Second Grade Newsletter 2.24.23

 Hello Parents and Guardians,

Field Trip

Our field trip to the Pioneer Living History Museum is Friday, March 3rd! We will be leaving school at 8:30am, spending most of the school day at the museum, and arriving back at school around 2:30pm. 

Items to label with student's name using black marker: 

• Lunch will be eaten on the museum grounds, and we ask that you pack an easy-to-eat lunch for your child. Please put your child’s lunch in a brown paper bag with his/her name written on it with a black marker. Lunches will be kept in a cooler.

• Large disposable water bottles are ideal, as it is a long day. His or her water bottle for the day should also be disposable with his/her name written on the top. 

• A separate snack with his/her name written on it as well.

 

* Please make sure all food/drink items are disposable, as we do not want the students to lose any of their belongings at the museum.

*Please do not send money with your child. Children will not be able to buy their lunches or snacks. 

*You may send a hat and sunglasses with your child since it is an outdoor museum, and please apply sunscreen before dropping your child off at school. 

*The students are still expected to wear their uniform, as they are representing our school. 

*The students and teachers will ride buses to the museum, while we ask parent chaperones to drive themselves. Chaperone carpooling is encouraged! We ask that you do not drive your own child to the museum with you, because the bus ride is part of their experience! 

*If you are willing to lend us a large, wheeled cooler and/or bring bags of ice, please let your teacher know!

Please contact us if you have any questions. We are very excited for our field trip, and we know it will be a wonderful experience for everyone.

Dress Code

Please remain diligent in sending your student to school wearing proper uniform attire. If your student needs new uniform clothes, click here for our PSO used uniform website. The PSO has uniform clothing that is affordable and in good condition.

Search our events/products and add to your shopping cart archwaychandler.configio.com

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Athletic Field Day

Athletic Field Day will be Thursday, March 9! Please make sure your child comes to school well rested and with plenty of water. Apply sunscreen before school. This will be a fun morning of sportsmanship with academics in the afternoon.

The dress code for field day:

• Sneakers
• Athletic apparel
• No pop culture, please
• No tank tops
• No pants that are too tight or too short 
• Hat and sunglasses are optional

Important Dates

February 28: Science Test-Human Body

March 1: Math Multiplication Assessment

March 2: History Test - Westward Expansion

March 3: Field Trip to The Pioneer Living History Museum 

March 6: "The Land of Counterpane" Recitations

(Stanzas 1-3 due Monday 2/27, entire poem recited week of 3/6)

March 9: Athletic Field Day

March 10: Half Day

March 13 – 17 Spring Break

Conversation Prompts

What do the words “quit”, “quite”, and “quiet” mean?

What does a topic sentence do in a paragraph?

Name an example of a food from each of the food groups: Fruit, vegetable, grain, dairy, and protein.

Why did Laura and Mary like helping Ma make cheese? What did Pa collect from the hollow tree in the woods?

What did pioneers need to bring with them on the Oregon Trail?

How is 5 groups of 2 different from 2 groups of 5?

Academics

History

Students will learn about Sequoyah, who invented the Cherokee tribe’s written language. Then, they will learn about settlers on the prairies, and cowboy life on ranches. Our Westward Expansion unit will conclude with a test on Thursday. Students have a study guide to use for preparation.

Science

Monday will be a review day in preparation for our Human Body unit test on Tuesday. Students have a study guide at home for preparation for this assessment. On Thursday, we will perform an interesting experiment to observe how acids affect bones.

Literature

We will read about a wonderful machine that helped the Ingalls with their harvest work. We will finish the book on Wednesday.

Grammar

Students are working to complete their Oregon Trail paragraphs and will begin learning about adverbs and their usage.

Math

Students will spend the early part of the week reviewing the multiplication unit. There is a test scheduled for Wednesday, March 1^st. The test will cover adding equal groups, determining even and odd numbers, and rewriting repeated addition sentences into multiplication ones (i.e., 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 can be rewritten as 2 x 4). For additional practice at home, have your scholar skip count by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s.

