2B Christmas Party

2B is having a great time decorating graham crackers and making houses! Merry Christmas!

Wednesday

Students we so well behaved at Mass today.
Students worked on the math benchmark to see what they have learned so far this year. They also completed the theme assessment for unit 3 in reading. Please use the spelling words from last week for the Christmas grid. We also finished up our unit on Christmas Around the World.

Tomorrow is the Christmas Party that starts about 1:00. Parents are invited and welcome.
At 2:15, our prayer buddies from 6th grade are coming down for a visit.

Friday is red and green accessory day.
Happy Wednesday!

Monday

Students learned about Mexico and Las Posadas in our Christmas Around the World project.
They also reviewed multiplication and corrected the Chapter Reviews.
In language students reviewed synonyms, vocabulary, and phonics.

No math or language homework this week. Just the Christmas grid using last weeks words.

Friday is red and green accessories day.
Happy Monday

Christmas Concert

The cherubs are so lovely for the annual Christmas Concert.

Monday

Today was so productive. In religion, we read a story about Advent and then we did the prayer service for the second week of Advent. Students also began to work on their Nativity booklets.
In language, students worked on main ideas and summary, digraphs, open and closed vowels, and dictionary skills.
In math, students worked on related multiplication and division facts.
In science, students watched a Magic School Bus video on the digestive system.

Wednesday

Students did an excellent job behaving during Mass today. The kinders were our leaders and they did an wonderful job.
In math students learned to multiply by 5's and by 10's. They are learning different strategies for finding the answer, if they don't know the fact.
In social studies, we completed the workbook pages on the history unit.
In spelling, we reviewed surprise words and practiced spelling them.
In science, students watched a movie on the digestive system. We will finish that up tomorrow.

Don't forget the Scholastic Book Fair is next week. As a result, there will not be a December book order.

Grand parents day

Created using Pic Collage. http://pic-collage.com

Sent from my iPad

Monday

Today in religion we talked about the Holy Family and about how they took care of each other.
In reading we practiced prefixes and suffixes. Students were able to have their group commercials about why you should vote for Donkey or Elephant. They are very cute and I will post them on the website.
In math students reviewed multiplication and division.
In social studies students worked on their timelines after they read about the Civil War, Pioneers, Immigrants, and the history of a community.

Don't forget to send in a note if someone other than you are picking up your children on Wednesday after Grandparents Day.
There is no Grid homework this week and no homework except to study spelling words for tomorrow's spelling test and to do IXL.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Grandparents Day Information

How to Have a Successful Grandparents and Great Friends Day

Remember to smile and greet our many guests to Blessed Pope John XXIII

Bring a little patience as the parking lot, drive thru, walking traffic etc… will be busier and may take a little longer than usual. Please plan accordingly. We will have extra help and extra crossing guards but we still need your help!

Your children must report to class just like every other day and their guests do not accompany them into the classrooms at this time.

Our volunteers will begin registration in the parking area just outside of the gym at 7:45 a.m. You may register in any line and we will have even more volunteers checking in to help speed up the process.

The guests will be asked to go to the marked area of the youngest student in the family that they are meeting, so including that info on the RSVP is really important. Others joining your party will meet there.

The visitors will “save” seats for their grandchild/friend as well as anyone else joining them. We will have a very full house so please help us by only saving the number of seats you will actually need. We will have maps, signs and volunteers to help.

If you have multiple students, the older students will join their sibling and visitor in the youngest student’s designated seating area. Look for the classroom signs!

If your child will not be entertaining a visitor this year, please do not worry! We have made special arrangements as well as reserved seating for all of the students without guests to sit with their teachers. You are always welcome to attend mass with your child, please RSVP so we can help your child find the appropriate area.

Mass begins at 8:30 a.m.

After mass the children will be dismissed by classroom and our guests will be asked to stay seated until they are safely on their way.

After the children have exited we will invite everyone for light refreshments and coffee in the Ramada before they join the students in their classrooms (if they wish).

There is no formal program but each class has something planned so the guests are welcome to visit.

A great number of our students leave early to begin the long weekend. This is great BUT:

Please note: If you plan on your child leaving early or with their guests we need you to send a letter or note to your teacher granting permission for this to occur. The teachers will be able to dismiss from the classroom on this special occasion but only to those who have made such arrangements. The teachers will not be able to dismiss without a letter with your signature on it! We appreciate your help and understanding. Your child’s safety is always foremost in our minds…please help us ensure this by following the protocol for this day.

Blessed Pope John XXIII Roman Catholic School

Grandparents & Great Friends Day

November 27, 2013

7:45-8:15      Grandparents and Great Friends Sign-In.  The sign-in table will be located in the parking lot adjacent to the gym, just east of the front gym entrance.  Here, the guests will sign in, receive a name tag, special gift and a sticker to place on the United States map to show where they are from.  They will move inside to sit in the assigned classroom section to meet up with their youngest student, saving seats for all in their party.

8:30-9:30      Grandparents and Great Friends Join Students for Mass.  Held in the Gym. Students will walk over with their teacher and class and enter through the South gym doors to meet their already seated guest in each class’ assigned seating.  Student Ambassadors and signage will be present to guide everyone to the appropriate seating location.  At the conclusion of Mass, there will be brief remarks from Principal Colao welcoming our guests to the PJ community and wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving with loved ones.  Students will be released back through the South doors, by classroom with their teachers, while their guests will then head to the Coffee Reception.

9:30-10:00    Grandparents and Great Friends Coffee Reception.  Held in the Ramada.  During this time, students will return to class with their teachers to have a snack from home, and “set up” for their visitors.   Guests will be invited to enjoy coffee and refreshments in the Ramada with Administration and HSA parents before heading over to the student’s classroom.  They will be directed to the classroom(s) by Student Ambassadors.

10:00-11:00  Grandparents and Great Friends Visit Classrooms.  Guests will begin classroom visit(s).  During this time, the teacher may have activities for the guests to participate in or show and share items for the students.  Guests may be visiting several classrooms, so expect some visitors coming and going throughout the hour.  Student Ambassadors will guide the guests to the appropriate classroom(s).

