Monday, August 30, 2010

Important Dates To Remember

Friday, May 6th: We will be going on a Field Trip to Washington Farms to pick strawberries!

May 17th: Awards program at 8:30 a.m. in the church santuary.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

What is going on in Second Grade

Language: I will continue to work with your child on writing complete sentences. It is very important that my students remember capital letters and add the correct punctuation at the end of each sentence. I would like to ask you to continue to work with your child on sentence writing at home.

Here are the types of sentences that your child should remember when writing.
A declarative sentence makes a statement. Declarative sentences begin with a capital letter and end with a period.

Examples: Statements           I bought break at the bakery.
                                            I carried th bread in a basket.

                Not Statements:   Did you get the bread at the bakery?
                                           How will you carry it home?

An interrogative sentence asks a question. An interrogative sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a question mark (?).

Examples: What did you have for lunch?
                 Did you have a sandwich?

An exclamatory sentence strong feeling. It starts with a capital letter and ends with an exclamation mark (!). Some exclamatory sentences are only one or two words long.

Examples: Hooray!
                You did a great job!



Your child is learning to add suffixes and prefixes to a root word.
Here are a few important rules for when you add a suffix to a root word.
When a root word ends with a consonant and y, change the y to an i before adding the suffix beginning with an e.

Example:
funny (root word)
funnier (suffix -er)
funniest (suffix -est)

root word    (suffixes: ed, er, en, es, est)

baby     babies

try        tried

marry   married

tidy      tidiest

pry       pried

cry        cries

happy   happiest

penny   pennies

sleepy  sleepiest

A prefix is a letter or a group of letters added to the beginning of a rootword.

Example:
sleep (root word)

asleep (prefix and rootword)

prefixes:  a-, al-, or be

prefix and root word

belong
along
beware
aware
always
already
beside
aside
awaken

When a root word ends with a long vowel, a consonant, and a silent e, drop the e before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.

Example:
hope (root word)
hopes (suffix -s)
hoped ( suffix -ed)
hoping (suffix -ing)

root words

saved     saving    saves

raked    raking    rakes

stoned  stoning  stones

sloped  sloping  slopes


A contraction is a short way of saying two words. We use an apostophe to show where letters have been left out.

Example:
isn't = is not

aren't = are not

he's = he is

won't = will not

you'll = you will

they're = they are

wasn't = was not

it's = it is

hadn't = had not

hasn't = has not

we've = we have

weren't = were not

he'll = he will


Sit means "to rest" or "to be seated." The word sat is used to tell about something that has already happened.

Sue will sit in the chair.
Ann sat down on the step.

Set means "to put or place something."

Mother set the dishes on the table.

Too means "also" or "more than enough."
Two means the number 2.
For most other meanings, use to.

I want to go, too.
I need two pencils.
I went to the store.

A noun names a person place or thing.
common nouns:

cat
pilot
park
grape
sister
brother


proper nouns:

Social Circle Christian School
Mrs. Harper
Addie
New York
The Georgia Aquarium


  Pronouns:    ( takes the place of a noun) I, she, that, he, they

action verbs: jump, hop, cut, run, swim, and sing
State of  being verbs do not show action. They tell about something that exists now or that existed in the past. Was and were are examples of state-of -being verbs that tell that something existed in the past.

Use was to tell about one person, place, or thing.

Example: I was hungry.

Use were with you or with more than one person, place, or thing.

Examples: You were at the party.
                 Sara and Bob were glad.



Spelling: Please continue to work with your child on the spelling words already learned.


Social Studies: Please continue to work with your child on learning the 50 States Of America. They all seem to enjoy learning the States.
Your child is also learning two of the Continents, North America and South America. They have already learned that our Country is located in North America. If you have any questions regarding what your child is learning in Social Studies, please contact me anytime.

Reading: I work with your child in reading groups for 15 minutes each day. I am working with your child on comprehension. Your child will be tested on reading comprehension every Friday. My second grade students are very good readers. I have some chapter books in my classroom that I allow your child to read. I would like to encourage you to take your child to the Library to check out chapter books to read.

Story Writing: Each afternoon I will be working with your child on story writing. They are learning to take their ideas and write them in a story. I always enjoy reading their stories. They have such amazing imaginations. I enjoy reading the stories that my students write.

Math:We have started word problems that are more challenging than last year. I work with the my students each day so that they will better understand word problems. I know that with more practice, they will master this subject.

I introduced multiplication to my students this week. I would like to encourage you to please work with your child on the multiplication facts at home. I will be sending home multiplication flashcards home with your child. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to contact me.             






