Valentine's Day

Famlies,

Our class will celebrate Valentine's Day with a nacho bar. Students brought home a slip today that asks for one item for this event. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are unable to donate this item.
Also, I sent home a list of student names for our class. Students were reminded today that if they bring valentines they must bring one for every person in our class. This avoids hurt feelings and tears. We will be making a bag for valentines. Please don't send in boxes--we won't need them.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Apps to Support the Common Core UPDATED!!!

 

Rocket Math
This game based math learning app is high-interest and skills based learning. Students love it and learn rapidly.  It has scaffolding and rigor that is helpful in facts practice, buttressed with the high-interest game and money earning format, it allows for increased student learning and increased test scores through skill mastery.

Grammar Jammers Primary
This app teaches about the language arts subjects of adjectives, contractions, nouns, pronouns, punctuation, sentences and verbs in a game-based format. It is a fun, high-interest way to get students focused on these important grammar concepts. There are also elementary and middle school editions available.

Science 360 for iPad by National Science Foundation Science educators and multiple subject teachers will love this new free app! It was created by the National Science Foundation and has some AMAZING graphics that will fascinate your students. It is a large, globally focused application that has a great deal of content on many subjects related to the topic of science.

World Book's World of Animals
This is a great application all about animals! It was just released by the makers of World Book Encyclopedia. This application has a huge amount of research information on many different animals. Some animals in this application are very unusual and rare. This application would be perfect for student-created research and writing projects on topics relating to animals, adaptations and biology.

SkySafari 3 Southern Stars
This is a great new version of a constellation locating application for the iOS! This app allows you to locate stars, nebula, planets and galaxies that are visible in the night sky. It uses GPS technology show you what is currently visible in your area, and through Sky and Telescope Magazine, helps you know what is coming to the night sky in the future. This application is excellent for getting students focused on astronomy. Homework based discussions can be initiated on astronomical topics in class and written research and observations can be recorded to support key K-5 Common Core State Standards of ELA, social science and science topics. Depending how you use this app, it can incorporate many of the key K-5 Common Core State Standards, but the Common Core Science Standards are in development, and seem to be currently focused on ELA skills that support reading complex text. This app can be a great spring board for generating student research and writing on astronomical science topics.

Pencils and Erasers Needed!

Families,

Our class is in serious need of pencils and pencil-top erasers. We are down to less than 100 pencils for the entire school year and completely out of pencil-top erasers. If you are able to donate a box of Ticonderoga pencils (they are a bit more expensive than some, but much higher quality) or a package of pencil-top erasers, I would greatly appreciate it!

Winter MAP Test

Families,

We finished our winter MAP test last week. I am sending home your child's test scores so you can see their growth from the fall, their math and reading score percentile (where they are compared to a group of 100 second graders), and how close they are from their end of year goal. Please take the time to look at this report and celebrate the improvements your child has made so far this year. If you have any questions, please let me know. Students will take the MAP test again in the spring.

Guest from Boise Philharmonic

Families,

Today we were fortunate enough to have a guest from the Boise Philharmoic in our classroom. We learned about music and how stories can be told through songs. Find out more by asking your child what they learned!

Second Grade Math Night

Hi Families,

The second grade teachers will be hosting our second annual Math Night on Thursday, January 16 from 6:00-7:00 pm. Come early from 5:35-5:55 pm to enjoy a FREE piece of pizza! Cookies and drinks will be available, too! Students brought home a flyer earlier this week. Please return the bottom portion as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, January 14. Each family who attends will receive a free prize bag filled with math games and other math supplies. Aditionally, two of our Meridian School District Academic Coaches will be here to talk (briefly) about the new Common Core State Standards, Standards of Mathematical Practice, and activities students are doing during math class. Please come and attend this free, fun, and exciting event!

Meet the Masters Parent Volunteers Needed!

Hi Families,

Our class needs at least one volunteer for our Meet the Masters art program. We need a parent who is willing to attend a training session afterschool on January 30 from 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm. Then in the following weeks you will teach two art lessons based on Vincent van Gogh's art style. We can schedule these art times anytime during the day. You do not need to have any previous art or teaching experience. I'll be here to help you. If you would like to participate, please contact Julya and Keith Miner at julyaminer@msn.com.

Thank you,