Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our St. John XXIII Catholic School families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Have a blessed and safe vacation. See you back January 5, 2015!

Wednesday

We are all in the Christmas spirit! Yesterday students made presents for their parents and broke into song singing Christmas carols.

Thursday is buck a jeans, buck red and green accessories, and $2.00 for sweats. Our party is also in the afternoon starting about 1:15. We are also visiting our prayer buddies tomorrow before the party.

Friday is an 11:50 dismissal.
There is no homework over Christmas vacation, that includes IXL. The 2nd quarter is over on Friday.
Merry Christmas!

Monday

It's almost Christmas vacation!
In language/computers, students finished up any unfinished projects.
The students went to Germany for Christmas Around the World.
We also reviewed digraphs, vocabulary, and antonyms.
The quarter is at the end of this week.
There is no homework grid for this week! There may be some math and language.
There is a spelling test tomorrow.

Wednesday

This has been a very busy week. Mass was on Monday, instead of Wednesday. Today students had a rehearsal for the concert on Friday night.
We are busy measuring in math and writing in language. We have begun our "Christmas Around the World". Students will rotate through the 2nd grade classrooms. they will visit 6 countries over the next week. Today we visited Mexico and read about the Legend of the Poinsettia. Then they wrote about the poinsettia tradition and made a poinsettia ornament.

Don't forget to bring in your toys for Toy Drive.

Thursday

There was some excitement here at St. John XXIII. There was a big leak in the 3rd grade classrooms. The 3rd graders will be displaced until the roof is fixed. Say a prayer for them as they will need to make some transitions as they learn in the rooms at the church.

In religion students worked on the Symbols of the Holy Spirit as the related to Baptism and the other Sacraments. They also worked on the parables Jesus told about the Kingdom of Heaven.
In math, students reviewed multiplication and division.
In language, students were introduced to finding important ideas in a story and the making a summary. They also reviewed digraphs in phonics.
They also make shoes for St. Nicholas Day.

Wednesday

Students were exceptionally well-behaved during Mass today.
We began a new story called, "Super Croc". The vocabulary is pretty challenging as is the phonics for this week. In phonics, we reviewed the digraphs wh, th, ch, and sh. We also practiced summarizing the important details of the story. Students are also writing a personal narrative about the 2nd grade's School Supplies Drive and how they worked as a team.
In math, we reviewed some story problems and put them in our math journal.

Tuesday

Today students worked on using number bonds for multiplication and division fact families.
They also took a time test. They seem to be improving on these.
In language, students practiced adding words in word families. Then they added suffixes to some of these words. They also practiced contractions. Students also worked on the netbooks in Powerpoint and Word.
In religion, we talked about when Jesus left the desert and was baptized by John the Baptist. Then we discussed the two parables that Jesus told: "The Mustard Seed" and "The Buried Treasure". We also wrote an acrostic poem naming the Apostles. We also talked about how material gifts get smaller and smaller as they are shared and how spiritual gifts grow and grow and never get smaller as they are shared.
Students went to PE and had art today.

Monday

This morning we had the Advent wreaths blessed by Fr. Pete and Deacon Al.
Students made their own Advent wreaths and took them home.
Students went to music and then they were able to use the netbooks to take an online science survey for Dr. Ocshner. This took a little bit of time but the students completed it by themselves.
In math, students learned to multiply by 10. They will now be accountable to learn the 2s, 5s, and 10s times tables, along with 1s and 0s. We will review division tomorrow and then we will be working on measurement.

Monday

Today went by very fast. Students learned to multiply by 5. They listened to Multiplication Rock, the 5's and the 2's. They also worked on present tense in language, along with looking at a floor plan for fire safety.
Students went to Atrium, those that stayed compared and contrasted pilgrims and Native Americans. They worked in pairs using the ipad to create a Venn diagram using an app. Then they worked on their power points.
Tomorrow is Turkey Tuesday!
Wednesday is a 11:50 dismissal. If a grandparent/grand friend is picking up your child and is not on the blue emergency card, I will need a written note. An email will not be enough. Thank you for your help.
No Homework this week!
Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday

Students had such fun wearing ties for Principals Day!
They went to Library and had Spanish today, too.
In language, we listened to "Officer Buckle and Gloria". Students are learning how pictures can help tell a story. They reviewed the long U sound and ways to spell long U. In social studies, students finished up the government unit and reviewed the unit vocabulary. In math, students used dot paper to practice the 2's times tables. In religion, we reviewed the Holy Family and what their jobs were in the family.
Happy Thursday! Don't forget Tuesday is Turkey Tuesday! The goal is 40 turkeys for St. Vincent de Paul.

Wednesday

Students were exceptionally well behaved today during Mass.
In math, students worked on story problems and multiplying by 2's.
In language, students worked on the Theme Assessment for Unit 2.
In social studies, those not at Atrium finished reading the chapter on government and they also worked on their powerpoints.

Tuesday

We are getting to the middle of the 2nd quarter. So today was a day of assessments. Students finished chapter 5 in math so that was assessed today. They also completed the weekly assessments in language: spelling test, dictation, Cloze test, and the reading weekly assessment. In addition, in religion students took a quiz and began to learn about the Holy Family. In social students we reviewed the parts of the government and the process for solving a community problem.
They also earned "Free Time" yesterday for excellent classroom behavior. So today, they were able to have their in-class extra recess. They so needed it after all that assessing!

The food drive started today.

