Throughout the year, I will send out a weekly update with information about what we have been learning, important classroom updates, and things to look forward to. These updates will be sent via email and posted here on our class website for easy access!
Community Snack
Community snack is an awesome way for your family to purchase a snack to leave at school! In my classroom, I keep a bin that the kids can choose from each day. If you would like your child to participate in community snack for October, please purchase a new snack from my link on Amazon or send the snack with your child. New community snack orders for October :)
Library
Remember to please return library books every Thursday!
Conferences
WOOHOOOOO first conferences are coming soon! I can't wait to talk about all of the amazing things I have been learning about your kiddos so far!!! I am so excited!!
The link will be sent today from Mrs. Mucha!!
Star Report:
Star reports are going home today. Please remember that this test is only one test that they take, and it is only 1 data point we look at. We focus on the WHOLE child and teacher observations/ tests. If you have any questions, please reach out to me :)
Optional Homework:
On Fridays, we do Fun Friday free write! I told them if they finish the writing packet and bring it back next week, they will get a Dojo point! You are welcome to help them with the writing!
The goal is to write 3 parts about this picture. On page 1, write about what happens before this picture. Page 2 is the picture, and page 3 is what happens after the picture. Use 3 parts to make a great page! The story should have a problem and how the problem gets solved.
HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK:
Week of 10/2
Math:
In math this week, we continued our work with addition and subtraction by introducing two new workplace games: What’s the Difference and Turn Them Over. We then used these skills to help us solve story problems using a variety of tools and strategies. We ended the week on Friday taking our first Unit 1 math test! :) WOHOOO! They ROCKED IT! We will talk about this at conferences!! :)
Writing:
This week in writing, we continued to add specific things into our writing, like adding more middle details using our 5 senses, comparison sentences, and bolding words. Next week, we will work on editing and start the rewriting process. :)
Phonics:
This week in phonics, we discussed the digraph “ck” and the trigraph (three letters) “dge.” We broke words up with this pattern and learned how to spell them with the spelling rules.
Reading:
In reading this week, we continued our work with series books and the story elements inside of them. We first discussed main vs. minor characters, specifically talking about how much we have learned about our main characters. We then used this information to answer why and how they feel and do different things in our series books.
Walk-A-Thon Information:
It is free to register your child for a FREE Award T-shirt!!! Still looking for a couple more families to register! Thanks so much :)
Register your student: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/login
School Identifier: 5d2e05bfcd92b
Library:
Remember, library day is on Thursdays. Please remember to bring books! :)
Squishes Update:
Take a look at our school policy HERE:
Academic Updates:
Week of 9/25
Math:
In math this week, we discussed a variety of different strategies for adding and subtracting numbers up to 20. These strategies included the near doubles strategy, using compensation, making 10 to add, and subtracting using a strategy called “up over 10.” Next week we will continue working on our addition and subtraction strategies.
Writing:
This week in writing, we finished up writing our first draft of small moment stories! Towards the end of the week, we focused on revising by adding adjectives into our writing. Next week, we will continue revising and making our small moment stories AMAZING!
Phonics:
This week in phonics, we talked about the digraph “th” and the different sounds it can make. These two sounds are called voiced and unvoiced. The easiest way to understand this difference is by looking at the words “bath” and “bathe.” In bath, the “th” does not create a vibration in your throat. However, in the word “bathe,” it does! Therefore, the “th” in bathe is considered a voiced sound. We concluded the week learning about homophones, which are 2 words that sound the same but have different meanings, like their, there, and they're!
Reading:
In reading this week, we first talked about clues that authors give us to help us read better. These clues include punctuation and font, which impact how we should read. We then transitioned into a discussion about series books, specifically surrounding story elements. These include concepts like characters, setting, problem, and more!
Click on this site for more information on how to sign up and prize information!
Classroom Updates:
Classroom Website:
Here is the website link to see weekly email updates! I find this helpful in case they get lost in emails.
Homework:
In October I will be sending home reading homework. Their job is to read 20 minutes a day or 300 minutes a month. Bring the homework back and signed at the end of October for your child to win some class dojo points! Stay tuned :)
Library
Our library day is Thursday's please make sure your child brings back both books each week!!
Walk-A-Thon Information:
Register your student: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/login
School Identifier: 5d2e05bfcd92b
Share their fundraising page with family & friends
Help us reach our $33K goal!
Every registered student gets a special Alward Walkathon T-shirt to wear on October 2! Its free to register!
Let’s keep those registrations coming!
MVP:
Each week, one student will be chosen to be our MVP (Most Valuable Player). On Thursday, our MVP will show the class a poster that tells their 10 favorite things. Also, they are welcome to bring in 1 show-and-tell item & 1-2 pictures that they would like to share with the class. The paper will be sent home on Thursday and should be returned by the next Thursday for their turn!
Picture Retakes:
Tuesday, October 20 is picture retake day!
Academic Updates:
Math:
In math this week we introduced four new workplaces, which are independent or partner math games! We learned about counting by 2s and 5s, making sums using number cards, and more! We also discussed the patterns we see when subtracting the tens or the ones from a teen number. For example, 17-7=10 and 17-10=7.
Writing:
This week in writing we continued our small moment stories. We started by discussing ways to magnify our stories by adding details. We then worked on editing, discussing the four important parts of a complete sentence. These include capital letters, understanding (does it make sense?), end punctuation, and spelling. We use the acronym CUPS to help us remember these steps!
