January 18, 2019

Hi Families,

Bring on the snow! This week in 2nd grade we continued to revisit The Seven Habits (Synergize, Sharpen the Saw and Find Your Voice) and our classroom routines.

**2nd grade needs your help**

We are looking for donations of white tissue paper (like the kind you use to wrap presents) for an upcoming craft. If you have any that you would like to donate, we will gladly take it off of your hands! Thank you!

Upcoming Dates

• Monday, January 21 ..............MLK Day/No School
• Thursday, January 31.............Multicultural Night
• Friday, February 1………………………..Kids Heart Challenge

Fun Opportunity at the Henry Ford this weekend

On January 21st, come celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the many people who had the extraordinary courage and commitment to ask for more from their nation on civil rights. Enjoy Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation for FREE! This includes admission, parking, plus activities and dramatic presentations. Please see attached flyer.

2019 Kids Heart Challenge (note from Mr. Taylor)

How can my student(s) collect donations?

Students can collect donations online, or in the envelope they have received previously. In order to collect donations online, have your student create an online profile. Go to www.heart.org/kidsheartchallenge, search for Deerfield Elementary and follow the prompts from there. You can also download the Kids Heart Challenge mobile app and register on it directly. Explore all of the resources and information available to you on the website and app (if you registered online, I still highly recommend you also download the app). Typically, the bulk of the funds our community raises are online. If you have more than one student at Deerfield, please make them their own online profile! You can also collect tangible donations in the envelope itself. PLEASE NOTE: MR. TAYLOR WILL NOT ACCEPT MONETARY DONATIONS AT SCHOOL! Regardless of the amount your student(s) has collected, the funds are due on, or after our event, which will take place February 1st at Deerfield Elementary.

Instant gifts and thank you gifts:

Depending on the amount your student(s) raises, the AHA provides an instant gift. These come in the form of adorable character keychains, each of whom represents one aspect of living heart healthy. If your student earns one or more of these key chains, I highly recommend putting their initials on the bottom of each one in permanent marker. After our celebration, the AHA also has larger thank you gifts that your student can receive depending on their total amount raised. Please see the KHC envelope for details.

Kids Heart Challenge Celebration:

We will be fundraising throughout the month of January. Our efforts will culminate in a celebration at Deerfield on Friday, February 1st from 6-8 pm. It will be a great time, and a chance to celebrate our fundraising efforts for such a worthy cause.

Language Arts:

This past week in reading, we reviewed some comprehension strategies while reading various January articles.  We practiced finding evidence in the text and proving our answers. In Writing, we reviewed what we previously started before break: the basics of Opinion writing.  The students practiced writing an various opinion pieces. Ask your child about the structure of an opinion piece. They should be able to tell you the introduction, body, and closing of an informational piece.

Math:

This week we worked a great deal on mentally adding 10 or 100 by picturing a number grid in our heads. We also took some time to review open number grids. Please review the video below to see how we use open number lines in our classrooms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8xTMrDgifQ

The goals for unit 5 include:

1)Solving addition word problems

2)Adding/Subtracting using mental strategies ( 12=  9 ___3) plus or minus sign

3)Skip counting within 1,000 by 5, 10's, and 100's

4)Change to more and part/part/total diagrams with story problems

5) finding an amount with the least amount of coins AND making change up to $1

We highly recommend you practice counting money with your child as he/she now will need to be able to make change.  Recognizing coins and adding them will greatly benefit your child. Have your child dump out your change from your wallet and practice sorting the coins first, then counting up the money.  We teach making change to the dollar by using a number grid, taking the smaller number, and counting up on the number grid such as this one:

IXL Skills that may be useful:

• A1 through A-8 skills
• E 14, 15, 16, 17
• All the P skills for money

IXL will not go over everything that is covered on the test (particularly the story problems), so please use the review as an example if you feel you need to create more problems for your child to practice at home!

**Please see attached At Home Review for Unit 5

Science (Solids and Liquids):

We had a lot of fun beginning to learn and explore properties of solids.  Ask your child about some of the focus questions we have for this unit.

Have a nice weekend,

The 2nd grade teachers

October 12, 2018

Hello Families,

We had a great week in school! Here are some highlights from our week...

Important Dates:

*October 12- Last day to add to the Deerfield Directory https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pyTF08dcw8bemC2CxejUrp_YOp6XFEWZAqV77ZsyzhM/edit#gid=0

*October 15- Volunteer Opportunity- Meet in the second grade project area at 9:30 if you can help with a few projects :)

*October 18- Color Fun Run Donations Due (donations are tax deductible) https://99pledges.com/fund/colorrun2018

*October 19- Color Run! Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4daeaa23a1f94-20181

*October 26-Trunk or Treat (see email from earlier this week)

Spirit Week leading up to the Color Fun Run:

$1 donation for spirit days!