11:00  Grandparents and Great Friends Day Concludes.  For those students who have made prior arrangements to be released to the Grandparent, Great Friend, or Parent, they may be released.  The office and the teacher will have the information on file as to which student(s) will be released with their Guest.  Each teacher will have a sign-out sheet as well for those early releases.

12:00  Dismissal

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Principals Day from the 2nd grade

Tuesday

Today we worked on the birth day of Jesus and we also talked about the 3 Wise Men.
In language arts the students completed a spelling test, dictation, CLOZE, and and weekly assessments.
In addition, students worked on their commercials. We are almost ready for videoing.
In math we worked on multiplication and how it is like addition and that sets must be equal.
In social studies students worked on their American History timelines.

Don't forget this Thursday is buck-a-jeans and buck-a shoe day in honor of Principal's Day.

Monday

Today we began talking about Advent in religion.
In reading we reviewed long o and long a sounds and all the different ways they are spelled.
Students read about being safe and different kinds of safety equipment, like helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads. They also worked on their Vote for Donkey or Elephant commercials in small groups.

In math students took a subtraction time test and we began multiplication.
In social studies we are assembling our history timeline.

REMINDER: PICTURE RETAKES ARE TOMORROW. YOU NEED TO RETURN YOUR PICTURES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE RETAKES.

Thursday

In religion today we began talking about Advent and how Mary was born without sin so she could be the Mother of Jesus. We also talked about how she always said yes to God and didn't sin.

In reading we talked about using illustrations to get information using the story, "Officer Buckle and Gloria". 

Students also read about fire safety. there are writing about safety this week in their writing journals.

They are also going to draw a diagram of their houses showing where the windows and doors are. 

This should be fun!

In social studies we started the history unit beginning with Native Americans. Students will be creating a timeline of US history events, including pilgrims, pioneers, the Civil War, immigrants, and looking at the history of a community.

In math we are finishing up two-step story problems. However, I will continue to send some home for practice.

Tomorrow is buck-a-jeans day and PRIDE Day.

Tuesday

In religion today we talked about loving and obeying God and loving others.
We also discussed that when we choose not to obey God, it is a sin. We also talked about the two kinds of sins: mortal and venial. We also talked about the different kinds of prayer: adoration, thanking, asking for yourself, and praying for others. They worked on samples of each kind of prayer.

In reading we worked on cause and effect. Students also took the spelling test, dictation, CLOZE test, and weekly assessment. We also started on the Donkey/Elephant commercials.

In math students worked on two step story problems, using bar models. These are causing some problems, as students think they know how to do them and when it's time for independent work, they weren't actually paying attention. So, tomorrow they will work on these again.

I will be at the Diocese tomorrow for a Science Common Core Meeting.

Monday

If you belong to St. Bernadette's Parish and  haven't registered their child for Reconciliation yet, to please do so prior to November 20th.

Today there was a school-wide tribute for Veterans Day. It was a lovely ceremony and I think the vets felt honored. Students also made cards to give to the vets that attended. They also made extra cards to go to vets at a hospice center. 

Then students finished a Theme Assessment for reading of Unit 2. We also worked on context clues, using a drop down menu on the computer, action verbs, and abbreviations.

In math, students worked on two-step problems. They work on this tomorrow again.

We began talking about voting in social studies. I read them a book called, "Vote for Me!". It is about a donkey and an elephant running for office and their antics for getting elected. In small groups students will write and perform a commercial about why we should vote for either Donkey or Elephant. I will tape them and upload on our website when completed.

This Friday is Pride Day.

Wednesday

Students attended Mass today as usual.
After Mass students worked on grammar and then bar models in math. When they were done they began making "Thankful Turkeys".

Tuesday

Parent conferences all week and 11:50 dismissal.
We are finishing up unit 2 in reading. Students will take a unit assessment later this week.
Students made some Veteran's Day cards. They will finish on Thursday.
Students completed a spelling test and dictation test, along with a CLOZE test.
We ran out of time so they will finish up grammar and work on math tomorrow after Mass.
Conferences have been great so far!

Thursday

Happy Halloween!
Students completed the chapter 3 math test.
They worked on a new story today called, "There's Nothing Like Baseball". They also worked on making inferences in the story.
Students went to PE and Music today.
In the afternoon students worked on making their brain hats and they also made spiders.
Tomorrow students may wear spirit shirts, even though we are going to Mass at 10:00.
Those who ordered smoothies will receive those after Mass about 11:00.
Tomorrow is a regular 12:20 dismissal.

Wednesday

Saint pages are almost done.Students worked hard all morning inserting pictures and writing about their saints. They did a really nice job. They are getting the idea of capitals at the beginning of sentences and periods at the end. I will put on the website soon.

In math we completed a review and tomorrow will be the chapter 3 quiz. Students seem to have a handle on the regrouping concept.
In language I introduced the new story along with the vocabulary.
In science students created their own spider webs using white glue.
Tomorrow is Halloween accessory day.

Tuesday

Students are feeling Fall in the air. All are so excited for Halloween.
In religion students made tablets like the ones Moses received from God and they wrote the Ten Commandments on them.
In language arts students did the usual weekly tests and assessments.
Students went to Library and PE.
In math students learned to subtract regrouping with zeros in the hundreds and tens places.
Regrouping is homework tonight.
In science we worked on a human body quiz and started learning a little bit about spiders.
As students are excited enough, there is NO Halloween party.

Monday

Today we begin discussing the Ten Commandments and that God gave them to Moses so that we can be happy.
In language students finished up reading work from last week along with some work in science. Students were able to work on the ipads in small groups using language apps.
In math we regrouped in the hundreds, tens, and ones. Be expecting that for homework tomorrow night. Students also worked on math apps on the ipads.
In science students made bones out of paper and it shows the inside parts of the bone.

