News
6/5/24
Hello families!
The end of the year is quickly approaching... Thursday is our last day for share, so please encourage your children to leave their toys at home. We will need empty backpacks to take home all the great stuff we have done this year.
Friday is scheduled to be our field day. The weather, however, may not cooperate. The decision of whether to cancel or not is often left to the last minute in hopes that the weather will be better than predicted. That being said, on Friday make sure you child has the following things
sneakers
clothes to layer (morning may be cooler than afternoon)
a change of clothing (incase of mud)
bug spray/sunscreen applied at home if desired
a water bottle (preferably not one that can be squirted)
If the weather does NOT cooperate, Field Day will be on Monday instead (yes, I know, that day doesn't look good either).
We are out of school on June 14th at noon. The rest of the week is normal hours (with lots of fun stuff, so I can't say normal school...)
This has been a great year! I love your children like my own!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
5/10/24
Dear Families!
This year is just flying by! We are in the middle of assessments, so have kids come to school rested and ready to learn! Next week we will be doing iReady Reading (computer based). The following week is iReady Math. I have started doing DRA III (Developmental Reading Assessments) and they have made so many gains! We also have a writing prompt Wednesday of next week.
So, here are some dates to remember!
May 16 - Math and Literacy night! Meet an author, have dinner, and have fun! 4:15 to 6:30
My 23 - Early Release (Noon) - Send in white t-shirts by this day (for tie-dying)
May 24 - No School - Teacher in-service
May 27 - No School - Memorial Day
May 30 - school wide presentation - Wild Life Encounters
June 4 - Field Trip to Hart 2 Hart Farm in Albion
June 7 - Field Day and 3rd trimester ends
June 10 - Rain date for field day
June 11 - presentation on Ft. Halifax
June 14 - Last Day of School (half day, I believe)
It has been an amazing year. I am so fortunate to have gotten to know your kids and you! Thank you for all you do!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
4/12/24
Hello Families!
Here we are, just before vacation! The end of school will come fast and furious, now! There are some things we have been working on to get ready for third grade that you can encourage at home: POTQ (Part of the Question) - encourage students to use the words from the question to answer it; i.e. What ordinary deed did Mary do? Ans: The ordinary deed that Mary did was... Summaries - encourage students to tell you about what they have read from beginning, middle, and end with details. They will have to write these. Practice Basic addition and subtraction facts. (7+8=15 etc.)
When we come back, we'll be working on the au and aw sound, opinion writing, and geometry in math.
Here are some important dates:
4/26/24 - PTO Bingo 5:30-7
5/3/24 - Bikes for Books Ends, progress reports go home
5/16/24 - Math and Literacy Night 4:30-6:30 - More info coming
5/23/24 - Early Release - Noon dismissal
5/24/24 - No school
5/27/24 - No school
5/30/24 - Wild Life Encounters
Enjoy a restful week off! Thank you for sharing your children! I love them all!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
3/22/24
Hello!
Today felt like a day before a storm! What a whirlwind!
This week we started an assessment for 3rd grade; it's a screener for gifted and talented (G.T.) that all kids in 2nd grade get. It is a fairly lengthy assessment and has to be during times students don't go out for service; I have very few of those times. Lots of kids have been out for various reasons. So I am doing my best to get them done. For students who do well, there will be additional testing done by our G.T. teacher, Mrs. Foster, at a later date (you will be contacted if this applies to your child). Only 5% of the student population receive G.T. services; in all of 2nd grade that's about 4 students.
Next week week we are talking about oi, and oy (dipthongs) and writing Non-Fiction Summaries. In writing, we are telling our opinions about books. Math has doing word problems using measurement. Science is all about plants and we are experimenting if plants can live without light. Unfortunately, science time is one of those times I have everyone, so we will also be doing some assessment.
We do have some fun stuff coming up!
March 22 - TONIGHT! PTO movie night
March 26 - trip to see Jungle Book at Waterville Opera House
April 4 - PTO Meeting - 5:30 come get involved!
April 8 - Start to Bikes for Books (see flier that went home today)
April 10 - Student Spotlight at 1:15 (I will be contacting you if your child has won an award)
April 15-19 - School vacation
April 26 - PTO Bingo
Enjoy the snow!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
2/26/24
Welcome back!
