Book Order Forms Went Home This Week

Book order forms went home this week.  Orders are due next Friday.  All of the information is on the Book Order page of the blog.  Have a great long weekend!

Today we painted bookmarks!

Parent Help Needed

I need a parent volunteer to file papers for Thursday folders each week.  Is there a parent available on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings to take on this job?

Great work by a Shark!

Great work by a Stingray!

The second grade was given a great gift today!

I just received news that the Bill Gates Foundation and the Christopher family are going to donate 60 subscriptions of Time Kids to our second grade class!  I am so excited that our students are going to each get their own subscription.  I was only going to be able to afford 10.  Thank you Gates Founadation and the Christopher family!

We had a great week!

We survived our first week of school!  I don’t know about all of you parents, but I am exhausted!  I think we had a pretty good first week.  Your kids are all pretty spectacular.  I am looking forward to a great year.

We had our first “Enrichment Wednesday” and I can already tell you that it is going to be my favorite day of the week.  Our students work so hard on their academics that it does my heart good to see them enjoying something fun.  We had our classical music going, the creative juices were flowing, and your kids were having a great time.  Soon the students will get to choose their own enrichment classes, but I am so thankful to get to start out with my own kids.  You can learn a lot about someone by watching them be creative.  They have requested painting next week, so I am thinking watercolor bookmarks.

We are starting reading centers next week.  I did want to let you know ahead of time that I am going to be very strict on talking during centers.  Please don’t freak out if your child has a few negative Dojo points this week.  In order for centers to work, the independent centers cannot be socializing.  It is an adjustment, but hopefully if we start out on the right foot the rest of the year will go smoothly.

Have a great weekend, hug your kids for me, and I will see you all on Monday!

Spelling Packets

I wanted to clear up some spelling packet confusion.  The students do get a small spelling packet for homework each week.  It is only two pages and it is just to help them get used to doing a little homework.  In class they are given a big spelling packet with a word search on the cover.  This packet is to be worked on in class whenever they have “free time”.  That means if they finish something early, they never are without something to do.  I do not expect this packet to be finished each week.  I do send home the packet on Friday, and if the student wants to finish it they are free to do so.  I do not need it brought back to class.  I was very impressed with how many students did bring in their homework this week.  Great job!

I love the details!

I have a very creative class!

Today in art class we made self portraits.

Some of the beautiful faces of second grade.

Thank You!

A great big thank you for all of the classroom donations.  It's going to be a great year!

Prize Box Donations Needed

I am trying to fill up my prize box and I am looking for donations. In room 6 we have a weekly rewards drawing. During the week, earned Dojo points are exchanged for tickets. This drawing is the highlight of our Friday afternoon. If you have any new items that you would like to donate, please drop them off in room 6. Some things the kids love are small note books, rainbow loom bracelets, fancy erasers, tattoos, etc. I can't wait to meet all of my new second graders on Monday!

GPS second grade class lists are here!

GPS second grade class lists are up on my blog (at the top of the page).  Of course, there is always a chance that kids can get moved around at the last minute, but this is the plan as of today.  We will also be welcoming a few new kids to second grade this year.  Their names are not on the list yet.  Only one week left of summer vacation.  Make it great!

What two school supplies do GPS second graders need to bring to school?

All second graders are going to need a spiral notebook for class.  Please have your student bring in their own wide ruled spiral notebook the first week of school.  It can be plain covered or fancy.  Just be sure their name is clearly printed on the cover.  

All students will also need a folder to keep in their desk.  Again, you can get a plain colored one at Staples for 15 cents or get a fancy one with pictures for a dollar.  The choice is yours.  This is not a binder!  What they need is a simple two pocket folder with the student's name clearly printed on the cover.

Currently the biggest need on our class wish list is water color paints sets. They are on sale this week at Target for 99 cents.

Get a free book at Barnes and Noble

I hope all of my Navigators have done at least a little reading over the summer.  Will (my third grade son) and I read a great book together called "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio.

Barnes and Noble has a great summer reading program and it is not too late for your kids to get in on the action.

Here Is How:

1. Read any 8 books and record them in the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal. 
2. Bring the completed Reading Journal to your a B&N store. 
3. Choose a FREE BOOK from their selection on the Reading Journal list. Reading Journals are due by September 2, 2014 

Check out the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

Here is the Download Link for the Reading Journal

Uniforms

Second grade GPS parents, uniforms are here! They will be available for purchase starting Monday, August 4th from 9am until 3pm in the new office (Room #1). See you there!!