• Monday: Favorite College Team Day
• Tuesday: Hat Day
• Wednesday: Pajama Day
• Thursday: Go Wildcats Day- Green, white, Novi or Deerfield gear
• Friday: Color Run! Students will need to bring a white t-shirt (no donation today)

Deerfield Online Directory:

The Deerfield directory is going digital this year. If you would like to share your contact information, please sign up using the link below. The date has been extended to October 12th (today!) for parents to sign up. This is very helpful when parents want to invite other students to birthday parties etc, but need contact information. Please note this is an optional activity.

Be sure to put your student’s information on the correct GRADE LEVEL tab, located at the bottom of the page. Hopefully you will find this to be a helpful resource in trying to communicate with other families in our community. This will become a “read only” document as of Friday, October 12th so please be sure to input your data soon if you would like to be included.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pyTF08dcw8bemC2CxejUrp_YOp6XFEWZAqV77ZsyzhM/edit#gid=0

Second Grade Leadership Project:

We had quite an eventful morning! As students came into our classrooms, they soon discovered that someone had left a rock with inspiring kindness message on them. We gathered together as a whole second grade and realized each of our classrooms had a rock! Who could have done this!? We called Mrs. North to see if it was her but she said it wasn't but she was intrigued. She came down to our room and read us a story that reminded her of this, Only One You. This sparked our interest and as a grade we decided we must share this with the whole school! Luckily, second grade is in charge of Community Friday's during the month of November so we have the perfect platform to share. Mrs. North has agreed to set some art time aside next week to teach us about practice painting rocks. What a great cross-curricular leadership project integrating science, social studies and art. Stay tuned because we are going to need your help! Follow our journey on Twitter.

Academics:

Writing This week we continued to write our Personal Narratives.  We continued to study mentor texts in order to learn more about what published authors do when writing personal narratives. We also learned about leads and endings this week. Your child had the opportunity to create different leads and different endings for the personal narrative he/she is writing.

Reading  This week we began learning about our Decoding Beanie Babies! These are strategies that children use when they come to a word and don't know what it is. Ask your child about Eagle Eye (use the picture to help you figure our the unknown word), Stretchy the Snake (stretch out the word or sound it out) and Chunky Monkey (look for chunks in the word to help figure out the word). We will continue our decoding strategies next week!

Math We began Unit 2 this past week. You should have received the "at-home review" as well as your child's Unit 1 math test. The cover sheet for the unit 1 test will tell you how your child did on the test. If your child missed any skills, please review them at home. We will be rechecking them on these skills when we take an accumulative test just before report cards. Also, please keep the ,"At-home review" in a safe spot at home. Please use this as you see fit to help your child prepare for the next test at home. You do not need to return the review back to school...it is simply sent home so you can help your child prepare for the test.

Science We reviewed our ,"Need to knows" as a grade level this past week. It is amazing to see how much we have learned about rocks so far! We also took our next "i-check" science test this week. After reviewing what we have already learned about rocks, their properties and how they are made, students decided that the next logical step in our learning should be to determine the how these Earth materials affect us and how they are useful. On Wednesday, we took a walk outside to find areas of the schoolyard where rocks were used to make something useful. Students were thrilled to find these materials being used to make sidewalks, a path, concrete steps, clay flower pots, brick walls, and many more examples. Your child can easily do this investigation at home too! See what things they can find around your house that have been made with cobbles, pebbles, sand, silt or clay. Please see the email we sent home about requesting help to make a matrix mixture for our science. If you can help, please let us know!

Have a great weekend!

The Second Grade Teachers

October 5, 2018

Hello Families,

We had a wonderful week. Our routines are set and we are digging deeper into curriculum. Ms. Carol taught us how to train our brains by teaching us two new breathing techniques this week. Ask your child to show you how to do the 5 finger breathing strategy and 7-11 breathing. On Wednesday she taught us about the parts of our brain and how they work. It was a perfect lesson that touched on our focus character trait of the month, self-control. Be sure to mark your calendars for her parent presentation on October 11, at 6:30 pm.

Important Dates:

*October 10- Walk to School Day (Rain Date, Oct. 11)

*October 11- Mindfulness Parent Information Night @6:30 in the Media Center

*October 12- Last day to add to the Deerfield Directory

*October 18- Color Fun Run Donations Due (donations are tax deductible)

*October 19- Color Run! (Schedule to come)

*October 26-Trunk or Treat (more info to come, orange sheet coming home)

Academics:

Writing This week we continued to write our Personal Narratives. We finished our first story and began to work on the second. This week we learned how to write an exciting lead to hook the reader in and grab their attention. While continuing to plan for our second draft we also discussed the importance of a strong middle and adding a lot of details. Next week we will continue to draft and add more writing craft.

