Class+News+2


 * Week of May 4th **


 * **Field Trip on Monday to Cooks Museum, CiCi's and then Adventure Park- wear field trip shirts!**
 * We are finished with our Math Text book but will be working on math skills in class that have reviewed the year as well as get us ready for Third Grade. We will still take timed math tests each week until school is out.
 * We will be finishing our reading series this week as well. This will be the last reading test form our textbook. We are currently reading Third grade Angels as a class and I will be giving them a study guide for this test as well as a comprehension test on this book after we finish reading it. So, be looking for the study guide for this test. This grade will go into the grade book as well if we do not run out of time.
 * This Friday is the Last Spelling test that will be in the grade book. We will be reviewing spelling skills as well as language skills through weekly review packets. I will be spot checking this work and may take an unannounced grade on these sheets so encourage your child to work hard and complete this work in a timely manner.


 * Thursday is Leadership day. Our Second grade will be performing our song for the program and a special selected second grader will be reading what a Leader is before we perform.
 * Friday is the last day to earn AR points to qualify for the end of the year Pizza Party. Students will have time to earn points for thier classroom goals and locker magnets, but Mrs. Towers needs to cut off the date soon enough to plan for the party.


 * Week of April 6 **
 * We are beginning the last unit in reading.
 * As school is coming down to the last 6 weeks, please remind your child to keep working hard and don't stop learning and putting forth their best effort!


 * As an incentive to promote hard work and good behavior, I will be putting students names in a hat for a drawing to sit in a special seat and desk each day for the rest of the year. Hard work and good behavior will pay off!
 * It will not be long and students will have to turn in all library books... (first of May)
 * Please also check at home to make sure that your child had not taken one of our classroom books home and not returned it!
 * Please check the school website for dates of upcoming events....Field Day, Awards Day etc...


 * WELCOME BACK!!! **
 * March 30, 2015 **
 * ** We now have little over 8 weeks left in your child's second grade year! WOW it has flown by! **
 * __We will not__ be doing dictation for the rest of the 9 weeks. I know that with spring comes many outside after school activities and I have decided to take this off of your and your child's homework plate.
 * I will continue offering the pretest though on Mondays and if your child passes the test, they will not have to do three times each homework but will still required to write a good sentence with each spelling word- due on Friday.
 * We are hoping to finish up our Student Treasures Class Book by Wed. to be mailed in for publishing. They should be back before the end of school. Let me know if you need another form to order a book. They are $19.95 but will hopefully contain over 60 pages in them. Mrs. Towers is heading up this project for your children so send her a thank you!
 * Lets finish strong!!! At the end of the year, we all get antsy for summer but let's keep up our hard work until the end!
 * We are planning to take a field trip to the Cooks Museum in Decatur in April (I will let you know exact date as soon as I know.)
 * I just want you all to know that I have loved having your children in my room. They amaze me at what they are capable of and with your continued encouragement at home and a little tough push from time to time, they can and will do great things! Third grade is hard. I will be completely honest, it's HARD. Not because of the level of work, but because of the amount of work (from 4 graded subjects to 6 graded subjects).


 * PLEASE LOOK FOR A NOTE SENT HOME MONDAY WITH INFO ABOUT FRIDAY FUN ACTIVITY AT END OF DAY!


 * Thank you for always being so kind, polite, and supportive. We are human and we all make mistakes. I forget some days just as kids forget! It makes me love my job even more when I know that you understand how difficult but crucial my role is as a teacher and you don't assume the worst of me if I've forgotten to send something home or forgotten to write down a grade. I am always more than happy to fix my mistakes and you are so kind and polite when you point those out to me in a kind and gentle way! Thanks a bunch! (IT TAKES A VILLAGE!)

__** I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE, RESTFUL, AND REFRESHING SPRING BREAK! **__
 * March 16, 2015 **
 * This is the last week before Spring Break!
 * We will have a spelling pretest on Monday. Students who pass the pretest with an A or better do not have to write words 3 times each for HW. Students must still write the dictation sentences 3 times each.
 * We are working on our class book this week. If you would like to order one please return the order form as soon as possible . This money has to be returned with the order after Spring Break. The book will be in color and have writing from each member of our class (a great keepsake from second grade).
 * We have 9 more weeks and you will then have a third grader. Let's make the most of this last 9 weeks and learn as much as possible.
 * This last 9 weeks, students that end up below green on our behavior chart at the end of the day will have to sign our behavior log book. More than two days below green (three signatures in behavior book) will result in student missing the following recess time or Fun Friday.
 * We will no longer have any days off after Spring Break. Please make sure that student accounts are paid up (lunch) and as May approaches, the library will close in the first few weeks of May in order to do inventory. Please also look around your home for any of my classroom books that your child may have brought home and not returned.
 * Candy money is due...please send this to school as soon as possible.
 * Let Miss Wells know if you want to purchase a yearbook ASAP!!!! Send her an email via our school website to see if you have enough time to get one ordered before the publishing date.

March 9

THERE WILL BE NO MORE EARLY RELEASE DAYS THIS YEAR!!! We are using this time to make up for lost time during the snow/ice days!