      1                 2             3          4               5               6       7                8              9          10
x    1             x  1        x   1        x 1            x 1            x 1     x 1            x  1           x 1        x   1
____           ____        _____    ____        ____       ____    ___          ____        ____     ____
     1                 2              3           4              5             6         7                8              9           10

     1                 2              3           4              5             6         7               8              9            10
x   2              x 2           x  2       x  2         x   2          x 2      x  2           x  2          x  2        x    2
____           ____       _____    ____       ____         ____   ____          ___        ____     ______
    2                 4              6            8            10            12      14              16           18           20


I will continue to work with your child on borrowing and carrying. This is not an easy concept to learn. I will do everything I can to help your child understand it.

Please work with your child on the following math facts:

   11       11         11        11       11       11       11      11       11       11
-   0     -   1      -   2       -  3      - 4       - 5      - 6     -  7     -  8     -   9
___      ___      ____     ___     ___      ___     ___     ___    ___     ___


    12         12        12         12        12         12         12      12      12          12
-    0       -   1      -  2        -  3       - 4        - 5         - 6     -  7    -  8         -  9
____      ____     ____    ____    ____     ____    _____  ____   ____    _____


   13         13       13         13         13         13        13        13      13      13
-   0       -   1     -  2       -   3      -   4       -   5     -   6       -  7    -  8     -  9
____     ____    ____    ____   _____    _____  _____   ____  ____   ____


   14       14         14       14         14      14      14         14       14        14
-   0     -   1        - 2     -   3       -  4    -  5    -   6        -  7    -   8      -  9
____   ____     ____    ____    _____   ___  ____    ____    ___    _____

   15        15        15        15        15       15       15      15       15        15
-   0      -  1      -   2       -  3     -   4     -   5    -   6    -   7     -  8      -   9
____    ___     ____     ____    ____    ____   ____   ___   ____   _____

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What your child is learning in Language

Present tense verbs: it is happening now
Example: I am shopping for my sisters birthday present.

Past tense verbs: it has already happened

Example: I walked to school yesterday.






 There are two parts of a sentence (the naming part and the telling part).
*The children played at the park. ("The children" is the naming part and "played at the park" is the telling part)



*A sentence tells a complete idea.

Jill kicked the ball.
(The sentence is about Jill. It tells about something that she did.)

Jill ball.

(This does not give a complete idea. This is not a sentence.)

* Always begin a sentence with a capital letter.
*End a telling, or statement with a period. (.)
*End an asking sentence or question, with a question mark. (?)


*Nouns*
A noun names a person, place, or thing.

Listed below is a list of compound words to review with your child.

afternoon
airline
airplane
anybody
anyone
anything
anyway
anywhere
armchair
artwork
ballpark
bareback
barnyard
baseball
bathroom
bathtub
bedroom
bluebird
birthday
breakfast
boxcar
campfire
campground
cannot
cardboard
cobweb
corncob
cornmeal
cowboy
cowgirl
cupcake
daybreak
daydream
daylight
doghouse
doorbell
doorknob
doormat
doorway
doughnut
downhill
downstairs
driveway
drumstick
earring
earthquake
eggplant
everything
everywhere
eyelid
farmland
eyelash
fireplace
flashlight
flowerpot
football
football
footprint
mealtime
overtime
paintbrush
springtime
waterfall
upright
wallpaper
washcloth
within
woodland
without
woodland
yourself
patchwork
starfish
spaceship
sidewalk
seasaw
understand

Friday, August 6, 2010

Homework Agenda

                                        Mrs. Harper's Second Grade Homework Agenda
                                                        The week of April 25, 2011



Monday- 

Spelling: This week I will be introducing Spelling List 28. Please continue to work with your child on this weeks spelling words.

Math:  Please continue to work with your child on the math families.  Your child is learning  the multiplication and division.

Reading:  Please read the assigned story in the reading log.


Tuesday: 


Spelling:  Continue to work with your child on the spelling and vocabulary words.

Math:  Continue to work with your child on the math families

Reading : Please have your child complete the reading assignment in his or her reading log.



Wednesday: 


Spelling:  Review the spelling and vocabulary words with your child. 



Thursday: 
Spelling:  Please review spelling words for test tomorrow.

Math: Math Test today.

Reading: Please read the assigned story in the reading log.



Friday: Spelling Test today!


Mother daughter tea party at 6:30 p.m.


Have a wonderful weekend!

Let's Learn About God's Word

The Greatest Commandment
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.


Please continue to review the Ten Commandments with your child.

The Ten Commandments
I am the Lord your God.....
You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anthing in heaven above, or on earth beneath or in the waters below.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not kill.

