WINNERS!

We won the Successmaker contest for 2nd grade last week. It was an average contest so, Mrs. Holub added up our averages for three sessions and divided it to get a final average. We beat all the other second grade classes by almost 3%! For a reward, I received a ticket to wear jeans all week and a free prep period.  The kids get to have a session of story painter in the lab.  They worked SOOOOO hard and earned it!

Polar Express Day

Yesterday was Polar Express day.  The kids had a great time doing some writing and math activities in the morning.  Then, we drank homemade hot chocolate and watched the movie.  I was the only one in the class who had never seen it before.  It was an awesome movie! We also went shopping at Santa's workshop. Below are some pictures from the day.

We are working A LOT on writing this week.  I think we have a better grasp of some concepts.  They are turning in a formal writing piece to me today.  On Monday, we will begin a new unit that focuses on informative writing and the difference between fact and opinion.  

Friday is an 11:05 dismissal.  The whole school will be participating in a Winter Extravaganza! They will be rotating through different grade levels.  Each grade level has planned a fun winter related activity.  

Next Friday marks the end of 2nd quarter.  I can't believe that we are half way done with second grade! The last two quarters are going to be challenging, so we will be working hard!

The homework that I sent home yesterday was all about subtraction with regrouping, which we have been doing since early November.  It is a tricky concept for many kids. Also, I apologize for making one of the problems impossible to do.  I know that 2nd graders are not going to be able to do 93-98.  I did it to keep you all on your toes:).  We are not learning about negative numbers.  

The kids have started working on their music concert.  They will perform for all of you on February 11th. 

As always, any questions or anything, let me know! 

Measurement

Last week, we spent some time on measurement.  We measured around the room, each other and around the school.  Some kids struggled a little bit, so after some review today we took a test.  I will be sending home the results of that later this week.

This is a BIG week for us! We had reading buddies today and explored the 4th grade science fair.  Also, we celebrated Payton K.'s birthday.  Tomorrow, we will be celebrating Aiden's birthday.  Wednesday will be Polar Express day.  I will send a reminder home in assignment notebooks tomorrow.  Also on Wednesday, we get to visit Santa's Workshop.  Friday, the whole school will be doing a Winter Extravaganza! The kids will be going from grade level to grade level doing winter activities.  It should be A LOT of fun! 

I sent home a packet about writing today.  Please take the time to look it over and work on it with your student when possible.  

Last week, Payton K. was our Bumblebee of the Week.  She is always ready to take on a leadership role and help others.  This week, Lauren received the honor of Bumblebee of the Week. Lauren will do anything to help a friend out! Way to go girls! 

Bubbles Floppy-Feet

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving break! We are extremely close to winter break and December is CRAZY busy.  But first, we were one of the classes that raised the most money during Jog-a-Thon and because of that, we received a visit from Scoopie and concrete mixers yesterday from Culvers! The kids were more than a bit excited! 

Also, yesterday all of the kids turned themselves into elves! They were given an elf name (Elf Name Finder) and then they had to do a short writing assignment on why they would make a great elf.  Next, they had to use four adjectives to describe their "elf-self" and finally they added ears and an elf hat.  

On December 11th, we will be having a Polar Express day.  In first grade this day was cancelled due to a snow storm so, I felt it was only right to make up for it in second grade.  We will wear pajamas, of course, and do several Polar Express related activities throughout the day.  In the afternoon, we will drink hot chocolate and watch Polar Express.  

On December 20th, we will be having our Christmas party.  As a team, the second grade teachers decided to do a breakfast party at 9 a.m. due to our schedules.  It will last until about 9:45.  I have already notified the parents that signed up to help but, if you want to help as well, let me know how and we can make it work.  

I seem to have SEVERAL students out today.  Thank you for keeping your kiddo at home when they are sick.  The last thing we need is an epidemic among the bumblebees! 

Have a great week! 

Thanksgiving!

We just finished up our AMAZING Italian feast.  The kids ate A LOT! My husband, Brice, made a ridiculous amount of noodles this morning and then brought them in for us.  We had the sauce in the crock pot all morning.  The kids were so gracious and had a great time feasting and enjoying the time together.  We are only a couple of days from Thanksgiving and I just want to sincerely thank all of you for trusting me with your awesome kids.  I could not be more thankful for all of them!

Below are some pictures from last week and our feast.  We got our shirts today! Make sure your kiddo wears their shirt on Monday.  Have an amazing Thanksgiving and enjoy the long weekend with your wonderful second grader!

Dance Party!!!

Thank you to everyone who donated to Hoo Haven by wearing a hat for a quarter this week! It has been really fun seeing all of the neat and creative head gear.

We started Fundations centers this week.  I am all about making sure kids are getting instruction at their level and we already do that with reading and math so, why not Fundations?  The kids seem to be enjoying it and I am too.  

I instituted a new privilege for our Bumblebee of the Week.  They are now allowed to call out DANCE PARTY at transition times once a day.  Then, we drop everything, close the door, turn off the lights, turn the music up REALLY loud and DANCE.  It makes for a great and much needed break in the day.  

Speaking of Bumblebee of the Week... Kadin is it this week! Kadin has worked really hard to become a good leader! Awesome job Kadin!

Next week is a 2 day week.  We will be having our Italian feast on Tuesday.  I will be providing lunch that day for the kids (spaghetti, bread, etc.)  They will need their own drink.  That day will also be pajama day! 

Tomorrow is our Jog-a-Thon and Pie the Teacher assembly! Have a great weekend!