 * We are on Unit 5 Week 3 this week.
 * After missing last Thursday and Friday, we will take spelling test today and the pretest today as well.
 * I hope that that was the last of the winter weather!
 * We have two weeks until Spring Break. COME ON SPRING!!!!
 * Next Thursday Report Cards will go out. This week is the last week of the 9 weeks.

Please send the $4 for the play "Beauty and the Beast" we are attending at the high school this week on Thursday if you wish for your child to go. They already have a walking field trip permission on file.

While stomach bugs and flu is still among us at FEB, please remind your child to wash their hands after going to the RR and keep their hands and other items out of their mouths that might contain germs- pencils, etc... We have plenty of hand sanitizer in the room!

March 2 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!


 * This week we hope to have a few normal days of school! I've seen where there might be some winter weather in the middle of the week but we will just have to wait and see.


 * My plan is to repeat last week's HW assignments again this since we really had only 1 full day of teaching. All tests will be given and we will move on to the next Unit 5.3 even if weather is bad this week. please prepare your children for reading test, spelling, and language test for this week.


 * This week will be Mrs. Smith's last week with us in class. She will be moving to Kindergarten. We have enjoyed having her with us! She has loved teaching the kids and is sad because she has gotten to know and love them. We wish her the best in her continued internship and future placement in a classroom of her own! She will be an excellent teacher!

REMINDER!!! Science Posters are Due on the 4th!!!!! These are not required but we would like as many to participate as possible. Winners will be chosen from each grade level to go to the county fair. The Theme is "Let there be Light!" I am including a file here __**again**__ with the directions and rules and guidelines for the poster. This information was sent home several weeks ago.

[|Brain Pop Jr.]

February 9, 2015 We will not have school on MONDAY (16th)! It is a designated weather day built into our school system schedule this year. Next week will be a short week due to no school on Monday. Please check your child's binder each day. Make sure their homework is completed and placed back in their binder. Work not turned in on time or incomplete, students will have to complete during fun Friday.
 * This week is a review week. There will not be a reading test, spelling test, or grammar test. We will be reviewing skills from Unit 4.
 * We will continue Math (Chapter 10- Graphing and Data) Students will have HW in math this week.
 * We will have a valentine snack on Friday. We will not have a party but students can bring valentines and exchange them on Friday morning.
 * If you can donate a special snack item like boxed drink, cookie, cupcakes, snack cracker etc... please email me at my school email address sarah.bragwell@hcs.k12.al.us

SCIENCE POSTER for SCIENCE FAIR RULES We will have a review week next week in Reading, Language, and Spelling. There will be no tests next week in these subjects. We will continue math and other review activities. We are starting balancing and weighing as well in Science.

Week of January 26th
 * THIS WEEK IS EARLY RELEASE ON THURSDAY!!!! STUDENTS WILL DISMISS AT 1:15
 * Tuesday is the animal program. Permission must be turned in by TODAY (MONDAY)


 * We are finishing counting money and beginning telling time. Keep working at home with both of these concepts!
 * Our next Science Kit is balancing and weighing. Students should have a lot of fun working through this kit because I know I had fun at the training!
 * Students will be given the spelling pretest Monday morning. If they pass with an A or better, they do not have to write words three times each this week. They are still responsible for the sentences.
 * __** PLEASE work on interactive reading sheets that I send home each week. These are great study guides for the end of week tests! **__

I am checking off homework assignments beginning this semester in my grade book and will take a HW average in both math and spelling at the end of the 9 weeks. A poor homework average can bring a grade down. If students do not turn this fluency in each week, they will be given these copies to complete on fun Friday or during extra recess time if we have it. It is not fair to students who do their work on time and keep up with work to allow students who do not complete work the same rewards.

Week of Jan 19th
 * THIS IS A SHORT WEEK!
 * PLEASE look at your child's assignment sheet each night, sign it and return it to school every day. This is the chief way that I know you are making sure your child completes their homework. This was part of the compact that you agreed to do at the beginning of the year.
 * Also, please turn in Snow White permission and money.
 * We also have a Animal show next week and students can pay 8.00 to have pictures made with a skink, wallaby, or lizzard. This program is free but making pictures for students is how they make their money to care for animals and visit schools to do other programs.
 * **Please speak with your child about lunchroom behavior.** This is __not a time to play__, __be loud, and or rowdy__. Despite several warnings at times, students still continue to shourt across the table and spill food and drink because they are not using proper table manners. Students last Friday were also thumping food. This **__WILL NOT__** Be tolerated! Those who do will sit by themselves at lunch for a few days.
 * January is almost gone. Information about February Valentines will come home soon.
 * If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at sarah.bragwell@hcs.k12.al.us or send a note.

Week of Jan 12-16

WE ARE GETTING A STUDENT TEACHER! Writing:
 * I am honored and privileged to have been asked to have a student teacher this semester. I will give you any details that are pertinent for you to know. Know that your child's privacy will not come into question while she is here. There are rules and regulations that they must abide by while in contact with students, data, tests etc... If you have any questions or concerns please contact me.
 * This is a teaching opportunity for me to help her to see what good teaching looks like and share best practices. There will come a time when I must allow her to teach subjects and plan lessons. She will also be grading papers and working in groups with your children, especially for longer periods of time while she is with us. Please know that I have discussed with students that she is to be obeyed and respected just as I or Mrs. Terry should in our room! Trust that I will be guiding her and checking in with her a lot through this experience. She may do some things a little different. That is ok. I hope to also learn some new things from her as well as to share what I know and do with her.
 * She will be a novelty to the students so, if they come home talking about her, you will know why!
 * I will be sending home a sheet for students to be practicing writing their name in cursive.
 * We are beginning to learn how to form all the letters in cursive before actually writing words in cursive.
 * This is part of our 2nd grade course of study.
 * Please feel free to work at home with them forming simple letters.
 * We will send the workbook home over the summer, so have them practice over the summer as well.
 * Third grade teachers will expect student to be able to at least write their name in cursive and possibly spelling words eventually.