Monday

We are back on a regular schedule. Accreditation is done. Students received silver and blue necklaces for such a great accreditation report.  Now we are looking for to Thanksgiving!
In language, we reviewed verbs and singular possessive nouns. We also discussed abbreviations for nouns.
In math, we are finishing up the first section on multiplication and division.
In social studies, we discussed our countries symbols and heroes.
Students began using power point. They also finished using an app on the ipads called Poplite to create the sequence of "Head, Body, Legs".

The Thanksgiving food drive begins tomorrow. Don't forget!

Tuesday

The Veterans Day ceremony this morning was beautiful. The vets seemed to really enjoy it!
A big shout out to Mr. Spokas, who came and spoke to our class about his time in the Navy. The students thoroughly enjoyed his talk and he patiently answered their questions.
We did manage to get to PE or a short time.
In math, students were introduced to division. We also talked about how division is opposite of multiplication. They were able to connect that they are like addition and subtraction.
In language, we managed to finish up our work and even fit in all the usual weekly assessments.

Another big shout out to Dominic's mom, who came to visit us this afternoon and read us a book about Guatemala and share some items from there.

We also made the room and our desks spic and span for our guests coming tomorrow as Accreditation begins.

Monday

We are to a fast start! Students were able to go to Atrium today.
In math, we worked on writing multiplication stories. In language, we are worked on reviewing the unit vocabulary and we listened to the story again to refresh our memories.
In social studies, we began a unit on government and discussed who are our leaders, who makes laws, and who makes sure the laws are fair.
Students are finishing up their saint stories this week.

This Wednesday begins our Accreditation Visit and it ends on Friday. It is a very exciting time and we are so proud to show that we are wonderfully Catholic school.
Friday is Pride Day and buck a jeans.

Tuesday

I am sending out the spelling words for this week. We ran out of time and I wasn't able to give out the spelling words. Students will put them in their agendas first thing tomorrow morning.
In religion, we read and discussed Advent.
In math, we finished up the chapter review on Bar Models.
In language, students completed the weekly assessments.
In science, we finished up the unit on matter.
Happy Conference Week!

Thursday

Today students listened to "Farfallina and Marcel". Then we discussed making inferences. Ask you child which character was the goose and which was the butterfly and how they know it. In phonics, students practiced spelling different ways to spell long i and they also practiced spelling contractions.
In math, we used bar models to compare sets. In religion, we reviewed the different kinds of prayer, ways we can love God and one another, and finally we reviewed what a sin is.

Tomorrow is orange and black accessory day for those who brought in box tops.
Reading logs for October are due on Monday, Nov. 3.

Wednesday

In language, the focus is on making inferences. In phonics and spelling, the long i sound spelled with "igh, ie, and y" is one focus. We are working on the V-C-e (vowel-consonant-e) pattern for spelling long vowel words, along with learning that there is a vowel before "r-controlled vowels".

In math, we are continuing with bar models. I have noticed an improvement in addition and subtraction regrouping. Nice Job!

In science, students made a Properties of Matter wheel and we finished up liquids. Students also worked on their saint reports.

Tuesday

We had a great day! In math, students are learning to make bar models, which are a strategy like number bonds. Students are learning when to add and when to subtract in story problems. They are practicing addition and subtraction regrouping. This will continue the whole year.
In language, students took the weekly assessments. They also wrote a final draft for their "How to Make..." stories. They will finish up their saint stories hopefully this week.
In religion, we are discussing the Two Great Commandments Jesus gave us. We also discussed what a mortal sin is and what a venial sin is. We discussed what 3 things need to be present to sin. 1. It must be serious. 2. You must know it is wrong. 3. You do it anyway.
In science, we discussed that when matter is heated it can change. We also played a Matter Jeopardy game which reviewed what we have studied so far. It also included some new vocabulary.

Don't forget Friday is Orange and Black accessory day if you brought in box tops.

Wednesday

Students spent the day sharing their book talks. The book talks are excellent and so were the presentations. I was able to record them and am working on the best way to share them.
Students also completed the chapter 4 math assessment.
Tomorrow we will finish up the book talks and start bar models in math.

Tuesday

The sign up genius for fall parent conferences was sent out. If you did not receive the invitation to sign up, please let me know.
In math, students completed the chapter review on subtraction with regrouping. They will take the assessment tomorrow, along with the math Dibels assessment.
In language, students completed the weekly assessment, spelling test and CLOZE test. In spelling, we reviewed plural nouns and irregular plural nouns.
In religion, students worked on making their own Ten Commandments tablet.
They were able to have art and PE today.
Don't forget Friday is the Harvest Festival.

Thursday

Students learned a new chant to help remember when to regroup. Thank you Pinterest and Ms. Deye for sharing. Students can practice this at home.

In reading, students worked on writing an autumn poem and a"How to ..." story. They are writing how to make something. We also worked on consonant and we talked about homophones.
In religion we are finishing up the chapter on Obeying God the Father and how Noah, Abraham, and David obeyed God even when it was difficult.
Tomorrow is buck a jeans day.

Book Orders

I will be putting in the Oct. book orders this Friday, the 17th. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday

We changed seats today. Hurray! We also went to Mass, did some major regrouping in math. More practice in regrouping would be helpful.
We talked about story sequencing. Students went to Atrium. those that stayed used the ipads to practice opposites and read in small groups about tigers or eagles.
We also watched part of a movie on Matter. Whew! What a busy day!

Tuesday

Today went by very fast. Students worked in regrouping in math. They can use more practice regrouping from tens to hundreds. Most are forgetting to cross out or they are subtracting from bottom to top.
In reading we began a new story, A Harbor Seal Grows Up. The new concept is story sequencing.
Students also, wrote a final draft for their All About Me personal narratives.
In addition, they worked on some Columbus materials.
Students also took their spelling and CLOZE test today. They have their new spelling words for the week.

