The Bettler Buzz
October 13-16, 2015
On the Calendar
Fall Into Learning- October 30; More details coming soon!
What We're Learning This Week
Reading- How to find the main idea in an informational text
Word Study- words with ai and ay in the spelling
Math- Addition and Subtraction strategies: Making number bonds, fact families, pictorial representation. Solving word problems.
Science- Force and motion
Grammar- Irregular past tense verbs
Writing- Beginning informational writing- Planning by getting facts from a source and paraphrasing. Students will choose to write about James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, or Mary Musgrove.
Adding and Subtracting in Second Grade
Standard Algorithm Versus Strategies
I encourage you to continue to help your child with math using the strategies that we have used in class. Please do not work with your child on the standard algorithm. It is important that your child learns these strategies. I know this can be tricky for parents since you may not have seen these strategies before. I will try to be proactive by providing explanations of the strategies we are using in the newsletter and through resources on eClass.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. I am more than happy to explain any strategies you or your child do not understand.
Number Bonds and Fact Families
First, they would make the number bond as shown above. That would make the addition problem 3+4+6. Students know that 4+6=10, so then they are simply left with 3+10=13.
I will be checking over some worksheets the kids completed today using number bonds. I will give it back to them to make corrections, but it is not a grade.
Book Clubs
Our first book club meetings will begin Tuesday, October 13. Your child may not meet on Tuesday, but I wanted you to be on the look out for their yellow book club folder in their book bag starting next week. Please help your child keep track of their folders and book club books. The replacement cost of lost books is $8.
Class Dojo
New Rewards System
I LOVE having rewards for Dojo points. I've found that the kids are very motivated by them! However, letting every child choose their reward on Friday afternoons has gotten a bit overwhelming and has started to distract from our writing time at the end of the day. In order to let students still have the opportunity to choose rewards AND protect our instructional time, I've come up with a new schedule so that only a few students are choosing rewards each day. Each student will be assigned a "reward day." On that day each week they will be allowed to choose their dojo reward when we come in from recess right before bus call. I've assured all the kids that this system is fair, although it will take some getting used to.
Monday- Atharva, Maheen, Tatum, Carlos, Asher
Tuesday- Sean, Chad, Makayla, Juan, Sebastian
Wednesday- Zaryah, Natalia, Jaylen, Odalys, Tyler
Thursday- Russell, Ryah, Holly, Milena, Jacob
Friday- Sophia, Baylor, Mohammad, Amy, Riley
Pumpkin Voting
Room Moms are helping each classroom decorate a pumpkin. The decorated pumpkins will be on display in the main hallway outside the Media Center from Tuesday, October 27 until Friday, October 30. On each of these days, students may bring their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to vote for their favorite pumpkin. All money raised will be given to Relay for Life, a community event that raises money for Cancer research. The pumpkins will be auctioned off to the highest bidder at Bingo Night on Friday, October 30.
Great Days of Service
Needed: toiletries such as new toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo; household paper goods (paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues); canned goods and other non-perishable foods; and baby supplies (larger size disposable diapers and training pants like Pull-Ups).
Specials Schedule
Monday 10/12: No School
Tuesday 10/13: Art
Wednesday 10/14: Art
Thursday 10/15: Art
Friday 10/16: Math
Monday 10/19: Math
Tuesday 10/20: Math
Wednesday 10/21: Music
Thursday 10/22: Music
Friday 10/23: Music
About Ms. Bettler
My family means the world to me. We are all very close. We love going to Disney World - my brother and I are huge roller coaster junkies and nostalgic 20-somethings. We also love playing with our bichon frise puppy, Sophie. She is such a trouble maker! In June 2016 I'll add on an extension to the family when I marry my fiancee, David!
Music is a very important part of my life. I have been playing piano since I was six years old. I have also been involved in some sort of choir or band since fifth grade.
As a teacher, my goal is to make sure that students know how valuable they are! It's not about if a child is smart, but HOW a child is smart. I strive to help each child see their own potential to make a difference in this world and give them the tools to succeed.