Reading:


 * New AR goals were sent with report cards on orange sheets. If you returned this with report card, your child was given it on Monday to bring back home.
 * Remember I do not grade AR but third grade in the past does grade AR and they set goals very similar to how I have all year. They take a point goal grade and accuracy grade.
 * We will begin Unit 4.2 Reading Story- A Non-fiction Text

Math:
 * We will begin teaching money and time in chapter 7. This can be a daunting task for Second graders. I also hope to implement a money earning system this semester where students earn money for certain tasks but this will be after we actually work hands on with coins and bills for several days. Don't want to put that temptation for them to take manipulatives and keep them to spend having not earned them. They will get paid more money for moving up the clip chart as well as losing money for moving down.

Spelling:
 * I AM CHANGING SPELLING THIS 9 WEEKS!
 * Because student have the unit overview sheet in their binders, they may study the sheet over the weekend and if they pass the pretest given with 90 or above, they do not have to complete the 3 times each for the words but they still __**must do the dictation three times each and the sentences due on Friday**__.
 * This pretest should be given every Monday morning. Your child can keep the pretest grade in my grade book. So many students are scoring 100 and above and felt I needed to give them the opportunity of opting out of the tedious HW that they don't need. They will still be required to complete spelling morning work with the class though.
 * I have also changed the number of words that will be tested. Students will be tested on 14 words and I will add two challenge words from our reading selection which will truly make them worth extra points because they might not follow the spelling pattern.

Social Studies: Science:
 * We will be working on Democracy Studies weekly subjects of maps and Globes.
 * We will begin a new AMSTI unit on either Solids and liquids or balancing and weighing

FIELD TRIP:
 * We plan to attend the ** __Rockin' Tale of Snow White__ ** on Feb 18th. Permission slip with information will come home soon!
 * We will also let you know about our Spring field trip as the weather starts warming up in a few months.

Ask around and see how hard the adjustment is for students when they enter third grade. It is not really difficulty that is the problem but the amount of work that students are required to do can be daunting. If your child struggles to focus and complete work in the classroom, they will be bringing home loads of work to complete at home. HW is the biggest complaint parents have about third grade because there is not time during the school day for them start it much less to work on it because their day is SO packed with teaching and grading science and social studies (which we in second grade have not had to give a letter grade)! I have little if no down time in my room other than AR reading time but students occasionally have had time to begin HW and those who are quick, have finished HW. This is just some food for thought to prepare you for next year.

January 6th-9th  Welcome Back! We are beginning off the new year in full swing. Okay, not to make anyone cry but we are just a little over 4 months away from your child becoming a third grader! There are two more years left in elementary school! This second semester we are bumping things up. I feel that this will help make the transition from second grade to third grade much easier. I know how hard it is! I have had two of my own children transition and come home crying for two weeks at the beginning of third grade because of the work load! Being organized is the KEY! I have tried to model much of what I do in second grade, like I did it in third grade but on a second grade level. I feel that your children have adapted well and they understand that I have high expectations of them academically as well as behaviorally! Now I must stop with this before I start crying and missing them already! I always get so attached!

__** Academics this week: **__
 * Reading- we are Working on Drawing Conclusions and Background Knowledge this week as well as words with final syllable -le.
 * We also took out STAR test WED. and I will send home that report with report cards. Some students ZPD dropped a bit. DO NOT PANIC!!! Do not ever put all of your eggs into one test score. It was one test score, on one day, in one particular moment. It does not define your child!
 * We must use this along with other assessment data to make sure your child is growing overall and at the rate we would like to see them grow.
 * Spelling: final syllable - le words
 * Language: Test will be on Adjectives using our senses.... describing how things look, feel, smell, taste etc...
 * Math: We are reviewing three digit subtraction and possibly next week if needed. We are about to begin chapter 7 in math which is time and money. Time is usually hard for 3rd grade so we will be building up our skills so that it may not be as hard once they get there! Elapsed time is the most difficult but we are going to work hard on telling time to the hour, minute, and doing some real-life problem solving.
 * We will also be working on cursive handwriting. Alabama Course of Study requires second grade to teach student how to form letters in cursive as well as how to connect letters to write words in cursive.

We will be doing the OLSAT test for second grade at the end of January. This is the Otis Lennon Ability Test. This score will be used for third grade teachers to help determine of your child assessments are scoring at, below, or above their ability. Again, it is one test and does not define your child if you do not let it!

Please always encourage your child to always work hard and do their best at all that they may do! We have a LOT IN OUR FUTURE>>>>> HANG ON TIGHT!