We are starting all new things this week! Well, except writing; we are finishing up our informational writing. Next week, the kids will do their opinion writing prompts, which will start our next unit. In Reading, we are working on OR words, including or, oar, and oer. In math, we will be starting measurement. In Science, we are starting our plant unit. So much fun!
Next week, March 6th, is our concernt! I included the information in my last email. Let me know if you need it again.
Also, I'm sending home a book order today. If you want to order, I will put it through on Monday, March 4th. You can also go to the scholastic website, https://clubs.scholastic.com/home, and use our class code NCMHL. If you want to do the flier, fill it out and send in a check made to Scholastic Book Clubs. There will also be a book fair during conferences if you would rather do that. (Our own helps me get points to buy books for our classroom. The book fair helps the library. Both noble causes.)
Parent Teacher Conferences are March 11 and 13. They are in person. Mrs. Gower will be sending out more information about that. Keep checking the school website.
Thanks for all you do!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
2/9/24
Next week, we have some spirit week days! Check out what's going on!
Monday 2/12- Twin day or dress like a teacher day.
Tuesday 2/13-Hat/crazy hair day
Wednesday 2/14- Red, Pink, and White day
Thursday 2/15- Dapper day- dress in your fanciest clothes, but please don't buy new clothes.
Friday 2/16- Black and Orange Day
Wednesday will be a pretty regular day. Friday, we'll do some surprise special stuff, if we earn it.
Next week, we'll be doing r-controled vowels that say "er." In math, we'll keep working on 3 digit problems. We will do our informational writing prompt and work on finishing up our informational books. sssss
February 19 to the 23 is break! After break, look for Parent/Teacher conference sign-ups!
March 6th is the 2nd grade concert! More information to come!
Thanks for all you do!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
2/2/24
Happy Ground Hog's Day! While Phil didn't see his shadow this year, we learned in Mystery Science he is only correct 2 out of 5 times... Oh well! I hope he got it right this time! I think I saw a flock of robins the other day...
We are done assessments for now! We will do our informational writing prompt the week before vacation. Right now, we are researching and trying to find more information to write about! Ask your child which animal they chose.
Next week in reading, we will be working with r-controlled vowels. In math, we are adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers. We are just at the concept stage of this process and many students are still having trouble with place value. Please refrain from teaching your kids how to "borrow" or "carry" their number; we are really working on knowing that the digit has value based on the place it holds in the number, so 3 could be 3 or 30 or 300, depending on where it lands. When we carry the 1, we don't understand that we're really making another 10 or 100. In some ways it's easier, but knowing how numbers work helps students with mental math. I have actually have some kids get upset that I want them to prove with a strategy instead of let them set it up and do the algorithm. Thank you for your support.
We do have some important dates coming up:
February 16th at 8:30 - Student spotlight. I will be notifying parents soon
February 19-23 - February Break
March 6 - Grade 2 Concert 6pm
March 7 - end of trimester
March 11 and 13 - parent/teacher conferences
March 14 - early release
March 15 - No School
March 26 - Opera House trip to see Jungle Book (I have chaperones already)
I have already sent a list of names by email for valentine cards. Please make one for everyone in the class if you choose to do them. They will be enjoyed at home.
Thanks for all you do! Your kids are awesome! I have been enjoying them.
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary
1/12/24
Hello Families!
I have completed most of your kids DRA's (Developmental Reading Assessments) and we are doing well! Progress notes go home on Jan. 23rd, so I will definitely note how they did if I have them for reading!
Next Tuesday (Jan 16) and Wednesday (Jan 7), we will be doing our iReady reading assessment. The kids will be encouraged to take their time. Our Math iReady assessment will be Tuesday, Jan 23rd and Thursday, Jan 25th. If your child misses any of these dates, we will work with them to make them up.
We are working on 3 digit numbers in Math and long O and U in reading. We will work on long U for 2 weeks (starting the 16th to the 26th) due to lots of different things going on. We will keep working in math! In writing, we are working on informational writing and will begin research next week.
I have reminded students that we will miss 2 Mondays in a row (Meaning gym) and to bring Library Books on both Tuesdays.
As always, if you have questions, reach out to me!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
1/2/24
Hello Families!
We are getting started and I want to make sure you are aware of some important things going on.
January is full of assessments, so have your child rested, well fed, and here as often as possible. We have a LOT to do!
