Sept 8-12

We have had a great week in 2B. The kid are all working really hard. Here are a few of our highlights:

• LA - Phonics - We will be working through a similar program as grade 1, UFLI. This program is a systematic and explicit phonics program. I did not send a decodable home today, but plan to at the end of next week. I will send it home inside of a scribbler. I ask that you get your child to read one or many of the pages to you. Practicing the learned phonics skills repeatedly will help your child build his/her fluency skills (reading accurately, at a good pace, using expression). Please send it back to school the following week before Wednesday. This week we reviewed short vowel sounds. 

• LA - Writing - Every Monday morning, the kids will write a journal entry. They can write about what they choose. It can be about something they want to tell me about the weekend, about a book read, TV show watched, etc. If you have time at breakfast or on the way to school, ask your child what he/she wants to write about. 

• Math - We worked on some math review from grade one, got logged onto Mathletics, and learned a couple new math games. Your child has his/her log in information in his/her agenda.

• Art - Today we did a word art project. The kids brainstormed words and phrases to describe themselves. Then we logged onto the chromebooks and they typed in the descriptors, and made decisions to design their own Word Art. You can check out the final products below. 

• PE - We have been working on physical fitness, cooperative games, and being safe in the gym. 

• Chromebooks - We are so lucky to get our very own Chromebook cart in our room this year. I feel very grateful for this!

• Bubblegum Draw - Today we had our first draw. We will do this every two weeks. The kids have a bubblegum machine on their desks. When we see good things happening, we color in a circle. When it's full, their name gets put in a bubblegum machine. I pick about seven names on draw day. Today I picked 2 extra because the kids were being so happy for their friends who were picked. 

Thanks to everyone who has completed your Verification forms. If you haven't gotten a chance yet, please do so this weekend. I cannot share all of my photos until they are done. These also need to be done for your child to participate in the Terry Fox Walk that is happening at the end of the month. 

My blog post generally consists of some highlights, some photos from the week, and reminders. I try to keep my posts brief. however, I do invite you to contact me if you ever want more information about something. As a parent, I sometimes found long emails and blog posts overwhelming. I love to give you an idea of what we're up to with photos.

Home Reading - Read the next part if you did not see my email regarding home reading that I sent out earlier. 

Over the next month's posts, I will share some information about a classroom routine. Today I want to tell you about our home reading program. It's quite simple. I do encourage the kids to read at home. I am happy if they choose what they want to read. At times, if I see it as helpful, I will send home some decodable reading materials to reinforce the phonics skills we are practicing at school. I will contact you if I choose to do this.

All I ask of parents is that you initial the calendar(see below) in your child's agenda on the days your child intentionally reads a book. I am also okay if your child reads a book online.

At the end of the month, I will count up home reading days and will add bubblegums to their bubblegum machine. This is a way I acknowledge the good things I am seeing at school. 

There is some good information in the Admin Corner. if you haven't had a chance to read it, click on the icon above and check it out. 

There is a PD day next Friday, Sept 19.