Reading  This week we continued to review expectations for all of our reading activities. Students are now able to read to self, read with someone, listen to reading, and practice writing. We've read in small groups and learned how to write in our reading journals. Remember to encourage reading at home and be sure to read aloud to your child. There are some great chapter books that are perfect for before bedtime.

https://luckylittlelearners.com/top-20-read-alouds-2nd-grade-classroom/

Math We completed unit 1 by learning about even/odd numbers, skip counting and comparing numbers. We took our test and we'll send home results next week. Continue to practice counting coins as this is a skill that we've noticed needs more practice. Next week we will begin unit 2 where we will learn about fact strategies.

Science This week we finally discovered what silt is, yay! Silt is an earth material that has particles smaller than sand. Through a separate investigation, second grade scientists discovered that clay was made up of particles even smaller than silt! See if your child can name the layers of earth materials by size (large/small pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, clay) Ask your child how the investigations help them learn about silt and clay this week. We are still looking for any leads on a professional geologist, please let us know if you know someone! You can always get more information on our science learning by going to www.FOSSweb.com.

Also, we sent home another password sheet because some students said they lost the original. There is a username and password for your child under the large name that they need to practice entering into the computer. This year, in order for them to use the chromebooks, they have to sign in using this username and password. It is really difficult for some of them so if they could practice at home it would be very helpful! Thanks so much!

Have a great weekend!

-The Second Grade Teachers 

Newsletter Sept. 14, 2018

Dear Families,

The mystery of the missing markers has been solved! After several of you mentioned that your child's markers were missing I had a funny feeling that I may have stored them away...and I did! They were actually in a large box in the coat room labeled, "MARKERS." Hmmm...anyway all markers have been returned to rightful owners! Whew!

*Curriculum night Thank you for those of you who were able to make it to curriculum night. We hope you have a better understanding of how our year will look! You will find the presentation attached if you were unable to make it, or want to look over some things that were covered.

First 8 Days- The past two weeks we have reviewed the 8 Habits:

Be proactive

Begin with the end in mind

Put first things first

Think win-win

Seek first to understand then to be understood

Synergize

Sharpen the Saw

Find your voice

- Kids spent time thinking, learning about and applying themselves with each habit. We also had two Community Circles to establish a whole school community and share about how we are being leaders with the 8 habits. It really was a great way to start off the new school year. The students are ready to be leaders of their learning! Be sure to ask your child about the 8 habits!

Writing This week we started to think about our first writing unit, Personal Narratives.  Students started brainstorming ideas for writing by creating a heart map.  Next week we are going to continue to brainstorm ideas as well as learn about small moments.

Science Students started to explore in our first Science unit: Pebbles, Sand and Silt.  We started the unit with wonderings about our driving question: What is the Earth's Surface made of and how does it change? 

Throughout the unit, we will be studying rocks, one of the most important earth materials. Our investigations will center on the properties of rocks and the uses of various rock sizes (pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, and clay). Students will be working extensively with materials—observing, comparing, and communicating what they learn through their firsthand experiences with earth materials. We will also be investigating different kinds of soil and comparing soils that we gather from our community. At the end of the unit, students will be introduced to natural sources of fresh and salt water. 

Your child may ask for help finding a rock or two to contribute to our class rock collection. A rock from your yard or neighborhood is fine. As our study continues, your child will be learning more and more about rocks. Try to find opportunities to talk with your child about sand, gravel, soil and water, and ways people use these materials in construction (asphalt, concrete, bricks, mortar, etc.) and landscaping. This is an engaging theme for a family outing. 

We’re looking forward to lots of discoveries and new experiences as we explore the earth materials that can be found all around us. If you have any questions or comments, or have expertise you would like to share with the class, please let me know. You can get more information on this module by going to www.FOSSweb.com.

NWEA This past week your child took the reading NWEA test. Next week we'll do the math portion. Students take these tests in the fall and teachers use the data to inform our instruction. Students will take the test again in the spring to see how much they have grown! 

Next week we are really going to dive into curriculum and our routine. We will being unit 1 in math on Monday and students will start getting their book boxes together.  We are excited to get into our routine and for all the thinking and learning to come! 

Have a great weekend!

The Second Grade Teachers

Attachments area

First Week Fall 2018

Hello Families,

We had a great first week together! It has been so much fun learning about one another and getting back into our school routines. We will continue to do a lot of activities next week to help build our classroom community. Our number one concern at this point, is that your child feels safe, comfortable, and a valuable member of our classroom family.  Thank you for sharing your child with us! We are truly enjoying them and can’t wait to have an awesome year with them.