__**Health Note:**__ PLEASE.... Make sure your child is fever free before sending them to school. With the flu vaccine not having been the correct one, we want to try and keep this virus at bay in our schools! Remind your child to wash hands EVERY TIME THEY GO TO RR and to keep their hands and fingers, pencils, crayons, etc... out of their mouths, noses and wash, wash, wash at the RR!

//** Side note: **// I have the honor of performing with the College Street Players in their upcoming musical production of the Rocking Tale of Snow White. I will be playing the role of the evil queen. Yes, I know that is hard to believe that I can be evil, but it was a role I feel that I have always wanted a legitimate excuse to fill! LOL! I have already told the students about it and second grade is planning to go and see it on Feb. 18th. The cost will be $6.00. We will be sending permission slips home in the next few weeks. I will be out that day for all three school shows but My sub is very reliable and is great with the kids and will be taking my class over to the HS to see the show after lunch. Shows on the 18th are not open to the public but opening night will be the 19th at 7:00 p.m. and the 20th at 7 pm. Saturday there will also be shows. Due to license and cost to put on the production, tickets are $10.00 each at the door at regular shows. I can buy them in bundles of 10 and can get them for $8.00 each for any night- but only in bundles. If you are interested in coming to see the show and can round up 10 people to come with you, I can get you tickets for $8.00 each.

The sets and costumes will be fantastic! It is a "play" on Grimm's Fairy Tales version of Snow White. There's lots of humor and I will try my best to be a larger than life obnoxious evil queen. My husband jokingly tells me it was a role I was born to play...lol...I think. I truly hope that you can come and support our community theater! Many students grow up and stay involved with theater throughout Jr. high and high school years.

Yep, that's me... the wicked queen!

We are beginning off the year

Dec. 15-19  Academics:
 * Reading:
 * This week we will review skills from the unit. We will review cause/effect, realism and fantasy, drawing conclusions, plot, sequence, main idea, opposites, and author’s purpose. We will review the high frequency sight words for the unit too. There will not be a story or test this week. We will read favorite stories in class.


 * Spelling: Unit Review week. We will review spelling patterns from unit three this week. ** No test!!!!! **


 * Language: This week students review the many forms of a verb.


 * Math: This week we will continue 3-digit Addition and Subtraction in Ch 6. and test on Tuesday or Wednesday.


 * Unit: Social Studies: This week we will do seasonal activities for Christmas


 * Science: Continue looking at and discussing habitats, guppies, pill bugs, millipedes, and snails

Other Information:
 * Field trip is Tuesday (16th)
 * Meet us at the bus lane @11:15 if you plan to follow.
 * We will eat at Dairy Queen first at 11:30-12:55.
 * We’ll then go to Summerford’s Nursing Home to sing and deliver the // Giving Tree // !
 * Winter Wonderland is Thursday night 6-8 pm.
 * Christmas party begins Friday morning at 9:30 in the room. We have several students who are close to reaching their AR point goal in December. Keep reading!
 * Thank you for the help and encouragement you give your child. They will be rewarded with a Pizza Hut certificate.
 * To stay on track as an “All-Star Reader” they must reach their goal each month and fill in the calendar and return it with a parent signature.
 * Oue new AR goals will be sent home in January with Report cards. Look for this. __**Next year AR will be graded in 3rd grade!**__
 * We are collecting ink cartridges so please remember if you have any to get those to Mrs. Towers.
 * **Keep sending in Box Tops!**

=Week of Dec. 8th= HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE LOCATED UNDER THE HW SHEETS TAB AT THE LEFT! You may print this off if your child loses theirs. You may also find the spelling words and dictation sentences on these assignment sheets as well each week.

Other Information:

 * SANTA shop is running all week. Students may bring in money and lists of people they might want to buy Christmas gifts for. All items are $2 and will be gift wrapped for student to bring home and put under the tree! Second Grade will shop at 12:00 each day. PTO is trying a scheduled approach to avoid being swamped at any one time during the day! Thank you for allowing your child to experience of giving, for it is better to give than to receive!
 * ====== Elf Days continue. If you missed your day send items when you can. ======
 * ====== Dec. 11 th is 3 rd grade and 1st grade 7 Habits pep rally at 1:30 in the gym. ======
 * ====== Friday the 12 th is Polar Express PJ day.- students may wear PJs ======
 * ====== Dec. 16 th is our “Giving tree” field trip to Summerford Nursing Home. PLEASE send in small gifts for students to give the residents there. Please label for woman or man. ======
 * ====== Dec. 18 th is Karaoke Battle Sing Along @1:30 in the gym. ======
 * ====== Dec. 18 th 6-8 pm is our Winter Wonderland. We will be singing, eating, and much more. ======
 * ====== Dec. 19th is the class Christmas party. We will start our party around 9:30. We will have a light snack of pigs in the blankets, juice boxes and a cookie. If you can make or send for the party, let me know. This day is a ½ day. ======
 * ====== Keep sending in Box Tops!** ======

=Week of Dec. 1= We will begin 12 Eld Days of Christmas on Thursday. Check your child's binder for the information that was sent home about this. I can attach the letter when I get to school if you want to see when your child is scheduled to be an elf.

Please remember to be gathering items to take to the nursing home if you are able. You can send these to school or bring them with you if you are also planning on going with us on the 16th.

