Week of November 29th

Welcome back! Wasn't it wonderful to have an entire week off to relax, travel, and enjoy all of the things we are thankful for? It was great to see the kids today and jump back into a regular routine. The next few weeks will be packed with fun and exciting things!

We are beginning our study of Europe this week. The students will begin researching a European Landmark or European Country tomorrow in computer lab. This will be part of their next research project. More information will be coming home this week so please keep your eye out for this!

As we go into the holiday season, the students will be learning/researching in class about different holidays/traditions around the world. If you are interested in sharing with the class a special holiday or tradition, please let me know.

For the first time ever second grade will have an International Festival. OUt goal is to celebrate at least one country from each continent. The 2nd grade teachers came up with a list to try and inclue countries we know some of our students or their families are from. Here's the list we came up with: France, Italy, China, Mexico, Peru, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa. If your family is from one of these countries and you'd like to assist in preparing for the celebration, please contact one of our room parents. We would love your help and input!

Please note that the Scholastic Book Orders are due December 5th so that we can assure they will be in before Winter Break. In the past, I have had parents order books for their children as gifts. If this is something you are interested in, please send me an email so that I know to hold the books and arrange a time for you to get them instead of sending them home with the child. Books make great gifts!!

This week in Language Arts we are working on the following:

• spelling words with long vowel /e/ ey, y
• Inflections -ed, -es (y to i)
• Singular Possessive Nouns
• Author's Purpose
• Fiction and Nonfiction
• Asking questions and monitoring comprehension

This week in Math we are working on the following:

• Unit 4 Assessment
• Exploring rules, sharing, and time
• Points and Line Segments

This week in Science we are working on the following:

• Continuing our study of changes involving matter
• We will begin our study of the water cycle

This week in writing we are working on writing for readers. We will be learning and reinforcing skills that help make our writing stronger. We want people to be able to read our writing and understand what we are writing. There is so much in this unit that will make your kiddos much better writers!

Our basket has arrived for the gift drive! Please send in your gifts wrapped and tagged with the child's name as well as the family number which was on the red sheet that was sent home. To avoid duplication, please attach a 'sticky note' or other message to the gift describing what is in the package. You may bring gifts now through December 10th.

Have a wonderful week!