Merry Christmas from

Mrs. Porters Second Grade Class

Week of December 17-21, 2012

 

Calendar of Events

Saturday, Dec. 15^th-Breakfast with Santa-9:00-12:00

Thursday, Dec. 20^th-Polar Express Day

Friday, Dec. 21st-Mass 8:30AM; Noon dismissal

 

We are looking forward to a fun week before our Christmas break!  It’s hard to believe that we have been in school for half the year already! 

 

Next week we will be doing many fun activities before we go on break.  The second and third grades will be combining classes and rotating through 6 stations during the reading block Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  We are hoping to use this as a starting point for grouping kids according to individual reading abilities during the third quarter.  The students will be engaging in some fun  Christmas stations during this week that include Readers’ Theatre, Literature activities, IPAD and Smartboard fun, and more.  It should be fun and something different for the kids.

 

On Thursday, the primary grades will be celebrating Polar Express Day.  All students may come to school dressed in pajamas that day and we will be enjoying the movie in the gym that afternoon.  I am asking the students to bring in one special gift that they have received.  That morning we will be writing about our special gift and sharing why it is special to us.  Many more exciting activities will be taking place during that day!

 

I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful Christmas.  The only thing I ask of the students is to continue reading and playing First in Math over the break.

 

Thank you for the suggestions for where to see Christmas lights in Indianapolis.  My family will be driving around one evening and enjoying the beauty of the season.

 

Please be sure to dress your child appropriately for the weather (coat, hat, gloves, etc.) We will go outside for recess if possible. 

 

The ambassadors passed out a homework assignment on Wednesday on Effort.  This page asks student to write a paragraph about how they will show effort in completing the goals at the top of the page.  Please help your child write the paragraph.  A paragraph should be five sentences with a Main idea and a conclusion.  These will be due on Tuesday.  Thank you!

 

Don’t forget to check your child’s academic progress in school at www.mystudentsprogress.com.  I try to keep it updated on a regular basis.

 

Reading- We will be going through Christmas literacy stations all week with the third grade. There will be NO spelling this week.

Religion- More Advent activities

Math- Review Doubles, Number strings, addition and subtraction story problems

Social Studies- Complete unit on Communities

 

As always, if there are any questions, comments or concerns, you can contact me at tporter@holyspirit-indy.org.

 

 

Mrs. Porter’s Second Grade News

Week of Dec. 10-14

 

Calendar of Events

Friday, Dec. 7^th-Movie night at the school-7:00PM  

Saturday, Dec. 8^th-Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Wednesday, Dec. 12^th-All School Mass-8:30AM

Saturday, Dec. 15^th-Breakfast with Santa-9:00AM

 

Once again, the students did a terrific job at mass today.  Since we were the only class there, the kids had a chance to really participate in answering the questions.  They did a great job and I was proud of how well they listened.  We also had a chance to watch Father move the Body of Christ to the Monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration.  What a moving moment!

 

I am sending home a December Book Order today.  I know that our school book fair was this week, but I do like to send one every month.  Feel free to order books online at www.scholastic.com.  Our class code is:  GV3KZ

 

Mrs. Moyars is looking for volunteers to help with Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 15^th.   Please go to www.signupgenius.com and enter jammoyars@yahoo.com to volunteer.

 

Can you believe that it’s the Advent season?  I hope that your family can take time out of this very busy season to enjoy the holidays and the true meaning behind it all.  We will continue to do some fun and spiritual activities associated with the holiday as we prepare for Christmas here at school. 

Here’s the scoop for next week:

 

Religion:  Advent Chapter in the religion book

Reading:  Phonics-Review short vowels

               WRAP assessments and Christmas read alouds

Spelling:  Pretest on Monday, test Friday-please review words every night!

Math:  Addition and Subtraction story problems

Science/SS:  Complete Community Unit and begin Air and Weather

December is here!

Mrs. Porter’s Weekly Newsletter

Week of December 3-7

 

Calendar of Events

Monday, December 3^rd-Pep Rally at 1:50PM in the gym

Wednesday, December 5^th-All School Mass at 8:30AM

Thursday, December 6^th-Feast of St. Nicholas

Friday, December 7^th-Our Class Mass at 8:30AM

 

I am very proud of these students!  They have put forth a lot of effort working on First in Math and today our class was recognized as the top class of the week.  Way to go!  Please encourage your child to continue working toward earning the star on See3.  I still have several students who need to complete that assigned task.  They can still earn full credit if it’s completed over the weekend.  Next week, I will be taking off a point if it’s not complete.  My next challenge is to have all students complete the 3-9 game.

 

The Christmas season is upon us and the first Sunday of Advent is this

weekend.  We will start school on Monday with a prayer service in the gym.  Please make sure that your child arrives at school on time to enjoy this special service as we prepare for the birth of our savior.

