Ms. Anderson's Classrooom Connection

Hello Parents,

HAPPY FALL!

I'd like to update you on our progress in Religion...

We have begun our "formal" study and preparation for First Reconciliation. I am aware that Ms. Cheryl Antos provides materials for your family to help prepare for this event at home. In our classroom we are also preparing. Chapter 6 in our Religion Workbook is the "meat and potatoes" section for corresponding vocabulary and concepts understanding. Look for additional practice pages coming home in your child's folder to help with our preparation.

In the classroom I practice the actual steps of Reconciliation with the students. Practicing at home also helps. The more prepared the students are the less they feel nervous that they may forget something.

Moving on...

Are there any Grandparents in your family who would enjoy reading stories to a 2nd grade audience (and their teacher!) ? We would like to welcome our family Grandparents into the classroom to share a cherished childhood story or two. If so, can you provide me with their name and phone # so that I may contact them?

Looking forward to seeing you all at conferences and Reconciliation...

Miss Anderson

Hello Parents,

In this communication I would like to keep you current with some of the activities we're doing in the classroom:

So you are aware...
During the first half of the year our Spelling words will be phonetically based. This means they will follow a phonetic spelling pattern and will coordinate with the sounds we are concentrating on in Phonics for that week.

Early childhood theory (which 2nd grade is a part of) supports that this practice reinforces the connection between reading, phonics and spelling; building more proficient readers who are able to decode and spell new words on a more independent basis.

Our current spelling lists usually contain 12 words. If you would like for your child to be challenged by more difficult words that follow the weekly pattern we are studying - please let me know by filling out the form I'll be sending home. I will then accommodate the list to meet his/her needs. If you feel the current lists have been appropriate for your child's level then let me know that on the form also.

To take note of - the grades for the Spelling Tests and Phonics quizzes will be combined under the heading Spelling/Phonics on the report card. However, so you are aware, our spelling focus will change mid-year with the introduction of our Vocabulary Workshop Series.

One of the activities we did recently to reinforce the phonetic /spelling connection between words was to create tongue twisters with words that began with the sh, ch. th and wh combinations. The students worked in pairs and came up with some creative ideas! We then typed our tongue twisters in Computer Class with Mrs. Rosellini. The students are currently illustrating their pages. We will soon have them laminated and turn them into a book. It will be coming to a home near you soon! Enjoy reading them with your child.

Until next time...
Miss Anderson

Hello Parents,

Welcome to my blog site. I will update this site monthly with general information that does not go home in the weekly info. sheet.

Listed below you will find websites that are sponsored by the publishers of some of our texts. They have activities that your child can do at home that will support what we are doing in the classroom.

Currently, we are fully in the swing of our school routine. We are becoming familiar with homework expectations. As we become more comfortable, we will "kick things up a notch" with assignments that are more challenging and projects that encourage us to further explore our topics of study.

Text Websites:

Reading - Scott Forseman = sfreading.com
Math - MacMillan/McGraw-Hill = mmhmath.com
Religion - Silver Burdett Ginn = blestarewe.com
Social Studies - Scott Forseman = sfsocialstudies.com
Science - Scott Forseman = sfscience.com

Until October...

Miss Anderson