Spalding

Students will learn and practice a mix of spelling words, cursive phonograms, and cursive uppercase letters next week. Wednesday will be the review day, and the phonogram quiz and spelling test will be Thursday (due to the field trip on Friday). For the cursive practice homework, please have your child write each phonogram or letter in cursive three times.

Thank you for all your support!

 

Second Grade Newsletter 2.17.23

 Hello Parents and Guardians! 

Recess

Please continue to reinforce safe playground play. Students have needed reminders to respect others and use two-finger touch for games such as tag. The playground is the perfect opportunity to practice the virtues.

 Field Trip

Our field trip to the Pioneer Living History Museum is Friday, March 3rd!  Here are some important details for the field trip:

We will be leaving school at 8:30am, spending most of the school day at the museum, and arriving back at school around 2:30pm. 

Items to label with name in black marker: 

• Lunch will be eaten on the museum grounds, and we ask that you pack an easy-to-eat lunch for your child (lunches will be in a cooler).  Please, put your child’s lunch in a brown paper bag with his/her name written on it in black marker. 

• Large disposable water bottles are ideal, as it is a long day. His or her water bottle for the day should also be disposable with his/her name written on the top. 

• We would like each child to bring a snack with his/her name written on it as well.

• Please make sure all food/drink items are disposable, as we do not want the students to lose any of their belongings at the museum.

Please do not send money with your child. Children will not be able to buy their lunches or snacks. 

You may send a hat and sunglasses with your child since it is an outdoor museum, and please apply sunscreen before dropping your child off at school. The students are still expected to wear their uniform, as they are representing our school. 

The students and teachers will ride buses to the museum, while we ask parent chaperones to drive themselves.  Carpooling is encouraged!  We ask that you do not drive your own child to the museum with you, because the bus ride there is part of the experience! 

We are very excited for our field trip and we know it will be a wonderful experience for everyone.

If you are willing to bring a cooler and ice, please let your teacher know!

Please contact us if you have any questions!

Athletic Field Day

Athletic Field Day will be Thursday, March 9th! Please make sure your child comes to school well rested, wearing proper athletic clothing (no pop culture, please), and with plenty of water. You may apply sunscreen as well as send a hat and/or sunglasses. This will be a fun day of sportsmanship with academics in the afternoon.

Important Dates:

Monday, Feb. 20: President's Day (No School/R&R Weekend)

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Human Body Science Test (Study Guide will be sent home on 2/21) 

March 2: Westward Expansion Assessment 

 

Friday, March 3: Field Trip to the Pioneer Museum

March 7: "The Land of Counterpane" Recitations (Stanza 1-2 due Friday 2/22, Stanza 1-3 due Thursday 2/27, entire poem recited week of 3/6)

March 9: Athletic Field Day

March 10: Half Day

March 13 – 17 Spring Break

Conversation Prompts:

What is 2+2+2?

What is important to include in a letter? What must you write on the envelope?

What is the name of the trail settlers traveled on to the Pacific Coast? Why did people move west?

How does the digestive system work?

What is the weather like in the Big Woods now? (It is warmer, it is now springtime.) What do the Ingalls do now that the weather is warmer? (They go to the general store and buy goods.)

Academics

History

The students are loving the Unit on Westward Expansion! So far, they have learned that the Erie Canal helped carry people West, and we read about the invention of the steamboat. They got to re-enact the Pony Express for our Great Hearts celebration, which was a lovely way to incorporate movement with history. We will continue our Westward Expansion unit as we discuss the Goldrush, daily life in a covered wagon, the Oregon Trail, the building of a transcontinental railroad, and the Trail of Tears.

Science
Students reviewed the digestive system and are working on identifying the parts of the system and their role in digestion. Next week, we will discuss ways we can stay healthy and the five food groups. We will also examine some food labels and learn about making healthy choices and the importance of exercise before reviewing for the unit test. A study guide on green paper will be sent home Tuesday for students to prepare for the test on February 28th. 

Literature
Next week, students will read about summertime in the Big Woods. The Ingalls welcome many visitors now that the weather is nice. Pa finds a tree loaded with honey and retells how he was able to collect it.  Ma sets about making cheese and the girls help her. 