Phonics:
This week in phonics we discussed the difference between -ch and -tch. We broke up words with the “ch” sound, learned the spelling rules, and even took a quick check yesterday. The typical “rule of thumb” to know the difference is: if the “ch” sound comes immediately after a short vowel sound, the spelling will be -tch. If not, the spelling will be -ch!
Reading:
In reading this week we discussed different strategies to help us read more fluently and effectively. These strategies include reading in phrases, breaking up words part-by-part, and more.
Happy Friday!!
I hope you all enjoyed the long Labor Day weekend! I went to the crazy Michigan game against Western last Saturday! It was a crazy game!
I was so proud of the kiddos for jumping right back into our routine on Tuesday! They were absolute rock stars this week!
We also completed our STAR Math and STAR Reading tests this week, and they knocked it out of the park! I was so impressed with how focused they were and how hard they worked. They truly gave 100% and did their very best!
Classroom Updates:
Picture Day September 14!
Today, your child will be coming home with picture day forms. Please fill them out and return them to school on Monday! I can't wait to see all of these AMAZING photos!!! :)
Library
The library is open next week. Our library day will be every Thursday. Please make sure to return books to school every Thursday :)
Academic Updates:
Math:
In math this week, we learned about picture and bar graphs through our beetle glyphs! We also took our Unit 1 screener and are learning our workplace centers. Take a peek at ClassDojo for some cool creations.
Writing:
This week in writing, we kicked off our small moment writing unit! We talked about what a small moment is and how to stretch it out across 5 pages. It has been so cool to see the students jumping right into this writing unit!
Phonics:
This week in phonics, we discussed two different digraphs: “sh” and “ph.” A digraph is two consonants that work together to make one sound. We broke these words apart, put them back together, and learned spelling strategies to help us spell them better.
Reading:
In reading this week, we talked about a reading strategy called "swoop". This trick is to help kids go back and reread to sound more like a big kid reader! Always good to go back and reread :) We also discussed and reviewed the material that was learned in first grade. Finally, we made some super awesome bookmarks to commemorate a strong week in reading!
Thank you so much! I hope you have a great weekend!! :)
Please reach out if you ever need anything or have any questions!
HAPPY THURSDAY!!!
This week, we talked all about how our classroom is like a team! Last week, the kiddos took some time to create their very own classroom “jerseys,” and this week we continued building on what it means to be a team. We discussed the rules our classroom team has and, most importantly, how we can work together, encourage one another, and act like a team!
We also talked a lot about having a champion mindset, remembering that it is important to never give up, keep trying, and stay positive even when something feels difficult. I was so proud of our kiddos this week! It was HOT outside, but they did such a great job keeping a positive attitude and showing their champion mindsets!
Classroom Updates:
Gym shoes:
Please make sure your child leaves an extra pair of tennis shoes here at school! :)
Picture Day:
Picture day is September 14! Can't wait!!!
Class Dojo
Check out Class Dojo for some awesome pictures of our class from this week.
Classroom Website:
I will post all the weekly emails I sent to the classroom website so it is all in one spot. I know sometimes emails can be misplaced or lost. HERE is the website.
Week of 9/3
Math:
In math this week, we hit the ground running with our first unit. We started by making beetle glyphs, based on information about ourselves. We then created categories of these beetles, as well as compared them using Venn diagrams. We also introduced the first four workplaces of 2nd grade, which include learning more about the math manipulatives in our classroom.
Writing:
This week in writing, we went over writing expectations and then got started writing! This included learning more about complete sentences, as well as discussing writing stamina. We will start our first unit “officially” next week!
Reading:
In reading this week, we also went over expectations, both for independent reading time as well as book shopping in the classroom.
8/25 First day of school Updates
Dear Families,
It was so great meeting you all last night at Open House! It is such a fun time to see the classroom come to life, get supplies ready, and meet all of the wonderful students who will be filling our room this year. I hope coming to Open House helped put some of your kiddos at ease! I know the beginning of the school year can be super exciting, but it can also be a little overwhelming. I am always here for your child! :)
I cannot wait to be your child's teacher this year! We are going to have such a fun year of learning, growing, and making memories together!
I wanted to share a few quick reminders to make sure we are all up to date as we get ready for the first day.
If you have any questions throughout the year, be sure to check out my classroom website! There is lots of helpful information, including:
Specials information
Community Snack information
Weekly updates
Classroom information
And more!
At Open House, I had a sign-up available for students who would like to have a sack lunch sent home with them this week. If you did not sign up at Open House, no worries! Your child can let me know in the morning this week that they need a sack lunch, and I will make sure one is ordered for them.
Moving forward, for any other half days, just remind your child in the morning to order a sack lunch, and they will order one at school.
We have gym this Thursday, so please make sure your child brings an extra pair of shoes to leave at school. These shoes will stay in their number box outside of our classroom and can be used for gym throughout the year.
Please use Class Dojo for any questions, updates, or messages throughout the school year. This is the best way to communicate with me!
Please make sure your child has a pair of headphones labeled with their name to use with our classroom computers.
If you do not have an extra pair of headphones at home, no worries! I have some extras in our classroom that I can provide for your child.
Thank you so much for helping us get ready for a great start to the school year! I am so excited to get to know your children and make this a wonderful year for everyone.
Here's to a fantastic year!
Mrs. Mudd