How I spent last Friday

Wednesday

There is language homework tonight, I did remember to pass it out.
In math, students used base ten blocks to regroup in tens and hundreds.
In language, students began taking the Unit Theme Assessment. They will finish tomorrow.
They also worked in centers while I read with students. They did an excellent job. They also had Atrium. Those that stayed with me practiced some peer editing. We also began a science unit on Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases. They described some properties of some solid objects.

Tuesday

OOPS!! We so busy doing spelling, I forgot to give out the math homework. Students can do a little extra IXL.com tonight and work on their book talks.

Monday

Today students had their vision and hearing checked. We also worked on commas with more than three nouns. Students also worked on combining sentences to make shorter ones and not repeat words. In addition, they completed their Eric Carle collages and the paragraphs to go with them. They will be writing them in the Book Writer app. During Atrium time students that stayed back worked on peer editing and they also did some science.
In math, students corrected math pages and practiced regrouping on another page.

I sent home "Book Talk" directions. Your child should only pick 1 project, not one from each section.
Also, the book they choose should be appropriate for them and not too easy or one they have already read.

I also sent home a list of spelling words your child needs to know how to spell in their daily writing by the end of the year. These words will show up on spelling tests and the dictation sentences. The frequently misspelled words will probably be repeated as spelling words throughout the year.

I also sent home Scholastic book order forms and a coupon for a free book with purchase. Book Orders will be due on Oct. 17.

Remember no school this Friday, the 10 or next Monday, the 13.

Thursday

Today students read, "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle. We discussed facts and drawing conclusions from facts. Most finished their personal narrative rough draft. They were also able to use the netbooks to explore the "The Tiny Seed" activities in the Treasures website.
In math, students began regrouping in subtraction.
In religion, we talked a little about the Liturgical Calendar and about Our Lady of the Rosary, who we pray to in October.
In social studies, students took the end of the unit assessment.

Wednesday

This has been a busy week. Mrs. Ingle, Ms. Deye, and I will be presenters at the Diocesan In-service on Oct. 10th. We have been working on this most of last week and this week, so blogging was put on hold. But I'm back.
Students went to Mass today. During Mass, the teachers read aloud and signed the Profession of Faith.
After Mass, students worked on long and short U, along with reviewing long O. They also reviewed contractions and vocabulary. In writing, they are working on a personal narrative.
In math, students used base ten blocks for grouping in subtraction.
In social studies, we are finishing up the unit on communities.

Thursday

2B had an awesome day! It started with a compliment in the library from Mrs. Houck about following directions. Then they received another compliment from Miss Lena in Spanish for being so well behaved. So they earned their first "free time" class reward for awesome behavior.
Day 4 of IOWAs are done. We will be finished tomorrow and are ready to back on a regular routine.
In math, students took a time test and corrected the quiz from yesterday.
In language, we made some predictions and what actually happened in the story.
Last day of testing is tomorrow.
The school wide Rosary will take place on Friday, Oct. 3 at 11:45.

Wednesday

Day 3 of testing is done. Students are settling in and working hard.
In math, students took the chapter 2 quiz. In language, students did some predicting about the new story, My Name is Yoon". We also discussed words with -ed endings. In addition, students corrected the weekly assessments they took yesterday.
In social studies, students are learning about different kinds of communities, urban areas/cities, suburbs, and rural areas/country.

Tuesday

Day two of testing is over. The students are holding up well and seem to be doing well. In religion,
we are finishing up the chapter on God's creation and how we can show we love Him. In the home folder, there is a page with the "Angel of God" prayer and the "St. Michael the Archangel" prayer. Students can begin saying these prayers. One in the morning and one at nighttime.
In language, students took their spelling tests and weekly assessment. They are learning about commas between the city and state and between the day and the year.
In math, we are finishing up the chapter on addition with regrouping. Some students could still use some IXL practice with addition regrouping. They will take the assessment tomorrow.
This is a calm week for testing. There are not many outside activities.
Students had art class. They also went to PE where they earned a classroom ball for great behavior!! They also earned all their points in Music. Way to go 2B!!!

Friday

Pride Day was so fun today! It was the first one of the year and the students seemed to enjoy it.
They were also able to go to music and PE. In the classroom, students took a time math computation test. They also worked on practice tests for the IOWAs next week.

We will be testing about the first hour each morning. Students should have a good breakfast and a good night's sleep. Students will be given spelling words, but no other homework next week.
Happy Friday!

Thursday

We were so busy today. Students wrote the final draft about a friend. They also went to the library. Pictures took a long time so they missed Spanish today. In social studies, we talked a little bit about Mexican Independence Day as it was on Sept. 16. They were also able to work on language websites on the netbooks. In the afternoon, students sorted all the school supplies to be taken to different schools in the diocese that have a need. In math, students practiced regrouping in the ones and tens. They used base ten blocks and white boards. They practiced lining up the numbers under each other so they get used to writing them vertically.

Also, I like to have students correct their work at school, even quizzes. If there is a circle, then a "c" that means they corrected their work. I always put a mark on each paper so show it has been seen by me. It can be a star, a stamp, a sticker, a happy face, etc. If there is no mark, please send it back and I will correct it.

Wednesday

Today after Mass Fr. John blessed the entire 2nd grade and those receiving the school supplies. If you are able to help with taking the school supplies next week, please contact Mrs. Jasinski. I did send an email with the information today.
Students worked on a new story called, "Meet Rosina". We are continuing to work on main idea and details. In phonics, students worked on long and short i and long e. They also worked on the story vocabulary. We tried centers today and it worked well. They worked on the net books and worked on beginning and middle sounds in words.
Next week, students will be taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). No need for students to worry. It's a good time for them to go to bed earlier and eat a good breakfast. We will be testing the first part of the morning, so please no absences. We are working on practice tests this week, so they will have an idea what to expect.
Friday is Pride Day and Buck a Jeans and/or tennis shoe day.