Grammar

The students practiced writing a friendly letter for Great Hearts Day. We will now learn how to write and address a postcard. Perhaps, sharing an authentic postcard that you have received would interest your student this week. For writing, we will continue narration and copy work exercises using passages from "The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks."

Math

This week, students learned that multiplication is repeated addition or skip counting. Next, they will learn how to talk about multiplication as equal groups and write multiplication equations. They will also practice answering word problems involving multiplication. Students will learn multiplication facts for 2, 5, 10's as well as 3's and 4's.

Spalding​​​​​​​
Scholars will continue to practice new spelling words and cursive letter formation by learning to connect letters through writing the phonograms. Please continue to dictate the spelling words and have your child rewrite any missed words. For the cursive practice, please have your child write each phonogram in cursive three times.

Thank you for all your support!

Best,

Your Second Grade Team

Second Grade Newsletter 2.10.23

Hello Parents and Guardians! 

Field Trip 

We are excited to announce that the second graders will get to go on a field trip to The Living Pioneer History Museum on Friday, March 3rd! This compliments our unit on Westward Expansion. Students will get to watch a Western Show, pan for gold, and explore the outdoor museum grounds. This is such a fun and exciting field trip for all of us!  We will be leaving school at 8:30am, spending most of the school day at the museum, eat lunch on the museum grounds, and arrive back at school around 2:30pm.   

 

If you are willing to bring a cooler and ice, please let your teacher know! 

 

Please see below for the link to sign up to chaperon. This will go live on Feb. 10th at 7pm. We ask that you only sign up if you or a member of your family has not already chaperoned a field trip this year for second grade. Thank you for your understanding! 

Chaperon Link

 

Important Dates:

Tuesday, Feb. 14: Great Hearts Day

Monday, Feb. 20: President's Day (No School/R&R Weekend)

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Human Body Science Test (Study Guide will be sent home on 2/21) 

Friday, March 3: Field Trip to the Pioneer Museum

 

Conversation Prompts:

Name two ways Americans moved west (by carriage, walking, flatboats, keel boats)

What happens to our food after it reaches the stomach? (Food moves into the small intestine where it passes through villi walls into the bloodstream) 

In Little House in the Big Woods, what is a sugar snow? (A late snow that prevents the trees from budding, allowing more sap collection to make extra maple sugar)

 

Academics: 

Grammar: Scholars received their next poem for recitations, "The Land of Counterpane" by Robert Louis Stevenson. Students will learn how to write a friendly letter and will write one to a classmate for Great Hearts Day. We will use excerpts from Little Women for our writing exercises.

Math: Students will begin learning about multiplication as repeated addition or skip counting. 

 History: We will continue our unit on the Westward Expansion with learning about the invention of the steamboat, identifying important land features American used on their journey west, and explaining what the California Gold Rush was. 

Literature: Our reading of Little House in the Big Woods continues with emphasis on citing textual evidence. Students will learn about the dance at Grandpa’s and discover what Laura saw on her first trip to town. Please consider signing up to volunteer for reading groups using the links on the sidebar.

Science: In Science, we will finish our unit on the Digestive System, learn about the Excretory System, and complete a study guide for the Human Body test.

Spalding: Next week, we will begin writing the alphabet in cursive. For homework, scholars will practice cursive letters along with spelling words for the week. Please have your child write each cursive letter three times.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Warm Regards, 

The 2nd Grade Team

Second Grade Newsletter 2.3.23

Hello parents and guardians!

Great Hearts Day:

Great Hearts Day is just around the corner! On February 14th, we will be celebrating each other’s virtues. Our 2nd Grade Great Hearts Celebration will be from 11:45am – 1:05pm. Please do not send store bought cards or candy. All store-bought cards and candy will be returned home with your child that day. It would really dampen our spirits to have to disappoint a child in this way. We have other fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate the day.

The students will write a friendly letter and deliver their Great-Hearted cards via a reenactment of the Pony Express. Students will learn to Square Dance after reading about the dance at Grandpa's in the book, Little House in the Big Woods. We will also celebrate Arizona's birthday with a fun craft. 

