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Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Tuesday, September 30th, 2014

We had a busy and productive day today!  In phonics, we worked on our short vowel sounds, and in language and spelling, we practiced rewriting a narrative so that our paragraphs are more interesting, detailed and cohesive. We practiced adding three numbers in math class, followed by review for the Chinese test with Mr. Tung. We were able to take a class trip to the library after lunch, after which we dug into reviewing the first units in our science and social studies text books. We also checked out this website: http://asp.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/book_details.asp?Category=Story%20Books&isflash=1

At Tumble Books, the students are able to listen and watch stories read aloud to them. This a great site, as it highlights the words read, uses appropriate dramatic storytelling techniques, as well as listing the time, grade level and reviews of the story. The students really enjoy listening to these stories, and are encouraged to check them out at home if they have time.

Tonight's homework: In your social studies notebook, write eight sentences using Unit 1 vocabulary. Choose eight words from the list below:

Unit 1 Vocabulary (Social Studies)
  • community
  • citizen
  • role
  • responsibility
  • map 
  • cooperate
  • country
  • neighborhood
  • location
  • city 
  • suburb
  • state
  • country
  • change
  • calendar
  • want
  • need

Monday, 29 September 2014

Monday, September 29th, 2014

Today we celebrated Andrew's 7th birthday. His family brought in a beautiful and delicious birthday cake to share with the class.



Happy Birthday, darling Andrew! 
Thanks for helping us laugh and learn everyday.

The students had their quarterly health exam with Mr. Yanna today. They will have their Christian Living and Chinese exams this week, as well. 

The schedule for the major subject exams is as follows:

Wednesday, October 8th (half day)
  • 1st period: Language Arts (Reading and Phonics & Language and Spelling)
  • 2nd period: Study time
  • BREAK
  • 3rd period: Science
  • 4th period: Study time
Thursday, October 9th (half day)
  • 1st period: Math
  • 2nd period: Study time
  • BREAK
  • 3rd period: Study time
  • 4th period: Social Studies
*Study times may be used for extended assessment time or for allotted review program.

Tonight's homework: In your language notebook, write six to eight sentences about a book that you have just finished or are currently reading. Include a drawing and the book's title.

Next week's spelling words (for Monday, October 6th) will come from Journeys pg. 86-87:

1. insects
2. dangerous
3. scare
4. sticky
5. rotten
6. screaming
7. breeze
8. judge

Friday, 26 September 2014

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Happy Friday! I hope that you are able to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine this weekend with your loved ones.

We're having a great and productive day in the second grade. The students did well reviewing short vowel sounds in phonics class, using exclamations appropriately in language class, adding two-digit numbers in math class, creating art during our independent study, playing vocabulary games during computer class and identifying key vocabulary words from our science unit.

Thank you for the gifts and cards! I have the most lovely students! Thank you for allowing me the pleasure and privilege of educating your children. It is my heart's delight to watch them grow.

Tonight's homework: 

  • Write your spelling words five times (from Workbook Plus pg. 1-20: paragraph, predicate, subject, complete, sentence, question, command, exclamation.)
  • Complete Journeys Practice Book pg. 25-28.

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

I have received almost everyone's contact information. Thank you!

Some of the students had there five-pocket folder labeled and organized today, but there are still other students who do not have five-pocket folders. I encourage you to prepare one for your child, as without one, it is easy for their worksheets, quizzes and tests to be misplaced.

Tonight's homework: In preparation for the quarterly exam, I will be assigning review math worksheets in addition to the regularly assigned page in the students' practice books.
  • Complete Math Practice 2.3
  • Complete Math Worksheet 1.1-1.2 (two-sided worksheet)

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Just a reminder, the students will have a test in their music class tomorrow. It is important that every student brings his or her recorder and music folder to school. Thank you!

The students have been reminded to keep their five-pocket folder organized. Unfortunately some students do not have a five-pocket folder yet! Having a pocketed folder is essential to helping keep the students' loose leaf work, quizzes and tests in one easy-to-access location.


Wilsoni showing us her well-organized and labeled five-pocket folder.

I have stapled the latest newsletter into your child's assignment book. There is a contact request paper attached. Please complete this form and send it back with your child. Thank you!

Tonight's homework: Complete Science Fusion pg. 31. Your child needs to choose an object and use a ruler to measure the object's length three times, and then answer the questions in the book.

