Timbertail Tidbits
October 31, 2013
Upcoming Events
Tuesday November 5th: Dress For Success Day.
Students may dress as something they want to be when they grow up or dress
"fancy". Please make sure the clothing is appropriate for school (no weapons or costumes that may be unsafe). This is our October Timbertail token event for those students who earned at least 40 tokens. All students in the class can
participate. Way to go second graders!
Friday November 8th: End of the First Quarter
In the Classroom
We are beginning our unit on double and triple digit addition with and without regrouping. Your child will be introduced to a number of strategies they can use to help them solve problems. Some may be new to you. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Reading
If a specific book does not come home in the evening to read your child should read something of their choosing which is a good fit book. Students can also read them their Big Universe account online. Their information is written inside their responsibility log. If they have problems logging on please let me know and I will send their information home with them.
Word a Day Vocabulary
Did you know that we have a word a day in the classroom? Each morning the students are introduced to a vocabulary word that is most likely new to them. We use a strategy called Spot and Dot (which is explained on the weebly) to break the word into syllables so we can pronounce it. We discuss what part of speech each word is as well as looking at example sentences in which it is used. Students are also given situations in which they have to decide if the new word is being used in the correct way. We end with sharing examples from our own lives of the word in action. The two favorite words so far have been rambunctious and monotone. In the classroom students are encouraged to use the new words in their speaking and writing. I encourage to ask your child what the word of the day is when they come home from school.
Build a climate of words at home. Go places and see things with your child, then talk about what you have seen, heard, smelled, tasted and touched. The basis of good writing is good talk, and younger children grow into stronger control of the language when loving adults, particularly parents share experiences and talk about those experiences.
Let your child see you write often. You are a model and a teacher. What you do is as important as what you say. Have children see you writing notes to friends, shopping lists and telephone messages. From time to time, read aloud what you have written. Making changes in what you write confirms for the child that revision is a natural part of writing.
Be alert to occasions when your child can be involved in writing. For example, helping with grocery lists, or adding notes at the end of parents’ letters. Save money and make your own cards: birthday, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Get Well, and invitations. Materials include construction paper, crayons or markers and an imagination.