Sunday, September 24, 2017

Week 7

Culture Day

I huge thanks to the parents who volunteered for Culture Day this Wednesday! We look forward to learning more about your culture or the places you have lived. Students are excited as well. Be sure to ask them about their learning when they return from school.




Here are a few pictures from 2K of our students practicing a variety of greetings.




Core Value Books
We will be sending home the core value book of the month. This month is RESPECT. When your child brings home the book please take a day or two to read it and talk about it. Then, return it to school for the next student to take home.




Room Parents:
The leadership team has chosen the room parents for all three classrooms in Grade 2:
2K - Linda Cederblad (Astrid’s mom)
2R - Ahmed El Kilany (Zaiden’s dad)
2S - Rajaa Berrada (Amanda’s mom)


Important Reminders:
Monday, September 25th will be an Early Release Day and all the students will be dismissed at 11:30. No After School Activities on that day.


Healthy
All health records need to be submitted by September 28 and after this date, students without updated records cannot attend school.  We are hoping we do not have to send any students home. The health office will share a live link with each class so they know who has missing records.


Half-day on Monday, September 25
Students will be dismissed at 11:30


P.E.
The swim unit has finished. Students are now on ball skills and jump rope. Remember to check your child’s schedule and send them with PE uniform on both PE classes for the week.


ASA
  • No After School Activities on Monday, September 25th.
  • If your child can't attend ASA please notify Ereeny: egergess@cacegypt.org
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What’s Going on This Week in Grade 2
Readers’ Workshop
This week we will begin Unit 2: Characters Face Bigger Challenges, Part One: Getting to Know Our Characters’ Wants and Troubles. Students will learn to name a trait or two about the character, talk about how the main characters feel about the problem, and what they do because of the problem. We will continue to work on Increasing fluency and intonation.


Readers will learn that as we go forward in our reading of a book, we carry and build an understanding of who the characters are. In the beginning of our books, we hold in our heads the information we learned from reading the blurb. As we read, we begin to add new information about the setting and characters’ lives. We read on, expecting that soon, a problem will show up.

Essential Question:
  • When reading fiction stories, what can I do to be sure I understand the main characters' problems?


Some suggested discussions to do at home:
  • Ask your child to retell the story
  • Talk about the problem(s) and solution(s) the character has


Writers’ Workshop
This week we will begin Unit 2: Gripping Fictional Stories with Meaning and Significance. Students will learn about elaborating about a character with details, talk, and action. They will learn about choosing strong words to make a picture in the reader’s mind. We will continue to talk about using grade level spelling patterns and word wall words correctly. And we will discuss how to use quotation marks and apostrophes properly.


Students will start word study soon so be on the lookout for spelling flash cards. Students are about ready to teach you the games we have learned.








Essential Question:
  • How can I write detailed, focused, gripping fictional narratives, drawing on all I've learned about this kind of writing?
  • Where do authors get their ideas?
  • How do good writers HOOK the reader?


Some suggested activities you can do at home:
  • Generate ideas to write about by talking about a small moment and talk about what the people did, said, or felt.


Math- Module 3: Place Value Counting- Numbers to 1000


Module 2 assessment will be sent home this week. Please review it with your child, sign it and return it as soon as you can. The assessment covers what we have learned this module and was discussed in the previous Blogs. Students will talk about their two stars and a wish to review his or her strengths and challenges.

In module 3, students learn to develop a deeper understanding of counting and place value. Students will form Base Ten units of 10s, 100s, and a 1,000 with hands-on activities. Students will learn to bundle and count ones, tens, and hundreds to 1,000 using straws. Then they will learn to draw to represent those numbers. We will also practice counting up and down between 100-220 using ones and tens.  Counting around benchmark numbers (multiples of 10s and 100s) will be reviewed and we encourage you to practice this at home as well. You can make a fun game out of it by using rhythm or happy counting (give a number count up when the thumb is up, stop when hand shows stop and countdown when the thumb is down).


Essential Questions
  • How can a number be represented in different ways?
  • How does the position of the digits in a number affect its value?


Key understandings of Module 3:
  1. I can explain the value of each digit in a three digit number.
  2. I can explain how ten tens can be put together to form a hundred.
  3. I can explain the value of each digit in a three digit number.
  4. I can explain how all the hundreds are related to one another because they have no ones or tens.
  5. I can skip count by 5's, 10's, or 100's up to 1000 and starting at any number.
  6. I can read and write any number from 1 to 1000 in "regular" form, words, or expanded form.
  7. I can correctly compare 3-digit numbers using >, =, and < by observing the value of their digits.


*Don’t forget to check out Eureka Math at https://greatminds.org/
* Module 3 Parent Tips Letter
Social Studies
Students will discuss and act out the different greetings they researched about. We also will have our Culture day where several parents have volunteered to come in and teach about their culture. We are excited to share the learning experience with our parents. Also, we want to thank the volunteers in advance for your time and care!