Monday

Students were able to go to Music and Atrium.
Students worked on suffixes -er and -est. They also worked on reading a table of contents and a title page of a book. Students worked on learning how to complete 2 centers: Mountain Language and Exercise Express. This was done with half the class that did not go to Atrium. The other group will do this on Wednesday. We are almost done with Dibels assessment. We will finish this week.
In math, students worked with base ten blocks renaming from tens to hundreds. They also practiced renaming from ones to tens.
We started work on the IOWAs practice tests. Filling in the bubbles is the hardest part. I did include information about the IOWAs in an email an in an earlier blog entry.

Thursday is picture day in uniform.
Friday is PRIDE DAY.

IOWA testing information

     Beginning Monday, September 22th through Friday, October 3rd, students in

grades 2-8 will be taking the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). These are

standardized achievement tests that are taken by children all over the Catholic

Dioceses. The main purposes of the ITBS are to provide the school with

information that can be used to improve instruction and to help teachers make

sound educational decisions about each student’s learning. These scores allow

teachers to check each student’s year-to-year growth and to identify some

of each student’s strong areas of achievement and needed areas of improvement.

Please allow your child to get a little extra rest, a good breakfast and to pack an

extra “healthy” snack to  school.

Courtyard Prayer

Great job, 2nd graders! You did an awesome job on the school supplies drive.

Thursday

Yesterday students did an amazing job as Mass leaders.
Today students read a story about firefighters. We discussed main idea and details using a graphic organizer. We also talked about fire safety and how firefighters fight wildfires.Then they worked on short and long a and the patterns C-V-C and C-V-C-e.
they also worked in spelling on words with irregular spellings, like they, said, was, what.
In math students worked on addition regrouping in the ones place. They also played a game where they needed to trade ones for a tens rod.
In religion students drew pictures of different levels of God's creation, starting with non-living, then plants, then animals, finally humans.

Tuesday

Today students took their spelling test and weekly assessment in language arts. They also practiced contractions, along with writing their spelling words in their agendas. The words are also in the homework section on my website.
In math, students practiced double digit addition and story problems.
In religion, we talked about God as Creator. Students worked in their religion journals creating pictures of God's creation.
Tomorrow the 2nd graders are the Mass leaders.
Remember those school supplies.

I will be closing Sept. Scholastic book orders on Sept. 18. If you need to class code, just send me an email.

Monday

What a blustery day that turned into sticky sunshine! We did have indoor recesses today. Students worked on suffixes, plot along with a story about friendship rules. Students wrote their own friendship rules. There is a spelling test tomorrow.
In math, we began working with base ten blocks adding without regrouping.
Students went to Music and Atrium today. IXL counts starting today.

Don't forget those school supplies. Students did an excellent job leading courtyard prayer from the office this morning.

Friday

What a great day to have water poured on my head for such a great cause! The teachers had such fun participating in the ALS ice bucket challenge. The school raised over $1600.00 for the John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa. 

In religion, we continued to discuss the Blessed Trinity.
In language, we worked on the endings -ed and  -ing and doubling the final consonant to keep the vowel short.
Students went to PE and Music. Then there was courtyard prayer.

Please join the 2nd grade this Monday at 7:45 as they lead courtyard prayer.
They will lead Mass on Wednesday at 8:30.
Finally, they will lead courtyard prayer on Friday at 12:10.
Don't forget the School Supplies Drive! Bring in those supplies!

Thursday

Teachers will be doing the ALS ice bucket challenge tomorrow after courtyard prayer! The students raised over $1600.00. Hooray!

Remember the grids are due tomorrow.
In religion, we discussed the Blessed Trinity and how it is a mystery.
In math students took a quiz on place value.
In language arts, students listened to the story "Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea". they also worked on plot and story parts, beginning, middle, and end. We also are reviewing short vowel sounds, suffixes, and the story vocabulary.
In science, we discussed germs and how they spread and how we can prevent germs from spreading.

It was a great day!
Thank you to all who attended the Curriculum Night last night!

Tuesday

Today was pretty busy after a long weekend. Students made beautiful posters for the 2nd grade School Supplies Drive next week. They will also be Mass leaders at the September 10 Mass, all are welcome to attend. The 2nd grade will also be leaders for courtyard prayer on Monday and Friday next week.

Tomorrow night is Curriculum Night for parents. There will be 2 sessions: 6:00-6:25 and 6:30-6:55. I hope all can attend.

More News: The students have challenged the staff at St. John XXIII to the ALS bucket challenge. This will take place if the students can raise $1000.00 on Thursday by participating in "buck-a-tennis shoe" and a buck for accessory day. If students raise the money, staff will complete the challenge at noon on Friday before courtyard prayer.

We reviewed patterns and counting in math. In language, we reviewed ABC order and they received their spelling list, grid, and the code for ordering Scholastic books. I also included some Scholastic book orders.
Students were able to go to PE and they also had art.

Wednesday

In language, students listened to the story,"David's New Friends". Then students discussed the characters and the settings in the story. We also reviewed short vowel words and the story vocabulary.

In math, we finished up the math placement assessment and then played a place value game.

Today was an atrium day.

Gradelink usernames and passwords will be emailed on Friday. It will be available for viewing on Tuesday. 