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

I am once, again, delighted with the "Reading Responses" that I received today. So many of the students poured their hearts out into their journals, and it is evident in their word choice, their careful printing and beautiful illustrations. Well done, grade two!

We have started the "Kindness Wall," in the second grade, something that Ms. Fisher did in the first grade. I am hoping that this will help decrease tattle-telling and increase positive interactions among the students. I have already witnessed many acts of kindness among each of the students. I can't wait to see the wall fill up with kind acts!

Tonight's homework: Social Studies Activity Book pg. 11-12

Monday, 22 September 2014

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

I hope that you all had a relaxing weekend. We are enjoying the drop in humidity!

I stapled two papers into your child's assignment book today. The first paper is an outline of what the students should study for their P.E. and Health exams. The second paper is the schedule for the parent-teacher conferences on Friday, October 17th. 

Tonight's homework: In your language notebook, write six to eight sentences about a book that you have just finished or are currently reading. Include a drawing and the book's title.

The students did so well with the "Reading Responses" last week that I would like to make this a regular homework assignment for Mondays. I told the students that they are able to start earlier on the weekend if they wish.

Next week's spelling words (for Monday, September 29th) will come from Workbook Plus pg. 1-20:

1. paragraph
2. predicate
3. subject
4. complete
5. sentence
6. question
7. command
8. exclamation

*Final Note!* The students don't have dance class this week, but they can wear their P.E. uniforms on Wednesday (as usual.) 

Friday, 19 September 2014

P.E./Health Quarter 1 Outline

PE/Health quarter 1 outline: Grade 2
Health:
Your Health text book pages:  p54-57 and p 90, 91, 94, 95
*Students should read and review the information in these pages and class worksheets.
P.E:
Quarter 1 sport: T-ball
Basic rules:
  • There are 4 bases (1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, home base)
  • If you stop at a base before the ball gets to that base, you are safe.
  • If a fielder with the ball tags you or the base before you get there, you are out.
  • If you hit the ball, you MUST run to first base.
  • If you hit the ball anywhere behind you (or behind 1st and 3rd base) it is a foul ball.
  • foul ball will count as a strike
  • 3 strikes = out
  • A strike is if you try hit, but you miss the ball.
  • If a fielder catches the ball in the air – you are out.
  • If two runners get to the same base – the first runner will be out.
To score a point:
  • To score a point, a batter must run around and touch all 4 bases.
  • Teams will change after 3 outs.
  • Teams will change after everyone has batted.

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Special notice from Ms. Chen, the music teacher: the students will have a test in music class next Thursday, September 25th.

The students can now access their Science Fusion books online! By clicking on:  https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do?orgID=88636067 and entering their user name and password, they are able to listen to the textbook with pictures and closed captioning. This is a great way for students to review what we have learned in class without bringing their heavy textbooks home. I stapled your child's user name and password into his or her assignment books today.

Tonight's homework: 
  • Write your spelling words five times (from Journeys pg. 30-31: woods, turned, tops, busy, south, chipmunks, picked, grew.)
  • Complete Journeys Practice Book pg. 19-22.
Have a beautiful weekend! It looks like rain, but I think we need some after so much humidity! 

Thursday, 18 September 2014

Thursday, September 18th, 2014

I have received almost everyone's request for parent-teacher conferences. Unfortunately some parents have all chosen the same time. I have re-stapled the notice into some of the students' assignment books. If you find it there, I have circled the remaining available times. Please let me know if you are able to meet at any of these circled times and I will create the final schedule.

The students have been encouraged daily to put their tests, quizzes and homework papers into their 5-pocket folder. Many of the students are doing very well at staying organized! We will continue to focus on regularly keeping our personal items tidy and organized.

Six students forgot their recorders today. Just a quick reminder: Music class is held every Thursday, and the students need to have their recorder in order to practice. I will remind the students on Wednesdays to pack their recorders.


Miya tells her classmates a joke.


Addition game time!


Making shadow trees: art class is generally an exercise in organized chaos.

Tonight's homework: Complete Math Practice 2.2

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

The second graders had a busy day today, full of vocabulary exercises, guided readings, addition games, dance class, Chinese instruction, an inquiry-based activity and a great discussion on wants versus needs.

Many of you have already sent back your preferred times for our parent-teacher conferences. I will let you know what the schedule is once I have all of the responses, hopefully by next week!