I will begin placing our assignment sheet online each week under a new tab at the left called HW sheet. Look for this and print off a new one if your child has lost theirs through the week. It will have spelling words as wells dictation sentences on it if you need them.

ASSINGMENT SHEET:

As your child gets older, they must begin to assume responsibility for their school work and keeping up with their papers and assignments. While adding things that we send home in paper form to our websites benefits you and makes your job easier, please hold them accountable at home for keeping up with paperwork. Many times students are distracted and not paying attention in class when they are given directions as to what to do with papers. Please remind your child and offer consequences for being responsible for paperwork and following directions from you and me as well!

DIBELS: I am currently assessing students in DIBELS. This information will be sent home to you with students report cards in Jan. I am so far thrilled to say that most students are making great gains in WPM read. (Words per minute).

We will take our 2nd 9 week district benchmark tests in math and reading next week.

If you have not returned permission slip for the field trip on the 16th, please do so immediately. I am attaching one here if you need to print it out!

I am including a Word as well as Pages file here:

=

= =Week of Nov. 24= MATH
 * We only have two days this week! WOO HOO....!!! THANKSGIVING DAY IS COMING!
 * We will have the math test tomorrow on Chapter 5. Students do have math extra practice for homework tonight to help prepare them for the test!
 * Please make sure that you remind them to read word problems carefully. Visualize what is happening! Think increase or decrease, more or less, add or subtract. All of this vocabulary is used in math assessments!

READING/GRAMMAR/ SPELLING
 * There will be no story, spelling or grammar this week!
 * DON'T FORGET TO KEEP READING OVER THE THANKS GIVING HOLIDAY!!!

We will have three more weeks upon return from Thanksgiving before second semester is over!

We will also be taking a field trip to the Summerford Nursing Home..... Please be sending in your small wrapped and labeled for man or woman items for the "Giving Tree" project. We will be taking these items with us to the nursing home.

I am attaching the field trip form under the field trips tab if your child has not already had you fill one out. We need the order for student's lunches!
 * ALL MONEY FOR THIS TRIP IS DUE DEC 2!**
 * It is also attached here for convenience!**


 * Have a great Thanksgiving and don't eat too much!!! LOL!**

= = =Visit k5 learning.com for extra math practice= math subtraction word problems

=Week of November 3= This week begins the month of November. I can not believe that this year is approaching the half way mark! It is flying by very quickly. I apologize for not getting the correct fluency copied last week. It was a very busy week and by the time I knew, the week was half over.

Please remind your child that as they continue through second grade we should help them focus on taking ownership of their own learning. This is a life skill for them to begin to mastering before leaving elementary school. (Just two more years)...I KNOW! It flies by!

Please try to help your child keep their binder neat and organized. I check homework every morning If your child does not have a sticker on their papers, they are not following directions and getting it out for me to check. By signing your child's assignment sheet you are stating that they have completed it and it is in their binder. As a parent myself I know how busy ad tired you are but getting into this routine, third grade habits will be easy to pick right up on. the work load increases a good bit and is very overwhelming if you and your child are not organized!

We have three full weeks before the week of Thanksgiving. We will go to school Monday and Tuesday of the week of Thanksgiving. We come back to school on Dec. 1st. Then we will have 3 weeks prior to Christmas Holidays!

Encourage your child to begin reading chapter books. Many student are excited to be getting AR points and are reading easy picture books. I'd like to see many who are on grade level and above in AR ZPD level, begin to read chapter books. I give students at least 30-45 minutes in school to read. There really is no excuse for them to not be getting their AR points

Your children are doing well. The next few weeks as a rule, we get lax and grades tend to drop slightly. Let's keep up the good work and efforts up until end of the first semester!

=If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to call and schedule a conference at any time.=

=Week of 9/22/14= Well, I am finished with graduate work! I know that you are relieved but not quite as much as I am! TRUST ME! Now back to what I am best at....... teaching your kids!

Spelling: This week words have the controlled R spelling using ar, or, and ore. Test will be Friday. Don't forget the dictation sentences. I will try to post those in spelling if I can get ahead now and pick them out for this unit and units to come.

Language- This week we are recognizing nouns- person, place, thing, animal Test is Friday.

Reading- Our skill this week is cause and effect. There are great videos you can Google to illustrate this concept more to your child at home. I have shown some of them in class. If you will look at some the the tests that I have sent home, you can get a feel for what they are like and will know better how to help your child prepare. The biggest part is looking back in the story to find the answer. Sometimes the students get lazy and do not take the time to do this.

Science- we have explored 3 types of soil! Kids are loving science!

Math- we are beginning addition and later subtraction strategies. While it is important for them to see how to solve problems in different ways and see how others think about solving addition sentences, kids can get confused with all the different ways. I remind them that these strategies are just that....strategies. We will continue to study our math facts.

I have introduces students to the new website sumdog.com. This is a fin site where student can practice math facts as well as other basic math skills and play games in the process. They have an account: their user name is __bragwell#__ and their password is their __10 digit number__ (bragwell followed by their locker number...ie bragwell1, bragwell2...)

If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to e-mail and ask. I am always available to talk about anything that concerns you.