Also, here are some important dates:
1/4/24 - PTO Meeting at 5:30 in the upstairs mulitpurpose room. Come get involved!
1/15/24 - No school, MLK Day
1/22/24 - No School - Teacher In-Service day
1/23/24 - Our class will participate in Personal Body Safety
1/24/24 - The Planetarium comes to grade 2
We are back to the usual schedule, so look for math and reading logs! We've got this!
Thanks for all you do!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
12/15/23
Hello Families!
The excitement for Christmas is growing!
There will be NO Math HOMEWORK next week. Please keep reading! I will be sending home 2 reading logs next week so that you have one for vacation. Keep reading!
There are some fun theme days coming up. Check the list I sent out earlier this week. I can't wait to see their wacky mismatched clothes on Monday!
Friday is a half day. Students will be dismissed at noon. Thursday, we will be hearing the high school band and Monday is our student spotlight!
I'm so glad I have your children in my class! I love them like my own!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
12/11/23
Hello Families!
No Homework and Pizza Passes are in mailboxes today! Ask your child about it!
Tomorrow, report cards go home. Just a reminder that 2's are good! They mean that your child is making progress. 3's mean that they have met the END OF THE YEAR expectation. 4's mean they have exceeded that. 1's are the number that means they are not making progress or are having a hard time. That being said, the WHOLE CLASS received 1's on punctuation , since periods, capitals, and dialogue are grade 2 expectations that are very hard for everyone.
Next week, we will have some themed days. Here they are:
*Monday 12/18- wacky clothes/mismatch day
*Tuesday 12/19- Dapper/Dress up day- Wear your nicest clothes (please don’t go buy new clothes, just wear what you have)
*Wednesday 12/20- Hat/headband day
*Thursday 12/21- Favorite Holiday/Winter Character clothes (Frosty, Grinch, Santa, Olaf etc)
*Friday 12/22- Buffalo plaid/cozy clothes day
That's all for now! I love your kids!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
12/7/23
Hello Families!
We are certainly feeling the holiday excitement here at school! Thank you for sending in winter gear! That has been great! Kids have had so much fun in this week's snow!
This week and next, we are learning ways to make vowels e and a say their names. We have also been working on Summaries, which students will have to be able to do to pass a DRA III (Developmental Reading Assessment - Third edition) from level 28 (end of 2nd grade) on. This is hard and takes practice. In math, we have worked on money. Next week, we will work on time.
Look for report cards on Tuesday. (12/12/23). You will also see no homework passes for homework completion and pizza hut coupons for reading log completion either Friday (tomorrow) or Monday.
Student Spotlight is coming up on the 18th at 9:30. I will be contacting parents of students who receive the award.
We have an early release day on 12-22, which will begin our break. We will come back to school January 2nd.
Thanks for all you do! I love your kids!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
11/17/23
Hello Families!
You should have received a notice about winter gear; the weather is unpredictable this time of the year. Once we get snow, your kids will need the gear to be able to play on the playground, so be prepared! If you need assistance, please contact the school or let me know and we can make it happen!
We only have 2 days of school next week (Monday and Tuesday). Monday will be a business as usual kind of day with an assessment in writing and regular math. Tuesday will be more Thanksgiving geared with some math thrown in.
Everyone is excited this time of year! Please remind your child to try to keep with expectations. Thanks for your support!
If you can, please continue reading through Thanksgiving break, that would be great!
I love your children like my own. Next week will be great!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
11/8/23
Hello Families!
I loved getting a chance to chat with most of you this week!
I do want to clarify homework; if it takes too long, is too difficult, or if life gets in the way, please write a note on it an have your child pass it in as is. I get it. I have 4 children and 3 jobs. Life is busy and things happen. Homework should be practice not you reteaching. Free yourself. If the struggle is math, do basic facts instead. If the struggle is reading, cuddle up and read a book to your child instead. If the struggle is time, do whatever family thing you need to do, or even sleep instead. Homework is practice. There will never be a penalty from me if it is not done. That being said, I do give rewards to students who do pass it in consistently. Here are some of those rewards you may have seen this week:
Book It Pizza Hut Pan Pizza's - Students completing reading logs get these monthly until April. Octobers went out earlier this week.