The dance teacher has press conference next Wednesday, so our dance class will be moved to Tuesday, September 23rd. The students can wear their P.E. uniforms next Tuesday, rather than next Wednesday.

Tonight's homework:
  • Complete measuring tools worksheet (use Science Fusion lesson 3 as a reference.)
  • Complete inquiry activity in Science Fusion (lesson 4.)

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Tuesday, September 16th, 2014

Many of the students worked especially hard on last night's homework and wrote BEAUTIFUL reading reflections. Thank you for encouraging your child to try their best at their school work. I couldn't have been more pleased while reading their entries.

There is a form stapled into your child's assignment book listing the times available for parent-teacher conferences on Friday, October 17th. This day will be a half-day, due to the issuance of report cards, and the teachers will be available to meet once the students have been dismissed at noon until 4:30. Please circle any times that you are available to meet and send back the paper with your child. If you are unable to meet that day, please just make a note of it on the paper and we can make arrangements to meet after the 17th if you wish. I will create the schedule and send it to you as soon as I have all of the responses. 

Tonight's homework: Social Studies Activity Book pg. 9

Monday, 15 September 2014

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Welcome to week 6! It's hard to believe we're already at the middle of our first quarter together. I'm satisfied with how the students have been progressing and am excited to watch them continue to grow.

The students received this year's handbook last Friday, as well as two important pieces of paper that need to be signed and returned, one paper is for the student/teacher/administration's agreement to follow DISK's rules and policies, and the second paper is for insurance. Many of you have already returned these papers-to whom I say, "Thank you!"

Tonight's homework: In your language notebook, write six to eight sentences about a book that you have just finished or are currently reading. Include a drawing and the book's title.

Next week's spelling words (for Monday, September 22nd) will come from Journeys pg. 30-31:

1. woods
2. turned
3. tops
4. busy
5. south
6. chipmunks
7. picked
8. grew

Friday, 12 September 2014

Friday, September 12th, 2014


We had a phonics test today on hard and soft c and g, and I'm happy to report that everyone present passed. Well done! We are starting the the chapter on addition in our math books. I will be assessing the students' abilities next week and writing in the assignment books of students who might benefit from some extra help.

In your child's assignment book, I have put the DISK Student-Parent Handbook, as well as a newsletter attached to health insurance options.

Tonight's homework: 
  • Write your spelling words five times (weight, height, length, measure, thermometer, balance, hand lens, tool) and prepare for the spelling quiz on Monday.
  • Complete Journeys Practice Book pg. 13-16.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, 11 September 2014

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

The students were instructed on how to wash their hands correctly and frequently, as directed by a Taiwanese government program. They have received stickers on their assignment books.
 
Joke day! Yan-Xi is telling the students a good one.

We're working on cooperating in work and play. 
Good work with the new puzzle, girls!

Tonight's homework:
  • Complete Math Practice 2.1
  • Prepare for phonics quiz tomorrow: hard and soft c and g

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

The students reviewed hard and soft c and g, as well as beginning, middle and ending consonant sounds in their reading and phonics class. We will have a small oral quiz on these sounds on Friday. The students took their social studies quiz today on lessons 1-4. I will have their quiz papers returned to them tomorrow.

The students are doing a great job of keeping their subject notebooks organized! This habit will set up them up for future academic success.

Tonight's homework: In your science notebook, look around your house and make a list of all of the measuring tools you can find and where you found it.

Example:
-bathroom: bathroom scale, thermometer
-kitchen: measuring cup, measuring spoons,
-living room:
-bedroom: 

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Tuesday, September 9th, 2014

I hope that you all had a restful Moon Festival! We had a great day in the second grade, with everyone passing their spelling and math tests. Way to go! I will continue to record the students' spelling test scores in their assignment books. I will also keep stapling their tests into their assignment book for you to see. I instructed the students to take their pocketed folders home, where they can store their tests and quizzes.

The students who read the morning prayers and the Angelus today did a beautiful job and read clearly and smoothly.

We will have a social studies quiz tomorrow on lessons 1-4. The students will be tested on their knowledge of the meaning of the spelling words that were used today.