=I apologize for not posting in the last week. I am in the process of finishing my masters degree this week and next. I hope to be done with all other work outside of school by Sept 30th! I assure that I will be back to normal...at least I hope so after this final I should be back to getting things posted online. Until then, please refer to your child's homework sheet.=

My family will also be glad to have me back. Between second grade and a masters degree...they want me to balance teaching with them, and honestly, I should choose them over the other more often than I do! Thank you for all of your support and understanding as I finish this milestone in my career!

We will have crazy sock day on Monday. Picture Day is Wednesday... I will double check date to make sure! Working together, Mrs. Bragwell =

= =Week of September 8th= We are now in the full swing of things. Being a short week last week and I was out on Wednesday for Professional Development, I apologize for not getting the announcements up for last week Here are some reminders/ announcements: WORD COUNT LEADER OF THE WEEK IN AR: Lauren Riddle...has read over 50,000 words...and its only week 5! She's held that place for two weeks now! John Ryan is right behind her! FIRST STUDENT TO READH THEIR AR GOAL THIS 9 WEEKS: John Ryan Richardson- he will be awarded his magnet in class Monday morning to keep on his locker! FIRST IN MATH LEADER OF THE DAY: This has changed hands several times in the last few weeks: Some of our leaders have been: Trammel Hurley, Adelyn Lemay, and Bryant Shaw!

WAY TO GO GUYS!!!!! Word Count leader and First in AR Goal both have a trophy that will sit on their desk. When someone passes Lauren, the trophy will sit on their desk. Second 9 weeks, the AR goal trophy will be given to the student who reaches their AR goal first and the previous winner will be given a smaller trophy to keep. First in Math leader gets to wear a lanyard that denotes they are the player of the day in my class. Our class is a top class in the school in First in Math. The math lab opens at 7:15 if your child would like to come and work on their math facts. Get them to school by 7:15 to get a seat in the lab. = IMPORTANT!!!! = >
 * Please sign the sheet each night showing me you have checked your child's homework. You may also write me any notes on this sheet. I try and check it every morning first thing with their homework.
 * Please clean out the keep at home pocket of your child's binder every day. If you do not, the papers fall out and students are confused as to what stays and what goes.
 * PLEASE...do not take out the assignment sheet...I take these up every Monday and keep them.

Spelling/ Language
 * Spelling words and dictation sentences are on the assignment sheet.
 * The dictation sentences will count toward a language grade each week. Punctuation will be graded as well as the previous skills that we may have covered.
 * Sheets sent home that we complete for language are great study guides for the language test we take on Fridays.

Reading
 * Reading sheets are also a great study guide for the reading test. They may contain a short paragraph and then questions about main idea and details, character and setting, compare and contrast, and author's purpose.
 * This year's reading tests on Friday are not about the weekly story. Reading this story every night will help your child with fluency as well as their fluency passage that they read each night. The test usually contains the phonics skill for the week (5 questions, filling in sentences with the vocabulary words for the week (reading in context), and a story they have never read before that asks questions that deal with the reading skill we have discussed all week. All of this information is included on the pink unit overview sheet that I will give out every 9 weeks.
 * This week we are on the 4th story. It is non- fiction text
 * Your child has access to their reading book as well as other resources online. Go to [|www.pearsonrealize.com] and sign in with bragwell# (# should be your student's locker number.) The password should be their 10 digit number. They should have this memorized. If not, email me and I can give it to you. This is their student number throughout the rest of their school years in Hartselle.

Math
 * We are beginning chapter 2 and will have a mid chapter test Thurs. or Friday.
 * Students are becoming proficient with place value. in the number 365, each digit is worth a certain value. The three is not a three, its really 300 and the 6 is not a six, it is really 60 and the 5has a value of 5 because it is in the ones place.
 * We are playing several math games to help reinforce number sense and place value skills.
 * Your child has classwork papers sent home every day. If you do not understand a concept, look over those classwork papers. I try to help all students who may not understand before they leave class.
 * Your child may also access the go math textbook online as well and listen to the Curious George lessons and skills activities that go along with each chapter. I will be getting information together to send home with how to access this site as well if your child may need more help or you are not sure about the concept being taught.

Science/Social Studies:
 * We are studying soils in science... I have ordered a living organism found in soil that we will be observing as well. I have hinted to the kids about this and they are excited! I LOVE TEACHING SCIENCE!
 * Students will be bringing home Social Studies Weekly. this magazine goes right along with our course of study objectives and we will use this as well as read alouds to explore social studies topics.

I am always open for questions or concerns about your child. Please feel free to contact me at any time. E-mail will be the best way if there is not an immediate need. If you want to conference, please call the school and leave a message on my voice mail. I may not answer the phone if I am in the middle of instruction but will return your phone call as soon as I can or reply to email as soon as I can.

If you have a change of plans for riding home, email may not be the best way to notify me. I check mail at my planning and then again after school. Calling the office and then leaving a message with Mrs. Crow is the fastest way to notify me of an immediate change that needs to be known before school is out.

Again, thank you for allowing me the privilege of teaching your children during their second grade year! We are off to a great start!


 * No School SEPT 1st!