 

Next week is Spirit Week here at Holy Spirit.  The special days will be:

Monday-Green/Gold Day and pep rally at 1:50PM

Tuesday-Pajama Day

Wednesday-Uniform Day for mass-girls in jumpers

Thursday-International Day

Friday-Holy Spirit wear and Crazy hat day

 

Candy grams are will also be for sell for $.50.  These can be copied from the school e-mail and I will try to get some copies next week if your child is interested in buying one for somebody here at school.  You can buy one for your child as well if you would like to.

 

Our class mass will be Friday, December 7^th.  This is just our class with the parish members who come to daily mass.  I will be passing out parts on Monday.

 

 

Please be sure your child is dressing appropriately for the weather (coat, hat, gloves, etc.) We will go outside for recess if possible.  Don’t forget to check www.mystudentsprogress.com.  If you are having problems getting on

the website, please check with the office.

 

Week at a Glance:

 

Reading- We will be reviewing the Main Character/Setting in stories, and doing some Vocabulary practice.  Next week, we will focus on non-fiction stories.

 

Religion- We will begin our Advent journey and start on a class Jesse Tree.  We will also celebrate St. Nicholas day on Thursday.

 

Math- We are going to be learning about number strings and different strategies for how to solve them. 

 

Spelling- Word preview Monday, test Friday

 

Science-  Air and Weather

 

Mrs. Porter’s Weekly Newsletter

Week of November 26-30

 

Calendar of Events

Wednesday, November 28-All School Mass-8:30AM

 

This week is our celebration week here in Mrs. Porter’s class!  All students may come to school in non-uniform throughout the week.  Please remember to have your child wear tennis shoes on Tuesday and Friday for gym class.  Thursday, we will be celebrating with an ice cream party in the afternoon.  Way to go!  A new contest has begun, so feel free to keep collecting those box tops.  For every 50 that you collect, your name goes into a drawing for a TV.  Just make sure that you put the 50 into a bag and put your child’s name on it.

 

Everybody should have received a progress report and parent pledge last week.  Please make sure that you look over your child’s progress report and sign it.  I would like the progress report signed and returned to school so I know that all parents saw it.  Also, remember to continue checking

www.mystudentsprogress.com to keep up with your child’s work.  I have not had many grades for Science and Social Studies this quarter, but more will be added soon.

 

At Wednesday’s all school mass the second graders will be doing a short performance for our visitors from Honduras.  All are welcome to attend!

 

Please help your child choose a holiday book to share with the class.  We will be doing a book report on these books on Friday.  I have plenty in the classroom if you can’t find one at home.

 

 

The week at a glance:

Religion-We praise and Thank God

Spelling-Double letters, Silent letters, Long O review

Reading-Focus: Setting-Comprehension strategies using John Schacter, Book report on a favorite holiday book on Friday

Math-Symmetry, Review doubles and rectangles

Social Studies-Communities

Mrs. Porter’s Second Grade News

Week of November 19-23

 

Calendar of Events

Tuesday, Nov. 20-8:30AM All School Mass

Wednesday, Nov. 21- Friday, Nov. 23-Thanksgiving Vacation

 

Mrs. Parson’s has given us the week after Thanksgiving Vacation to celebrate our Box Top win.  So, all students may come to school in Non-Uniform clothes for the whole week-wow!  Please make sure that outfits stay appropriate and don’t forget gym class on Tuesday and Friday.  Tennis shoes will need to be worn on these days.  I will also make sure that we get an extra recess on each day of the week.  Pray for nice weather so we can go outside!  Thanks again for all your help in winning this competition.  We should also be receiving an ice cream party soon.

 

My current First in Math challenge is to complete the “See3” game by the time we return from Thanksgiving break.  It does take a while to finish it, but many stickers can be earned and I do already have 1 student who has completed it.  Reading and First in Math will be your child’s assignments during the break!

 

I am going to ask each child to bring a favorite holiday book to share with the class the week after Thanksgiving break.  We will use these books during read to someone time and it will be our next book report.  Please help your child pick a “good fit” book that he/she can read out loud.  It would be a good idea to practice reading the book over break.

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!  I am truly thankful for all of you.

 

Here’s the scoop for next week:

 

Religion-Chapter 4- We Praise and thank God

Reading-Point of View

Math-Quadrilateral assessment

We will also be enjoying some fun Thanksgiving activities!

 

 

Mrs. Porter's Second Grade News

Week of Nov. 12-15

 

Calendar of Events

Saturday, Nov. 10-First Reconciliation 10:00AM

 

Monday, Nov. 12-Veteran's Day celebration-9:10AM in the gym

Tuesday, Nov. 13-PTO meeting at 6:00-This is an important meeting!