Important reminders:

*Curriculum night will be Thursday, September 13th. Mrs. Bedford’s presentation for K-2 parents will be from 5:00-5:30. Then you will be able to come down to the second grade wing from 5:30-6:30pm, for our presentation. The 2nd grade team will be giving the presentation together as a team. Our Specials teachers will be holding a session for parents wishing to attend from 6:30 to 7:00. If you are unable to attend, we will be sending home the PowerPoint via email after Curriculum Night.

*Snacks and Water Bottles-We will have two healthy snacks a day.  We will eat them mid-morning and mid-afternoon. These snacks are meant to help nourish the body and brain throughout the day, so we cannot emphasize enough, the importance of them being healthy snacks.  Cookies, chips and candy are great for a treat during lunch, but we will ask students to keep these goodies in their lunch box until then. Some great healthy snack ideas are: fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, hummus, hard boiled eggs, popcorn, veggies & dip, granola, etc.  Some parents feel that their child doesn’t need to eat snacks throughout the day.  This is up to you as the parent, but from our experience, students will get quite hungry throughout the day, especially once they see other students eating around them.

Many students prefer using a water bottle over than the drinking fountains in the classroom.  We are completely fine with this, but ask that students keep their water bottles in a leak-free bottle.  Spills will absolutely happen, but the more we can avoid this with spill-proof bottles, the better! Also, water will be the only drink allowed in the classroom to avoid sticky spills and stains.  Finally, please remind your child that he/she needs to bring the water bottle home daily for washing.  Thank you so much for your support with this!

*Lunch-The 2nd grade has lunch from 11:40-12:20.   This schedule will remain the same for the entire year. Lunch and recess will still each be 20 minutes. Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Fox/Maynard's class will be eating lunch together first, and Mrs. Griesinger's and Ms. Alliston's class will play first, then eat lunch.

If your child is buying lunch, it would be helpful if you could go over their options with them before coming to school in the morning. Lunch menus can be found on Deerfield’s website. Here is the September menu :  http://www.novi.k12.mi.us/district/fs/school-menus--nutritional-information/df/

*Everyday Folder- Please be sure to look at any notes in your child’s daily folder and send your child’s daily folder back to school every day.

*Art Shirt and P.E. Shoes- If your child doesn’t have an art shirt at school, please send one in as soon as possible. Also, be sure your child has tennis shoes for P.E. class on our gym day! You can find our class’ specials schedules on the back of your child’s Everyday Folders.

*Dismissal- As a reminder, teachers are not allowed to let children enter the parent pick up line, if they regularly ride the bus (or are CARE) WITHOUT a note from his/her parent. Thank you for understanding! We want to keep your wonderful children safe. If your child has a change in the way they are getting home for that day, please send a written note. If the change happens AFTER your child is already in school, please call the office to let them know.  They will make sure the appropriate teacher gets the message. If you send an email, we don’t always have a chance to check this during the day, so we would not be aware of this change.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child's teacher.

*Birthdays-At Deerfield, we do birthdays in a unique way.  Instead of the birthday child bringing in a treat to celebrate their special day, they can bring in something to donate to the classroom.  Please note, this is NOT a mandatory thing. It is completely optional to send in something on your child’s birthday. If you do not send in something, we will still have a birthday celebration for your child in a birthday circle. If you would like to have your child open a present for the class, here are some ideas:

1.    Donate a game or book for the students to enjoy throughout the year. We are always in need of games for the students to play during indoor recess!

2.    Donate a toy for outdoor recess.  Students enjoy playing with chalk, balls, hula hoops, etc.

3.    Donate new pencils/checking pens for the students to use.

4.    Donate items for STEM/STEAM activities such as Legos, blocks, brain teaser activities, etc.

It is the school’s policy to not allow food as a birthday treat because of allergies.  Thank you for your understanding!

*Volunteers- We are currently in need of some volunteers to help gather books from the reading room for our reading time.   If you are available next week (anytime) please let your child's teacher know by sending an email!

We are also looking for help putting up borders in our project area.

We really appreciate your help!!!

We will also occasionally be in need  of help tracing, coloring, cutting, gluing etc. and preparing projects for the children. We will  need help with special projects and holiday parties throughout the year. Some of these projects can be done at home, while others are easier to do in our project area at school. Whenever our team needs some assistance, we will send out an email to check for volunteers. Thank you so much in advance!

 

Have a great weekend! We look forward to another fabulous week with your lovely children!

The Second Grade Teachers

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I'm looking forward to a great school year with you! See you soon!

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