Bragwell’s Planner August 25-29, 2014 This planner contains information about upcoming events and classroom activities. It is intended to be a guide for parents and students to bridge communication between school and home. Visit our website at [|ww.bragwellsbrightbunch.wikispaces.com] for other information. WE HAVE OUR READING BOOKS!!!! Password: b1234567890
 * __Reading:__**
 * This week's story is //Exploring Space.// Read fluency passage every night. There will be a reading test on Thursday. Remind your child to listen closely in class as we read the story. (Hoping textbooks come in soon!) You can also access the textbook online at [|www.pearsonrealize.com]. Sign in as username: Bragwell(student class #) and Password: b(Student’s 10 digit number)
 * For example: username: bragwell22
 * If your child does not have their number memorized, they soon will. For now, I would like for them to still bring home their reading book every night (when we do get them). If they forget to take it home, you can access it online now.


 * __Spelling:__**
 * This week's skill is Long Vowels VCe. Study these words nightly. There will be a spelling test on Friday. The following are a list of the spelling words**: __page, nose, space, size, fine, huge, mice, late, race, blaze, vote, rice__** The following are the dictation sentences: __1.__ __My nose is red. 2. The blaze is hot. 3. Mom went to vote.__ Students will write both spelling words and dictation sentences three times each for homework on Monday and Tuesday. They will write a sentence with each spelling word on Wednesday. Thursday nights are study and practice nights. **No spelling homework on Friday**!

I will send home the reading Unit Overview that has a list of spelling words on it. Keep this in child’s back cover of their binder. (Unit 1 is on Pink paper) Use this as a reference each week.


 * __Language:__**
 * This week we will learn that sentences have a **subject**. The subject usually tells us who or what the sentence is about. We will have a language test on Friday. Students will have to select the correct subject in the sentence.


 * __Math:__**
 * This week we will continue Number Concepts- and take a test on chapter 1 on Friday or Monday of next week. I will continue to copying pages students will need for class work and homework until we receive our textbook. Keep working on First in Math at home.


 * __Social Studies:__**
 * This week we will learn about exploring space. This week's words are: //__ascend, descend, orbit, universe, enormous, journey, launch, and meterorite.__// You can help at home by using these words this week in conversations. Oral vocabulary is a predictor of future reading success.


 * __Other Information:__**
 * This week’s "FUN FRIDAY" activity is Ice Cream Friday. I will provide provide Vanilla ice cream and fixings for the kiddos! If you can donate chocolate syrup, bowls, napkins, or spoons, please send them to school with your child by Thursday. Once our science kit arrives we will be spending time in science each afternoon. We will still have fun Friday and I will announce what we will do. (Technology, gameboard day, & outside play …once it gets a little cooler!)

Mrs. Bragwell J Ask your child if he/she is a member of the homework club!

Some have asked about the reading tests: There is not a whole lot you can do to prepare for the reading tests at home as of now. Since we do not have the materials and were just recently given online access I am planning on compiling skills into a unit chart so that you can have an overview of the skills that are taught for each story. The biggest thing you can do is talk about the reading vocabulary...(These words are always on the planner) and read stories at home and ask questions about the skills for the week after you read with your child at home. This week the skills are characters and setting. When you read a story, ask your child who the main characters are and ask them what the setting is. Did the setting change? How did the characters act differently in each setting.

This reading series is new to use as well. I would never unfairly ask things of your child that I did not feel we have had time in class to prepare for or that I have given you enough information at home to do if we do not have enough time at school. I am quite fair when it comes to grades.

Things you may not see at home that might and could affect your child's grades come test time : not paying attention when discussing skills, activities that involve skills that they do not complete in class, not practicing those skills during silent reading time, While we begin this new series, the format of the reading test will be different than in first grade. The skills must be applied to new readings. This shows if the child is capable of making application and truly understands the concepts. We will take all of this one step at a time. No worries!

New math site... Happynumbers.com. I will be sending home some information about this site. We will be using it in class to reinforce numbers and numeration which will include base ten practice. I am excited to have found the site and set up a classroom account so I can assign students activities on it during math time. If you have an old iPod or other device you would like to donate to our classroom, we have wireless and can access AR via wireless devices. These workgroup activities like happynumbers.com can also be accessed via devices and would come in handy during our instruction time. Just wanted to let you know.

Bragwell’s Planner August 18-22, 2014 This planner contains information about upcoming events and classroom activities. It is intended to be a guide for parents and students to bridge communication between school and home. Visit our website at [|ww.bragwellsbrightbunch.wikispaces.com] for other information. **__Reading:__** This week's story is //The Twin Club.// Read fluency passage every night. Students will learn new vocabulary words (cousins, meadow, parents, promise). There will be a reading test on Thursday. Remind your child to listen closely in class as we read the story. (Hoping textbooks come in soon!). The reading test is not on the story but skill we have taught using this story. The test is actually a new fresh read that they will have to apply the skills to in order to answer the questions. It is very different this year and will give us a more accurate picture of what amount of application of these skills your child is using in reading situations...a better picture of their reading abilities! **__Spelling:__** This week's skill is short vowels. Study these nightly. There will be a spelling test on Friday. The following are a list of Spelling words**: __rock, list, desk, job, sad, chop, sack, tag, rib, mess, dust, drum.__** The following are the dictation sentences: __1.__ __I saw the list. 2. I sat at my desk. 3. That is my drum.__ Students will write both spelling words and dictation sentences three times each for homework on Monday and Tuesday. They will write a sentence with each spelling word on Wednesday. Thursday nights are study and practice nights. **No spelling homework on Friday**! **__Language:__** This week we will learn that sentences are a group of words that tells a complete idea. We will have a language test on Friday. Student will have to select words to make a sentence complete and then write from two choices the correct way to write a sentence. **__Math:__** This week we will continue Number Concepts- we also do not have out math textbooks in and I will be copying pages students will need for class work and homework. Keep working on First in Math! **__Social Studies:__** This week we will learn from our community. We will discuss urban and rural neighborhoods. Each week we will discover new //Amazing Words// for each unit. This week's words are: //__investigate, rural, urban, downy, perch, founders, muttered, unanimous.__// You can help at home by using these words this week in conversations. Oral vocabulary is a predictor of future reading success. **__Other Information:__** This week’s "FUN FRIDAY" activity is Watermelon Friday. Students will enjoy exploring watermelon activities throughout the week. Please donate a watermelon for the class by Friday. We will need at least 2 watermelons. We will weigh it, measure it, put it in water for Sink or Float activity, and of course eat it! Let me know if you can send one cut up ready to eat as well! Mrs. Bragwell J