No Homework Pass - These are given to students for birthdays, as a choice from the prize box, or for consistently doing homework at grading times (i.e. conferences, report cards/progress-reports etc.). The student attaches the pass to their homework and passes in the homework that is not completed. It is only good for one assignment, so cannot be used on reading logs. These were given to some students this week.
Prize box pick - We are earning stars in class for good behavior. When your child gets 20 stars, they pick from the prize box. This has been on going and is dependent only on the specific child's behavior; so some kids have had more picks than others. Stars are never taken away.
Here are some upcoming dates:
Student Spotlight Tomorrow, November 9th at 1:15
No School Nov. 10 or 13.
PTO Craft Fair and Book Fair - Nov. 11
No school for Thanksgiving Break Nov. 22, 23, or 24
End of Trimester - Dec. 1
Report Cards go home Dec. 12
Dec. 22 - Early Release
Christmas Break - Dec. 25 to Jan 2
Next week we will be working on soft g and c sounds in reading. In math, we will continue to practice our mental math strategies for 2 digit addition and subtraction. Writing, we will be working on finishing up our narrative writing.
I spoke with most people who are interested in volunteering. If I missed you and you want a time to come in, please reach out to me! I always seem to forget something. Thanks for all you do.
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
11/3/23
Hello Families!
There are still some of you that haven't signed up for conferences. PLEASE do! I have put it below. You should be able to click on it, go to either Monday or Wednesday, and pick an available time. If you are having difficulties finding a time that works or scheduling, please let me know.
I will be starting to have volunteers come in regularly after Thanksgiving. We'll discuss your schedule at conferences. Thanks for your patience!
In reading, we will be working with silent e words and in Math we will be doing double digit subtraction.
The PTO craft fair is coming up on Saturday, November 11th! That's also the start of the book fair.
There's no school on Nov. 10 or 13. Thanksgiving Break starts on Wednesday, November 22.
I can't wait to talk with you at conferences and show you all the great work that's being done in Grade 2! See you Monday or Wednesday!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
(Conference link below)
10/29/23
Hello Families!
Last call for book orders! Follow the link and instrutions below. They were due on Friday, but I will send them on Monday in case anyone wants to hand in an order instead of doing it online.
We will continue learning the same thing this week that we did last week (just picking up where we left off on ending blends and 2 digit addition) due to the unexpected lack of school. I also have some assessments I need to get through, so...
PLUS, we have some fun stuff going on! Halloween - we will not be doing a Halloween party and costumes are NOT allowed at school. HOWEVER, the next day, Nov. 1st, is our Read-A-Thon! Students are encouraged to where book character costumes. Please bring in pledges that day!
I will set up a volunteer schedule and call you this week. I apologize that I was unable to get to it last week. Thank you for your patience.
Look for information about parent/teacher conferences in the next few days! I look forward to chatting with all of you soon!
Thank you for all you do.
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
Hey there, families!
I put a book order flier for the kids to take home. You can also order on line, but if you send in the order, please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Club (no cash). Place an order of $25 or more and you can pick a FREE $5 book (use code READS at checkout).
Family Order Due Date: 10/27/23
SHOP OUR CLASS PAGE: https://orders.scholastic.com/NCMHL
https://orders.scholastic.com/NCMHL
SHOP FLYERS: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers
Also, PTO is looking for your help for Feed the Teachers and Raffle Items. Forms when home for both of those things. Let me know if you need another.
AND, start collecting Pledges for our Read-A-Thon on November 1st! Students are allowed to dress up as book characters that day. Costumes are NOT allowed on Halloween.
I will be calling and setting up volunteer times next week. Thank you so much!
We will be working on ending consonant blends in reading and adding 2 digit numbers in Math. We will continue with Narrative writing during writing.
Thank you for all you do for your children!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
10/16/23
Hello Families!
Wednesday, we will be learning about Fire Safety in the afternoon! FYI!
This week we are learning consonant blends with l and r (bl, tr, etc.) in reading and continuing with Narritive Writing (Small Moments or One time stories). In math, we are working on 2 step word problems!
Information went home today talking about the title 1 night and our Read-A-Thon. Be on the lookout for those! Also, I sent home graded homework, so folders probably should be cleaned out. Thank you so much for working with your children!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
10/11/23
Hello Families!
Don't forget about Bingo on Friday! A flier went home.
