Category: Class News

Good afternoon! Today your child is bringing home several new things for homework.

• Spelling/ Reading Menu
  • This is a two sided page. One side for spelling and one side for reading.
  • Each night your child chooses one activity from EACH side.
  • A parent signs each activity that the child does.
  • The signed menu is due on Friday.
• Homework Notebook – A small notebook in which they will do their spelling and reading activity each night.
  • These will be collected once per week. This week will be Friday.
  • If an activity requires notebook paper, the student will date the page and label the homework either Spelling or Reading, and then do the activity.
  • Please use both sides of each page. Spelling can go on one side and Reading on the back.
  • Some Spelling activities do not require paper, for instance, write your words in shaving cream. Parents just need to sign the activity square if the student does that activity.
• Book Bag – this contains  several books for them to read each night.
  • Bags come to school everyday.
  • The books can be used for the reading homework menu.
  • More books coming soon!

I will be having the students sign up for my Google Classroom this week, and will be assigning assignments there as well.

If you have any questions, please feel free to either email me at fowlerj@dearbornschools.org or write a note in the planner.

Rainy weather is the perfect time to read a book!

Last week, our class explored Properties of Matter in a very unique way. We had to design a hat using only a few materials that washed up on shore after our class was “stranded” on a desert island. First we had to discover what properties each material had : absorbent, soft, stiff, or reflective. Then using only those materials, design a hat that would keep us most comfortable. Not only did our class, use the results of the experiments, they collaborated, problem-solved, and cooperated with others in the classroom. After they were done developing their hat, each student modeled their creation and explained how and why they used the materials.

Check out these fab pictures! I am so proud of their hard work!

I am so excited about this year! Our class is AWESOME! We have been working really hard on procedures and building community in our classroom. Your children want a classroom that is kind, safe, and ready to learn. We’ve had great discussions on what that looks and sounds like and how their choices affect the others. I believe strongly in positive reinforcement and reteaching skills that children on which they need practice. I loved seeing your students eagerly show you their brag tags and how proud they were of earning them. It was so cool to see them show you how they could open and close the chains by themselves! They are so proud about being independent! That is another philosophy that I hold dear. Students need to become independent learners and do tasks on their own. Sometimes it might be easier and faster if I or another adult does something for them, but they will be empowered and more likely to try difficult tasks if we let them do it on their own with support, if needed. The taste of success is sweet and builds self confidence and independence.

It was great to meet so many families last night. I am eager to work with you to help your child succeed. Together we can make a difference! If you weren’t able to make it last night, don’t worry. There will be other opportunities to visit. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at fowlerj@dearbornschools.org. I will get back to you within 24 hours (usually MUCH sooner). This works better for me than voicemail.

Looking forward to a fabulous year!

As we near the end of the school year, students have been working on summarizing stories. This is when students have to retell a story in their own words and include the important characters, events and details. They also have to include transition words such as, in the beginning, next, then, after that, and in the end or finally. This is an important skill that they will use throughout school. Many students are able to retell a story orally, but they also need to be able to write a summary and keep it to one page. You will find a link at the end to the form that we use in class. Please have them practice summarizing their books that they read at home.

The summary is very important as students’ reading levels increase. The written summary is a required part of the DRA (the assessment we use to determine reading level) on levels 28 and above. Being unable to complete a summary can keep a student from progressing to higher reading levels.

I have also included an example of a completed summary of Tops and Bottoms, a book that we read in class. This was done “live” in class, so it is not the best quality, but will help the students and you understand what a summary looks like.

Summary worksheet

Here are the directions for adding by decomposing along with some examples. Your child should have a hard copy of these directions in their folder tonight for you to reference.

Yesterday we reviewed how to add on an open number. This is a key strategy that all students must know and will use in 3rd grade. Here are the examples we worked in class along with step by step instructions.

Today we will continue this and review adding by decomposing/making a friendly number.

Have a great day!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend honoring those that have fallen protecting our freedom. It’s a short week this week but we’re still working hard!

Reading– Summarizing the important events in our own words using transition words.

Spelling– Irregular plurals- plurals (words that mean more than one thing) that don’t follow any rules. Test will be right after lunch on Friday.

Writing- Using a checklist and rubric to self evaluate our writing.

Math- Review unit on adding and subtracting strategies, place value, and graphs.

Science – Continuing with plants, plant parts and functions, and the life cycle.

Social Studies – Being a good citizen.

Please dress children in lightweight layers. Our building does NOT have air conditioning, though some rooms do like technology and gym. Students may bring a water bottle to class providing that the top seals and does not leak.

Please encourage your child to follow the River Oaks expectations at all times while at school. We are still working and learning until the end of the school year.

Thanks!

Dear families,

Thank you for sending in the yellow permission slips and $3 for a pizza lunch. If you haven’t sent them in, please do so ASAP. If your child is not participating in Field Day, please send me a note excusing them so that I know the slip was not just forgotten. So far, I am missing slips from 6 students.

Field Day is THIS Friday, June 3rd. Kindergarten-2nd grade will be doing the activities from 9-11:15 AM. We will be doing an inflatable obstacle course at some point in the afternoon.

Please apply any sunblock or bug spray AT HOME. We are not allowed to apply it at school. Make sure that your student is wearing school appropriate clothing and tennis shoes. Please no flip flops or sandals. Also students may bring a towel and a shirt to change into after field day due to water activities. Please make sure both are labeled with your child’s name (first and last).

Today is the day! We will be leaving by 9:00 and returning by 11:30 for lunch.

Please wear weather and school appropriate clothing. Tennis shoes recommended.

Thanks to our chaperone volunteers: Mr. Sayed, Mr. Rashid, Ms. Dennis, and Mrs. Alanoon. Chaperones please arrive by 8:45 AM. No coffee or beverages on the bus, please.

Can’t wait! We are going to have fun!

We will have the unit 10 test THURSDAY, May 26th in the afternoon after our field trip. I am posting the blank pre-test and my answer sheet if you want to get a start on reviewing. Tomorrow they will be bringing home their original pre-test that they need to correct and return.

2nd+Grade+Pre-Test+Unit+10