 

Dress Code Reminder:

Just a reminder that per the Family Handbooks, "Boys and girls are permitted to wear one watch. This may not be a smart watch. Bracelets, rings, and necklaces are not permitted unless for religious reasons." Thank you for your help with ensuring that special accessory items are left at home and students are in dress code. The purpose for the dress code is to help students focus on their academic pursuits; certain smart watches have become distractions for students and those around them. Thank you!

 

Field Trip 

We are excited to announce that the second graders will get to go on a field trip to The Living Pioneer History Museum on Friday, March 3rd! This compliments our unit on Westward Expansion. Students will get to watch a Western Show, pan for gold, and explore the outdoor museum grounds. This is such a fun and exciting field trip for all of us!  We will be leaving school at 8:30am, spending most of the school day at the museum, eat lunch on the museum grounds, and arrive back at school around 2:30pm.   

 

If you are willing to bring a cooler and ice, please let your teacher know! 

 

Please see below for the link to sign up to chaperon. This will go live on Feb. 10th at 7pm. We ask that you only sign up if you or a member of your family has not already chaperoned a field trip this year for second grade. Thank you for your understanding!

 

 

Important Dates:

Saturday, Feb. 4: Father-Daughter Dance

Monday, Feb. 6: The Preamble recitation due

Tuesday, Feb. 7: History War of 1812 assessment

Thursday, Feb. 9: Galileo testing (Make sure your student gets plenty of sleep and a full breakfast so they’ll feel their best. Please arrive at school on time -- or early!)

Friday, Feb. 10: Math Test-Length

Tuesday, Feb. 14: Great Hearts Day

Conversation Prompts:

What did Dolley Madison save from the fire in Washington DC?

What does your epiglottis do?

What is a direct quotation?

Which is longer a cm or a m? Which is longer an inch or foot or yard?

How was Ma's story with the bear different from Pa's story with the bear?

What is the difference between "steel" and "steal"?

 

Academics:

Math

We will review both the metric and customary system for measuring length as well as how to use bar models to solve word problems involving length. We will have a unit test on Friday, February 10th. Encourage your student to estimate and measure items around the house. Students have an inch and centimeter ruler on the last page of their planner to help them complete homework items.

Literature

We will continue reading Little House in the Big Woods while learning about sugar snow and how Grandpa made maple syrup. Then, we will focus on the main characters in the book and the dance at Grandpa’s.

Grammar

Preamble recitations are due Monday, 2/6. Narration and Dictation Exercises will continue with excerpts from Nurse Matilda. We will review direct and indirect quotations. Students will then learn how to write a thank you letter and friendly letter.

History

Monday, students will learn about the ending of the War of 1812, as well as review for the assessment on Tuesday. Then we will begin our unit on Westward Expansion.

Science

We will continue our study of the digestive system, learning about the stomach, small intestines, liver, and pancreas.

Spalding

Next week we will begin learning Spalding cursive handwriting. Please note that Spalding cursive may be different from any cursive your student has already been exposed to. It will be important for them to make a habit of Spalding cursive strokes. Please be aware that homework and other assignments should not be written using cursive until we instruct the students to do so.

Hoping you enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Your Second Grade Team

Second Grade Newsletter 1.27.23

 Hello parents and guardians!

Kingdom Day: 

Just a reminder that you child may be building/creating a castle in preparation for our next Kingdom meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1st. Please do not send in items prior to the meeting date. Thank you!

Great Hearts Day:

Great Hearts Day is just around the corner! On February 14th, we will be celebrating each other’s virtues. Our 2nd Grade Great Hearts Celebration will be from 11:45am – 1:05pm. Please do not send store bought cards or candy. All store- bought cards and candy will be sent home with your child that day. It would really dampen our spirits to have to disappoint a child in this way. We have other fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate the day. Rather than focusing on goodies and merchandise, each student will focus on their minds, bodies, and hearts. 

The students will write a friendly letter and deliver their Great- Hearted cards via a reenactment of the Pony Express. Students will learn to Square Dance after reading about the dance at Grandpa's in the book, Little House in the Big Woods. We will also celebrate Arizona's birthday with a fun craft. Thank you to all of those families that donated materials for this event.

