Math we begin our work in Topic 1: Fluently Add and Subtract within 20. We will be reviewing some 1st grade skills and strategies. Every week or two we will be quizzing mastery of the basic addition and subtraction facts and children should be reviewing them at home.
Once iReady diagnostics are finished for Reading and Math I'll have a clearer picture of what your child's strengths and weaknesses are. The iReady program will be set up with individualized lessons to be completed on iPads both in school and at home. Our goal is for each child to complete 45 minutes of Reading and 45 minutes of Math lessons in iReady each week in order to maximize the benefits of this program. Some of this can be completed during school hours, and some will be assigned as homework.
I think that is all for now -- I'm trying not to overwhelm you with information until it is needed. Enjoy the weekend!
August 24, 2021 -- Please note our first "Homework" assignment. Click on the Homework link above.
A note about Homework in our classroom. Once we settle into our normal routine you can expect to see a little homework on most Mondays through Thursdays. I don't believe in assigning a lot of homework, but some skills need a little review and reinforcement. Homework shouldn't usually take more than 15-20 minutes for written work. If your child consistently needs 30 minutes or longer to complete their homework, please let me know. You may occasionally need to help review a math concept or listen to your child read aloud to you, but for the most part, the work I assign can be done independently. Please do check that your child understands the directions, has completed their homework assignments, and placed them back in their folder/backpack. They need a little help at this age to form this important organization habits. Once we are ready to begin using iReady, I'll send home login information. We will do some iReady work in the classroom but in order for this program to be successful they'll be assigned some iReady time each week at home. Thanks in advance for your support with homework!
News for our first week of school, August 23-27
Welcome back to St. Linus for our 2021-2022 school year!
Today was our first day of school and it was a great one. We met new friends Jessie, Mila, and Greg, and celebrated Mila's birthday today. Happy Birthday Mila!
We will have 1:30 dismissal throughout this week and students may wear their P.E. uniforms each day to stay a little cooler. Water bottles that are spillproof are encouraged. We keep them near our desks on these warm days. Please send a large size towel we can use for some outdoor lessons.
Most of our school supplies are organized and settled in our desks. If you still have some supplies on the list that you need to send, please keep them coming. Students will bring home their "Home" folder daily. If they have written homework or notes from you to me or the office, please be sure they are sent in their Home folder.
Watch for the "I Will" expectations page to come home. We will be discussing this in class. Please review the expectations with your child, have them sign, include parent's signature, and return to in the Home folder by Friday. Thanks!
I'll try not to bombard you with too much information at once. This Class Connection site is a good place to get information about what is happening in our classroom. There is a Homework link where I will post homework assignments going forward, but your child will also become more independent as they begin using an Assignment Notebook to copy homework assignments. Assignment Notebooks will go back and forth from home to school, just like the Home folders. If you haven't already, please send $5 to cover the cost of your child's Assignment Notebook provided by St. Linus, and once I've collected all students' money we can begin using them.