Tuesday

OOPS! Good news... No spelling test next Tuesday after Labor Day, bad news no spelling words this week. The 2nd grade team decided to wait so we could explain on Curriculum Night. It just happens to be on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 6-7 with 3 convenient 15 minute sessions to choose from. We even give 5 minutes travel time between sessions!

In math, students worked on counting by 1s, 10s, and 100s using base ten blocks. They practiced by completing pages in their workbooks.
In language, we started our first story by learning vocabulary and looking the words up in the glossary. Students also finished up a reading placement assessment. They also used whiteboards to review the short vowel sounds.
In religion, I read students the story called, "the Sunflower Parable". I also read them the story called, " the Brand New Kid" by Katie Couric. We talked about both stories.

Students went to PE and had Art, along with a fire drill. It was a busy day!

Monday

The beginning of the first full week of school was awesome! Students worked on beginning of the year assessments in reading and math. Tomorrow we will begin our first story and students will receive the first spelling words of the year.

The directions for the homework grid which was sent home today is as follows:
One activity should be done nightly. All four activities can be done on the same paper, so we save some trees. Grids may be completed early and turned in. All grids are due on Fridays.

Spelling tests will be given on Tuesdays and new spelling words will be given on that day. You may use either new words or ones from the week before for the grids. Spelling words will be in the agendas and on the website under homework.

There will be additional homework given during the week that will need to be turned in the next day.

A note: I will be out of town this Thursday and Friday for my daughter's wedding. Thank you for understanding.

Thursday

The second day of school was great! Students reviewed short a in phonics and practiced writing short a words on the whiteboards. We also discussed characters and setting by reading "The Lion and the Mouse" and "Chrysanthemum". Students also took a  language arts review assessment to see what they remember from last year.
In math, we reviewed different ways to write numbers and number sentences. We reviewed number bonds.
In religion, we talked about God the Father.
Students did have Spanish today.

Important NEWS!!

We are happy to be
NUT free
in 2B 
this year!!

Tuesday

Happy Orientation Day! It is wonderful to meet all my new students! I can't wait to begin tomorrow.
Don't forget Friday is Bingo Night from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Happy Summer!

See you in August. Have a wonderful and safe summer! God bless all of you!

Ice cream was next! Yummy!

Water balloon toss! What a great time!

Thursday

There are only 10 days of school. Students are having distraction issues, which is to be expected.
In religion we finished up the Ascension and Pentecost.
In math students are finishing up learning the chapter on picture graphs.
In language students are working on their readings for the Reading Cafe. It takes place on Tuesday, June 3.

Invitations went home today with the time for you to come and enjoy your child. Please plan on 30-40 minutes for your child to read his selections to you.

Please know if you are not able to attend, we will make sure your child has a partner to read to. It can either be a sibling or a prayer buddy or even another grown up on campus. It will a fun and memorable morning.

Fabulous field day! Go 2B!

Tuesday

Today the students took their weekly spelling test. There are no more dictation sentences or cloze tests.
Students also took their weekly assessment in language.
In math we finished up the unit on multiplication/division of 3 and 4. Students took the quiz on that chapter. They also took one part of the DIBELS Math Benchmark. They will finish tomorrow.
We began a new chapter on shapes. Students were able to create pictures using shapes. They did a great job.
Don't forget to work on Book Talks! They are due next Tuesday, May 20.
Don't forget to bring water bottles for St. Vincent de Paul and the homeless.

Green room supervisor for the school play

Liquids experiments

Students had fun exploring liquids.

Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! I did forget to give out math homework .

In religion students are learning the different parts of the Mass and what the names of the items used during the Mass.
In language students took the weekly assessments.
In math students are working on 3's in multiplication.
In science students worked in teams to create a tower using a limited number of solids . They did an excellent job. I hope to post pictures tomorrow.

Thursday

Happy May Day! During religion today I read students the story of Mary. We talked about some of the different stories about Mary. They also learned that the Immaculate Conception was when Mary was conceived, so she could be born without any original sin. They remembered that the Wedding at Cana was Jesus' first miracle. They also learned learned that Mary was taken to Heaven body and soul and she is Queen of Heaven and Earth.
In reading, we reviewed compound words, along with the "or" sound spelled with or, ore, and oar. They read about African American Inventors and are working on comparing them using Venn diagrams.
In math, we began a new chapter on multiplication. I will be sending home subtraction regrouping homework for the remainder of the year. Many need review and practice regrouping in subtraction. For those who are proficient they can use this as practice.
Students had a great music class as they prepare for the Spring Concert tomorrow night.

Wednesday

Today in religion we started discussing the Mass. Why we go to Mass, when was the first Mass, what is the Mass celebrating, etc.
Students did get to go to the library.
They completed one more math benchmark. They also completed some ABC order. In addition, they created their own parachutes in science and learned about air resistance.
Students are taking a rather long spelling test in order for them to be ready for next year. They will be getting an individualized spelling list of words they need to be proficient at spelling by the end of the year. Hopefully I will finish those up tomorrow.

Tuesday

Today students were treated to Mass with Bishop Navares. They all we so well behaved and seemed to really enjoy this visit.
In science students experimented with air pressure and they learned that gases takes up space.
In math students continued to review previous skills.
Students were also able to go to PE.
Remember to bring in white t-shirts for tie dying next week.

Monday

Happy Monday! Hope Spring Break was great!
We celebrated St. John XXIII today at Courtyard Prayer. All the prayers and letters are being shipped off after they were blessed by Fr. Pete. Our community has offered up over 100,000 prayers for St. Francis. Bishop Olmsted will be hand delivering some of the letters and other items.
In language arts, students shared their animal reports. We also worked on listening skills and we finished up our poetry packet.
Students were able to watch a video on Van Gogh in art today.
In math students completed the Cumulative Review in their workbooks.
Students were given this week's spelling words early as their is no spelling test tomorrow.