Also, I have sent home forms for parents wishing to volunteer. This is different from the form I sent before; it's a new district policy about background checks for volunteers. Thank you if you have sent yours back! It takes about 2 weeks, so I will start working on a volunteer schedule as soon as I start getting some back.
We are just continuing last week this week! Next week we will start new concepts. In science, we are working on a unit called "Works of Water" where we look at erosion and the power of water.
Some children have asked to use my noise canceling headphones (working students can sometimes be noisy and some children prefer quiet). I only have 1 pair that can be used. I told the kids that I would let you know they could bring some in from home, if interested (but NOT necessary). They can be purchased for a pretty low price at Tractor Supply...
Thanks for all you do!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
10/2/23
Hello Families!
A couple of important reminders:
Thursday this week is an Early Release day. Students are dismissed at noon. Also on Thursday is a PTO meeting at 5:30 in the library.
Friday there's an inservice day, so No School. No School on Monday, either
Friday, October 13 is the first PTO Bingo of the year! Always a good time!
We will have a Read-A-Thon on Wednesday, November 1st. More information to come!
If you have said you would like to volunteer, look for a form in your child's folder by Thursday (sooner if I get it). There is a new district policy that says all volunteer and chaperones need to fill out a form and have a background check done before volunteering or chaperoning trips. (We do not have trips planned, yet, but will). So I will send along the volunteer forms for you. Thanks for understanding!
This week we are working on sh, th, ch at the end of words. This will continue into next week. We are working on word problems in math and Works of Water in Science. Representatives from the LC Bates Museum are visiting on Wednesday to talk about birds. We will see them in the afternoon.
I hope you have a great week! As always, reach out with any questions!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
9-24-23
Hello Families!
Reminder: Monday is Picture Day!
This week, you can start looking for a little more homework. I will work my best to get strips every day into their homework note books. Please initial these every day! This week we'll add some math.
Last week we worked on short vowels and mental math strategies for addition. This week, we are working on digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh) in reading and mental math strategies for subtraction in math.
As always, reach out if you have questions!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
9-18-23
Hello Families!
Homework starts tomorrow (Tuesday 9-19)! We will start with reading logs and add on next week. Look for homework notebooks and please initial them nightly. Reading Logs will normally be passed on on Mondays and be turned in the following Monday. In October, this reading time will count towards the Book-It program to earn pizza!
See the dates below and add a PTO meeting Oct. 5th.
Share has started. When it's a student's day, they can bring something in to talk about. Please do not send in technology. I will let kids know their day and send out the calendar tomorrow.
Please start sending in sweatshirts. Sometimes it's cold...
I have started making calls, but will be doing more this week! I look forward to talking to you!
Thanks for all you do!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
9-11-23
Hello Families!
This week we are knocking out some assessments! Have kids well rested and ready to work hard!
I will also be working on some phone calls! I have already made a few, but I will continue to try to contact you just to say hi!
Folders should be going home nightly. We will start homework next week, so then there will also be a notebook to look out for. Please initial it and let me know if there's any problems with the work.
Here are some dates:
Picture day - Sep. 25
LC Bates (Natural History Museum) will come talk to Grade 2 - Sep. 27
Early Release - Oct. 5
No School - Oct. 6 or 9
As always, reach out if you need something!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
9-5-23
Hello Families!
Don't forget we have a PTO meeting this week on Thursday at 5:30 in the library! It's a great way to get involved!
Thank you so much for all of you willing to volunteer! I should start calling people in mid October to set up times.
This week, we are still working on and practicing rules/expectations. We just started practicing start over. There was a flier about it at open house. Start over is an opportunity to think about choices and make better ones. All students will practice going to start over this week as part of our responsive classroom approach to help it feel like not a big deal.
If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out!
Gayle Martin
Grade 2 Teacher
Winslow Elementary School
8-28-23
Dear Families!
Thank you so much for coming to this website! I will try to keep it updated...
Tonight is Open House! I hope you can make it! Try to remember to bring in your paperwork the first few days of school!
I am really looking forward to getting to know you and your children. This will be a great year! Keep checking here for important updates. Here are some days for you to know:
Aug. 30th - 1st day of school
Sep. 4th - Labor Day, no school
Sep. 7th - PTO meeting 5:30
Sep. 22nd - PTO Back to School Bash
Sep. 25th - Picture day
More info to come! Thanks for all you do!
Mrs. Martin