Mrs. Ballnik's Second Grade

Classroom News, Friday, April 12, 2019
Classroom News from Mrs. Ballink’s Class
My email is ballnic@dearbornschools.org
Friday, April 26, 2019
Important Days and Notes to Remember- NWEA computer tests- May 13 and 15
right now.
Cranbrook Science Museum – Tuesday May 14 from 9:00 – 2:30. We will bring a lunch and no money. The trip will be free and permission slip will come home next week to sign.
I need 3 more chaperones. Please write a note if you can be a chaperone. Omar’s mother has volunteered recently.
School calendars are located under the District news at the Dearborn Website.
Gym on Monday- Please remember to wear tennis shoes and bendable clothes (not jeans).
PLANNER -Please bring them every day. Use it as a homework folder, or supply your own, if you choose.
FRIDAY SPELLING TESTS – Next week’s spelling words are words with /oar/ and /ore/. The words are ; chore, roar, board, snore, wore, score, tore aboard, oar, more. The Dolch Words are; done, pick, kind, carry, own.
Spelling tests will be given on Friday . Then they are corrected and sent home on Monday. I don’t have time to correct, analyze mistakes, and record them on Friday.
MATH Thank-you for checking over your child’s homework. We are going to go through many concepts, before the computer test and then go back to spend more time on them. Please help your child understand graphs, money, time, geometric shapes, fractions and area.
This new Eureka math program is challenging, so please be sure to go over the homework that is sent home each day for corrections with your child. There is an explanation sheet that comes with it. There are parent tips on my blog to access. We have a new computer site that goes along with the math called “Zearn”. Zearn login and passwords were glued into your child’s planner. Please use Zearn, if you have a computer available.
SCIENCE- We will guess a few mystery bags a day. Keep asking your child to describe things with properties using their 5 senses. Our unit is about Live Science. This includes an exploration about plants
We have talked about seed dispersal and planted a seed to watch it grow.
SOCIAL STUDIES –We are now studying history. Please share the history of your family with your child, if you have not done so. We will also be looking at history of the last 300 years or so. A timeline paper will come home that needs 4 events in our child’s life. Students can just draw a picture, after writing about the event. A test should come in about 2 weeks.
READING- Read, Read, Read and don’t forget to ask the important comprehension questions. Please ask me, if you need another list of questions to ask your child about the story. Telling the characters, setting and what happened first, next, last are always questions to ask and determine if your child is understanding the story or just reading the words Students are being tested for the report card at this time.
CHILDREN WILL READ, IF THEY ENJOY THE BOOK. THAT IS WHY, STUDENTS THAT GO TO THE LIBRARIES WILL HAVE A GREATER CHANCE TO TAKE OUT A BOOK THAT THEY WANT TO READ, AS SOME OF YOU ARE DOING.
Please be sure that your child reads something at least 30+ minutes per day. In addition, reading aloud to your child is important also. Please go to the beautiful Dearborn libraries to get additional books. I give new book bag books after I bring them back from the library located at the other end of the school. I sometimes just ask students that want to switch book bag books to come up (because it takes valuable reading time). I usually have reading groups switch books, to be sure that I get to everyone.
Remember, the easiest way to communicate with me is by email, ballnic@dearbornschools.org and look at my BLOG on the Dearborn schools website. Links to RAZKIDS and FRECKLE (math and reading) are there, also. RazKids should be back online soon. I sent cards for the Zearn math practice in your child’s planner (or homework folder, if planner is missing). Please tell me if another is needed.
MANY STUDENTS STILL NEED PENCILS AND A SHARPENER!

Have a great week by reading with your wonderful child!

Cheryl Ballnik