PuMpKiN pAtCh FuN!

We had so much fun today!  I was thoroughly impressed with the Bures Berry Pumpkin Patch.  We got an educational tour around the patch.  We stopped to see raspberries, pumpkins, bees, chickens, goats, and the newly planted garlic crop!  Farmer Ed (the owner) talked about the life cycle of plants and did a nice job informing us about his place.  We got to stretch our legs in a pumpkin relay race, which was my personal favorite.  Then his wife Kathy joined us for the corn maze and hayride fun!  Last but not least, we each picked our own pumpkin right out of the field.  Look for some pumpkin patch goodies in your child's book bag and enjoy these pictures!  Have a great weekend!

Writing numbers to 200!

Writing to 100 may be easy.....and so should writing to 200, because it's a pattern!  2nd graders should represent, read, and write numbers to 200 using pictures (quick draw- box=100, stick=10, & a circle=1), base ten numerals, and expanded form.  Expanded form is a way to write numbers by adding the value of its digits. Ex. 134= 100 + 30 +4.

One error I tend to see is students write 134= 100 + 3 + 4.  They may know place value, but they think 3 sticks and therefor just write a 3 (without thinking it through).  Remind your child to write how much 3 sticks is worth :-)  And remind them to TAKE THEIR TIME and DO THEIR BEST.  I appreciate your help from home!

Holiday Helpers!

It's that time of year where we start planning for pumpkin fun, holiday cheers, and sharing the love!  
Every year I debate how I want to do holiday parties.  They are such a fun time to celebrate in our classrooms, but I cringe when there are over 40 cupcakes!  I don't want the kids to eat them all, but I don't want to send home beautifully made goodies either (we really do appreciate your hard work)! So how about I choose for you?  Well, I also don't like that idea.  I am thankful for any help, and I don't want to be too demanding.  So.....here's the answer to my wishes.  SignUpGenius!  Visit this website to signup for ONE holiday treat!  Ex. Sally signs up for veggie snacks for the Halloween party. Sally doesn't have to bring anything for the Christmas and Valentine's Day party.  Happy pickings!  You will receive a reminder email 2 days before the big event.
See our sign up page.  Click on the link below!  Thank you :-)

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4ba9a922a7fa7-holiday

Book Orders

Wednesday, October 21 (tomorrow) is the last day for book orders...it's not too late!  If you would like to place an order for your child (and help us earn points for FREE books in our classroom), please visit www.scholastic.com/readingclub and enter our classroom code: NTLQ7 when prompted. 

Thank you for supporting your child's library (and ours too)!

Ones, Tens, and Hundreds!

We found lots of patterns when we wrote our numbers to 100.  Make sure your child knows their place value: ones, tens, and hundreds.  They should be able to identify what place the digit is in and how much that digit is worth.  Happy math homework!

Daily 5 Stations

Daily 5 stations are up and rolling!  For about 30 minutes a day (give or take, depending on our day), your child gets to choose two stations to visit.  They are all fun, and they all incorporate language arts.  The 5 things your child should do DAILY are: read to self, read to someone, word work, listen to reading, and work on writing.  Since we do most of these things together at some point in the day, I let them choose during their daily 5 time.  Your child can choose from:

• Read to self (with an animal buddy)
• Read to someone (with a human buddy :-)
• Listen to reading on the iPad
• Listen to reading on the CD player
• Work on words at the table (paper activities)
• Work on words on the iPad (SpellingCity)
• Work on words at the SmartBoard
• Work on writing at the writing table (stationary paper choices)

Here are some pictures of the Fitz Family enjoying their choices!  Ask your child what their favorite station is so far!  Have a great weekend!

Unit 1 Math Test

Tomorrow, October 16, is our first math test.  Your child will bring home their two quizzes from this unit tonight.  Take some time to look over the quizzes and compliment your child on their strengths.  Also take some time to find ways to grow.  Practice those problems and get a good night's sleep!  This time spent together will be considered their homework....there is no homework page to complete.  Happy Friday Eve!

PETS!

Thank you Mr. Zimmer for sharing your pets with us today!  We ventured over to the high school this morning to see a hedgehog, turtle, and snake.  We have been learning about pets and how to take care of them, so we enjoyed seeing some REAL ones!  This week our essential question is: What happens when families work together?  I hope you see your second grader making their bed, cleaning their room, washing the dishes, and taking out the trash because they all suggested these are great ways to help out!