Friday is the Art Walk at 5:30 and the Spring Concert at 6:30. Students should be in the classroom by 6:15 pm.
Don't forget to start bringing your t-shirts to tie dye for field day.

Tuesday

Students have been having excellent behavior in specials. In music, yesterday they earned a Popsicle Party from Mr. Gonzalez for reaching an excellent behavior color. This is the first time all year, they made it to the top. They are also so excited about the songs they are singing for the Spring Concert on May 2.

They have also been earning Richardson Rockstars for excellent and kind behavior during PE. They only need to earn one more and then they will receive a new class ball. Great Job!

In religion we finished up Holy Week and the Resurrection with quizzes.
Don't forget the 2nd grade are Mass leaders tomorrow.
In math we finished up the chapter on time. We will be reviewing for a benchmark on units 10-14 after spring break.
In language we worked in our poetry packet and had the weekly assessment and spelling tests.

Dismissal will be at 11:50 tomorrow. Courtyard Prayer will be at 11:30.

Wednesday

Sorry, I have been having conferences this week so I have not had time to blog.
Today students were exceptional during Mass. The 2nd grade will be the leaders next Wednesday. They will also have Monday morning courtyard prayer and Wednesday morning courtyard prayer.

Remember next Wednesday is a 12:00 dismissal.
Students are working on telling time in math. Most have a good idea and have knowledge about telling time.
In language students worked on finishing up their animal power points. Many were able to add sounds and some fun transitions as well as amazing backgrounds and information. They will be sharing those over the next week. Hopefully, I can post them on the website for all to view. We also worked on more r-controlled vowels and using "a" and "an" in sentences correctly.

Tomorrow students have lots of specials. They will have Spanish, Music and PE. It's going to be a busy day.

Tuesday

In religion we finished discussing the Last Supper. After lunch, students who did not have a chance to make Reconciliation during Lent did so today, with the exception of those who have not make their first Reconciliation. They seemed to enjoy the experience.
In language students went to the library and we worked on adjectives with nouns and commas in a series of items. They also took the weekly assessments, spelling and dictation tests, and the CLOZE test.
In math students worked on story problems. These were particularly difficult and required multiple steps.

Monday

Reading logs for march are due tomorrow.
In religion we worked on the Liturgical Calendar and read a story about Holy Week.
In reading students created an invitation and a menu for an imaginary party.
They also worked in Ipads. We reviewed endings -ge,-dge, -rge, -lge, and -nge.
Students also worked with inflected endings with -s, -ed, -ing.
In math, we worked on measurement. Students had a good idea as we already measured using metric.

Thursday

In religion we discussed Holy Week, especially Holy Thursday.
In language students read a story called, "Mice and Beans". We are discussing things in a story that could be fantasy and what can be reality.
In math student used a ruler to measure items around the classroom to the nearest foot.
In social studies students drew the route they use to come to school. Those who could not remember the street names drew the way the get to school. It is so interesting to see how they view the route to school.
Students went to PE and Music.

Wednesday

Student behavior continues to be excellent during Mass.
After Mass, students completed the fractions quiz and seemed to do very well. Our new chapter is on measuring in feet and yards. Please continue to practice the application of basic facts in story problems or using mental math. Mental math might fun in the car on the way to practice or dance or other activities.
In reading students completed the unit 5 assessment and worked in netbooks finishing up any powerpoint projects they hadn't completed.
In social studies we read how trees become paper towels. The term flow chart was introduced as well as using maps to track routes.
Unfortunately, there has been some rough play during soccer games at recess today, so there will be no soccer tomorrow.
Hopefully, the students can get back to playing regular soccer.

Tuesday

I sent home a lot of papers today. Students should empty their home folders tonight. I also sent out a sign up genius for parent/teacher conferences. I do not need to meet with all parents. I did leave time slots for those requesting to see me. I did send a separate sign up genius for those parents I requested to see for a conference.
In religion we are finished up and took a quiz on Jesus the Good Shepherd. We will begin Holy Week tomorrow.
In language we took the weekly assessments.
In math we are finishing up fractions. Students really grasp the concepts and we are moving through this chapter easily.
Students also went to library and PE.

Monday

Well, it appears this week will be pretty much back on  schedule. Tomorrow is a spelling test and assessments.
Today we talked about Jesus being the good shepherd and how He takes care of us always.
In language students worked in ipads as well as reviewing synonyms, antonyms, possessives, and contractions.
In math we worked in a new unit on fractions.
In social studies we talked a little bit on producers and consumers.

I have noticed some maturity in this class. They are beginning to show signs of becoming 3rd graders. They have been working really hard and have been working quietly in the mornings. Great Job!

Canaan in the Desert

Retreat

Retreat pictures

Wednesday

Students were awesome leaders during Mass today.They were very reverent and holy doing their part.
Students worked on classifying and categorizing element of the story about the moon. They also worked on hard and soft c and g. They practiced putting the vocabulary in noun, verb, and adjective categories and using the words in a sentence.

In math we finished up the unit on money by taking the quiz.
Tomorrow is the 2nd grade retreat.
Friday is a buck-a-jeans day and the final PRIDE day of the year.

Retreat Reminder

                             

                                   In The Footsteps of Jesus

2^nd Grade Ways of Worship Retreat

Dear 2nd Grade Parents: 

 Just a reminder. The Blessed Pope John XXIII 2nd grade Spiritual Retreat 

"In the Footsteps of Jesus" is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2014.                    