Wednesday, Nov. 14-Mass at 8:30AM

 

Thank you so much for working with your child on his/her mass part.  The students did a great job, and we have received many compliments.  I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow morning at 10:00 to celebrate First Reconciliation.  Your child is bringing home a laminated green card today that may be used during the actual Reconciliation.  I was impressed with how many students already knew the steps for receiving Reconciliation.  Way to Go!  Most of the kids also knew the Act of Contrition by heart.  All that practice paid off.

 

Every week, I will be assigning a new concept to complete in First in Math.  So far, students have been responsible for completing Skills Set 1 and First in 10s.  This will count toward each child’s math grade.  I will make sure that the concept is in the planner each night.  You will also be receiving a letter at the beginning of each math unit describing what standards we are currently studying in math class.  Right now, we are studying geometry- shapes, angles, and symmetry.

 

Since the weather is getting colder I wanted to include some reminders of what is expected for our school uniform.  Pants must be worn to school, even on gym days.  Shorts can be worn underneath the pants, but they are only for gym class.  Then pants have to go on again.

 

BOYS:  All shirts need to be tucked in, white or navy blue socks, and hoodies are only to be worn outside.  Please make sure that shoes are tied at all times.

 

GIRLS:  No leggings are to be worn under jumpers. Only “tights” with the feet attached should be worn.  Boots are not to be worn with jumpers.  Boots can be worn with pants, but only if the pants can go over the boots.  Socks should be white or navy blue, no pattern or colorful socks.  Post earrings only, and no nail polish is allowed.

 

Please refer to the school handbook from the school’s website for the complete School Uniform Code.

 

Thank you so much!  Enjoy the beautiful weekend.

 

 

Here’s the scoop for next week:

Reading: Reading groups, making predictions, Text to Self activities

Religion: Our Church Shows us How to Live

Math: Organizing rectangles, Area, rectangle riddles

Spelling: Practice Words to Learn and Word Preview words

Social Studies:  Maps, globes, and communities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Porter’s Second Grade Newsletter

Week of November 5-November 9

 

Calendar of Events

Saturday, November 3^rd-Reconciliation Retreat from 10:00-12:00AM

Tuesday, November 6^th-Election Day!

Wednesday, November 7^th-Mrs. Porter’s Class Mass 8:30AM

 

Great News!!  Our class was the big winner today!  We won the Box Top competition and will be enjoying dress down days, extra recesses, and an ice cream party too!  I also got a $25 gift card to use at Meijer on indoor recess games.  I'm pretty sure the Moyars family put us over the edge.   Thank you to everyone for helping us receive this honor.  It was very exciting when our class was called this morning!

 

Some other great news is that Gladys from the religious ed. office let me know that everybody in this class has their baptismal certificate and “love letter” turned in on time!  Thank you so much for being on top of these things.  I know how hectic life is, and any extra thing can be difficult to remember.  I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow morning for the Reconciliation retreat.  Meet in the church at 10:00AM.  There needs to be one parent in attendance with your child.

 

We started practicing for our class mass today.  This will take place at the mass on Wednesday, November 7^th at 8:30AM.  Everybody is welcome!  All of the students have a part for this mass.  Please make sure that your child is practicing his/her reading out loud at home over the weekend.

 

Please continue to read and do First in Math even over the weekend.  Some other ideas for practicing math facts are rolling dice, getting numbers from playing cards, and even flashcards.  To learn math facts, you need to practice!

 

I will be testing all students on his/her home address next week.  I do expect them to know how the address is set up on a letter. 

 

Name

House Number and Street

City, State

                        Zip Code

 

Have them practice writing it down, or even typing it on the computer. 

 

Week at a Glance

Religion-Steps to Reconciliation

Spelling-Word Preview on Monday, test on Friday-review words please!

Reading-Text to Self-Reading groups-Sequencing

Math-Shapes, Angles

Social Studies-Communities-address test on Thursday

Mrs. Porter's Second Grade News

Week of Oct. 29-Nov. 2

 

Calendar of Events

Sunday, Oct. 28th-12:00PM-School Mass-wear your uniform!

Wednesday, Oct. 31st- Living Rosary-8:00AM

                                    Class Party-1:45-2:30PM

Thursday, Nov. 1st-All Saints Day-Mass 8:30AM

Saturday, Nov. 3rd-Reconciliation Retreat from 10:00-12:00

 

Wednesday, Oct. 27^th is the Halloween celebration here at school.  Students are to wear regular school uniforms that day.  Since we have rosary that morning and a specials class that afternoon, we decided that it would be easiest to stay in uniform.  Our classroom parties will be held from 1:45-2:30 that day.  Thank you to those moms who are organizing this event.  The students always love the class parties!