Week of Aug. 11, 2014 We are almost finished with the first full week of your child's second grade year. We have learned many procedures and even had a a fire drill onThursday. Please continue to check your child's binder and leave the assignment sheet in the appropriate pocket. Please make sure that you check their homework and sign their assignment sheet. This lets me know that you have seen their work and it is complete and correct to the best of your knowledge. Homework is practice of skills learned while at school. Continue to encourage your child to always do their best work, follow directions given by all adults in the school and practice the seven habits. Leading is not an accident, it is a premeditated attitude that is portrayed in our thoughts, actions, and words. Continue to be that good example of a leader for your child! We should begin our first reading story this next week. Our reading books are not in, so we will be reading the story daily in class from online. As of now, you do not have access to this material. We will be sending home spelling words on Monday and your child will have reading and spelling homework as well as math homework. Most of the time, they have time in class to get a lot of this completed if they use their time wisely. Your child's First in Math username and password were sent home today. Use this website to allow your child to practice their facts. We will have a leader of the day chosen every day from our class for the student who has earned the most stickers in the previous 24 hour period. Next week we will be using a watermelon for a fun Friday activity. We are getting the year started off just right. Check back soon to see a few photos from the first few days of school! The students have been engaged and excited about learning. I will post them to the left under PHOTOS link. Your second grade Kid quote of the week..." We just did math? Wow, that was fun and I did not think math could be like that!" - this is music to a teacher's ears! Learning is happening every day and every minute and they don't even realize it! Thank you again for trusting me with your precious children! It's going to be a great year!

WELCOME TO SECOND GRADE!!!
 * Our journey through second grade will take 180 days. It does not seem very long when put into these terms. We will turn around and it will be half-way complete and then it will be time to move to third grade. Your child's success in this grade will determine how easy or difficult their third grade year will go. Third grade is notorious for being the hardest grade in elementary school. There is a lot more work ahead in third grade and my job is to help your child transition from 1st grade to 3rd grade.


 * We will have many adventures and will learn and grow so much! I will need your help at home seeing that your child does their homework to the best of their ability. I know how hard it is working and seeing that everything else is taken care of, including supper, homework, laundry, yard work, and errands. I am a very flexible teacher and understand life but at the same time, I value my profession as well as the role that you and I both play in the success of your child in second grade. It will take time and dedication from both sides. I expect just as much consistency and work from you as you expect from me. We are a team! If we are united in helping your child to realize their potential, the sky's the limit!


 * I am truly looking forward to this year! It is exciting to be back in the grade I began in (15 years ago- 1999). I have been in third grade for the past 4 years and I feel that this will help me to guide your child to where they need to be before starting third grade next year! I welcome your understanding and respect for the position I hold as a classroom teacher. I have studied for many years and hold a BA in Elementary Education, a minor in Sociology, and soon, a masters degree in library media. I take pride in my work and hope that that you will always honor my profession in front of your child. This will teach them respect for me as their teacher. It is also within this respectful relationship where I can be the most effective with them in helping them grow and learn the most.


 * I am available during prep. times for conferences (except on Wednesdays- this is our fixed data meeting time). I can also conference before or after school if needed. We will have a time in Sept. or October that you can sign up to have a conference with me so that I can share information about your child's beginning of the year assessments and share any concerns. You can share with me any concerns you might have and information about your child that you feel I need to know at any time. Please respect my time with my family by not calling after 7p.m. If it is urgent, leave a message letting me know it is urgent. If it can wait until the following school day, please just send a note by your child or shoot me an e-mail. I will check e-mail once during my planning time and after school. If you are changing your child's transportation, you will need to call the office or e-mail the office to let them know. If you send a late e-mail I may not check it until after school. I spend every moment I have teaching and helping students. I rarely stay seated at my desk checking e-mail. Also any phone voicemails will come through my computer via e-mail as well . It is a new system and I may not always remember to check the phone itself for messages! Thank you for understanding!


 * PLEASE ALLOW US AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO GET OUR ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES DOWN BEFORE COMING TO EAT LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD.


 * Each week, I will post the new announcements above the previous announcements. You should be able to scroll down and see previous things as needed. I will probably post the notes that are set home each week in the weekly newsletter. There may be more details here on our wikispace!