Friday

Today was Silly Socks for a Buck. I did post pictures of all of our silly socks. What a great day for this, since Harvest Festival is tonight and we are excited anyway!
In religion students took an chapter assessment.
In language students did some peer editing.
In math students took a basic facts test and they practiced regrouping.
They also had Spanish and art.
Happy Friday! See you tonight!

Silly Socks!

Silly Socks

Silly Socks!

Silly socks!

Silly Socks Day

Mrs. Marshall's silly socks!

Thursday

Used Uniform Sale (in the gym)

Thur, Nov 7th from 1-6

Friday, Nov 8th from 8-2 

DON'T FORGET BUCK-A-CRAZY-SOCKS Day tomorrow. Proceeds go to JDRF.

Harvest Festival is tomorrow night.

Don't forget to look on Gradelink for your child's report card.

Today we finished talking about Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and David.

In language students practiced making inferences, contractions, and long i. A fairly new concept was learning what a thesaurus is and the difference between a thesaurus and dictionary.

In math students completed workbook pages in subtraction using regrouping.

In science students learned about the skeletal system and they are constructing their own skeletons out of paper. 

Tuesday

In religion today we talked about those people in the Old Testament who chose to follow God. The first person we talked about was Noah and his family. Next, we talked about Abraham and Isaac and how Abraham decided to trust God and give Him his son. Then an angel came and saved Isaac.
Students did go to the library and to PE.
Students completed the weekly assessment and the spelling tests. They also worked on review pages in their spelling workbooks. We will continue to work on synonyms, antonyms and homophones.
In math students practiced regrouping in hundreds and tens.
In science students worked on the circulatory system.
I will be at a meeting all day for the science common core tomorrow down at the Diocese.
Don't forget to sign up for conferences and to look at grades tomorrow afternoon online.

Monday

Today students worked hard on their "I Am Special" power points and most worked on putting their information in a word document and inserting a picture of their saint. These should be done by All Saints Day.
In reading students worked on homophones, proper nouns, story sequencing, and reference materials. It is always surprising and I guess my age is showing when I show them an almanac and most have never seen one before. I also need to explain that we no longer have cards for a card catalog, that it's all on-line. It's good for them to learn about those "old fashioned" things. :)
In math we continued to practice regrouping using tens and ones. Those needing manipulatives are encouraged to use them. I highly encourage the use of manilulatives until students don't need them anymore. It is different for all.
I did send out the link for parent conferences on sign up genius. Please look for it. If you did not receive the link, please email me and I will send it to you.

Friday is the Harvest Festival.

Friday

Today is the end of the 2nd quarter. I did go through student folders and sent home papers that we don't need anymore. Most of them were fun papers and do not need to be completed or returned.

Today was a busy day. Students partnered in math to practice regrouping. They did an awesome job peer tutoring. Students also gained greater understanding of the concept and they all learned patience.
Students went to Spanish in the morning.
Using the netbooks, students looked up information on a saint of their choice. Most were able to find some information. We will work on this on Monday. Students will use this information to create a power point about their saint.
Today was also PRIDE Day. The topic was poverty. Students were amazing at being able to relate to those in need and they were able to verbalize how we, at Bl. Pope John XXIII School truly help those in need.

You will be able to view report cards online on Wednesday afternoon.
Remember the Sock Drive begins on Monday.

Wednesday

Today we had a visiting priest from Notre Dame High School say the school Mass. He talked about always thanking God for what He has given us.
After Mass, we spent the morning working on subtraction using regrouping. Today students wrote the problems and did the regrouping.
We did go to Adoration in the afternoon.
I introduced the new vocabulary words for the new story called,"A Trip to the Emergency Room". We also talked about hospital workers and we practiced using context words to figure out the meaning of our vocabulary words. We also played a vocabulary game for a review of compound words, antonyms, synonyms, and prefixes and suffixes.

Friday will be a buck-a-jeans and buck-a-colored tennis shoes day along with PRIDE Day.

Tuesday

The Book Talks are wonderful. Students worked so hard on them and their presentations were spot on. They knew the main characters, the problem, the solution, and the setting. These will most likely be quarterly project with the exception of the holidays in the 2nd quarter.
In religion we talked about our favorite saint and how we can stay close to God. We will be starting our saint research and powerpoint this week. Hopefully they will be done by Nov. 1, All Saints Day.

Students went to the library and to PE. Students completed the Weekly Assessment and a CLOZE test, then we listened to Book Talks. We will finish up tomorrow.
The book talks are displayed in the classroom if you would like to come and see them before school.
Book Orders were also due today. I will close out this months order tomorrow.

Monday

Book Talk and Book Orders are due tomorrow. There is NO spelling test tomorrow.

There is a grid for homework this week. The spelling words for this week are in the student agendas.
In religion today we are discussing the Sacraments.
In language art students worked on homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms, along with writing a "how to" narrative, and similies. Students shared their book talks, too. All of them are awesome!
In math students practiced regrouping in subtraction with manipulatives.
In social studies students saw a movie on Christopher Columbus and finished up a Columbus packet.
In science we reviewed the parts of the respiratory system.

Wednesday

They finally did it! 2B earned "FREE TIME" by having excellent group behavior. They have been earning these letters since the beginning of the year! The prize is a small indoor extra recess, which they love and especially cherish because they earned it.
They were also exceptional during Mass this morning.
After Mass we worked on consonant blends, compound words, and antonyms. In grammar students worked on singular and plural nouns. They also worked on "How to" narratives, telling how to make something or how to care for a pet.
In math students worked on subtraction.
In social studies they were read a story about Christopher Columbus.
Happy Wednesday and Happy Long Weekend! God Bless and Stay Safe

Tuesday

Today we began by talking about Baptism and God's grace. Students went to library today.
Then we had a spelling test and dictation test. Remember there are no words this week because of the long weekend.
Students then went for pictures and off to PE. After that they finished up some past work and practiced compound words along with other activities in their spelling books..
After lunch students worked with base ten blocks and mats as they practiced subtraction and some subtraction with regrouping.
For science we began our unit on the systems of the body starting with the respiratory system. We watched a short video and then there was an interactive activity on the Smartboard we used.