 

Please let me know if you are having trouble checking your child's grades on www.mystudentsprogress.com.  The office sent a password to each family last week.  If you would like me to print a first quarter report card for you, please send me an e-mail and I will print one off.  I was going to try and print one off for everybody, but I thought that would be a waste of paper if you had already seen your child's grades. 

 

Next Saturday, Nov. 3rd, is the First Reconciliation retreat for all second grade students.  At least one parent is required to attend.  Parents and children will be together for part of the morning, and then Father will be talking to the parents for the other part.  Please meet in the church at 10:00AM.  Ms. Hill and I will be there too.  Also, parents, please make sure that you are completing your "homework letter" and sending it to Gladys in the religion office this coming week.

 

Thank you so much for your support of Box Tops for Education.  This quarter's contest ended Thursday and I'm anxious for the results.  I think that our class has a good chance to be the winners thanks to you.

 

 

Here’s the scoop for next week:

Reading: Author's point of view/persuasive writing/Daily 5

Religion: We will be talking about the saints and reviewing Reconciliation.

Math:2D and 3D figures, pattern blocks

Spelling: Please review words on the lined paper that comes home on Monday evening, and the words to learn list stapled in the home folder.

Science: Halloween fun stuff-notebook

Social Studies:  Communities and Maps

 

Mrs. Porter's Second

Grade Newsletter

Week of October 22-26, 2012

 

Calendar of Events

Monday, October 22nd-Fall break-No School

Wednesday, October 24th-All School Rosary 8:10AM/Mass at 8:30AM

Sunday, October 28th-School Mass at Noon

 

It was a pleasure visiting with all of you at conferences last week.  Please know that I am aware of your child's strengths and weaknesses and will use my knowledge to assist him/her in those areas.  I will also be printing off your child's first quarter report card within this week and sending it home.  Make sure that you are checking for updates of your child's grades on www.mystudentsprogress.com.  You should have received a password for this program from the school office last week.

 

The First Reconciliation celebrations are coming soon!  Our retreat to prepare for this special sacrament will take place on Saturday, November 3rd, and the actual sacrament will be on Saturday, November 10th.  We will continue to prepare at school as well by practicing what we say and examining our conscience.  Continue to pray the Act of Contrition every night!

 

This is the final week for Box Tops!!  The final tally day will be on Thursday, October 25th.  So, is you are holding on to any at home, please send them in.  We are in first place right now.

 

Thank you for your support of the First in Math program.  All of the students in my class are working hard at earning stickers.  I have officially assigned Skill Set #1 to the students to try and pass by Friday.  I will also be testing the students on their address so make sure that you are going over this at home as well.

 

Halloween party information will be coming soon.  The party will take place on Wednesday, October 31st from 1:45-2:30.  I will be giving more information about costumes, etc. soon.

 

Here’s the scoop for next week:

Reading: Making predictions/sequencing/compare and contrast

 

Spelling:  Long i spellings/suffixes

Math:  Geometry/2 and 3D shapes

Religion:  Review Ten Commandments/Sins vs. Mistakes

Social Studies:  Learn proper way to write your address.

Science:  Observe and record plant growth/more life cycles

 

 

Mrs. Porter’s Second Grade News

Week of Oct. 15-19, 2012

Calendar of Events

Friday, Oct. 12-Harvest Hoedown 5-8

Tuesday, Oct. 16^th-Fall Program-1:30PM, 7:00PM

Wednesday, Oct. 17^th-Dismissal at noon/Conferences 1-8:30

Thursday-Monday, Oct. 18-22-Fall Break!

The Fall program practices have gone really well.  The kids sound great and I know that you will enjoy the show.  If you haven’t already sent in your child’s costume, please make sure that it is at school by Monday.  On Tuesday evening, the students are asked to come to Room 2 in the 4-5 hallway at 6:30. 

                  

No more shorts after fall break!  On cold days, girls may wear navy blue leggings under their jumpers.  Boys need to wear uniform pants preferably with a belt and their shirt tucked in.  We will be going outside for recess as much as possible, so please make sure you send a jacket with your child on those chilly days.  Wednesdays are always jumper days for the girls, and spirit days are on Friday.

Thank you for signing up for parent/teacher conferences!  I have 100% participation-yeah!  I look forward to talking to you all about your child.  I will be giving you your child’s benchmark and reading assessment results at the conference.

You should have received an envelope from the Religious Education Office this week.  Please make sure that you have looked in the envelope.  There is a very special project that you are asked to do in preparation of the Reconciliation retreat day on November 3^rd.

Here’s the scoop for next week:

Reading: Bat fun and books-more daily 5

Religion: We Go Forth

Math: Math fact stations

Spelling: Review words in green folder-no test this week

Science: Transfer plants