Place:   Canaan in the Desert  St. Bernadette’s Catholic                                                                 Church

            9849 N. 40th St.                       16245 N 60th Street

            Phoenix, AZ 85028     Scottsdale, AZ  85254

Date:   Thursday, March 2014

Time:   8:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

You will be dropping off and picking up your child from Blessed Pope John XXIII on the day of the retreat at the regular times.  The students will be bused to Canaan in the Desert in two groups. The retreat will continue at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church after lunch.

·        Please have your child bring a water bottle, hat, and wear sunscreen for the morning trip to Canaan in the Desert.

·        Snack will be provided during the morning of the retreat.

·        Lunch will be what you provide for your child and will be in the Ramada at their regular lunch time.

·        Please have your child wear their school uniform.

 Thank you to all of those parents who have volunteered to assist on the day of the retreat. 

God Bless,

Michelle Bucci 

Thursday

Today we talked about Jesus being the Good Shepherd.
In language students worked on reviewing homophones, story sequencing using sequence words like first, next, then, last. They also wrote a story using sequencing words.
In math students worked on bar models adding and subtracting money.

Remember no school tomorrow and on Monday! Have a great long weekend.

8th grade helper

John was our awesome helper today!

Bl. Pope John XXIII Summer Camp

Join us at Blessed Pope John XXIII Catholic School for a “faith-filled” summer experience nurturing the “WHOLE” child.  We are accepting students entering K - 5^th grades for the 2014-2015 school year. Curriculum includes academics, technology, foreign language, arts/crafts, physical education, Bible adventure, field trips and more!   Weekly sessions from  6/9/14 thru 8/8/14.  Instructors are AZ Certified Teachers.  Lunch is included.                                                                                                                                          

For more information:   tele: 480-905-0939/website at www.popejohnxxiii.org /email at  summercamp@popejohnxxiii.org                                                                                                                                                           

Monday

Students made Forgiveness Bracelets to remind them about The Sacrament of Reconciliation. We also reviewed vocabulary and wrote about different ways to make up for our sins.
In language, student worked on finding details to support the main idea of a story.They also reviewed the schwa a sound and vocabulary. There is a spelling test tomorrow.
In math we are still working on money.
In social studies, we began our unit on economy. It is about what jobs people do, and how we earn money and why we earn money.

Friday is no school, so grids are due on Thursday.
The permission slip for the second grade retreat is due this week.
There is also no school on Monday, but there will be a spelling test on Tuesday, March 18.

Thursday

Today was a wonderful day learning about the Sonoran Desert habitat and all that lives in it. Students learned about desert survival. They watched a video about plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Then they went to 4 centers each one about something different. Students even got a taste of prickly pear juice.

In the afternoon, students created their art project for the Pope. They created saguaro cacti with spines asking the Pope to come and visit us in Arizona and the Sonoran Desert. FYI-- the saguaro cactus can only be found in the Sonoran Desert.

Monday

Today students wrote to Poe Francis and invited him to come to Arizona.
Students used the I-pads. They also worked on naming a story problem and then listing how the characters tried to solve the problem, then writing down how the problem was solved. They also worked in phonics and homophones.
In math we began money.
We also started listening to the President Reports they worked on in class.

For our field trip on Thursday, please have your child wear sunscreen, a hat, and bring a water bottle. They are to wear their uniforms.

Reading the play

Reading our play

Field Trip

Our field trip will be on Thursday, March 6 from 8:45-12:00. We will be eating lunch at school.  We are going to Desert Center @ Pinnacle Peak in the La Mirada Park and we are traveling by bus.
Permission slips and FACTS forms were sent home today. Please sign and return both as soon as possible.

Tuesday

Students worked on learning the 5 steps to Reconciliation in religion. They put together a Reconciliation booklet that they can use when they go to Confession.
In language students took their weekly tests. They also went to the library and participated in Jumprope for the Heart in PE.
In math we reviewed adding and subtracting mentally, using the tricks they learned this week.
We reviewed how to have a healthy heart.
The 6th grade classes came down and shared their mythology reports.
Students are working on being kind to one another, sharing what they have and not excluding, and following directions. They seem to be a little rusty and need some reminding. We talked about being a responsible Christian and an effective communicator in using our words to express ourselves without hurting feelings.
I am sure since we are back in a routine, life will get back to normal.

Monday

It's great being back after a long week.
February book orders have been ordered. They should be here next week.
President 3-D models are due on Tuesday, March 4.
Yes, there is a field trip on Thursday, March 6. Students will be eating lunch at school. We will be back about 12:00. It is to the Desert Center @ Pinnacle Peak. Permission slips and additional paperwork will be coming home this Tuesday.
In religion we are continuing to learn about the Sacrament of Penance.
In language student are learning about the author's purpose, possessives, and contractions.
In math students continue to learn some mental math tricks in addition and subtraction.
We wrapped up our unit on weather with a quiz.

Happy Valentine's Day Party

Tuesday

In religion students took a quiz on the chapter about sin and God's forgiveness.
In language students completed the weekly assessments, spelling test and dictation test.
They went to Library and PE.
Because the class behavior was excellent they earned the last letters and spelled Free Time. They earned an extra, indoor recess this afternoon.
Great Job!!
Friday is Pride Day and there will be a low key Valentine Party. There is no need for parent helpers this time. However, treats may be sent in along with valentines.

Monday

Today in religion students reviewed the Ten Commandments and what mortal and venial sins are, along with the 3 things needed to be forgiven by God.
In language students reviewed contractions and the "au" sound in phonics. Students also worked on past tense verbs using -ed. Students worked on ipad apps today.
In math students began a new unit on mental math.
In science we recorded the weather temperature and wrote in weather journals.