Tonight's homework: 
  • In your social studies notebook, write eight sentences with the words: cooperate, citizen, role, rule, fair, responsibility, country and community. Please try to use at least six words per sentence. 
  • Prepare for lessons 1-4 quiz.
Next week's spelling words (for Monday, September 15th) will come from the students' science lesson on measuring tools.  Next week's spelling words will be:

1. weight
2. length
3. tool
4. measure
5. balance
6. thermometer
7. height
8. hand lens

Friday, 5 September 2014

Happy Moon Festival Weekend!

We finished our final drafts of our paragraphs on our family in language and spelling today. We will keep going through the steps of the writing process throughout the year, as the students become more capable and confident with their writing. This first time through the writing process went well! I look forward to watching the students grow.

I hope that you and your loved ones have a great long weekend! We will have our spelling quiz on Tuesday, with the spelling words listed below and in the students' language notebooks.

Second grade will read the morning prayer and the Angelus next week (Sept. 9th-12th). I put a sticky note in the students' communication books who are doing this. These students will need to be at school by 8:20 a.m. to prepare. Thank you!

Tonight's homework: Write spelling words five times (community, citizen, country, role, rule, fair, responsibility, cooperate.)

Thursday, 4 September 2014

Fire Safety Day!

Today was our fire safety day. Below are some snaps of our fun day!

Tonight's homework:
  •  Complete Math Practice 1.5
  • Review for math test (chapter 1: numbers 1-50, number lines, greater and less than)

    Down time? Game time.

    Grace tries out the fire extinguisher.

    Miya helps the firefighter show what to do if you're ever on fire.

    The firefighter explains to the second graders what to do in case there is a fire.

    The smoke room was a hit!

    Miya and Nathan braving the smoke room.



    Ayrton, Kaitlyn and some fifth grade girls braving the escape sling!

    Listening to the fire safety auntie...

Wednesday, 3 September 2014

P.E. Uniforms....When to wear them!

According to school policy, Wednesday will be the day the students can come to school in their P.E. uniform and wear it all day, as all of the students have dance class that day.  This is a change from last year, when the students' were able to wear their P.E. uniforms on Friday.

For P.E. class on Mondays, the students are directed to come to school in their school uniforms, and will have the time to change into their P.E. uniform before P.E. The students are asked to change back into their school uniforms before school ends.

Tomorrow for the fire drill, the students are directed to come to school in their school uniforms, but they are allowed to change into their P.E. uniforms once they arrive. After the fire drill, the students will be directed to change back into their school uniforms.

I do apologize for the confusion that has surrounded when and where to wear P.E. uniforms.

I will keep you up-to-date on what is happening inside and outside of the classroom as soon as I receive any new information.

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

 Shannon's beautiful good listening skills poster!

 Andrew is focused on sorting soft and hard c.

Marianne is working hard on her draft in language and spelling.

 Princess Miya!

Playing a social studies matching game. 
It's a joy to start my day with these lovely students!

We will have our fire drill tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. The students will be able to check out the fire engine and ambulance, learn about and practice proper assembling and information concerning fire safety, visit the fire smoke room and see how a fire extinguisher works.  It should be fun and informative morning!

Tonight's homework: In science, we are learning about tools that scientists use. At the moment we are focusing on instruments that measure (rulers, measuring tape, scales, measuring cups and thermometers.) 

In your science notebook, make a list of 15 things that you can measure.

Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

We have been working hard these past three weeks on number sense: using number lines, distinguishing greater than from less than and more than from fewer than, estimating, and making reasonable guesses. We'll continue to review these concepts before having a quiz this Friday.

If your child has extra time and wants to review his math skills in a fun way, you can log on to: http://www.mathblaster.com/parents/math-games/2nd-grade-math-games , where the students can practice what they are learning in class. You have to sign up for an account with a working email address.

Tonight's homework: Social Studies Activity Book pg. 7

Monday, 1 September 2014

Monday, September 1st, 2014

Congratulations to Grace, who was chosen as as the school's "Angel of the Week!" This is a great honor, and recognizes Grace's kindness and service toward others.

I have written down the students' spelling quiz marks (#2) in their assignment books, as well as the words that they missed and need to practice. I have the marks from last Friday's science quiz, and will record them tomorrow in the students' assignment books.  
Tonight's homework: Complete Journeys Workbook pg. 9-12

Next week's spelling words (from our social studies unit, pg. 1-17):

1. fair
2. responsibility
3. role
4. cooperate
5. citizen
6. country
7. rule
8. community