Essential Questions:
  • Are cultures the same?


Some suggested discussions you can have at home:
How can you...
  • show respect for the ideas of others.
  • work collaboratively.


Circles

Focus: Respectful behavior especially when working with others, respect in the classroom, at school, at home, and in the community

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Week 6

Core Value Books
We will be sending home the core value book of the month. This month is RESPECT. When your child brings home the book please take a day or two to read it and talk about it. Then, return it to school for the next student to take home.

Culture Fest:
As you know Grade 2 will be celebrating the Culture Day on September 27th. We still have room for 1 more presentation. These are the countries that we already have confirmed:
          Sweden          Kenya           Egypt           Australia          China          Pakistan Korea
Please, let us know if you have any questions. Here you have the letter with all the information. Thank you so much in advance to all the parents for your time and support.

Room Parents:
2K is looking for a room parent to help coordinate some activities. It’s easy and just a few responsibilities. You only have to help to organize some activities by coordinating all the classroom parents. Please, let us know if you have any question. We will help you to be the best room parent!!!

Important Reminders:
  • Word Work will start coming home. Please take time for your child to show you some cool games he/she has learned over the past few days.
  • Student Leadership
    • 2K: Adam & Zeina
    • 2R: Nour & Travis
    • 2S: Sophie & Stirling

ASA
  • All activities began Sunday, Sept. 10. Students should go straight to their ASA location.
  • Production began on Wed. Sept. 6
  • If your child can't attend ASA please notify Ereeny: egergess@cacegypt.org

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Counseling Corner

Our guidance lessons are going to shift from the Skills for Learning unit to the lessons on Empathy. Second graders are learning about their own feelings and the feelings of others which will help them to better control their emotions and be more accepting of their peers.  During guidance time we will be covering Second Step lessons about understanding feelings and emotions.  Students will look at facial expressions, tone of voice, body language and situational clues to better understand how others might be feeling.  Students will also be looking at ways that they can better identify their own feelings by noticing physical clues that happen within their bodies. We will also discuss different strategies for managing feelings in appropriate ways.
We will do this through books, activities and lesson discussions.  This week we read “The Way I Feel” and role play different feelings to support the lesson.

Our Core Value this month is Respect, which fits in with our guidance lessons regarding respectful listening and understanding differences in emotions. You can help support their understanding of respect by asking questions such as:

  1. How can you show respect for yourself?
  2. How do you show respect for your friends?
  3. It is also helpful if you share something that they do that you consider respectful.
Sincerely,
Dana Purpura
CAC School Counselor
dpurpura@cacegypt.org
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What’s Going on This Week in Grade 2
Readers’ Workshop
We will wrap up this unit: Taking Charge of My reading. We will review the decoding strategies we covered and review ways to help us comprehend even better. Sometimes minds drifts and as readers we need to pay attention so we can comprehend what we read. Other times we might not understand something and one strategy readers use it to stop, back, up and reread with our minds on! We will also reflect on what we do well as readers and what goals we want to make to ensure we are reading longer and stronger.
Students will also start word study groups soon!
Essential Question:
  • How can I become a strong, independent reader?

Some suggested discussions to do at home:
  • Ask your child how to find a just right book.
  • Discuss some favorite genres and what they like about it.
  • Read and talk about books

Writers’ Workshop
Students will learn that when writers do something new, they don't just try it once and give up. Writers are bold! And they can be bold too. Our writers can try new things in writing even if they're not perfect. Then see what you think. You can ask yourself, "Did it work? or "Should I try it again in a new way?"

Students will also learn that writers ask each other questions and check that their writing is as clear, meaningful, and well crafted as it can be. Writers revise in the company of other writers. And you and your writing partner can do the same.

Essential Question:
  • How can I use the craft moves from a mentor authors' writing?

Some suggested activities you can do at home:
  • Brainstorm topics to write about
  • Talk about small moments vs. a whole event

Math- Module 2: Addition and Subtraction of Lengths
Students will review Module 2 in preparation for the End of Module Assessment.
Key understandings:
  1. Measurement with centimeters
  2. Appropriate every items we can use as tools to measure
  3. Comparing lengths
  4. Using the Read Draw Write procedure to help with word problems
Essential Questions
  • How can tools be used to determine measurement?
  • How can lengths be compared and contrasted?

*Don’t forget to check out Eureka Math at https://greatminds.org/
* Module 2 Parent Tips Letter
Social Studies
Students will continue to research greetings from different countries and record information in a graphic organizer. They will search online using the Culture Crossing website to research greetings from countries such as: Columbia, China, Cuba, United States, Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Greece, Denmark, Ukraine.