Thursday

Today we reviewed that god loves us not matter what. Since some students recently received the sacrament of Reconciliation we discussed how great it felt when God forgives us.
In language, we are working on making inferences. Our new story is called, Nutik the Wolf Pup. We also worked on vocabulary and phonics.
In math, we began the Mid-year math benchmark for the Math in Focus. We will finish tomorrow.
In science, we discussed the weather and what it was like today. We took the temperature and wrote in our weather journals. They also made a precipitation wheel. Students also watched a short film on the phases of the moon. Since it is National Teeth Month students did some fun/educational work about teeth. It is also Chinese New Year, so students were able to learn about that today, too.

Tuesday

In religion we began talking about sin and that God loves us even when we sin. We read the story of the Prodigal Son and did some work in our workbooks.
In science we learned about clouds.
In math we have begun reviewing for the mid-year benchmark assessment.
In language we completed the usual spelling, dictation, and weekly assessment tests.
We moved desks today. Yipee!!

Monday

Today students finished up their pictures of the Miracles of Jesus. They also took the quiz on that chapter.
In language students worked on making predictions. They also reviewed compound words, as well as, phonics with the "ew" sound spelled with ui,oo,ou,ue.
In math students completed the chapter 9 test on volume.
Mrs. Santucci came today to educate the students on tooth care. They will receive a new toothbrush, a timer, and some coloring pages.
In science we talked about weather.

Wednesday

Students were excellent again at Mass even wearing red, white, and blue.
We listened to the rest of the fabulous Book Talks. Alexis, this weeks's photographer took pictures of each student and their Book Talk.
In math we began volume. Students really grasped the concept.
In science we read the thermometer.

Tomorrow is crazy hat day.

Tuesday

Happy Crazy Socks and Shoes Day!

Students began sharing their Book Talks. All of them are so fabulous! I can't wait for the rest to be presented.
In religion we talked about the miracles of Jesus.
In math students took a time test and Chapter 8 test.
In language students took their spelling tests, dictation tests, and Weekly Assessments.
In the afternoon we began our unit on weather. We are little behind the other 2nd grades because I was waiting for some different weather. Since it doesn't look like rain anytime soon, we began today.

Tomorrow is red, white, and blue add on day.
Thursday is NOT crazy hair day, but IS crazy hat day.
Friday is World Mission Rosary day. Students in 2nd grade can wear an all white t-shirt or school shirt for the continent of Europe.

Monday

Happy Catholic Schools Week! There is a lot going on this week.
Book Talks are due tomorrow. Also, it's crazy sock, crazy shoe day.
Be sure to wear tennis shoes for PE. Only grid homework will be given this week.
We worked on our door decorations this morning. Students worked on syllables
and context clues. They also worked on mass in math with grams and kilograms.
Students also worked on the unit review. We will be starting volume.
Students also finished their entries for the "Expressions of Faith" contest put on
by the Catholic Sun.

Door Decorations

Door Decorations

2B Catholic Schools Week Door Decorations

Wednesday

Thank you for all the beautiful cards, flowers, lunch, and balloons celebrating my half birthday! It was so fun and what a thoughtful idea. Thank you to everyone.

Students were exceptionally well behaved during Mass today. They earned a "free time" letter.
In language we began a new story about recycling. Students learned what a flow chart is and how to read it. They are also working on context clues and homophones/homonyms.

In math students learned about grams and compared different masses in grams.

I will be out of the classroom tomorrow. I will be visiting another school for their accreditation.
Don't forget Book Talks are due on Tuesday.

Wednesday

Students did a great job at Mass keeping their worship aides quiet so we could hear Fr. Pete.
After Mass we worked on the new vocabulary to go with our new story. In addition, students worked on the two ways to spell they short u sound with ou and oo as in could and cook. They also worked on r-controlled vowels. They also are almost finished with their winter stories. They are also creating either a picture, a poem, or a writing to enter into the Expressions of Faith contest. Students are expressing how they express their faith and what their faith means to them.
In addition, students are using the online World Book Encyclopedia accessible from the school library website to find information on a wild animal.
In math students are catching on to solving story problems. They did a pretty good job today as they worked in pairs to solve some story problems about measuring in centimeters and meters.

Box Tops contest is back on, so send in those box tops.

Monday

Remember there are 12 words on the spelling test tomorrow. That would be 13 words with the bonus word.
Remember to work on IXL.com with basic math facts.
I sent home the Book Talk ideas and directions. Book Talks are due on January 28. Get started picking out your book.
Students were so quiet and were working so hard, they earned the last FREE TIME letter. They did have free time in the classroom this afternoon.
In math we are measuring using centimeters.

Thursday

There will be 12 spelling words a week from now on until the end of the year.
Students should be working on IXL.com for at least 10 minutes a night to improve math fact fluency.
In reading today students worked on their winter stories and most have begun to type them on the netbooks.
In language students worked on the past tense for is, are, and am. They also practiced putting in capital letters for proper nouns.
In math students worked on comparing items using meters.
In spelling students worked on suffixes, ed, s, and ing.

Happy New Year!!

Students were so happy to see one another today after such a long break! They had such cute stories to tell each other and some couldn't wait to share what they got for Christmas.
Spelling words will be increased to 12 words and the bonus word each week. The Second Grade Team decided to increase the number of words to increase the rigor.
In religion, students listened to the story of the Good Samaritan. We discussed how he was a good neighbor.
We will be discussing the Corporal Works of Mercy. They already have an idea.
In reading student completed a rough draft of their winter stories. They also worked on contractions and on the ipads.
In math we began the unit on measurement and learned about meters today.