Monday

There is no homework grid this week because of the long weekend. There will also be no spelling test on Tuesday, October 15. Book talks and Book Orders are due on October 15.

We discussed the  Mysteries of the Rosary and I read students a book about Mary. Students also learned that Mary was born without sin. They also learned that she was taken to Heaven both body and soul and was made Queen of Heaven and Earth.
In reading students worked on consonant blends, vocabulary, story sequencing, and we reviewed antonyms.
They also finished up their picture of their tiny seed and they also worked their All About Me powerpoints. Most of them are done. When all of them are done I will post them for you to see.
In math we began subtraction.
In the afternoon, there was a school-side Rosary honoring Mary.  Carter, Nicholas, and Iliana did an awesome saying the Hail Mary in front of the school. Great Job!

Reminder: Picture day is tomorrow. Wear your uniforms!

School-wide Rosary

Carter is saying 2 Hail Marys.

Rosary

Nicholas is saying a Hail Mary.

Rosary

Wednesday

Students were so well behaved during Mass today. Fr. Pete talked about our Guardian Angels, as it is the feast of Guardian Angels. I did not know that God creates a special guardian angel for each one us when we are born. That is our very special angel that is with us always. Very special!!

In math students worked with manipulatives regrouping in the ones and tens. Then they went to paper and pencil and grasp the concept. They also completed the DIBELS Math assessment.
In language they completed the weekly assessment. They also finished writing about a seed and where it ends up when it is blown by the wind.
In social studies we talked about being a good citizen and how it related to being a good Catholic and doing the work of Jesus.

Monday

Today we talked about Original Sin and about how Adam and Eve made bad choices which offended God. We talked about how offended means you hurt someone's feelings. In addition, we discussed how God always loves us even when we offend Him.
In math we worked on regrouping in the tens. Students also went onto the Thinkcentral.com website to practice their math.
In reading students began a powerpoint about themselves. This was a practice and they will begin to find facts about their favorite saint. They will put these on index cards and then use them to create a powerpoint about their saint.
In grammar students practiced nouns and commas.
We did a lot of work on the netbooks today.

Thursday

This morning students worked on Math concepts and computation in the ITBS. We will finish tomorrow with social studies and science.
In language arts students wrote their final draft of their letters to someone telling about themselves.
They also listened to the story, "The Tiny Seed" and we discussed some facts they already knew about seeds and plants.
Students went to PE and Music today.
In math students practice regrouping using addition.
In religion we talked about how great the Garden of Eden was for Adam and Eve. We also talked about our Guardian Angels and the Archangels. Students brought home a paper with the Guardian angel prayer and the Prayer to St. Michael. They can say one prayer in the morning and one at night so they learn them. We say the Guardian Angel prayer at the end of the day everyday, but they don't know the Prayer to St. Michael yet.

Wednesday

Today after mass Deacon Al blessed all the 2nd graders and then blessed all the school supplies that were going to schools in need.  This made the 2nd graders feel very special.

Then it was back to ITBS which took most of the rest of the morning.
Our new reading story is called "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle. We talked about how Eric Carle uses a lot of tissue paper in his illustrations. So as a class we are going to make our own book about a seed. Each student will write and illustrate their own page.

In math students continue to work on regrouping in addition in the ones place.
In social studies we talked about what a community is, who lives there, and what it looks like.

Tuesday

Today we completed another hour of ITBS testing.
Students were able to go to the library and to PE today. They were also able to get outside for their afternoon recess.
In math students worked with manipulatives as they began to regroup in the ones place.
In language students had their regular weekly assessments: spelling, dictation, CLOZE, weekly assessment.
We completed these in the afternoon to give students a break.
They also began to peer edit some writing.
In social studies we began their My Communities booklet.

Monday

Students started taking the ITBS tests today. A big thank you to HSA for providing a test snack to help boost our brain power. We will continue with these each morning over the next week.
There will be a spelling test tomorrow. The only homework this week will be the homework grid.
We forgot to fill in our agendas today, so we will tomorrow and we will include the new spelling words.

In religion we are finishing up the chapter on Creation. In language arts we worked on long o, combining sentences, quotation marks, and vocabulary. Students also wrote a letter to a friend telling about themselves. This is a rough draft and they will edit and revise tomorrow. Then they will write their final draft.

In math we sorted our manipulatives so we have enough for everyone, since they got kind of mixed up. In computers students wrote about their favorite animal in God's Creation. They also learned how to insert a picture and then make it smaller.

Our PE day has changed from Monday to Tuesday at the same time.

Thursday

The 2nd grade classes worked tirelessly to sort and count all the school supplies that were collected last week. There sure were a lot of supplies! They will be sharing the totals tomorrow at courtyard prayer.

In reading students listened to "My Name is Yoon". We also discussed making predictions and confirming predictions. They also worked on "surprise spelling words" and practicing how to use "there and their" using context clues.
Students also practiced taking the ITBS by listening to me and filling in bubbles in the ITBS practice booklet. They should be good to go on Monday for testing.  We will be testing starting Monday and we will test the first hour of school. The rest of the day will remain the same. They will still have their spelling test on Tuesday. However, the homework grid will be the only homework next week.

In social studies we began by talking about communities.

Tomorrow is $1.00 for jeans and $1.00 for colored tennis shoes, if you choose. The money as always goes to charity.

Wednesday

Today started with going to mass with our prayer buddies for the first time this year. It was terrific. Everyone was so well behaved and respectful.
We then moved onto our new vocabulary and phonics for the week. We reviewed the -ed suffix. The students are really catching on. We also reviewed surprise words like many, what, and they.
Then we corrected the Mountain Language center activity and The Exercise Express center.
This took a while since it was their first time, but they did an awesome job.
We then moved on with the ITBS practice test to get the students more relaxed with the testing procedures.
After lunch we worked a little more in the practice test booklets.
Then we went to Adoration where all the students double genuflected and prayed prayerfully and quietly.
Wow! After that we worked in addition regrouping to the ones place.