Essential Questions:
  • Are cultures the same?

Some suggested discussions you can have at home:
How can you...
  • show respect for the ideas of others.
  • work collaboratively.

Circles

Focus: Respectful behavior especially when working with others, respect in the classroom, at school, at home, and in the community

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Week 5

Important Reminders:
  • Culture Day! We need volunteers! This is an exciting time to share and teach about your culture. Please like here for more information. If you are interested contact your homeroom teacher. We look forward to working with you.
  • Sept 12 ALL Faculty, Staff, student ES school photo, ES Lawn after assembly.
  • Picture day is coming up in September
    • 2R - Tuesday 12
    • 2S & 2K - Wednesday 13
  • Principal's Coffee: September 11Sept. @ 8:00 - 9:00AM, Elementary Hall
    • Welcome and beginning of year feedback
    • Elementary PTO liaison 
    • Challenge and Enrichment Specialist:
"Come and meet Selena Gallagher, our new Challenge and Enrichment Specialist. Selena will share some information about our philosophy and approach to meeting the needs of our highly able learners, share some advice for parents about nurturing children's talents at home, and answer any questions you may have."
  • Mark your calendars:
    • Christy Curran reading writing workshop for parents, October 11
    • Kg - Grade 2 reading and handwriting workshop, October 30
ASA
  • All activities will begin Sunday, Sept. 10. Students should go to the lunchroom to meet their ASA instructors the first time (except for those in the ES production and swimming).
  • Production began on Wed. Sept. 6
  • If your child can't attend ASA please notify Ereeny: egergess@cacegypt.org


Peace Bake Sale Invitation


Dear Parents,
The ES Peace Committee is planning a bake sale after school on Sunday, September 17th. Our theme this year is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” We are trying to build peace through meaningful actions such as raising money for the National Cancer Institute. If you are willing to participate in this Peace Bake Sale, please let your son/daughter bring their baked goodies in the morning to the ES Office on Sunday, September 17th.  If you wish to help in the sale, this would be greatly appreciated. You can contact Basma Salem bsalem@cacegypt.org  to volunteer for the sale after school by the lawn area.
We are encouraging our students to eat healthy snacks so we expect goodies to follow the same criteria. (muffins, banana cakes or bread, cup-cakes or brownies without extra chocolate and sugar icing are the best choices). Items will be sold for 15 L.E. each.
Your contribution always makes a difference.
Thanks,
The Peace Committee - PIPS (Partners in Peace)
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What’s Going on This Week in Grade 2
Readers’ Workshop
Readers use every bit of information that a book gives us to help us figure out what new words mean. You can read back in your book and then read ahead, using the context to figure out the word or phrase in question. Then you can replace unfamiliar vocabulary with words you think might mean the same to help you hold on to meaning.
Example: So, if you got stuck on the word prized in an excerpt that reads Lily finally admitted to her mother that she was playing catch with the neighbor’s dog when he ran through and ruined her prized rose bush, you could think about what would make sense and substitute a word. Then you might say, ‘Hmm, it sounds like it must have been a special rose bush, so maybe it means something like special.’”
Essential Question:
  • How can I become a strong, independent reader?


Some suggested discussions to do at home:
  • Ask your child how to find a just right book.
  • Discuss some favorite genres and what they like about it.
  • Read and talk about books


Writers’ Workshop
Students will try out craft moves we learned from mentor authors. One way to make your writing more powerful is to try out craft moves that a mentor author uses. Writers can find a spot where they are trying to make his or her writing powerful the same way that our mentor author has made his/her writing powerful, and then try the same moves in our piece, in our own way.




Essential Question:
  • How can I use the craft moves from a mentor authors' writing?


Some suggested activities you can do at home:
  • Brainstorm topics to write about
  • Talk about small moments vs. a whole event


Math- Module 2: Addition and Subtraction of Lengths
Students will develop estimation strategies by applying prior knowledge of length and using mental benchmarks. They will also measure and compare lengths using centimeters and meters. Then they will measure and compare lengths using standard metric length units and non-standard length units.
Essential Questions
  • How can tools be used to determine measurement?
  • How can lengths be compared and contrasted?


*Don’t forget to check out Eureka Math at https://greatminds.org/
* Module 2 Parent Tips Letter
Social Studies
Students will research greetings from different countries and record information in a graphic organizer. They will search online using the Culture Crossing website to research greetings from countries such as: Columbia, China, Cuba, United States, Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Greece, Denmark, Ukraine



Essential Questions:
  • Are cultures the same?


Some suggested discussions you can have at home:
How can you...
  • show respect for the ideas of others.
  • work collaboratively.


Circles

Focus: Respectful behavior especially when working with others, respect in the classroom, at school, at home, and in the community