You should keep your marriage promises.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not want anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:1-17



Your child is learning about the time that Jesus was on earth. We have been reading about John The Baptist preparing the way for our Lord. The children have learned that Jesus did not perform any miracles until after He was baptized. We are now learning about Jesus choosing the twelve disciples. We will be in the New Testament for the rest of the school year. I would like to encourage you to ask your child each day what he or she is learning during Bible time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Schedule for the 2010-2011 school year

Below is a class schedule for the 2010-2011 school year. This schedule may change as the school year progresses. This schedule is suggested by the Abeka Curriculum for combined grades. If you have any questions regarding this schedule please feel free to ask.
7:50-8:15 Arrival and Restroom Break

8:15-8:45 Pledges and Bible (Bible class will be combined)

8:45-8:50 Seatwork Explanation (I will have a seatwork folder for each student. Students will do their seatwork when not having class time)

8:50-9:20 Reading Groups For Grade 1 (There will be two reading groups. I will spend 15 minutes with each group.)

9:20-9:30 Seatwork Check (I will circulate around the room to check both first and second grade seatwork.)

9:30-10:00 Reading Groups for Grade 2 (There will also be two groups for this grade and I will spend 15 minutes with each group)

10:00-10:10 Seatwork Check and Restroom Break

10:10-10:30 Phonics and Language class for Grade 1

10:30-10:50 Phonics and Language class for Grade 2

10:50-11:10 Handwriting (I will teach 10 minutes to each grade and they will also have handwriting practice in their seatwork folders)

11:10-11:20 Math (This will be for both grades. I will review math facts and give speed drills during this time)

11:20-11:30 We will sing FUN songs and I will also review Bible verses at this time

11:30-12:00 Lunch

12:00-12:25 Math Class for Grade 1

12:25-12:50 Math class for Grade 2

12:50-1:15 Recess

1:15-1:30 Spelling Class for Grade 1

1:30-1:45 Spelling Class for Grade 2

1:45-2:20 Activity Time and Restroom Break and snack (snack is optional)

Monday: Story Time and Help Class (I will give extra help to students who need it) I will also have an activity for students to do who have completed their seatwork for the day.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: Science and Social Studies

Friday: Art (we will be making FUN crafts during this time)

2:20-2:30 Pack up to go home


Extracurricular Activities:

Wednesday: Chapel will be at 9:00 a.m. and Computer will be at 10:00 for 1st grade and 10:30 for 2nd grade (during this time I will be spending time with each class on phonics and language)

Thursday: P.E. 8:45-9:30

On Wednesdays and Thursdays the class times will be shifted some due to chapel, P.E. and Computer)

Please know that your child will not be sitting in their seats doing seatwork all day. I want my students to have fun learning so we will sometimes play games that go along with what I will be teaching them each day. I hope that this schedule helps you better understand how I will be teaching combined grades.

Homonyms, Synonyms, Antonyms

Capitilization & Punctuation Rules

The following items should always be Capitalized:

•the first word in a sentence
examples:
The girl went to the store. When does the movie begin? Shut the door, please.

•proper nouns holidays, weekdays, months special days
cities, countries, states, counties names, titles, initials
streets, boulevards, buildings, parks
examples: Florida, Dr. J. L. Washington, Main Street

•the pronoun I
example: Should I bring a sweater?

•the greeting and closing of a friendly letter
examples:
Dear John, Your friend, Sincerely,

•titles of books, magazines, newspapers, poems and songs
examples:
Charlotte's Web, Ranger Rick

•abbreviations
examples: P.T.A. M.D. Ph.D.

The following is a guide on when to use Punctuation.

1.Use a period at the end of delcarative sentences (statements) and imperative sentences (commands).
Examples: I like ice cream. Bring me a spoon

2.Use a period after each part of an abbreviation or a person's initials.
Examples: Mr. Pierson C. A. Weaver

3.Use a question mark at the end of interrogative sentences (questions).
Example: Where is the office?

4.Use an exclamation point to express strong feeling or emotion.
Example: Stop that! Watch out!

5.Use quotation marks to show a direct quote.
Example: Chris said, "I am going to play golf tomorrow."

6.Use quotation marks to show titles of short poems, stories, or songs.
Example: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"

7.Use an apostrophe to show omission of letters in contractions.
Examples: can't shouldn't didn't

8.Use an apostrophe to show possession.
Example: Crystal's purse is on the table.

9.Use a comma to separate items in a date or an address.
Examples: February 17, 1960 Tampa, Florida

10.Use a comma after a greeting or closing of a letter.
Examples: Dear Mike, Sincerely,

11.Use a comma to separate words in a series.
Example: He found rocks, shells, and feathers.

12.Use a comma with nouns of direct address.
Example: Robert, where are you going?

13.Underline the titles of books, plays, magazines, movies, television shows, long poems, and visual works of art.