No wonder I'm tired we worked really hard today and were so busy! PHEW!

Tuesday

This morning students wrote in their religion journals. They created an acrostic poem about God as our Creator. Then they drew a picture of God's creation. Then they picked their favorite of all God's creation and used clay to create it. They brought their clay creations home.

In language students completed the spelling test, dictation, CLOZE test, and Weekly Assessment.
In math they completed some addition and patterning pages.
They finished up their history of technology in transportation unit.
They met their prayer buddies today. They will sit with them at mass tomorrow.

Grades in Gradelink

Tomorrow Progress Reports will be available in Gradelink.
Below is what the letters mean:

M=  Mastering

D=  Developing

E=  Emerging

Mastering and Developing mean an understanding of concepts being taught. Emerging means a student is not quite there yet.

There may not be a grade for social studies yet as we haven't finished the unit yet.

Monday

Happy Monday! Today students completed a reflection on the School Supplies Drive. They reflected on what  they did, who they did it for, and why they felt it was important.
In language students wrote a letter to a friend about themselves. They also worked in centers.
In addition they worked on a rhyming poem and practiced some dictionary skills.
In math they are adding without regrouping.
In science students started looking a technology in transportation and how it has changed. I read them a book about the first hot air balloon that carried a pig, a chicken and a goose. It's really cute ask your child about it.

Reminder Friday is PRIDE day and $1.00 jeans day. This Friday is only jeans.

Friday

A huge thank you to all the parents who made the 2nd grade School Supplies Drive a huge success.
Our 2nd graders did an amazing job leading Courtyard Prayer. Also, thank you to the week's class photographer, Abigail, who took the Courtyard Prayer pictures.

In math we started addition without regrouping.
In language students worked on predicates and commas between city and state, and in the date.
They also had Spanish and art.

Courtyard prayer

Courtyard Prayer

Opening Prayer

God is good, all the time!

Wednesday

The 2nd grade Mass leaders did an awesome job today! They all knew what they were supposed to do and they were all great!

Peter Brown, the children's author, came to school and presented to the kinder-2nd graders. He was very entertaining and he really inspired my class to begin writing and illustrating their own books. Some even took out paper and pencils to afternoon recess so they could begin writing their own books. Some are even bringing it home to work on tonight.

Students took the chapter 1 math assessment. Tomorrow we will begin addition without regrouping. I will continue to send home place value homework for practice.

2B was inspired by author Peter Brown's visit to write and illustrate their own books!!

Artfully inspired

Awesome artist

Wonderful writers!

Budding authors

Inspired illustrator Nicholas

Tuesday

Another wet rainy day! The rain sure came down this afternoon. I think every student had to use the restroom so they could see and experience the pouring rain. Thankfully it stopped just in time for the end of the day dismissal.
In language today students took their first Weekly Assessment and their first CLOSE spelling test, along with a regular spelling test and a dictation test. They also wrote their final draft about their favorite friend.
In religion students took Quiz 2 about the Holy Trinity.
In math student worked on the reviews in their textbook and they worked on pages in their workbooks.

Tomorrow is the 2nd grade Mass. Be sure to have your child here by 8:00 as we will go over to the church so those with parts in the Mass can practice. The school supplies continues on rain or shine.

Peter Brown, a children's author, will be at school tomorrow at 1:00 to give the students in the primary grades a presentation.
Don't forget 2nd grade also has 12:10 Courtyard Prayer on Friday.

Monday

What a wet Monday! The 2nd graders did an excellent job with morning Courtyard Prayer. Congratulations!
Students signed up to hold up signs will still hold up signs tomorrow and for the rest of the week.

On Wednesday the 2nd grade class will be the leaders at Mass. Margaret will read the introduction and Carter will be taking up the wine for our class.

In religion we finished up reading about the Blessed Trinity.
In language arts we worked on Table of Contents. Students highlighted the important information and used it to answer the questions. They also completed the weekly fluency and comprehension check. We reviewed short vowels and patterns.
In math we worked on ordered numbers and patterns.
In science we worked in our germs packet. We will be finishing up germs tomorrow.

Friday

Yesterday students were busy making amazing School Supplies Drive posters and banners for the 2nd grade drive next week. Today Alexis and Haley helped with our announcement and Winston helped by wearing the crayon costume. They all did an great job! Their pictures have been posted in earlier posts. Be sure to check them out.
If you are signed up for a shift in the mornings next week, the students may wear the costumes and hold up signs. Remember only students with parents may be on the curb holding signs and collecting supplies.

Today in religion we are reviewing the Blessed Trinity.
In grammar students reviewed subject and the greeting and closing of a letter.
In math we worked on comparing numbers, i.e.  greater than and less than.
Students also had Spanish and art today.
Happy Friday!

School Supplies Drive

School Supplies Drive

School Supplies Drive

Wednesday

See you tonight for Curriculum Night which runs from 6:00-7:00. There will be 3- 15 minute sessions with a 5 minute transition. You only need to stay for one session. They will be repeated.

Tuesday

Today students took their first religion quiz. I will be sending those home as soon as they are graded. They all did an excellent.
They also took their first spelling test. The new spelling words for this week are in their agendas and on the website. The Homework Grid is too. In language they learned some cute chants for remembering "there" and "their". There also was one with contractions and one for "surprise words", like said, what, was and they.
In math students are reviewing all the different ways to write a number, i.e. standard form (908), word form (nine hundred eight), and expanded form ( 900+8). They are getting the idea.

Help Wanted for the School Supplies Drive

Faith in Action

“We are the hands and feet of Christ”

2^nd Grade

School Supplies Drive

September 9-13

The Faith in Action program at Blessed Pope John XXIII is designed to teach students, as they grow, how to be good stewards of all the gifts God has given them.  This is done by:

1)     Helping students see that God has given them many blessings

2)    Teach a gratefulness to God for those blessings

3)    Show that stewardship is a way of life

In age appropriate ways, through different categories of service, each grade level learns about a different need in our community.  Coordinating with Administration and Faculty, parent volunteers are called upon to help set up service projects for the students throughout the year.