 

Important Dates:

Feb 1: Kingdom Meeting Date (send in upcycled materials)

Feb. 3: 12:30 Dismissal; Teacher In-Service

Feb. 4: Father-Daughter Dance

Feb. 6: The Preamble Recitation

Feb. 9: Galileo Testing

Feb. 14: Great Hearts Day

 

Conversation Prompts:

What do cells group together to form? (Cells group together to form tissue.)

What was Christmas in the Big Woods like? (The Ingalls had their relatives over, they made snow pictures, heard a story, Pa played the fiddle, they opened presents, Laura received a rag doll, they ate pancakes.)

What is one cause of the War of 1812? (The impressment of American sailors was one of the causes of the War of 1812. Another was the British aid of Native Americans groups such as leader, Tecumseh. Lastly, the War Hawks convinced many Americans to go to war.)

When do you use quotation marks?

Which would you use to measure a book, centimeters or meters? Why?

“What’s the difference between “there”, “they’re”, and “their”?

Academics:

Math

Students will finish up learning about the customary system by measuring objects in yards. We will then compare and order units in the metric system and customary system. Lastly, we will solve word problems involving measurement, remind your child to annotate a word problem, draw a bar model, write an equation, solve, and write a complete sentence to properly answer a word problem.

Literature

This week students will read about Laura’s life and what she may and may not do on Sundays. Pa helps her understand by telling her a funny story about Grandpa and his sled. The weather warms but then cools and Laura learns about sugar snow. To celebrate the abundance of maple syrup Grandpa hosts a dance! To follow along this is chapter 5-7, happy reading!

Grammar

We will continue to work on memorizing the Preamble, with recitations being due Monday, 2/6. Narration and Dictation Exercises will continue with excerpts from "The Hare That Ran Away". Students will also learn the difference between a direct and indirect quotation.

History

This week we discussed the causes of the War of 1812. Next week, we will discuss key individuals, such as James and Dolley Madison. We will also learn about the National Anthem and an important military vessel, "Old Ironsides."

Science

Next week, we will begin learning about the digestive system. Students will observe how teeth, along with saliva, break down food before our tongue pushes the food down. We will also learn about taste buds and the esophagus and their roles in digestion.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Your Second Grade Team

 

Second Grade Newsletter 1.19.23

Hello Parents and Guardians! 

January reading month continues! Students had a great time at our Reading Under the Stars event and visiting the Book Fair. Don't forget to log all those reading minutes on your Kingdom tracker to earn points for your kingdom!

Reminders:

We have moved from using the planner to a reading log for tracking reading homework. Each Friday, your child will receive a new reading log. Your child should read aloud for 20 minutes, retell what they read, write the total minutes read, and the title of the book on the log. Your child should then ask for your signature. They will maintain this log in their yellow folder until the next Friday when they will turn it in for reading credit. Please note that you no longer need to sign your child's planner. Please reach out to your homeroom teacher if you have questions. Thank you!

Important Dates: 

· Picture Day: January 24th

· Half Day: February 3rd 

· Father-Daughter Dance: February 4th 

· The Preamble Recitations: February 6th

· Galileo Testing: February 9th

 

Conversation Starters: 

What document is known as the “Law of the Land”? (The Constitution) 

What types of things did Anton van Leeuwenhoek look at with his microscope?

What did you look at using Mrs. St. John’s microscope?

How can you compare length using the words "longer than" and "shorter than"?

In the book “Little House in the Big Woods”, what was the voice Pa heard in the Big Woods when he was a little boy? (An owl) 

What does a complete sentence need? (A subject, verb, capital letter at the beginning, end mark, expresses a complete thought)

 

Academics: 

Math: Students will learn how to compare length and use both the metric and customary system. They will learn how to measure in meters and centimeters, as well as feet and inches this week. Encourage them to measure objects at home or compare them by using the phrases "longer than" and "shorter than," i.e. the sofa is longer than the coffee table.

