Mrs. Baker's Class Newsletter
March 28, 2018
What is going on?
Reading: We will be researching about animal habitats and will be focusing on our reading strategies for our end of the year reading benchmark in April.
Writing: Students will write a persuasive paper that convinces the reader that a certain habitat is the best for a particular animal to thrive.
Spelling and Grammar:
Spelling words this week: carry, fat, hear, morning, round, run, third, yellow
Our grammar lessons will be centered around correcting mistakes in passages based on spelling, punctuation and word choice.
Science: Students will observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs such as fins help fish move and balance in the water.
Math: The students will learn about making equal groups when studying multiplication. In 2nd grade, students do not need to memorize multiplication facts; instead we learn the foundation of what multiplication means- taking a large number and splitting it into equal groups. Students will learn 4 different strategies to solve multiplication: arrays, drawing equal groups, skip counting, and repeated addition.
Test Ahead! Alert! I am going to give them one or two more days to work on counting money. I was out one and a half days this week, so I want to give them a few more days. The test is on identifying coins, counting money, having them show 3 ways to make the same amount, Showing them coins and asking them if Jimmy can buy that item. Adding up two different sets of coins and asking who has more money. If you get a chance make sure they are solid over these concepts over the long weekend. Thanks so much.
This and that....
Next week is Kindness week! Each day there is a little extra love going around! We all need it!
Calendar:
Tuesday the 3rd is Spring Picture day! Mark your calendar!
April 2 Book Orders due
April 3 Spring Pictures
April 3 Innovation Station K-2 Family Night
April 4 2nd Grade Field Trip
April 4 Innovation Station 3-5 Family Night
April 7 DI State Tournament
April 14 RRISD Celebration of Families-Empty Bowl Festival
April 16 KSTAR Field Trip 2
April 20 SPRING CARNIVAL!!
Dear Parents,
On April 4, 2018, second grade will be taking a field trip to The Austin Zoo in connection with our spring PBL.
We will be leaving at 9:15 a.m. from the parking lot of Sommer and returning at approximately 2:00 p.m. Students will be traveling to the site by bus. They will be supervised by the teachers on the bus. The cost for the trip is $6.00 per student. You may pay with either check (paid to Sommer Elementary) or cash, but please give exact change.
We need parent chaperones to meet us at the zoo. Chaperones will need to take their own cars and be prepared to pay for the entrance fee. Feel free to carpool with another parent. As a chaperone, you will be in charge of a small group of second graders, and you will need to provide constant supervision. If you are interested in guiding a group as a chaperone, you will need to be a district-approved volunteer (background check completed through RRISD). If you are unsure if you have completed this process, contact the front office in advance. Please email me, as well, if you are volunteering to help.
Students should wear comfortable clothing with tennis shoes. A small snack will be needed before we leave school. On the permission slip, please check whether your child will need to order a sack lunch from the cafeteria or bring a lunch in a disposable bag with their name written on it. Every student will need a disposable water bottle with their name on it (there are no water sources available to us at the zoo).
We are all very excited about the trip! If you have other questions about the field trip, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please make sure you are an approved RRISD Volunteer for this current school year. You will have to have a clear current background check.
Mark your calendars---carnival is on April 20th! Look for fliers in your child's Thursday folders this week!
Please sign up to help at carnivalhttps://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0544ACAF2FA5FC1-sommer1
(Note from Mrs. Varljen: This is such a fabulous family event! It does, however, take MANY volunteers to help that evening. I encourage you to truly make this a community event by signing up to help for just 1 hour. It would be great to have so many volunteers that every parent is able to enjoy some carnival time with their children. It's a challenge! How many will volunteer?? With your awesome support, I am hoping for LOTS! THANKS!)
Math Super Stars:
Two more weeks! Last day of the program is next Friday, 3/30! Students must get 400 minutes (kinder only needs 200) by 3/30 to earn an invitation to the ice cream party!
Yearbook:
Two more weeks! Last day of the program is next Friday, 3/30! Students must get 400 minutes (kinder only needs 200) by 3/30 to earn an invitation to the ice cream party!
Our secondary RRISD Student Advisory Board this year actually is calling out for care and concern surrounding the mental wellness of their peers. Conversations around suicide and stress were the predominant themes. As a result, they have decided to take on as their community service project, the RRISD Campus Walk for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). It will be held on Saturday, April 21 at Cedar Ridge High School. Check in and activities will be taking place from 9-10am, the walk will begin at 10am, and we hope to have some options of presentations immediately following.
The registration links are learning community specific as each group forms a team. The Learning Communities are NOT competing against each other, but against themselves to reach registration levels that will put them at the silver, gold, or platinum levels. ALL in our community are welcome to register and attend.
McNeil Learning Community Flyer and Reg. Link
Round Rock Learning Community Flyer and Reg. Link
Mark your calendar for Makerspace Night at Patsy Sommer Elementary. We hope that you will be able to join us for an evening to Create, Play and Innovate in the cafeteria with your child! This event will feature inventive, challenging, and fun Makerspace challenges from our Stallion Innovation Station for participants of all ages. Grades K-2 will be on April 3rd from 6pm-7pm. Grades 3-5 will be on April 4th from 6pm -7pm. Don’t miss this fun event!
Next week the Student Ambassadors will begin collecting food for the Round Rock Serving Center. This food drive is part of the Empty Bowl festival. We will be collecting food and other items through April 12th. Please share with your class and add to your class websites. We are hoping to collect over 1000 items this year!! There will be a collection bin outside the office.
Most Needed Items to Collect:
• Canned vegetables ~ corn and green beans are the most popular
• Canned fruit
• Canned soup
• Top Ramen
• Peanut Butter
• Macaroni ‘n cheese
• Canned meat and tuna
• Pasta ~ spaghetti, macaroni
• Rice and pinto beans
• Cereal
• Toilet paper
• Diapers
Please see all the details on the website.
Empty Bowls Round Rock Food Drive
Sommer Student Ambassadors