This year, your project is “School Supplies Drive”

Within our community and throughout the valley, there are families who are unable to provide what a child needs just to get through a day of school.  There are schools within our diocese which also often fall short on their supplies as well.  That is where our wonderful 2^nd grade comes in…they step in to BE the hands and feet of Christ!!

This is a GRADE wide project which is facilitated as a WHOLE 2nd grade

Volunteer Parent Opportunity

Throughout this week, your children will be preparing signs and posters as well as ways to reach out to our students and community to make them aware and remind them of their drive next week.

The children will be allowed, under parent supervision, to be curbside with posters and to collect school supplies from our community.

We will need:

*1 parent volunteer to send out a sign up genius to ALL 2^nd grade

*4-6 parent volunteers to be curbside or in the courtyard next week each day from 7:30-8:00 to supervise

*ONLY children whose parents are volunteering will be allowed grace should they run a couple of minutes late getting back into class in the morning of their shift

ONLY the children whose parents sign up for curbside will be allowed outside the gate.  All children are welcome in the courtyard to hold signs and collect

We thank you in advance for your support of our program.  We cannot do it without you and we are so appreciative!!

Friday

In religion we reviewed what the Bible is and who gave it us and who wrote it. I also read them a story about a new students at school called, The Brand New Kid. This was our CARE class meeting for bully prevention. We talked about how one student in the story became a defender instead of just a bystander. We also talked about how others besides the one being bullied can have their hearts broken by mean words or behavior.
In maths students worked on different ways numbers can be written. The standard form, the word form and the expanded form. They are also learning how to write their answers in their math journal and transfer from the textbook to the journal. This is a really hard skill to learn. They did an awesome job!

Students had Spanish and art today. We also had a practice lock down.
We will be having a spelling test on Tuesday. The words are on the website in the Homework section and in their agendas.

The second grade will be leading Mass on Sept. 11. They will also have morning courtyard prayer on Monday, Sept. 9, and afternoon courtyard prayer on Friday, Sept 13. That is also the week of the 2nd grade Faith in Action project: The School Supplies Drive. More information will follow next week.
Have a great long weekend!

Thursday

Wow! Even with PE and music we did a lot of work. In math students worked on place value and numbers up to 1,000. They enjoyed working on the Smartboard. They also worked in their math workbooks.
In language we started a new story called, "Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea". Students are working on the plot using beginning, middle and end. We worked on spelling the hard to remember words "they" and "there". Students used dry erase boards for phonics.
They were able to work independently as I began calling small groups.

Wednesday

Everyone is happy now that the hard math and reading benchmarks are done and we are back working on beginning of the year reviews and skills.
Today was Mass with Fr. Pat.  Then we worked in grammar learning editing marks for capitals, periods and question marks. Students organized their binders. Then they were able to use Word in the netbooks to spell their spelling words. They explored how to make the words bigger, different colors and different fonts.
After lunch we went to Adoration and then spent the rest of the afternoon working on math. Students were able to write numbers on the Smartboard. We reviewed hundreds, tens, and ones using base ten blocks.

We are still looking for a Faith in Action parent to lead our School Supplies Drive the week of Sept. 9-13. It isn't very complicated and it's a lot of fun! Contact me or Patti Jasinski. She will also be to help the Faith in Action parent.

Tuesday

2B is in need of a Faith in Action parent to lead our School Supplies Drive that runs the week of Sept. 9-13. If you are interested, you may let me know or Patti Jasinski. She can also give you any information for being our Faith in Action parent. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Please remember to send in morning snacks even when your child has hot lunch. They hungry by mid morning are in need of a snack.

In religion we talked about how God gave us a soul that is the thinking part of us. Students also worked on some basic catechism questions like: Who is God? Where does God live? Is God everywhere? What is our soul?
In reading students worked on comprehension, dictionary skills, text features like captions, character and setting. We began spelling today. The spelling words are in the homework section of the 2B website and they are in the student agendas.
In math we began by reviewing counting by tens by playing a game like Chutes and Ladders. We also reviewed the different ways of writing numbers.
In science we began a unit on germs, by starting with how germs spread.
Tomorrow is Mass and we will be going to Adoration from about 12:45-1:15.

Thank you  for remembering to send in water bottles. It is so humid that even going on a restroom break leaves many thirsty and the water bottles seem to keep the germs from spreading.

Monday

Today students wrote in their agendas. The agendas and their yellow folders are to go back and forth daily. I also sent home the Homework Grid for this week. They are to do one activity a night or they may do them all at once. All grid homework is due on Fridays. Spelling words will be given out on Tuesdays. They will be listed in agendas and on the website in the homework section. Next week we will begin to send home additional homework during the week.

I will be sending home the IXL.com usernames and passwords. They will be located on the inside cover of the agendas.

Thank you for sending in water bottles. Students get thirsty even when they are inside.
Today in religion we talked about God the Father in heaven.
Students completed a few assessments this week. They are all done now except for Dibels and the IOWA tests. Students did some phonics, vocabulary and they worked on characters and settings in a story.
Students benchmarked in math today.

Friday

We have begun our studies and students worked hard today. In religion I read the story, Just the Way You Are, then students created butterflies and wrote about their favorite things. We also discussed that God loves you just the way you are.

We began our first reading story, "David's New Friends". We discussed character and setting. In their writing journals students wrote about their first day of school using complete sentences with capitals and periods. I was very impressed with their writing! Students also looked through the stories and found stories that they thought might be about a creation God made, like whales, seals, and fire.
In math we began "The Number of the Day". This routine is daily math practice using great than, less than, odd, even, and writing the word form of a number. This is great for review daily using different numbers.

Students also had their first day of Spanish.
Another great day in 2B!

See you all at Bingo tonight!

The First Full Day of School

What a fun first day back! We celebrated Mass first thing. Students were so well behaved.
After Mass students learned the words "multi-tasking", as they ate their snacks and worked on the letters worm. We also learned about our classroom rules and where items were in the room.
Students also sorted their supplies. We grouped art supplies and I collected pencils, glue sticks, and white glue for community use.