Grammar:  For poetry recitation, scholars did a wonderful job reciting independently, "The Hayloft." Up next, they will memorize and recite The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. Recitations will begin February 6th. Students have now begun writing their own original narrations! We are excited to see the creativity, robust vocabulary, writing mechanics, and independence. We will continue to talk about direct quotations and the five parts of a complete sentence-capital letter, end mark, subject, verb, and complete thought. 

Literature: We will continue to read Little House in the Big Woods focusing on main idea and details. Scholars will then write a paragraph of their own, narrating a main idea with supporting details. Please consider volunteering for reading groups using the links on the left sidebar (click the hamburger menu at the top to access.)

History: We will begin our new history unit on the War of 1812. Scholars will learn which nations participated in the war as well as the causes of the war. In addition, scholars will understand the jobs of the three branches of government.

Science: We will learn about the different types of cells in our bodies and the jobs they do. Students will then learn how cells group together to form tissue, how tissue groups together to form organs, and how organs group together to form systems.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Second Grade Newsletter 1.13.23

Hello Parents and Guardians! 

Thank you for your understanding during the unusual power issues this week. Despite those challenges, students presented their insect report and artwork this week and did a wonderful job demonstrating their learning.

Book Fair!

Archway Chandler will host a book fair in our library this month as part of January Reading Month. Students previewed the books available today. They will have a chance to purchase the books next week. They may bring cash, check (made out to Archway Chandler), or have money loaded onto their Scholastic E-wallet account (see link below for details). The fair will also be opened before school and after school if a parent would like to bring their child in (Tuesday-Friday from 7:40-7:55am, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 11:05AM – 1:05PM and 3PM – 3:30PM, Wednesday 12:30PM – 1PM). Each classroom will also have a wish list bucket if you would like to purchase a book for the classroom. Happy Reading!

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/greatheartsacadchandler

Scheduled Visits to the Book Fair by Class

Tuesday 1/17

2A 8:55 - 9:15

2B 10:35 - 10:55

2C 11:45 - 12:05

Thursday 1/19

2C 10:15 - 10:35

2B 11:45 - 12:05

Friday 1/20

2A 11:45 - 12:05

 

Important Dates:

Monday, January 16th: No School-Civil Rights Day 

Tuesday, January 17th: "The Hayloft" Recitations 

Wednesday, January 18th: Math Test

Tuesday, January 24th: Class Picture Day

 

Conversation Starters: 

When would you use a comparison bar model?

What is a conjunction?

What would you propose as a solution to the US Government to help solve the frustrations the soldiers returning from the American Revolution were experiencing? 

What would the world be like without microscopes? 

How did the Ingalls prepare for winter?

 

Academics:  

Math 

Students reviewed two-step and two-part word problems this week. They learned how to use bar models to help them correctly solve a challenging word problem. We will continue to review these concepts before our unit test on Wednesday. Our next unit will be on measurement. Students will learn about the standard units of measurement including the metric system and customary system. 

History  

Students are learning about what it means to compromise and will continue to learn about the Constitution and be introduced to the Bill of Rights. Students will be given a copy of the Preamble to memorize. They will complete a Constitution quiz on Friday, January 20^th.

Science 

This past week students reviewed the difference between living and non-living things. We focused on the fact that all living things are made of cells. On Tuesday, a parent volunteer will demonstrate how to use a microscope and students will have the opportunity to view prepared slides. Then we will begin learning about cell structure.

Literature 

Students began the classic, The Little House in the Big Woods. They met Pa, Ma, Mary, Laura, and Baby Carrie. They also learned how the family prepared food for winter. Next week, we will read chapters 2-4 and students will learn more about the Ingalls family and their life in the Big Woods.

Please sign up for reading groups if you are available, the children love reading with you. (See hamburger menu at top of page for reading group sign up by class)

Grammar 

The poem, "The Hayloft" will be recited the week of Jan. 17th. This week, students learned about conjunctions. We have now learned about nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, interjections, and conjunctions as we work towards defining and identifying all eight parts of speech.  Next week, students will learn about quotation marks and how to use them to write direction quotations. They will also learn about a basic sentence diagram.

 

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend!

Your Second Grade Team