Students completed a math review to see what they remember from 1st grade.
We read You are Special  by Max Lucado and we talked about how great God is and He made all of us to be His special creations. We ended the day discussing how we can be defenders of anyone who cannot defend themselves as Jesus calls us to do. This worked into a review of our bully prevention rules.
They all seemed to have a great day and want to come back tomorrow.

WELCOME TO 2nd GRADE

It has been wonderful meeting all my new students.
Tomorrow is the first full day of school. Be sure to bring a snack and a water bottle.
See you soon.

The Little Red Hen play performance

This is the link to watch our play, "The Little Red Hen". The sound is a bit soft so you may need to turn up the volume. This is my first uploaded video. Highlight the link and then right click on "Go to schooltube.com".

http://t.schooltube.com/wf/click?upn=p3UxYUIbet1kxG6BGIW1wmX4fGBclPchId2-2BVyvJigi0KXGvd4oD5tTXrqUiYjpBaO2caBoGrqSaYHLJtPhJ9g-3D-3D_OBa5ail8L5n-2BKs97fcOCdNL-2BALTy7UhdBPpFDcvg-2BPgCDiBvP0E4uxf2Q84-2F8MvFM6JxaTfS5KdU6NVzUE-2FOFE-2FhSAm71nyDRD7JDML-2BDoPu6Q7oFMa19WP6868MwsCdDzA-2BbotTtUUnzF6r5HFTbEL10IkF0cqTEqN1Q-2F-2F1jAk-3D

Wednesday

Tomorrow is the End of the Year Party at 12:30 in 2B until about 1:25.
Friday is the 2B play, The Little Red Hen at 11:00 in 2B.
Happy summer, almost!

Little Red Hen Play Performance

2B will be performing their play, The Little Red Hen, on Friday, June 7 at 11:00 in 2B classroom.
Hope to see parents there.

Tuesday

Today read out of the New American Bible. They were able to find the Psalms in the Old Testament. I was so impressed. They really enjoyed thumbing through it. Then they were given a Psalms packet of very positive, beautiful psalms for them to illustrate.

Students practiced the play in full costume.;) They almost all know their lines.
They had their last PE class of the year. Tomorrow will be the last art and Spanish classes of the year.

Student worked on antonyms, synonyms, and adverbs in language. They are also learning how to fill in the answer sheet for the IOWA tests next year. Unlike this year they will not be able to write in their booklets. They will have answer sheets. I like to introduce them now so next year they will have some idea where to put their answers.

Students will be seeing their prayer buddies tomorrow afternoon to visit.
Don't forget tomorrow is the last all school Mass day of the year.

Monday

This is the last week of school. Students will be working on the Psalms in religion starting tomorrow. The ones I have chosen a light and happy and sing about the wonderful work God does.
There is not written homework this week. However, IXL.com should be done every night.
Students should also continue to review their lines for the play on Friday.
Students worked on the scenery today painting and coloring it. They did an excellent job!
In math students worked on time.

Yes, students may bring a board game to share this week. I will give then some time to use them, but we are still working in 2B.

There is a gently used backpack and unused school supplies drive Wed., Thurs., and Fri.. The fifth graders were on News Ch. 15 for the OK Oklahoma clothes drive last week.

Be sure to send in water. It is June in Arizona and that means H-O-T.

Friday, the last day of school the Little Red Hen will be presented in 2B after awards about 10:45.
There will be courtyard prayer at 11:40 and 11:50 dismissal for primary.

Thursday

Today we discussed how we are all special and we all bring special gifts to the Church as a part of the Church.
Students were busy most of the day coloring their animal for the play. They were able to color them however they wanted. Many are very creative and really show personality.
In math we started time.
I did not give out homework for tonight. It's a NO homework night.
Tomorrow is bring a dollar and wear any color tennis shoes.

Tuesday

This morning we talked about the Church and who are part of the Church. Students also practiced the Apostles' Creed.
In reading students took the Weekly Assessment and they also took a spelling test. We are done with dictation and close tests for the year.
We also practiced the play.
In math students took a quiz on capacity and we reviewed graphs this afternoon.

The 8th grade Baccalaureate Mass is this afternoon at 5:00 pm. in St. Bernadette's church.

Drive for Oklahoma Tornado victims

Five of our outstanding fifth graders are leading the charge to help the people of Moore, Oklahoma that were affected by this week's tornadoes.  Please bring gently used shoes, shorts and shirts to drop off next Thursday, May 30th and Friday, May 31st.  These items will then be donated to St. Vincent de Paul.  We are also going to raise money for the American Red Cross by having a "Buck-a-Shoe" day this Friday, May 31st.  For just a dollar students can wear any color tennis shoes.  Thank you for your support of our outstanding students and the people of Oklahoma.

Happy Friday! Have a great long weekend! See you all next Tuesday for the last 9 days of school.

Thursday

Today we discussed Pentecost and that we are now in the season of ordinary time.
In reading we practiced the play and students worked on r-controlled vowels, vocabulary, and using story facts and what you know to make judgments about the story.
Students did have music and PE today.
In math students began a new unit on capacity. They made a gallon man to help them remember what pints, quarts, and cups to make a gallon.

2B will be presenting their play on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 10:45 in our classroom. Student awards will be presented and then students will perform the play for our parents.
Hope everyone can come.

Wednesday

We had such a very busy day!  Fr. Pete congratulated the 8th graders on their graduation. Students were very well behaved.
In reading students read two stories about different kinds of art. We are also working on making judgments and giving details from the story as reasons for a judgment.
In science students rotated through centers. They were able to navigate the ipads exploring different science apps.Then they explored and drew life cycles of a frog, a butterfly, and a chicken. Finally, students played  interactive games in small groups on habitats, matter, and reading details.
In math we finished up the unit on fractions.

Tuesday

In religion students took a quick quiz on the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
In language arts students took the weekly assessments, spelling, dictation and Close tests. There are still only 12 spelling words, so check the website or your child's agenda.
In maths students looked at fractions as parts of a whole. They practiced putting pictures into groups and then writing a fraction to go with it. This was not so easy for most. They wanted to count all the pictures and then make a fraction. It wasn't necessarily wrong, but not what was asked for.

Students are really making progress with their lines for the play.
Don't forget no school on Monday.

Monday

Today we talked about Pentecost Sunday. We also talked about the Ascension of Jesus after 40 days.
In reading we read some poems with rhyming and we talked about onomatopoeia.
In spelling students reviewed plurals, adjectives, and contractions. Students should bring their scripts for Little Red Hen home and back to school everyday as they need to learn their lines at home and we will be practicing everyday.
In math today we looked at fractions as parts of a whole.
In science we looked at different life cycles of frogs, butterflies, a plant, and a chicken.
Congratulations to the 6th grade who collected over 10,000 water bottles for the homeless. Thank you to all who participated.

Thursday

Today students took a religion quiz on the Mass.
In reading students worked on facts and conclusions. They also practiced reading different graphs including Venn diagrams. They reviewed contractions and punctuation. We also finished up the Dibels benchmark testing for the end of the year.
In math we began a unit on fractions and they took a subtraction time test.
In science, students went on the Fossweb.com website and explored all the concepts they learned about throughout the year. It is a fun and safe website for your child to visit.

Don't forget to bring the water bottles for the homeless. The 6th grade has a goal of 10,000 water bottles to donate to St. Vincent de Paul.
Tomorrow is PRIDE day and buck a jeans day. The last one of the year.

Tuesday

Today in religion students reviewed what to think about before and after receiving Holy Communion. They also are working on a review of the Sacraments.
In language arts students did the usual Weekly Assessment, spelling test, and dictation test. They are also working on adjectives, pronoun/verb agreement, and using commas in groups of three or more items.

We also began working on our end of the year play. Students have their scripts to begin learning their lines. They need to bring them to school everyday and practice their lines every night. They will be performing "The Little Red Hen" on the last day of school, so mark your calendars.

In math we finished up money and we have moved onto geometric shapes. Students really do know their 3 dimensional shapes, so we aren't spending much time on it.
In science we are beginning to learn about life cycles in birds, mammals, frogs, and insects.

Don't forget to bring in water bottles for the 6th Grade Faith in Action Project.

Monday

Phew! Back to a normal week of school, even if there are only 19 days left. We are still working and learning in 2B.
I did post pictures of games students created for their Book Talks. Students were able to play the games in small groups so everyone got to play a game and those that created the game boards got to use direction skills to explain them. We did listen to all but 2 book talks.

In reading/language students finished up their workbook pages and they also went to the library for the last time this year. All library books are due back next week.

In math we did finish up the money section. Students seemed to have forgotten how to rename and regroup in addition and subtraction and in story problems. Look for lots of practice for the next 3 weeks.

Tomorrow we will move onto geometric shapes, which is a short quick unit. Fractions follows that.
In science we finished up the unit on solids and liquids.

Be sure to send in water bottles. It's now hot and I think having students with their own water bottles cuts down on germs from the drinking fountain.
Friday is the last PRIDE DAY of the year and it's also a buck a jeans.
The 6th grade is having a bottled water drive for the homeless. They hope to get 10,000 bottles of water.
Hope you can help them out!

Book talk game

Students enjoyed sharing and playing their Book Talk games in small groups.

Book talk game

Book talk game

Book talk game

Book talk game

Book talk game

Book talk game

Book talk poster

Thursday

In math today we are adding money. Students also corrected work. They are forgetting how to regroup using mental math. We will be practicing this in the coming days.

In reading students took a Unit Assessment and finished up their final multi-paragraph stories. They also worked on the netbooks reseaching a topic of their choice approved by me. Hopefully, they will get to create their own webpage with the information they have gathered before the end of the year.

Tomorrow Book Talks are due!

Wednesday

I am back from my trip to New York with my daughters and from the Diocesan meeting yesterday.
Both were terrific.

The choir at mass today was wonderful. Mr. Gonzalez was out sick and the girls took over the singing and were terrific.
In math today students worked on adding money and making ways that add up to $1.00.
In language arts students worked on the ipads and on the netbooks in centers so everyone got turns on both.

Tomorrow students will go to the library at 10:00. No Music because Mr. Gonzalez is out sick.
PE is moved to Friday so Mrs. Richardson can work with the 6th graders on the President's fitness testing.

Wednesday

Thank you for all the lovely flowers and wonderful gifts. I was so surprised this morning.
We were able to take our flowers and say a short prayer at the Mary grotto this afternoon. The grotto looks beautiful with all the flowers around her.

During language arts students listened to a nonfiction story about the moon. They also were categorizing what can be seen from the earth and what was discovered when the astronauts landed on the moon.
Students also reviewed hard/soft c and g. Students explored on the ipads today.

In math students worked on the difference between writing money using the decimal point and writing money using cents only.
Students made cacti using toothpicks to make the spines.

Don't forget no school this Friday and Monday. I will be out of town tomorrow and at a meeting at the Diocese next Tuesday. Mrs. Keith will be our terrific sub for those two days.

Tuesday

What a fun day we had exploring and learning all about the Sonoran Desert! The weather was great and not too hot. We were able to see a cactus wren in her nest, some gila woodpeckers pecking at a saguaro cactus.
The desert was really active and alive today. I did post some pictures of the centers students experienced.

Before we left, I was surprised with w beautiful basket of goodies. All of my favorites, chocolate chip cookies, chocolates, lovely fruits, wonderful gift cards and gifts. I am so blessed to work in such a loving, caring community. Thank you to everyone for participating in Teacher Appreciation Week! We appreciate all of you!

We spent the afternoon writing thank you notes to Desert Center. Students did their best printing and used the correct letter format and spelling so they wouldn't need to rewrite their thank you letter.
Student also finished up writing their rough drafts of their realistic fiction multi-paragraph story.